Chapter 1 - The Broken Trust
Bennett Cole walked across the manicured grass with his hands casually resting in his pockets.
He had been Julian's most trusted underboss for over five years and knew every secret of the syndicate.
Rex immediately stopped enjoying the soapy bath and stood up with terrifying speed.
Grey water dripped from the dog's heavy coat onto the warm flagstones.
The fur along the Belgian Malinois's spine suddenly stood completely straight up.
A low, vibrating growl rumbled from deep within the animal's massive chest.
Julian felt a cold spike of pure adrenaline hit his bloodstream.
Rex never growled at Bennett under any normal circumstances.
The dog took a deliberate step forward, placing his muscular body firmly between Bennett and the little girl.
Elsie dropped her worn bar of soap into the grey water.
She stared up at the approaching man with her mother's dark, unblinking eyes.
Bennett stopped walking and forced a soft, unnatural laugh.
"Easy there, Rex," Bennett said, though his voice sounded uncharacteristically tight.
Julian noticed Bennett's right hand twitching toward the inside breast pocket of his tailored jacket.
The absolute rule on the estate was that no one carried concealed weapons near the living quarters.
Julian's hand slipped seamlessly to the heavy pistol tucked into the waistband at the small of his back.
"What brings you out to the courtyard, Bennett?" Julian asked with a dangerously calm tone.
Bennett's smile did not reach his dead, calculating eyes.
"We have a slight security issue at the front gate, boss," Bennett replied.
Rex finally erupted into a ferocious, deafening bark that echoed off the stone walls.
The dog lunged forward, snapping his sharp teeth mere inches from Bennett's expensive leather shoes.
Bennett cursed loudly and stumbled backward.
May you like
He pulled a heavily silenced pistol from his coat with practiced speed.
Instead of aiming at Julian or the angry dog, Bennett pointed the black muzzle directly at the little girl.
