Page 17 (1/2)

Once inside, the scent of age and mold slammed into my sinuses My vision adjusted to the darkness, and I searched the large interior of Butcher and Son I spotted the corpse in the corner, but the dark shape not far fro even more alert

With un, I moved toward the two bodies It hen I was a few feet away that I stopped and focused hterhouse floor

Stone Another associate of the Ruin And he was alive Really fucking interesting turn of events

If I were a man who could be surprised, this would have been one of those ti but annoyance that this wouldn’t be an easy, quick fix like I planned, and instead I’d deal with two bodies instead of one

Stone was a man I didn’t know much about, but one as just as connected with the Ruin as I was Although he and I weren’t friends and had no connection other than the same crime syndicate, we’d crossed professional paths more than once, and I did hold mild respect for him because of that

I didn’t see him as even an acquaintance, but he also wasn’t et hi him Because if he were anyone else, any other poor bastard as in the wrong place at the wrong tiet rid of them so there wasn’t even more fallback

Stone was lying on the ground, the corpse not far froht have taken his otherwise still body as being long dead

When I was beside him, I crouched and just stared at hione down here for Stone to even be in this situation, nor did I care He needed out so I could get my shit done

I said in a low, deep voice, “Wake up, dumbass” He didn’t respond, and I said louder, “Open your eyes” Stone groaned, and aand the fuzziness in the dark depths fading as the seconds et the fuck gone, Stone”

“Arlo?” he pro fro my shirt with red droplets

I glanced down at the blood on my white shirt that looked black on theperfect “Coet you out of here so I can do my job”

Stone didn’t say anything as he looked atin the busted lip and cut above my eye

“What the fuck?” he grunted out

I didn’t bother responding to the clear fact that I’d gotten in a fight If you were part of the Ruin, you knew not to ask too many questions

He braced his weight against me “But how? Why?”

I didn’t know if he’d been hit over the head and that’s why he kept running his mouth, but I helped him out of the warehouse Maybe some fresh air would clear hisquestions”