They weren’t going to mess around either, as soon as Nytro and the others showed themselves, they would be taken out. This could be over before it even started.
There wouldn’t be much of an opportunity for me to get away. What Hustle didn’t know was my mind was made up about whether or not Iwas going to run, just not about what my decision would be about where things went from here. I was still thinking it all through.
The conversation I’d had with King Curtis before coming here was brief, but it was enough.
He’d come to the cabin to talk to me alone. He hadn’t wasted time, getting straight to the point.
“What would you do with the Kingsmen if you had control?”
“Meaning?”
“You became Prez.”
I held my tongue for a moment, thinking about the question. I didn’t know what his angle was and didn’t want to say anything without thinking it through. King leaned back in the chair and waited patiently for me to speak.
“I’d say it doesn’t work like that,” I told him.
“You’ve said it yourself, the majority of your men dislike what’s gone down in the club.” I arched a brow. “You think a vote wouldn’t go your way?”
I stared at him in silence for a moment. “What do you get out of this?”
“Allies.”
Blunt, that was good. But there was more to this offer he was making. “And?”
“You’re smart enough for me not to sugar coat anything,” he said after a moment. “The Irish aren’t happy with your club. We don’t work with the cartels, but the Irish have had run-ins with them. There is a tentative truce between them, but they don’t trust them, just like we don’t. They’re operating in an area the Irish have owned for a long time and they want them gone.
For too many years the Kingsmen have been selling to the highest bidder, pissing people off. You want the truth, it won’t be long before the cartel decide it’s not worth their while dealing with you and that causes shit for me, for the Irish,andfor the Kingsmen. But you can play this smarter than everyone.”
His words stung but he wasn’t saying anything I didn’t already know. The air in the room was tense. “Allies?” I ground out between my teeth, knowing that wasn’t what he was suggesting here at all.
“With stipulations,” he shrugged. “Beyond tonight, I don’t have any interest in the Kingsmen’s situation, but I do think you need to considerthe future. If you care about these men, the ones who don’t follow or trust your current officers, what would you do to ensure their safety?”
“Like I said, it wouldn’t be a guarantee I took over.”
“You and I both know it’s the likeliest outcome once Nytro and his followers are gone.”
He didn’t say anything about when Danica was out of the picture, but I knew that was a factor in thesefuture plansof his.
“Are you telling me you haven’t cultivated relationships with those in the club who don’t like the way it’s run?” he stared at me again, but I wasn’t intimidated. “You don’t need to answer. You’re smart Mace. Ranger was smart too. Him giving Ballistic your name said a lot to us about the way things need to go.”
“Cut to the chase. Talking in circles is beneath both of us.”
He smiled a shark’s smile. “I’m not telling you what to do with your club, but I am going to make an offer. It’s entirely up to you if you take it, it’s no skin off my nose if you turn it down. I hold no sway either, so this depends on the men within your club.”
I held out a hand for him to go on.
“The Kingsmen go.”
My eyes narrowed.
“You become your own Chapter. Your own hierarchy just like any other.”
“But you take us over?”
“And offer you protection. Once today is done, the transition will be easier.”
“You’ve already discussed this with the Irish haven’t you?” I leaned back. “Promised them something?”
