Embrace the Darkness (The Maura Quinn Series Book 1) - Ashley N. Rostek Page 0,128

a joint.

“It’s not sex, but it’s better than a cigarette,” he said in a low voice. I schooled my expression, hoping to look nonchalant. I didn’t want to make a big deal of Grumpy’s kind gesture. He'd known I was stressed and gone out of his way to help me. If I got all mushy and grateful, I might embarrass him, and he’d think twice before doing something like this again.

Cool as a cucumber, I took the joint and put it to my lips. Dean lit the end for me with the lighter. I inhaled and blew out slowly through pursed lips. It’s been a long time since I’ve had one of these. A calmness took over almost instantly. It was euphoric and just what I needed. I gave Dean a small, grateful smile and he offered me his hand to climb out of the car.

The six tied up men were lined up and pushed down to their knees before our security ripped the cloth bags, which looked very similar to black pillowcases, off their heads and trained their guns on them. Jamie, Louie, Rourke, and Conor flanked Dylan, watching as Stefan, with a gun in hand, led Samuel towards the edge of the rocky shore.

My Louboutins crunched in the dirt, undoubtedly scuffing up the spiked heels. Jamie’s head turned, eyes following me as I passed him to go stand in front of the men lined up on their knees. Samuel was placed to stand with his back to the water, facing Stefan. They talked amongst themselves quietly. Probably saying their goodbyes, not that anyone could hear them. I couldn’t see Stefan's face, but Samuel, who had his hands tied behind his back, looked angry. Stefan said something to him because that anger slowly faded, and the tiniest hint of sadness took its place.

I took another puff of my joint, taking in all of the faces of Samuel and Dylan’s inner circle. They were a mixture of enforcers and men trusted enough to help run the drug pillar of our family’s empire. I had a file on each of them back at home from when I'd been researching, trying to find a lead on Samuel and Dylan’s betrayal.

I watched all six of them while Stefan and Samuel conversed. Most held different expressions as they looked around at everyone. They clearly knew why they were here. As of right now they were guilty by association. The true question that needed to be answered was whether or not they'd known they'd been betraying the family or if they'd been just following orders. It would've been easier to just clean house and get rid of all of them, but I wasn’t one to waste.

Holding the joint between my lips, I held my hand out to Asher and Dean expectantly. Asher pulled a pistol and silencer from inside his suit jacket. Taking them, I made quick work of screwing on the silencer.

Stefan stepped back from Samuel and everyone’s attention was drawn in their direction, apart from mine. I didn’t take my eyes off the six men kneeling before me. All were quiet as they watched the fate of their leader come to fruition. Two looked beyond frightened. One appeared remorseful. One’s face was schooled, but his eyes betrayed him. They were full of anger as they looked from Samuel to Dylan. Interesting. The last two guys blatantly and defiantly glared at everyone, but mostly Stefan.

Stefan lifted his gun, already equipped with a silencer, and pointed it at Samuel. Stefan’s jaw moved—saying his last words to his brother—before he pulled the trigger. A red mist formed behind my uncle’s head just before his body crumpled to the dirt. Dylan gasped loudly, drawing everyone’s attention. His head was cast downward, eyes closed, and his hands were fisted at his sides. I held my emotions at bay by taking another puff, then turned back to the six kneeling men. Stefan handed over his gun to one of his goons and made his way over to me. I steeled my expression to match his. Now was a time for strength and I would be strong for him.

I took my joint from my lips and held it out to him. He needed it more than I did, even if he wasn’t showing it. He eyed the joint, then cocked a brow. Nothing was said and no look was exchanged as I continued to hold it out to him. He eventually took it and took a drag. Satisfied, I stepped