stopped in front of him, crossing his arms as he watched him. “I was going to return the car.”
“Fuck the car. We hadn’t heard from you is all. Call this a security check, if you will. The boys and I just want to know you’re alright.”
“I am.”
Holden studied him, chewing away on that fucking gum like an obnoxious little cunt. Then he grinned. “You don’t say much out here, either, hey?”
Thames didn’t answer. He ran a thumb over his bottom lip, staring right back at Holden without backing down. His insides had turned cold. It would be so easy to reach across the island and beat the living shit out of Holden. He imagined himself doing it for a moment. Painting this fucker’s face red. The lives he’d stolen in prison would haunt him until the end of his life, but he had a feeling he wouldn’t dwell too hard on this fucker’s life.
“What do you want?” he demanded just then. “Because if it’s to go back to the city, I can’t do that.”
Holden’s smirk intensified. “I wasn’t going to ask. We’re not like that, Thames.”
“What are you like then?” Thames tone was icy, but he couldn’t help it. He had enough and this fucker had hardly been there five minutes. “I carried the crew in prison,” he found himself saying, angrily. “I got my hands dirty for them. If anything, I eliminated the head of the enemy behind prison walls, annihilated those drug couriers to ensure the crew held full distribution and it wasn’t fucking easy.”
“We love you for it,” Holden commended.
“So, what the fuck do you want from me then?”
Drumming his fingers on the island, Holden leaned in, looking up at Thames. “It’s clear you don’t want to be part of the crew. Am I right?”
Thames didn’t answer. He was wise enough never to draw those lines out loud. It could be a death sentence. Instead, he was going to listen to what Holden had to say.
Nodding, Holden shrugged one shoulder. “Okay, well, it’s understandable if you’re bowing out, Thames. I’m not the enemy, brother. It’s clear you got roots back here, and a real man comes back to take care of what’s his. I’m not faulting you for leaving. Again, just wanted to make sure you were alright. It’s just…” He went quiet, buried in thought as he chose his words carefully. “You made an oath to the crew in prison, and we took care of you in there. We offered you protection, and you knew it wouldn’t come free. At the same time, we didn’t know you’d pull off half the shit you did, and again, the crew is awed by you.”
“Get to the point,” Thames replied edgily.
“I’m on your side,” Holden explained. “If you want out I can talk to Number One for you, but you have to let me know now.”
Thames inhaled sharply, thinking. Of course he wanted out, but he didn’t trust Holden. He didn’t know if this was some trick. Holden made him wary. The worm was so distrusting, especially after serving prison alongside him, seeing him for who he truly was. This Holden before him now – the smiling, kind Holden chewing bubble-gum like a fucking teenage boy – was all wrong.
“I want to speak to Number One,” Thames demanded. “Alone.”
Holden didn’t budge. “I’m not sure that’ll ever happen, brother. Not even the crew get to see him.”
“And you do?”
As if to remind him, Holden rolled up his sleeve, showing off the number 4 on his wrist. “I’ve been there for him from the very start. I went to prison like clockwork every fucking time, not a single complaint uttered. I helped recruit everyone, and you know how we work. We only bring in the broken. The ones who’ve served hard time, the ones who’ve endured hell and have the spine to do the dirty work. I worked for the crew from within those walls, exchanging deals with the most ruthless cartel members on this side of the world. If you want to plead your fucking case, let me vouch for you. He will listen to me.”
Thames wanted to laugh. The bullshit could be smelled from a mile away. Instead, he stared dryly at Holden, asking, “Why the fuck do you want to help me, Holden?”
Something was amiss. He could feel it under the surface, but he couldn’t put his finger on Holden’s motive.
“Anyone can leave the crew,” Holden answered simply. “They have to pay for it, is all. I’m just