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He didn’t recognize the tanbuzz cut and a face full of salt and pepper stubble The white outfit took care of that He leaned against his car parked up the street and watched as he went through the process of shutting down the store He closed alone today Cracking his knuckles, he watched his sure, rigid movements This was a man who liked to be in control and h and tight Unless he’s a want to be soldier The hts turned off, and the beast inside hilee Soon he’d be allowed to take his pound of flesh Pushing away from the car, he made his way to the back of the store Every day like clockwork the man closed the store down in fifteen minutes, slipped out of the back exit to his late model truck, and went home alone

The black van held Sharp and Sick If they couldn’t get the info out of Hiram, no one could But he’d take his time and work hiht-lipped, so he could stretch the experience as far as it would go Endga in the wind He quietlyabout small toas their lack of electronics They felt so safe here They didn’t spend money on ca so much easier

Minutes stretched like taffy as he rested against the brick wall The knob turned, and the hinges creaked when the door opened He pounced, grabbed Hiraroaned and jerked, but Snake tightened his hold

“Please try to get away so I can break your worthless neck”

“Money’s in the register,” he croaked

“Not yourto take a little walk down“Youto care about the talk we need to have Nod if you understand me”

Hiram nodded Sick and Sharp appeared by his side

“You want us to take him now?”

“No, we’re all going to go for a ride together, the way new friends should,” Snake answered He shoved Hira van “Sit down”

Thechains around hi his arms to his side

“I don’t knohat your quarrel is with me, but I assure you we can work it out peaceably”

His voice ed everyone else on He’d never forget the way he sounded Bile rose in his throat He felt like insects and snakes had crawled their way across his body and into the Sahara Desert of his mouth

“No, we can’t,” Snake promised as the door to the van closed behind him He sank into the seat beside Hiram, unable to take his eyes off the man he’d demonized over the years Despite his nors the club did look like child’s play They’d found an abandoned shed in the woods thirty miles down the road Snake re Clearly, the still had run dry, or the cops had moved in They set up their shop and equipment there, sure no one would hear the man scream or have a reason to come there

Hiram narrowed his eyes “How do I know you, boy?”

Gritting his teeth, Snake dug his nails into the fleshyin him to remain quiet He needed to wait until they were in the rooet out of upholstery, and he’d promised to make sure this didn’t come back on the club