Free The Family Business 3 by Carl Weber

just a bunch of nigga-rich car dealers, then who are they?”
    He paused, looking up toward the ceiling as if he would find the right words to describe them up there. “How about the most respected drug distributors on the East Coast? They have ties to the Italians, Russians, Mexicans, Dominicans, and Asians, as well as with me and my people. And you should know that they’ve reached out to all of their allies about their recent problem with you and your organization.”
    I glanced over at Elijah, who was avoiding eye contact at the moment. Bernie was right; he should have known who the Duncans were. I would deal with that mistake later. For now, I had to learn all I could about what I was up against.
    â€œAnd what has been the response from his allies?”
    â€œNobody wants a war. It’s not good for business. Most of them have decided to stay on the sidelines for now, but if they had to choose sides, I don’t think you would fare well. You provide a necessary service, but the Duncans are a cash cow that makes us all a great deal of money. Although . . . I’m sure many of them wouldn’t mind seeing the Blacks kill each other off so they can pick up the scraps, if you know what I mean.”
    I knew exactly what he meant, but it didn’t change the fact that I was going to kill Junior Duncan. “And you? What do you and your people want?”
    â€œThat is an interesting question. To be quite frank, we want what you want, but we want you to do it smart.”
    â€œI’m listening.”
    â€œYou want to kill Junior. Well, we’re suggesting you make life easier for yourself—and us—by eliminating his father first.”
    â€œYou want us to kill LC Duncan?”
    Bernie leaned back smugly in his chair. “Who are we to tell you anything, Xavier? You’ve always been your own man. Still, logic dictates that if you cut off the head, it’s much easier to kill the rest of the snake.”
    I shook my head. “Bernie, you are one cold piece of work. Here I am thinking you’ve come to stop me from killing Junior, and instead you tell me to kill his whole family.” We laughed together briefly, but I cut it short, announcing, “It’s gonna cost you one million dollars.”
    â€œHuh. A million dollars for what?” He sat up, looking pained at the thought.
    I explained my price, though he knew damn well what the million was for. “A million dollars to kill LC Duncan.”
    â€œThis is your problem, not ours.”
    Elijah noticeably stiffened, and I can’t say I blamed him. It was taking everything in me not to go off on this old Jew for insulting me this way. If Bernie was anyone less powerful I might have snapped his neck on the spot. Given his position of power, though, I kept my temper in check as best I could.
    â€œI don’t understand why you think I’m so stupid, Bernie,” I said through gritted teeth. “You didn’t come here to give me advice. You came here because you want us to do your dirty work—and I’m telling you it’s going to cost you one million dollars. I’ll throw in the rest of LC’s sons, especially that homewrecker Junior, for free. But I want a million dollars to take out LC.”
    Bernie bit down on his lip. To be honest, I didn’t think his cheap ass would go for it. He looked like he was in actual pain when he finally said, “Fine, we’ll pay one million dollars, but I must have your assurances that nobody will know me or any of my people gave the order. And I mean nobody.”
    â€œWe don’t talk about our clients or the jobs we do for them. You know that.”
    â€œJust make sure you kill the one they call Vegas too. Otherwise we’ll all have to sleep with one eye open. He’s a very dangerous man.” Bernie got up from his chair with a little help from one of his bodyguards. “Let me know when the job is done.”
    I