“I might. Why?”
“I need your help overthrowing someone. Give me some men, don’t ask questions, and our alliance will be cemented for whatever you need in the future. Diamonds, smuggling—you name it. It’s yours.”
Now wasn’t the time to mention that when I was in power, I planned on ceasing that side of the business. Diamonds to me were covered in blood and death. I wanted no part in it.
Silence for a moment.
Kill growled, “Give me a few hours. I’ll see what I can do.”
He hung up.
Phase one complete.
The next part of my strategy would be tricky, but I had no alternative. I didn’t spread myself over Plan A or Plan B. This first attempt was my only attempt.
It will work.
Refreshing the screen, I dialled another number—one I’d never called before—but knew by heart because of our association.
It rang and rang.
A dawn phone call wouldn’t be acceptable to anyone, but if he knew what was good for him, he’d answer it.
Finally, a sleepy, almost drunk, voice answered, “Hello?”
My heart squeezed to think my family had browbeaten this proud business owner into the spineless grieving father he’d become. We’d won over his family—more times than I could count. “Tex Weaver?”
He sucked in a breath. Rustling sounded; his voice lost its haziness. “You. You have the fucking nerve to call me after what you’ve done.” He coughed, his temper howling down the line. “I’ll fucking kill you with my bare hands. Where’s my son? My daughter?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
Tex raged, “The time for talking is done. I’m sick of it. Sick of all your threats and promises. You took my Emma but I won’t let you take our kids.” Breathing hard, he snarled, “I’ve put things in place, Hawk. I’m ending this. Once and for all.”
I plucked an oak leaf from the tent floor. “I know what you’ve been doing, Tex.”
“Doesn’t matter. Won’t stop me. Not this time. You can’t scare me away like you did with Emma. I’ll die before I let you hurt my children anymore.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
He paused. “What—what do you mean?”
Leaning forward, I stared through the tent gap at the woodland around me. This was my office, my headquarters, and it was time to arrange a battalion for battle. “I’m on your side. I want to help you.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“You don’t have to believe me. It’s the truth.”
“What have you done with my children? If you’ve hurt Nila—”
“Sir, she’s the one who has hurt me.”
Tex sucked in a breath. “Good for her. I hope she tears out your motherfucking heart.”
I chuckled. “I’m in love with your daughter, Mr. Weaver. I have no intention of letting her tear out my heart.”
Tex’s temper soared into my ear. “Yet you’ll happily behead her just like her mother! What sort of sick fuck are you?”
“You’re not listening to what I’m telling you.”
“I’m listening perfectly fine, you son of a bitch, but you can’t scare me with these twisted phone calls anymore. Your father played the same game. Calling to tell me Emma was too sweet, too pure to die—that he’d find a way to end it. Only to call me on the eve of her death to tell me it was all a lie! He destroyed me, and now you’re destroying the dregs that are left.” Something crashed in the background. “I’ll tell you right now—I’m not listening. I’m coming for you, Hawk, and I’m going to make you fucking pay.”
My anger boiled over, meeting his. “Christ’s sake. Listen to me. I’m in love with Nila. I’m putting an end to this feud. You don’t have to believe me. Just listen. I’m offering you everything you want. Your son, your daughter…grandchildren who won’t be taken for some ludicrous vendetta. Do you want that? Will you risk talking to me so we can work together to end this?”
Silence.