Wandering behind the counter, I grab a roll of butcher paper. Xander follows me into the room but doesn't ask what I'm doing. Normally, he's a cocky little shit, but he knows I'm still pissed at him. Knows better than to fuel the fire.
I grab a handful of pork chops and throw them into a bowl before pouring barbeque marinade on them. I toss the meat as Bronson appears in the shop front with an unnecessary amount of blood on his white collared shirt.
He's an emotional man, my big brother. Far more emotional than me. There are two sides to him - one that charms the world and one that most people never see twice. He can sever his morals to protect the people he loves. To seek revenge. To claim what's his.
I can't quite compartmentalise like that. I would kill Michael. Quick like. But Bronson enjoys the act in a way I do not.
"Couldn't you have just cut him clean?" I say with a frown.
"It's the dirt that makes the man appreciate the sparkle." Hearing Jimmy's words spouted from my big brother's mouth only tightens my brows further.
"And what sparkle do you have to show for all your dirt, Bron?" I bite out angrily.
Amused and unaffected by my tone, he smiles at me and then at Xander, who is now sitting at one of the small circular tables. "My beautiful brothers."
"Does he know where they are?" Xander asks and I snap him a look of disapproval. Fucksake. Why is he asking questions when he should be seen and not heard?
"Jimmy's not gonna like this, but he said Marco and his mob orchestrated the whole thing. Our stock is already on its way to India," Bronson says, looking at me despite the question having come from Xander. He glances at the bowl in my hand. He doesn't appear the slightest bit concerned with why I'm all of a sudden interested in the culinary arts. He leans on the display fridge between us and watches me. "I'll tell Jimmy tomorrow. . . He's gonna want us to hunt them down. You know that, right?" Bronson states; a grin that is anything but nice works his lips.
"Yeah." At that, I'm pissed. Michael has cost us more than money and time. Jimmy is going to expect me to go with Bronson, find our stock, and leave a trail of messages in the form of bodies. And I can't do that. I won't leave Cassidy.
Grumbling to myself, I crack some salt and pepper over the chops, then further coat the flesh with a flip of the bowl.
"Armad is finishing off." Bronson stares at the meat that I am now wrapping up in butcher paper. "I'm hungry. I'm glad you salted those fuckers. You always under season my meat."
Shaking my head at him, I tape the paper shut. It takes Xander until I'm on the shop porch to realise what I'm doing.
"Max, no," I hear him say as I stroll outside and onto the sidewalk. The shop door swings shut behind me. I make my way over to the Jacks. The streetlamps light my path while the sound of my footsteps interrupt the quiet of the night. Their eyes shift to me. They slouch down in their seats.
Stopping beside the driver's door, I tap the glass with my knuckles. They look at each other sideways. After a few seconds, the driver finally winds the window down.
I squat to meet their line of sight. "Evening, officers. Would you like to come in? We are just gutting a pig."
They share glances full of meaning. "No, Max. We are fine here."
"Alright then. Well, take this home to your pretty wife and son." With a smirk, I offer Constable Hall the pork chops. "These are the best fucking chops you'll ever eat."
They don't just take the paper package; they also thank me for it.
Tucking my hands into my pockets, I step back and watch as they pull away from the sidewalk, then cruise off down the street.
Wandering back into the shop, I notice Armad and his men have joined my brothers out front. Bronson is now seated opposite Xander while the others stand by or lean on the counter. Armad quite rightly minds his own business as I approach, keeping his head downcast. I don't dislike this man - they are all our men. Nevertheless, I find most people struggle to hold my gaze.
Bron chuckles. "Should have given them some sausages as well, mate."
Xander groans a little. "Why provoke them?"
I sneer at him. "But you're going to be a big shot lawyer soon, so I shouldn't have a problem, right?"
"You are your own worst enemy sometimes, Max," he mutters as Armad and the others sneak slowly outside.
"You need to toughen up!" I snap at him, and he winces. "We need a fucking man. Someone we can count on." My voice gets louder as I feel heat hitting my temples. "Trust with what's important to us!"
Trust - I don't think I trust anyone anymore. Jimmy. Butch. My own brother who walks and talks like a man but disappoints me at every turn.
With sad eyes, he shakes his head and says, "I'm so sorry for what happened, Max. I said I was sorr-"
Before he can finish his sentence, I lunge at him, dragging him to his feet and pinning him against the wall. "You're fucking sorry!" I bark as his chest vibrates with fast heavy breaths beneath my forearm.
He swallows nervously but holds my stare. "I tried to go after her, Max. She told me she'd be okay. Dustin had guards watching my every move. I tried to stop it."
Fucking Dustin.
I haven't forgotten about his apparent involvement in the attack on Cassidy. He thinks he can toy with what's mine; he's
