take down the threat as I’ve been taught. Instead, I unload the magazine from Kwan’s gun onto the dining table I’m waking up on, then remove the spare out of the chamber.
After skidding the gun across the floor, putting a good six or so feet between it and its owner, Henry signals for his men to stand down. He’s seated at the end of the table, acting as regal as a king.
I guess he can gloat since years of investigations haven’t slanted his crown.
“What do you want?” When Henry drifts his desolate, yet oddly possessive eyes to Melody, I shake my head. “She’s not up for negotiation.”
“I’m not here to negotiate.” Melody forcefully swallows when Henry stands to his feet, exposing I wasn’t out long enough for him to disclose they’re related. She isn’t acting as if her blood is standing across from her. “I want to know why you haven’t told her who I am.”
Melody’s eyes snap to mine when I answer, “The timing hasn’t been right.” I can see a million questions in her eyes, but since she’s fearful about what my answers will be, she remains quiet. “I’ll tell her… just not yet.”
Henry slants his head, his brow cocking. “Does the ill-timing have anything to do with her visit to Saugerties PD earlier today?”
My lips twitch, preparing to answer, but before I can, Melody beats me to it. “I’m standing right here, so if you have something you want to know about me, why don’t you ask me?”
When Henry smiles, so do his goons. “Such spark. You’re very much like your mother.”
Red dots line my chest when he attempts to touch Melody’s face. I grabbed his wrist before his hand could get anywhere near Melody’s cheek, soundlessly warning him I’d rather die than have her touched without permission again.
Although frustrated by my protectiveness of Melody, Henry also seems pleased by it. “If only you had gotten more of your father’s blood, then perhaps we could have put your skills to good use. Alas…” as he twists his lips, he shrugs, “… you prefer playing on the wrong side of the law.” He once again signals for his men to stand down before he takes a step back from Melody, thinning the solidified blood coursing through my veins. “The ranch will not be sold. It will remain in the Gottle name as it was meant to be.” After clicking his fingers two times, a blond man on his left hands Kwan a briefcase. “This should cover expenses until I’m long gone. If it doesn’t, you know where to find me.”
“Boss?” Kwan interrupts, his voice barely a squeak.
Henry blows air out of his nose. “Kwan would like to continue feeding Socks each evening. He has a weird fondness for him.” He drifts his eyes to me. “His daily visits will also ensure no unexpected ones occur.”
I nod, hearing his unvoiced words the clearest. If people believe this is Gottle turf, they won’t dare come here without Henry’s permission. Although I’d rather leave Melody’s protection up to me, I’ve done a piss-poor job of it in the past, so a little help wouldn’t go astray, even if it comes from the wrong side of the law.
Mistaking my head bob as me agreeing to his terms, Kwan snaps open the suitcase. Melody’s gasp fans my nape when bundles upon bundles of hundred-dollar bills are exposed. There would have to be over two million dollars stuffed into the case.
After slamming the case shut and placing it onto the dining table, Henry hands me a USB stick. “This will set it straight on what happened to your brother. Once you’ve watched it, destroy it.” The threat in his eyes turns deadly when he mutters, “Don’t make me come back here and tie up more loose ends.”
He glances at Melody for the quickest second before he spins on his heels and leaves. His men follow closely behind him, Kwan a little slower since he’s sporting a bullet.
Melody and I stand in silence for the next several minutes, only speaking once the sound of tires rolling over untouched land no longer fills our ears.
“What the fuck was that?” Melody’s voice reveals she’s on the verge of another terrifying panic attack. “That’s blood money.” She thrusts her hand at the suitcase Henry left as her chest heaves. “I can’t take that money. I’m an assistant district attorney for crying out loud, I can’t accept money from the head of the Mafia.” As she begins pacing, the