“Will there be any fall out if you make a move with the shipping guy?”
“We agreed to one job.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Though his tone hasn’t changed, I see the underlying concern. He’s right to be. These guys are paying us to protect their shipment from the Port to their warehouses across state lines. They may want the relationship to continue.
“They’re not big enough to take us on. He knows that. He’ll be glad to get this shipment through. I don’t see there being an issue when we decline any further runs.”
He thinks for a moment, weighing up whether it is worth stepping on any toes or securing ourselves a new pipeline. He nods, giving his approval and my gut clenches. Not out of appreciation and being grateful. I’m sick of this shit. I’m done prostrating.
“After this,” I clench my fist under the table where he can’t see. “How much longer am I gonna have to come here?”
“It’s not a case of me waiting to see how you do on this deal, Mace,” he says. “It’s about trust.”
“You have our loyalty.”
“I have yours. Can you say we have everyone at the club?”
My thoughts go to Chaos but I keep my expression neutral. “Believe me, no one is watching every person in my club with more scrutiny than I am.”
“You’re a man of your word, Mace. I’ve seen that about you. I don’t think you’re soft but will you have the stones to do what needs to be done?”
“No one will turn, I won’t let them. And,” I add begrudgingly. Even though it’s true. “I’ll put down anyone who does.”
After a tense moment of silence and a stare off to end all stare offs, King leans back and his lip twitches. “How hard was this?”
My eyes narrow. I’m supposed to be telling him what he wants to hear to get what I want. Should have known King would see right throughme. He laughs, or what would pass for a laugh from him. It’s not meant to piss me off.
“Imagine how it would feel for you and triple it,” I say.
He nods. “Fucking hard then.” After another beat, he leans forward. “I’ll look forward to hearing how it goes.”
It’s hard to thank him, but I have to.
“I’m not your boss,” King says, getting to his feet, cutting off anything I was going to say. “What you bring in from this belongs to your chapter. All I ask is you tell me if it’s worth putting this guy on the payroll, and I’ll take your word for it.”
I nod. That is a sure sign King is putting his trust in me. I’ve already said I won’t stick around for the party. I have shit to sort out, and a meeting mid-morning that is going to take some time to get to from Stroudsburg.
A knock at the door interrupts us. King frowns when it opens without them waiting, but his face relaxes when he sees it’s his son.
War and I also have a complicated relationship. The few times I dealt with him before the shit storm that blew up our clubs, we were cordial. He’s less intense than his father.
“What?” King asks his son.
“Slight issue out front.”
“Handle it,” King answers, his impatience clear.
“It’s being handled.” I can’t read his expression. It’s oddly serious, but there is also a look of amusement. “But you might want to step outside.”
“What’s it got to do with me?” I ask.
“Rip had an accident.”
“Who the fuck is Rip?”
“He’s a new Prospect. And a pain in the ass,” War smirks. “It involves your bike.”
