“Also volatile,” Diesel adds.
Nathan smirks. “All men in this business are volatile.”
I don’t blink. “Not like Jimmy.”
Nathan leans back, curious now. “I heard a rumour. You boys don’t dip your hands into crime anymore. Something about being ‘clean.’ So why the sudden interest in handling my shipments?”
“Because Jimmy’s incompetent.”
Nathan chuckles. “Not an answer.”
I meet his stare head-on. “Because he’s drawing too much heat. Cops are sniffing around, he’s pissing off estates, and someone with his stupidity shouldn’t be trusted with a product that powerful. You know that as well as I do.”
Nathan taps the table once with a gold ring.
“Still not an answer,” he repeats, quieter this time.
Fine. The bullshit stops.
“Our club has always stayed out of the heavy stuff,” I admit. “It kept our women safe. It kept our enemies simple. But Jimmy forced our hand years ago. My old VP made a deal behind my father’s back. We had to pick up the pieces or lose the club.”
Nathan’s eyes narrow.
“So you’re telling me you returned to crime because of someone else’s mistake? Sounds sloppy.”
My jaw ticks, but I keep my voice neutral. “I’m telling you we came back smart. Quiet. Organised.”
“And now you want to break your deal with him?” he asks.
“Before he gets us all killed.”
The door behind us clicks softly. Footsteps, light ones, enter the room.
I glance sideways and freeze. A young woman steps in. Stunning. Early twenties. Glossy black hair, long lashes, soft brown eyes. She sets down a folder in front of Nathan and offers him a small smile.
“Father, your accounts. I checked what you asked.”
Father.
Nathan’s expression softens. Completely transforms. “Good girl,” he murmurs, touching her hand gently. “I’m almost done here and we’ll have dinner.” She leaves as quietly as she came.
Diesel and I exchange a look.
Nathan leans back again, his business mask dropping back into place. “Now,” he says coldly, “finish your pitch. Why keep you instead of the rat?”
I inhale slowly. “This isn’t just business for me anymore,” I say. “It’s personal.”
Nathan’s eyes flick upward with caution. “Go on.”
“Jimmy’s brother, Liam, hurt my woman.”
Nathan doesn’t react. “Hurt how?”
I swallow the rage burning my throat. “He drugged her. Raped her. And he would’ve done it again given the chance.”
Nathan still doesn’t move. But something sharp and dangerous flashes in his eyes. “He touched your family,” he murmurs.
“Yes.”
