Meow Or Never: BBW SEAL Shifter Surprise Pregnancy Romance (Chicago Catastrophe) (6 page)

T
roy popped a couple more Advil
, hoping it would quiet his pounding head. The sunlight streaming in through the windows seemed far too bright, making him squint.

Dempsy’s men had not been exactly happy to find their boss’ throat ripped out with Troy standing over the body. He had to break Drew’s arm and crack Bo’s skull – no easy feat, by the way - before they backed off and let him explain.

But not before a couple of them got a few good punches in.

Troy
could
have told the guards up front their boss’ time was over, but he couldn’t be sure how they’d react. Their utmost loyalty should always be to the Crimson Claws, but after a long time in Dempsy’s service, some of them might have challenged Troy, or at least tried to warn their boss.

He couldn’t take that chance. Not if he wanted to walk out of there with the mission firmly accomplished.

The primary target always comes first,
Troy ran through his personal motto.

No client cared how many henchmen you took out, only that you got the job done. Possibly starting a brawl with the guards would have been too risky and given Dempsy time to get away.

After all the excitement of last night, Troy had been too beat to even check his phone when he got home. He grabbed it now, thumbed it and brought up the notifications. He was more than glad to see Hailey had sent him a response. Despite his pounding headache and the aches and pains he endured, it brought a smile to his lips.

Just as Troy was about to reply with an invitation to go out again, there was a knock at his door. It resounded right through his head.

Two unannounced guests in as many days? Aren’t I getting popular all of the sudden?

He sniffed the air, catching the scent and recognizing it more easily this time, as it was fresh in his mind.

Jay was back.

With a grunt, he rolled out of bed, taking his sweet time in his dingy one-room apartment to straighten up and stretch. Getting his bearings didn’t come as easily as he would have liked after a fight like that.

And, frankly, he could remember far more enjoyable wake-ups lately. Like with Hailey by his side, all curled up, soft and inviting.

Another job already?
Troy wondered, his lion perking up at the possibility of more violence.

He opened the door, all set to give the man a status report or accept another job, but Jay seemed totally uninterested in conversation.

The man didn’t even bother with a greeting. He was staring at his phone as usual. Troy frowned as Jay thrust an envelope in his arms and walked away. Troy turned the paper over in his hand, brow still furrowed, until he noticed River’s insignia.

The letter ‘R’ with three claw marks running through it, on one of the corners.

“Nice you see you too, man! Say hello to the wife and kids for me,” Troy hollered after Jay, who flipped him the bird over his shoulder.

He closed the door and went to sit down on the edge of the messy bed, ripping the letter open.

A personal message from River? I must be doing something right,
Troy pondered, anxious to find out what this was all about.

You have proven yourself. It’s time to take the next step. Dempsy’s sector is yours, Lieutenant Sellen.

Troy read the three sentences over and over, expecting the words to reveal something new each time, but they did not. To say he was surprised would be an understatement. Killing Dempsy had effectively been a job interview, and he’d passed.

Well, shit. Didn’t see that one coming.

How his new subordinates were going to feel about that, he could only speculate. It was going to be a tough job, no matter what, with the big boss killing off whoever he felt like and all. It seemed no one was safe. That was bound to make people anxious and anxious people tended to make bad decisions.

More importantly though, anxious people responded well to a commanding presence, and Troy had that in spades.

There was no time to waste. Troy gathered his coat and car keys and headed to the casino. He better get to work, unless he wanted to end up like his predecessor.

For a brief moment, he considered calling what had happened in with some people who would be more than curious to hear about it, but he decided against it.

They don’t have to get updates on every little thing,
he decided.

He’d wait until he had something useful, like shipping routes or the names of their Mexican contacts. Seeing as he now had unfettered access to the Bridgeport crew’s operation, that shouldn’t take long.

Before long, Troy was in his trusty truck, zigzagging through traffic with the radio turned up. Getting caught at a red light a couple blocks down, his mind wandered from work to Hailey, as it often tended to do lately. He could still remember her laugh, as clearly as if she was sitting right next to him.

Shit, I haven’t gotten back to her.

His idea to ask her out again would have to be postponed, taking his sudden promotion into consideration. His mood fell considerably at the thought of that. Troy got out his phone and typed up a response.

I think I’m getting there. How’s your day going? I’m assuming you keep getting distracted by thinking about me.

An annoyed honk from behind told him the light had turned green. He hit send before accelerating, turning on to the familiar road that led to the Twin Rivers Casino.

The place looked closed, but he knew better. Troy banged on the door for a while before a surly looking man with his arm in a makeshift sling came and opened it. From under the bruising, Troy could recognize Drew. He looked at Troy with thinly veiled disdain and Troy in return gave him his best smile.

“What are you doing here? Come to take us all out?” the man asked.

Troy could smell the guy’s fear, hidden behind his disgust and anger.

“Shut up and let me in. Dempsy was a liability and I was just doing my job. I answer to River, not to you,” Troy said, a silent challenge in his annoyed gaze.

The man eyed him for a couple of seconds before getting out of his way. Troy headed straight to Dempsy’s office, pushing the door open confidently. There was a damp, rust-colored stain on the carpet, but everything else was already spick and span.

Guess I was right about the stain.

Culliver was sitting at the table, typing something on the computer. He shot up from his seat when he saw Troy enter, a snarl forming on his lips.

“Calm down,” Troy uttered with a dismissive wave. “I’m here on official business. Now call in everyone who isn’t already here. There’s something we need to discuss.”

