Read For Her Honor for Free Online Page A

don’t need assault charges or lawsuit on my head, that’s what.” Charles Owens, handsome and dressed in his L.L. Bean finest, went up to the three intruders, addressing one of them. “Get off my property, Mallory.”
    This Mall ory retrieved his cap, pushed back his unkempt hair, then covered it up. He then spat out sand and gravel bits stuck to his mouth and beard. “Or what, Charlie? Gonna sic your thug goons on me?”
    That itch Taz had been feeling for a long time intensified. Oh, to put the hurt on this asshole right now. Ben must’ve sensed it, and placed his big hand on Taz’s shoulder to pull him back. “Charles is right. Don’t.” Still, Taz bounced up and down in his boots.
    “You got something to say, Mallory , you do it the right way. Businessman to businessman. You don’t show up at my mill with your thugs and bait my employees.”
    Mallory spat on the ground again. “Yeah. Big, fucking businessman, Charlie-boy. Cut me and my guys out without notice.”
    “Didn’ t cut shit out, Mal. I’m just testing out another crew. They got more guys and equipment and can churn out more raw wood.”
    “Yeah? And where does that leave us when they supply more than the demand?”
    Charles shook his head. “First come, first serve. We have no contract or non-compete. But if you want to turn this into a competition, then step up your game.”
    Mallory went for Charles, only for one of his men to hold him back. “You pampered little pussy! You sit in your cushy office like a king on a throne and play chess with your suppliers.”
    “It’s called busines s, Mal. Plain and simple. Getting product the most cost-effective way possible. You raised your prices when you took over your brother-in-law’s business. That cost gets passed onto me.”
    “ I had no choice, Charlie. I’m a small guy starting out with a lot of bills to pay. You got no fucking idea……” Mallory took his hat off and flung it, angrily running both hands through his hair. Then his voice got low and urgent. “You got no idea the mess I’m in.”
    Charles shook his head. “Then get it together, crunch your numbers and push your guys.”
    Mallory’s fists clenched, but he kept his cool as he retrieved his hat. He then scanned the men, his eyes falling last on Taz, before putting his hat on. He then stomped his boots on the cement walk to shake off dried mud as a sort of final ‘fuck-you’. Silence seemed to be the best last word, as he gave one parting glance to Charles before gathering his men to leave.
    “What…….the fuck?” Taz asked.
    Charles joined them; his arms, covered in a cotton oxford, crossed his chest. “James Mallory. Took over Pearson Logging from his brother-in-law and raised his costs. I’m just shopping new crews. It’s just business, fellas.” He gave all three men a look. “You understand what that’s like.”
    Did they ever. Taz had learned exactly how having the main source of your bread and butter toyed with when the Santagio family wanted to cut the Skulls out of their long term arrangement to run their narcotics out of state. But whereas Charles was on the up and up, the Santagios had been playing the Skulls – and wound up losing in the long run. Now better business, and with a more powerful family in play, took center stage. James Mallory would eventually find his.
    Tanner nodded to Taz. “What’re you doin’ here, bro?”
    Taz almost forgot the reason he came here. “Need to get some material. Shop repair. Forklift plus Zippy equaled a busted door and frame. Gonna come out of his pocket. Need to fashion a new door and wood for trim.”
    “I’ll see what we got hangin’ around.” Tanner motioned to Ty. “Gimme a hand.” Ty spit his cigarette out, which landed dangerously close to a pile of sawdust. Tanner freaked. “You fuckin’ stupid, kid?” Tanner’s boot smashed down on the cigarette before he pulled him by the shirt. “C’mon.”
    Taz was left alone w ith Ben. “Guys came