Page 6 of Caden the CEO
“Fifteen percent. Whatever she gets, she has to pay back within thirty days.”
“Is there a cap on the limit?” Lorenzo checked.
“Tell him she can get up to whatever she brings in after her drops. And if he trusts her enough, he can double it. If she’s behind on her rent, owing me is only going to put her in more debt. If she takes double, that should help her out a bit more, but make sure she understands what will happen if she doesn’t have my money in one month.”
“Gotcha.”
After disconnecting the call, Caden headed out of the parking lot.Tina. The name sounded vaguely familiar. Caden wouldn’t suggest he knew everyone who worked under him. That was Lorenzo’s job. Every once in a while, someone either did something really good or really bad to be put on Caden’s radar. He hoped Tina’s name was familiar because she’d done something good. If not, there was no guarantee she’d pay his money back, and Caden would hate to have to make an example out of her.
Dru’s nervessettled the moment she took a puff of the blunt Vontae offered her. They’d gone to high school together, and he was who she purchased her weed from when her mother didn’t have any. While she wouldn’t call him her friend, he was always the connect when she needed something and couldn’t afford to get it out of the store.
This time, what she needed, she couldn’t get out of any store.
This time, she needed a man dead.
“Are you sure he’s okay with seeing me?” Dru asked, looking over at Vontae.
He’d picked her up from the grocery store and was going to take her back so she could head to the lounge.
“Yeah. I’m cashing in on a favor to get you this meeting, so you’re good.”
Dru’s breath came out shaky as she looked out of the window. She couldn’t believe it had come down to this, but to protect her sister, Dru was willing to do just about anything.
“How much is this shit going to cost, Vontae? I told you I only have ten stacks, and that’s literally every dime I had saved.”
“I know, I know. I don’t know what he charges, but I did tell him that was all you had, and he said you could come. If that wasn’t enough, he wouldn’t be meeting with you.”
Dru’s head shook as she took another pull of the blunt. Something was telling her to just leave, but Quenton had to be handled. They sat in the car until she was relaxed enough to meet with Galloway. Rubbing small circles along the center of her chest, Dru pulled in a deep breath. That breath didn’t keep her heart from racing as the weight of what she was about to do settled in. She promised herself that she’d have peace once Quenton was taken care of, and that she wouldn’t lose a night of sleep over it.
It was clear Galloway didn’t want anyone to know where he ran his operation. The compound was in the middle of nowhere. There was no way Dru would remember how to get there if she ever had to come by herself. Once they were patted down, they were led down a series of hallways before they arrived in front of a large burgundy door. Vontae did a distinct knock, and within seconds, the door swung open.
Hesitantly, Dru followed Vontae inside. Her eyes took in her surroundings—bright, empty walls, large wooden desk, several men standing around, silent. Who she assumed to be Galloway sat behind the desk, glasses low on his nose as he read over a document on the desk. His head lifted, eyes shifting from Vontae to Dru. At the sight of her, he smiled and removed his glasses.
“Have a seat,” Galloway directed.
Dru allowed her eyes to casually take him in, but she didn’t want to stare. He looked like he was in his mid-forties, and he favored Keenan Wayans, bald head and all.
“Vontae tells me you’re in need of my assistance,” Galloway continued, sitting back in his seat.
“Yes, but I wanted to make sure you heard him correctly,” Dru said. “I only have ten thousand dollars.”
Galloway smiled with one side of his mouth. “I usually don’t accept such a small amount for anyone on my team, but because Vontae asked for this favor, I agreed. Tell me what happened and why you want this man dead.”
“He raped my sister. I offered to handle it legally, but she’s too scared to name him. So this is the only other way to make sure he won’t ever hurt her again. Plus, I want her to trust that people will be punished if they hurt her, whether she’s afraid or not. Whether that justice comes legally or not.”
Galloway’s head bobbed. “I like that, and I respect it. My starting price is usually one hundred thousand dollars to put any of my men on a job.” Dru swallowed hard and gripped the cushion of her seat. “But because of your acquaintanceship with Vontae and the circumstances, I’m willing to work with you. Give me what you have.”
Dru pulled the money out of her bag and slid it to him across the desk. Only God knew how hard it was to part with that money. It had taken her years to save it. That was supposed to be for emergencies, homecoming, and prom. She knew it wouldn’t be enough for Dreya’s car or college expenses, but it was a start. It was a nest. And now, Dru would be left with literally nothing. For her sister’s peace of mind, though, Dru was willing to spend the dimes in the bottom of her purse. The great thing about working at the bar was she’d have cash flowing in after every shift, and because of that, she couldn’twaitto leave and get to work.
Galloway waited until he was done counting the money to ask, “What information do you have on him?”
“His name and where he works.”
“Write it down,” he instructed, motioning toward a legal pad that was on the desk. After doing what he asked, Galloway dismissed both her and Vontae. It wasn’t until they left that she realized how hard it was to breathe in Galloway’s presence. As calm as he appeared, there was something about him that sent off warning bells in her head. If he was willing to handle Quenton on her behalf, she’d ignore the warning and let the chips fall where they may.
Three Days Later
When Dru was blindfolded and pushed into the back of a car, she certainly wasn’t expecting to be driven to Galloway’s compound. Her heart raced and mind gave her one scenario after another, each ending with her death. As nervous as she was during the ride, by the time they arrived, she’d accepted her fate. While she wasn’t sure what she’d done to deserve death, Dru didn’t plan on fighting for her life. She was in a room full of men with guns and only had her knife on her. The only thing that cracked her heart was knowing she’d be leaving her sister to deal with their mother alone.
