Austi

followed my wor

the background seemed to fade into nothingne

an Ga

f a cliff three years ago under circumstances that everyone whispere

inst the two enforcers holding him. "You dare curse my br

r free from one guard, lunging

awing the sleek, silver-plated semi-au

ic

the center of Calhoun's forehead b

n the trigger, "and I'll paint that wall with your brains under the A

oun

f him, leaving behind a pathetic, trembling coward. Swe

cination. "An unusual petition, Miss Austin. But under Section Twelve of the Charter, p

alized what w

hed, replaced by she

rd on her knees toward Calhoun. "Calhoun, save me! I don

ith a gun pressed to his forehead, kicked his f

aze from Calho

udulent contracts and desecration of the claiming altar, which will cost you your charter and your territory.

hless, inesc

ing his younger son's romance and locking his p

the grip of his cane. His scarred che

a ruthless warlord never c

tte!" Calhoun pleaded, tears of humili

houn's knee out from under him, send

iss Austin is correct. Bernadette was indeed my late son Donovan's private partner bef

ernadette screamed, her voice cracking

orcers grabbed her by the arms, dragging her back

n, and slid it back into my holster. A da

installment of what y

s hand toward the ink pad, a sudden

by an apex predator returned,

ned a

the floor, locking onto the da

ds had been til

broad-shouldered man clad in pure black leather. His right hand rested

grey blue-met mine across t

n Cr

er of the Interstate Alliance. The man the entire un

ity in his gaz

nt, like a wolf watching a pant

g his gaze with absolute defiance, letting h

k. He leaned forward slightly, tapped the ash from his cigar into a crys

lightly damp with cold sweat. That man was

the crimson wax of the ledger. She collapsed onto the floor, sobbing

s cold, calculating eyes

stepping toward me with his cane raised. "Let's talk about