Chapter 2 – Negotiating Alone–1

Kent leans his shoulder against the bars of his cell, his well–muscled arms crossed against his chest.

What was he doing in this local prison, created to catch the overflow of the city’s rampant gangs? He was their king, after all.

And to think, Kent was here by choice.

His lip raises in derision as he shakes his head, wondering if he made the right decision, intentionally getting caught so he could get in here, just for the chance to talk to the warden.

Two blue–uniformed guards walk down the row towards him. “Lippert?” They ask. “Warden wants to see you.” They cuff him and take him to the warden’s office.

Kent sits down on a chair in front of him, wordless, waiting for the guards to leave.

“So,” Sven says, closing his file. “I’m surprised you had the balls to come to my turn for a negotiation, Lippert. It’s brave.”

The public didn’t know it, but Warden Sven not only runs this prison, but leverages his control over it to take a significant stake in the workings of the city’s underworld. He is as dirty as the rest of them, and if other bosses go against him? He locks them

  1. up.

Quite a trump card in this world where one of the only things

“Ivan?” Sven looks at him closely. “He’s chicken shit.”

Kent shakes his head slowly. “He’s just a kid, but he’s getting a foot in the heroin game. But because he’s green he doesn’t have the grit or the resources to handle it.” He pauses a moment, taking Sven in.

“He’s getting backed into a corner,” Kent continues, “and it’s making him ruthless. He’s not coming to meetings of the families, he’s killing at will – made men, as well as wise guys. He has to be stopped, Sven. Or he’s going to wreck it for all of us.”

Sven leans back into his chair, considering.

himself up for months just for the chance to talk to Sven. But Kent had a gut feeling this was the right call. An alliance with Sven against

out like a set of scales to demonstrate the balance. “We’ve all got to play our parts. If he pushes too far, he destroys it for

in. Not everyone

“We’ve got to put

him, considering. “I want eighty–twenty, for my

his frustration show.

cash, a problem Kent doesn’t have. But

pushing the matter further. “What about the other bosses?” he

B

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Ewa Gifts

– Negotiating

quickly. “Alden’s distracted. His guys are running the game, but he’s got some new clue about

He waves a hand, dismissing it. “He’s not

cash, but he does trade in secrets. Likely, Alden

being tested. “Do we have a

a lovely glass of wine the other day. From Napa. But I gotta tell you,

know…anywhere else. Where a man could get a

the calendar again, realizing suddenly that the picture on the wall is a picture of his vineyard, the calendar likely produced as a promotional gift for tourists. Sven knew exactly what Kent would ask even

Kent says slowly, narrowing his eyes and

– Negotiating

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that wine,” Sven says, turning back to the picture, all innocence. “I’d

said. It’s worth

good meeting. Kent

to him. “We’ve been ordered to take you along to your psychological assessment before returning you to your cell,” he informs him. Kent glares at him, but

“Standard procedure, Lippert.

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