* * *

T
roy stood
on the small stage on the casino’s main floor, set up for the occasional live performance, and looked down on what
used
to be Dempsy’s crew but was now his. A couple of the guys were regarding him with open scowls, but most just looked bored and eager to get on with their day.

The Crimson Claws weren’t a daycare, no one expected to get their hand held. Everyone knew that if you fucked up, you had to pay the price. That was their reality. Loyalties were fluid and friendships temporary, especially during a shaky time like this. There would be no tears shed over Dempsy’s demise.

They’d forget about Dempsy, but they wouldn’t forget about the man who took him out.

“You’re probably all wondering what’s next, now that Dempsy is gone. Don’t worry, it’s business as usual. River has already appointed a replacement. Say hello to your new lieutenant,” Troy declared with a grin, meeting one pair of eyes after another.

“You?” Lucky demanded, incredulous and visibly annoyed.

Troy gave him a look and then glanced at Culliver, fuming at the door, arms crossed. Lucky had been the head of Dempsy’s detail, while Culliver was his right-hand man. He’d already dealt with Culliver’s initial reaction, much the same as Lucky’s now.

There was practically steam coming out of Culliver ears. Neither of them could be happy that Troy had taken over when they were the ones hoping to go up next and claim the position left vacant by Dempsy, with Culliver being the likely favorite.

Hell, that’s what Troy had assumed before getting River’s message.

He had to show strength and determination or these guys were going to walk all over him.

“Yes, me. You had someone else in mind?” Troy asked, looking at the man pointedly.

Troy hadn’t really spent a lot of time with Culliver, but his dislike for the man had been almost instant. He was boring and petty and had no sense of humor whatsoever. He had this quiet, seedy air about him that was almost palpable.

“I got the command to take over from River this morning. The decision’s been made and if any of you have a problem with it, you’re welcome to step into my office. You all know what happened to the last guy who was sitting in
my
seat.”

Culliver grew silent, probably not wanting to come off jealous or disobedient. Everyone was treading on the side of caution, the last thing they wanted to do was piss off River. Troy waited for a couple of seconds, but no one had anything else to say.

“Alright, then. Get back to work. Culliver, I’ll see you in my office so you can get me up to speed on everything.”

Troy could see the man grit his teeth, but all he did was nod. The crew scattered, getting on with their everyday business.

My crew,
Troy thought with some bemusement.

He hadn’t been expecting this a year ago, that was certain.

Troy strolled to his new office with Culliver trailing not far behind. When they were both inside, Culliver closed the door after him and stared at Troy as he got behind the large, glossy desk.

For a moment, Troy thought the man might make a move. Culliver tensed, the muscles in his neck straining, but within a second he relaxed and conjured up a neutral expression. Troy was almost disappointed.

“What can I help you with?” Culliver asked evenly.

The speed with which his demeanor changed told Troy he needed to look out for him. He was just biding his time, waiting for Troy to slip up. Like the rest of them. No honor among thieves and cutthroats.

“Whatever you think is most relevant. I know Dempsy really valued your input and I plan to, as well,” Troy responded, making sure to control his tone of voice and make it sound as neutral as he could.

He would do well to keep Culliver in his inner circle. The man was more likely to let his hand show if Troy leaned on him and made him believe he needed Culliver’s help.

Keep your friends close…

But he also needed people who would actually try and be helpful. He thought back, running through the roster of Dempsy’s men and remembering which ones seemed to have their heads on straight and got their jobs done.

“Call in Reaver, and Ace, as well. They’ve been here for a while and have a feel for the operation,” Troy said, picking Dempsy’s little knick-knacks off the edge of the desk and tossing them in the waste basket.

Culliver’s jaw tightened, but he nodded and stepped out to fetch the men. He was only out for a couple of minutes before returning with the two guys.

There was no way he was going to use anyone from too close to Dempsy, like Lucky or Grit, but there guys were just distant enough to maybe be the right fit. Reaver and Ace nodded respectfully at Troy as they entered, coming to a stop near the desk. Troy addressed them, hands folded before him. He was beginning to fall right into his new position, as much of a charade as he knew it was.

“I sent Culliver for you because I think you were underutilized by Dempsy. I think you’ll be valuable assets. Don’t prove me wrong.”

“We won’t,” Reaver assured him.

“Alright, let’s get this show on the road.”

Troy smiled widely at Culliver, just to piss the man off, as Reaver and Ace filed out. He couldn’t deny himself the simple pleasures in life.

The man didn’t even blink.

“I can fill you in on supply routes and profits and the like later. Something’s come up. I was getting ready to handle it when you arrived,” Culliver explained pleasantly.

Troy wasn’t fooled. There was no way Culliver wasn’t seething inside.

“Okay, tell me?” Troy asked as the door fell shut behind Ace.

Troy started pulling out random drawers in the desk and rummaging around in them. Culliver’s eyes narrowed as his gaze followed the movement.

“One of our guys got pulled over in a routine traffic stop. They asked him to pop the trunk and found a knife inside with red residue on it,” Culliver replied.

“Let me guess, it wasn’t used to cut up red velvet birthday cake?” Troy queried, raising a brow when he got to a drawer full of beef jerky.

What the…

“No. If they test it for DNA… Well, some unsolved cases might get solved. A high-profile murder case is the last thing we need right now. We’re in the middle of talks with the Mexicans, trying to increase our influx of product,” Culliver commented.

Troy mulled it over.

“Didn’t Dempsy have someone to deal with this kind of stuff?”

He remembered the man had a couple of lawyers in his back pocket just for these kinds of situations. Violence was a useful tool, but it couldn’t solve everything. Sometimes, you needed to bring in the real villains – the lawyers.