And there it is. She knows Adriana would call me and relay all the shit that came out of her mouth.
“How much does she need?”
She would have told her a number.
“A grand.”
Pinching the bridge of my nose, it does little to relieve the building headache. “I’ll sort it out.”
“We both know what your mom’s like, but she’s still your mom and she loves you. She’s always tried her best.”
Adriana would think that, she grew up in the system. She took to my mom the first time she met her. Kelly struck gold when he got with her, Adriana was always able to calm our mother when my brother and I never could.
“Yeah, I hear ya.”
She hangs up and I tuck into the lasagne. A plan comes to mind and I smile. If my mother wants me to pay up, she’s going to have to earn it.
16
Luca
I’ve barely stepped into the bar when I call for the brothers to join me in the backroom. I pull out my chair and fall into it as brothers take their seats. Spinning the gavel around in my hand, I take a firm hold and slam it down on the tabletop.
“Shit is beginning to spin. The first mistake a club can make is to allow matters to climb out of control. This life we’ve chosen is beginning to kick in and I won’t have us look weak or unable to handle our shit because we don’t know where we stand.”
I lean back in my chair and wish I could light a cigarette. “I visited the owner of the warehouse out back. He refused to sell cause I wouldn’t tell him what I wanted it for. It’s now the prospect’s job to acquire it for us. I’ve told him that if he’s successful, he’ll earn his patches and a seat at this table. Anyone disagree?”
Brothers shake their heads, and I move on. “We still don’t know who is shooting at us or watching us. This will become Max and Warren’s only job. From morning till night, you will focus on tracking down our unknown enemy.”
They both nod and I look to King. “You know your job, keep the Mayor’s daughter away from me, and make sure she doesn’t leave.”
To Trey, I instruct, “I want you figuring out how we can fortify this place and the warehouse out back. When we get our hands on the second building, I want our properties to be able to be locked down in seconds. I don’t give a shit how much it costs, I want it done. More cameras, no hidden spots. Steel doors. Barred windows. No one gets in or out, if that’s what we choose.”
“What about an escape for us if it comes to that?” King asks.
I smile. “That’ll be another job for you. Once we own both buildings, I want a tunnel from here to the warehouse, and out from there. Don’t hire outsiders for it. Only us can know about it, otherwise it’ll be pointless.”
He nods and I move onto Ford. “Effie.” It’s all I need to say and he nods.
He has time when it comes to her. I won’t take it from him, but I will keep checking where his head is at.
“As for me and Angel, we’ll deal with the Haywards. Are we all understood moving forward? Cause if you fuck up, it’s on you. No one else.”
Angel’s laughter fills the room. “Good times are coming brothers, blood, money, and all that we want.”
Brothers pound their fists on the tabletop, and I smile. Every brother has heard their instruction, and in due time, we’ll see who performs adequately and who outshines the rest.
All I’ve wanted since my father sent me to this city is to build a strong chapter. There’s no room for weakness or mistakes. I need them to think before acting. I need them to act without hesitation. Every move we make has to be justified in order for there to be no remorse later down the line.
Remorse leads to regrets and that can lead to loose lips and talking to the wrong people.
I’ve had the privilege of growing up under my father’s presidency. I’ve not known any other way. I’ve seen every consequence of his choices. Some successful, a few not. I have to believe that I have learned from him.
“Regardless of the shit you’ve got to do, we’ve got a run for the Haywards coming up…”
“What about Annabel?” King asks.
“What about her?” I ask.
