An Unexpected Call

Chapter 10: Am Unexpected Call.

Teddy’s POV

The room felt heavier after Delilah stormed out, her perfume lingering in the air like smoke after gunfire. I leaned back against the headboard, my wound throbbing under the bandage, but my mind sharper than ever. Max stayed quiet for a moment, probably waiting for me to explode, but I didn’t. Instead, I fixed him with a calm look.

“I know Delilah is up to something with Sam,” I said at last, my tone even. “She thinks she’s clever, playing her little games under my nose. But I see it.”

Max tilted his head, lips twitching into a smirk. “And you’re not going to stop it?”

“No,” I replied. “I won’t do a damn thing. I want to see what Sam is made of. If he’s got the guts to tackle everything on his own, let him prove it. If he fails, he exposes himself. If he succeeds…” I let the silence stretch before finishing, “…then maybe he’s worth the trouble.”

Max chuckled, shaking his head. “That’s like throwing him to the wolves, Teddy. And I can assure you, it’s not a good idea. That kid has a bite, but he doesn’t have the teeth yet. You’re testing him too early.”

I let out a low laugh, ignoring the pain in my ribs. “Early or not, it doesn’t matter. If he wants a seat at this table, then he better know how to handle the fire. I won’t carry anyone who can’t stand on their own.”

Max leaned against the wall, folding his arms. “You’re playing a dangerous game. Sam might surprise you, sure. But he might also get himself killed. And then what? All your plans go up in smoke because of one overzealous rookie?”

“Or,” I countered, my voice sharp now, “it shows me who I can trust when everything starts to crumble. People show their true colors in the middle of chaos, Max. I need to see his.”

He exhaled, shaking his head again. “You’ve always been a gambler.” His smirk grew wider. “But tell me this,does Delilah know about the falcon pin you gave him?”

For a moment, my eyes flickered toward him. That damn pin. It wasn’t just a piece of metal; it was a symbol, a mark of recognition. I didn’t hand it out to just anyone. I studied Max’s expression, but he already knew the answer.

“No,” I said finally. “And even if the news reaches her, there’s nothing she can do. She doesn’t make decisions for me. I run this, not her.”

Max laughed softly. “Careful. You might start a war inside your own walls. Delilah doesn’t like being sidelined, especially not for some kid she thinks is trying to climb the ladder. She’ll fight tooth and nail to cut him down.”

“Then let her try,” I said, my tone flat. “If Sam survives Delilah’s knives, he’ll survive anything.”

Max pushed himself off the wall, stretching his arms like a man with too much energy to stay still. “Well, man, you’ve made up your mind, and I know better than to keep trying to talk you out of it. But I’ll say this,you’re watching a snake and a wolf dance in the same cage. Sooner or later, one’s going to strike. And when that happens, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I let a thin smile cross my face. “Warnings are for men who don’t already see the danger. I see it clearly.”

He grinned and gave me a mock salute. “Suit yourself.”

As he turned toward the door, I called after him, “Where are you going?”

“To join the others in the search,” he replied without looking back. “The guys who ran with the drugs won’t get far. Gaston’s got men sniffing around already. But I should be there,keep the balance.”

I nodded, satisfied. “Go. Keep me updated.”

Max’s footsteps faded down the hall, leaving me alone in the silence of my room. I leaned back, staring at the ceiling, my mind turning like gears in a machine. Delilah thought she was clever. Sam thought he was hungry. But me? I was the one holding the strings.

And sooner or later, both of them would realize it.

___

The phone on the nightstand buzzed, its vibration sharp against the silence of my room. I reached for it lazily, my side still aching from the damn gunshot wound. My fingers wrapped around the device, and when I placed it against my ear, a familiar voice came through,calm, low, but with that subtle edge of control that always made me keep my guard up.

“I heard what happened,” the person said without introduction. “The drugs didn’t make it to you, and it seems your people are scattered all over the field trying to fix the mess.”

I sighed, leaning back into the pillows. My body was heavy, but my mind stayed alert. “You’ve got ears everywhere, don’t you?” I muttered. “I’m not in the best shape right now. I’m wounded, so I won’t be able to move around the way I want. But once I’m better, I’ll see you. That, I promise.”

There was a pause, and then the voice chuckled softly, like someone savoring an inside joke. “You don’t have to wait. I’ll come over tonight. A little visit won’t hurt, will it? After all, we have much to discuss,especially about your missing shipment.”

I gritted my teeth but kept my tone steady. “Fine. You know where to find me.”

“And Teddy,” the person added, “I expect to be treated well. Dinner, at least. I don’t like showing up empty-handed, and I certainly don’t like leaving unsatisfied.”

I closed my eyes, pressing my palm against my forehead. This was the last thing I needed,another pair of eyes studying me while I was in no position to assert dominance. Still, this wasn’t someone I could afford to brush off. Not now, not ever. “Dinner it is,” I said quietly. “You’ll be treated well, I can assure you.”

“Good,” the voice replied smoothly. “Then I’ll see you tonight.” The line went dead before I could respond further.

I lowered the phone onto the bed and let the silence seep back into the room. Tonight. Of all nights, it had to be tonight. With Delilah already storming around, Max digging into things that weren’t his concern, and Sam desperate to prove himself, the last thing I needed was an unannounced visit. But that was the game. People didn’t wait for you to be ready. They came when they wanted, and you either adapted or fell behind.

My hand drifted down to the bandage on my side, the dull throb of pain reminding me of the weakness I currently carried. It was a dangerous thing, weakness. People could smell it. They circled you like wolves, waiting for the moment to sink their teeth in. That’s why tonight, no matter how much it burned to move, I’d have to mask it.

I pushed the phone further away and stared at the ceiling. The pieces on the board were shifting faster than I liked. And if this dinner turned into something else, I needed to be ready.

Because in my world, every visit came with a price.