“So one of us does it,” Maddox said, stretching. “Can’t be West, anyway. He needs a rock-solid alibi.”
“Can’t be any of us,” Alec growled. “You think Jake won’t look at us first?”
“Come on, Alec, we’ve been running rings around the law for years,” Tanner scoffed.
“Around the law in other towns, in other counties,” Alec told him. “I told you guys I didn’t want you pissing in our own territory. Not just ’cause it would create a fuckload of problems I don’t need, but because Jake runs a tight ship.”
“He didn’t know what was happening to Flick,” West pointed out.
“No, but he’s going to fucking notice a murder and he’s gonna look at who has the most motivation to take O’Malley out.”
“So we be smarter about it,” Butch told them. “We make it look like a suicide.”
“Or we find someone else to do our dirty work,” Jaret added.
“Hire someone?” Tanner asked. “Do we know anyone like that?”
Alec and West looked at each other. They did. But that would really be pulling them back into the dark.
“We need to work on finding that asshole, Snake who works for him,” Tanner said.
“Yeah, but with all his money he’d just find someone else,” But said. “Maybe we could hit him financially. Make those billions of his disappear.”
West would rather just take him out. But he didn’t think Flick would feel the same. She had a soft heart and she was too forgiving. Just as well she had him to guard her against anyone harming her again.
He would do whatever it took to keep her safe.
“Something like that is gonna draw us unwanted attention,” Alec stated. “We got to do this smart. Remember, we’ve got Mia and Flick to keep safe. Can’t do that from prison.”
The warning was for him, he knew. The others, despite caring little for the law, usually did what Alec commanded. West was the loose cannon in this operation.
“You’ve got a chance for the sweet life now, man,” Jaret said quietly. “You don’t want to fuck that up.”
No, he didn’t. He also didn’t intend to wait forever for something to be done about this asshole. Still, he gave Alec a small nod. He’d do it his way.
For now.
And if that didn’t work, then he’d do it his own way.
“Gonna take Flick to the cabin,” he stated.
Everyone stared at him. Alec frowned. “We can protect her.”
“She just needs to stay inside with one of us at all times,” Jaret added.
He shook his head. “I promised her that we’d leave. She’s worried she’s going to get someone killed. She’s particularly worried about Mia.” Which, considering she was pregnant and had high blood pressure, was a valid worry.
“Do you want someone to go with you?” Jaret asked.
West shook his head. “I appreciate it, but I need you guys working on things here. Plus, we’ll be safe there. No one else knows about it and I’ll make certain we aren’t followed.”
“I don’t like it. You’ll be on your own out there.” Alec frowned. “There’s little cell coverage.”
“We’ll take the satellite phones and it’s isolated enough he won’t find us. She’s not sleeping or eating. This is tearing her up; she’s too stressed. I need to do this to help her and it will keep her safe. In the meantime, you guys figure out how to get rid of him. One week. Then I’m coming back and taking care of him myself.”
Alec nodded. “Fine. One week.”
The nightmare screamed through her. She awoke, her breath coming in sharp pants, her whole body trembling. The door to the bedroom opened and someone bounded in.