My Brother's Keeper, page 22
This time, the boy reacted. He rolled his eyes, but the touched smile was there.
“I can definitely work that. I was already planning on sending half my crew over to the new club when it opens. Then splitting the new blood between the two.”
“Good, we can send a few more boys down that weren’t planning on college this year.”
“So many boys that are so young. Will they be able to handle all of this? Working in a club isn’t for the faint of heart. They need to know what they are doing.”
Mitch chuckled, moving to stand up as he opened a briefcase I hadn’t noticed he had set on the floor.
“Don’t worry, they are very well trained. You will not have any problems with them. If you do, have BoBo teach them a lesson. They are used to the consequences of failure.”
Right.
Mitch handed me a contract all written up. I glimpsed inside the briefcase before he closed it.
“How many contracts are you all making while you are in town?”
“Just this one.” He set the contract on my desk. “We were prepared with a variety of deals for you. I had planned to start higher, but after spending the last two days in your club and city, I decided we didn’t need it. I thought this was the best deal.”
“How had I not noticed you here before tonight?”
I vaguely saw Noah step away from his uncle while Mitch pointed out where I needed to sign, when I looked up again, the kid was gone. I searched the room with my eyes, then jumped when the kid stepped out next to me.
“We know how to blend into the shadows, Mr. Murphy.” Noah said quietly. “That’s why you didn’t see us.”
Okay. Good call. Glad I chose these guys over the Italians.
Mitch put his hand in front of me. “Welcome to the Cooper family, Dillan. And don’t worry about the Russians anymore. They’ve been taken care of, and a message has been sent.”
“What? How?”
With knowing smiles, both men left my office, only to be intercepted by a glowing Fiona coming out of the elevator. They nodded and smiled politely as they passed her. She smiled back, confused. Then she saw me and began telling me in detail about the beautiful little girls that just came into the world. Apparently, the doctors had misread the sonogram pictures. Katia whined. Andy was perfectly happy.
Fiona was just taking a breath and asking about my visitors when a message came in on my phone.
Babysitter: Thought you’d like to know. The Russians’ car just blew sky high. One block away. Two new men are stationed outside. They said the family sent them. They look like teenagers. What the hell did you do?
Fiona was already searching up the camera footage from outside her brother’s building. We both watched as a man, no more than a kid really, practically slid under the car before popping back out. No one blinked an eye. 5 minutes later. Boom.
Me: I made a deal. To protect us all. It was the best of the lot.
Babysitter: With who?
Me: The Cooper Family.
I watched as the conversation dots appeared and disappeared repeatedly.
Babysitter: What have I gotten myself into? I hope you know what you are doing.
So, did I.
***
To the outside world, Edgemont High is your typical high school. Well, not exactly typical. They once had the worst reputation in the country. Before Levi Cooper came along, it was run by the local gangs.
A few years later, that is no longer the case. Unbeknownst to the public, it is now run by the American Mafia.
These men have many rules they live by. Loyalty and trust are at the top. But their highest and most important rule, no one messes with their family. Especially their women. They’d burn their way through hell to protect what belongs to them.
Wanna know more about those Coopers? Check out The Cooper Family Chronicles by TJ Lee
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TJ is an avid reader. Reading was always an escape for her in her crazy messed up world. She’s always had a vivid imagination. It wasn’t until she was locked in her house for a year and a half, with only her two young kids, and two dogs to talk to, that she finally started writing. She found an even better escape.
TJ is a High School English teacher and a single mom. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology and Master’s in Cultural Responsive Education. Her life motto, one she says with her students regularly, is to “fly your weird flag high!” She wants everyone to learn to be true to who they are. Accept yourself the way you are. Love yourself the way you are.
Table of Contents
Prologue Fiona
Chapter 1 Fiona
Chapter 2 Dillan
Chapter 3 Fiona
Chapter 4 Dillan
Chapter 5 Fiona
Chapter 6 Dillan
Chapter 7 Dillan
Chapter 8 Fiona
Chapter 9 Dillan
Chapter 10 Fiona
Chapter 11 Dillan
Chapter 12 Fiona
Chapter 13 Dillan
Chapter 14 Dillan
Chapter 15 Fiona
Chapter 16 Dillan
Chapter 17 Fiona
Chapter 18 Dillan
Chapter 19 Fiona
Epilogue Dillan
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TJ Lee, My Brother's Keeper
