Playing Criminal

45- Welcome to the Family

“Nice to meet you, Ally- or do you prefer Al? I’ve heard wonderful things about you.”

The man sitting across from me was muscular, but not in an ostentatious way, and looked to be in his mid to late twenties. He wore a long-sleeved button down shirt and an assuring smile. However, his brown eyes were dark and dangerous, telling me that no matter how friendly he appeared he was not someone to be messed with.

“Charming.” I replied frankly, frowning as I practically glared the man down.

But, hey, he couldn’t expect me to be happy about my situation.

Currently, I was strapped to a solid wooden chair nailed to the floor. The walls were a dark grey paint and the air in the room was frigid as if we were sitting somewhere deep under the Earth.

Yet, I wouldn’t know since I’d been blindfolded through practically most of the car ride and remained blinded until they finished imprisoning me in this hard-backed chair.

“Now, now, don’t look so down- you have nothing to worry about. I understand that you’re confused right now. You think we’re the bad guys, but really, we just want to help you.”

“Yeah because kidnapping me and then imprisoning me is really doing me a favor.” I continued to glare at him, gaze unwavering.

He smiled dangerously, reminding me a bit of Mr. Berkeley with his cool demeanor.

“They were right about you. You’re a fiery one.”

I snorted unappreciatively.

He scooted his own chair a bit closer and it took all my power not to flinch away from him. No matter how freaked out I was in this situation, I wanted to conceal my fear as long as possible.

…which, granted, probably wouldn’t be that long…

“Why don’t we get off to a better start, huh?” The man smiled and extended a hand out to me. “I’m Derek, current head of the Widows.”

“N-n-nice to meet you,” I stammered, eyes wide, as I shakily held out my hand.

He clutched my hand firmly, squeezing it so hard, I flinched.

I figured he was in some kind of leadership position, but for them to bring in the head of the Widows…

How could little old me gain so much importance?

I thought back to all my deals. Yeah, I got great prices, but I was sure that these guys, with all their resources and power, didn’t have need of me. At least, not really.

Heck, I would give them great discounts if it meant keeping my gang intact…

But then again, that’s not how they worked. They demolished gangs.

I thought of Aiden trying to save the Players. Caden turning traitor in a desperate attempt to try and protect me.

I looked up to Derek who was looking down at me curiously as if studying a new toy.

I gulped, opening my dry mouth to speak. “What exactly do you want with me?”

“Simple,” He smiled that calculating smile again. “We want you to become one of us Widows. To join our growing “family” so to speak.”

“But, why?” I frowned. Why go through all the trouble to sugar coat?

“You have some friends that are very interested in keeping you safe. By joining us, you will be safe. So, we thought we’d ask you before forcing you.”