The Scotch Queen (Scotch 2)

“When do you get in my way?”

He had a terrible memory. “It was just yesterday when you said how annoyed you were that you took me to see Crow and Cane.”

“But you weren’t in my way. And no, we aren’t doing that.”

I hid my disappointment as best as I could. “So, where you go, I go?”

“Exactly.” He drove farther into the city and down a few streets until he reached a deserted complex. When he pulled up to the gate, the camera must have recognized his face because the doors opened and allowed him to pass through.

I searched the concrete complex and stared at the warehouses. It didn’t seem like anything illegal was going on at first glance. “If I’m always around, how will you spend time with your other women?” I didn’t like to think about him with anyone else. The fact that they were free and consensual just annoyed me. I’d give anything to have something consensual again. But I knew I was annoyed for other reasons too.

“I’ll make it work.” He killed the engine then got out.

I hid the sour look on my face as best as I could before I got out and joined him.

Crewe took my hand and pulled me with him, keeping me right by his side as he moved. He entered the warehouse and greeted the men and located Crow. His hand never left mine, and when he was face-to-face with the man we saw last night, his arm snaked around my waist. “Crow.”

He nodded. “Crewe. Excited to see our inventory?”

“Impress me.”

“This way.” Crow guided us to a back room where we had privacy from the rest of the men. Cane was already there, placing the different guns on display. They were all black, military looking. Some were machine guns, and others were hand-held pistols.

I felt a little nervous.

“They’re unloaded.” Crow smiled at me like he knew I was terrified.

Crewe kept me close to him as he examined everything. The only time he took his hand off my waist was when he used both hands to grab the AK-47. He felt the weight in his hands then aimed it at the opposite wall. He’d obviously handled guns before because it was clear he knew exactly what he was doing.

That made me uneasy. If I were back in New York, I’d be sitting in class right now learning about the nervous system. But instead, I was in Italy with a man who intended to keep me and fuck me for as long as he wanted. He was examining a hoard of weapons he was about to buy from criminal masterminds.

How did Joey get mixed up in all of this?

“What do you think?” Cane asked. “Your woman seems impressed.”

I shot him a glare.

Crewe didn’t correct him. “Everything is well-made. You didn’t cut corners.”

“We never cut corners,” Crow said. “You get what you pay for.”

Crewe returned the gun to the table then moved on to a handgun. He felt the weight in his grasp then checked the barrel. It was empty like they claimed. He moved on and examined the different specimens, looking at minor details that I didn’t notice with my untrained eye.

Crow turned his gaze on me, watching me like I might try something.

I stared back, threatening him with just my look.

The corner of his mouth rose in a smile, and he looked away. “Your woman has a backbone, Crewe. That’s hard to find.”

“She has a fist too,” I said. “And she’s not afraid to throw it in your face.”

Crow grinned wider. “Don’t let her go, man. She’s a keeper.”

Crewe grabbed another gun and examined it like he hadn’t heard a word we said. “Everything looks good. Let’s pack it up.” He came back to my side, his thoughts still lingering on the weapons in the room.

“Of course it looks good,” Cane said. “Fine Italian craftsmanship right here.” Cane walked out of the room, probably to tell his men they needed to get everything together.

That left me with Crewe and Crow.

“How’s Vanessa?” Crewe asked, probably to make conversation while we waited.

Crow’s good mood immediately disappeared. He didn’t turn angry, just dark and inhospitable. His green eyes looked darker, and his body stiffened noticeably with unease. Like a wild animal that had been provoked, his nostrils flared. “You know I’m in the middle of a war. And she’s the leverage.”

“What does that mean?” Crewe asked quietly.

I listened intently, knowing whatever Crow had to say was important.

“Bones took her. I’ve offered every asset I possess, and he still won’t return her.” He stared at the wall without blinking, his thoughts elsewhere. His body was absolutely still because he wasn’t breathing. “I’ll get her back…somehow.”

I bowed my head so I could hide my face. I knew exactly who Bones was. I’d seen him in the flesh, seen the despicable look in his eyes. He was pure evil, disgusting and satanic. I tried not to shiver at the thought of what my life could have been. Whoever Vanessa was, she had the fate that I was almost destined for.