Custom Built (Fast & Fury #1) - Chantal Fernando Page 0,36

the truth. And I have the Knights at my back, and Nadia—I’m not just going into this alone and without a plan,” I explain, because I know what he’s thinking right now. He’s wondering if telling me anything is the best idea, because I could potentially end up in trouble, hurt, or even dead, like Dad. And I understand he doesn’t want anything to happen to me. I feel the exact same way about him.

He takes a deep breath before answering me. “We were trying to get out of the business, and a war started over our turf. I...control a lot of the drugs that come in and out of the city, Bronte. So with me gone, it changes a lot for many people. There are some players who want to be where I am right now, standing on top of an empire with money, power and control. Certain people don’t want to see others on top, and there are repercussions of whatever decision I make. Lives could be destroyed. People will become enemies. Everyone was waiting to see what would happen next, but before we even made the decision, we lost Freddy. And now I’m wishing I never even told him the truth about me, because he might still be alive then.”

I put my hand on his shoulder. “Dad made his own choices. He didn’t have to join you, but he did.”

“He said I couldn’t trust anyone else, so he wanted to be at my back. And he was right. He was the only person I could trust. This world is...brutal. It’s so sobering to take a good look at yourself, and to realize that because of who you became, you lost the person you loved the most in this world.”

I swallow hard, emotion hitting me. “There’s no point blaming yourself.”

“That’s nice of you to say, but I don’t think I will ever be able to forgive myself,” he admits, ducking his head. “All we can do now is find out who did this and then try and survive the grief. There are three main players fighting for the top. I’ll give you their names, but I need you to promise me not to do anything stupid. If you need people, I have people. Backup, numbers, guns, whatever you need. Call me, I’m here for you, all right? I want to see this asshole gone, too.”

Guns?

I realize now what Crow has been trying to tell me: I’m way out of my league. I’ve never used a gun in my life, and I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.

“Thank you,” I say.

I need to reassess this plan, and work smarter, not harder.

I leave his house with a list of names, and I know if this list got out, there would be a shit storm, so I’m not going to share it with anyone except Crow and Nadia. I get home and have a long shower, and by the time I’m dressed and ready for bed, Crow still hasn’t shown up. I’ve gotten used to him being around here, even though we never formally discussed it, and now that he’s not here I miss him.

Where are you? I ask via text.

He replies instantly. At the clubhouse. Is everything okay??

Yeah, it’s fine.

I type out, I just miss you, then delete. Then type out, Are you coming here tonight? Then delete that too.

It’s so hard when you’re at that stage. You know the one. We’re both into each other but we’re not a couple, so I don’t want to act needy when he’s not even my boyfriend yet.

You miss me?

I smile down at my phone. Trust him to just put it out there and call it like it is. I reply to him with one word. Yes.

Be there in thirty.

I am falling hard for this man.

Shit.

I don’t think I’ve really ever fallen in love before. I mean, I thought I did at the time, but looking back, my past relationships have been nothing but lust. I’ve never felt like this before, and it’s a little overwhelming, yet at the same time I’d fight if someone tried to take it away from me.

I’m lying in bed reading a book when I hear the knock.

“Hey,” I say, letting him in. “You smell good.”

“So do you.” He grins, pulling me against his hard chest. “How did it go with your uncle?”

“Good. I have some leads, and we’re all going to work together to try to find out the truth,” I explain, telling him everything in