“Maybe Ben kept the money for himself,” Julien suggested in a hard tone.
Charli froze then glared at Mario as she spoke over the cell to her uncle, “If you believe that, then you didn’t know Ben at all.He would have never kept what was mine and I think you know that.He was more honest than anyone I ever knew.But if you no longer want the title then pass it to someone who does.You have the power to do that but you aren’t forcing it on me.”
Julien paused for a moment, then he tried another way around things, “I have to tell you something very importante.You need to try and find someone to keep you safe.”
“Why?”Charli asked.“I think I’m safe enough with my family here.”
Julien grunted over the line.“But you aren’t safe enough.If Tiarade is part of this empire like your spouse thinks, then you are not safe at all.We’ve been reading reports about this Warlords group.Tiarade will be looking for them the same way they are looking for him.If you get caught in the middle, he will kill you.He seems to think taking you out will help his cause to get back into the hierarchy of the family.The word around this is that once you are dead, he plans to step up and claim the leadership.But you also have to watch out for this Warlords group that has been hunting him, they are dangerous too.”
Charli smiled as she chuckled a bit.“They won’t hurt me, Uncle.”
Julien protested, “You don’t understand these kinds of people, la mia bambina.They are ruthless and unforgiving.They would use you to find Ray and they might sacrifice you to get to him.”
“No Uncle, it is you that doesn’t understand.I’m married to the leader of the Warlords MC and we share this farm with his brothers.”
Julien gasped over the phone, then he went silent.
Mario stared at her in shock.Nervously looking back at the house, he whispered, “Those men are the Warlords?”he whispered low as if he thought they might hear him.
Charli nodded.
Mario turned around in a pivoted circle, then scooped his fingers through his dark hair and exclaimed, “Holy shit!”
Chapter Four
The voice on the phonespoke again, “Charli, I’m coming to talk sense into you and I’m bringing the Council with me.They will tell you about the rules we all have to follow.Pack your bags because you will be coming back with us.We will protect you from Ray and from the Warlords.”
“Save your money for the tickets, Uncle Julien,” Charli replied.“I am safe here and I’m right where I want to be, where I need to be.You have been the leader since my dad died, if I was so important to your clan, you would have taken me with you, not left me behind.You made your choice fifteen years ago and you know what?I’m okay with that choice.My place as you say is right here, right here on this farm.I inherited it when Ben died and this is where I will stay.”
“No child, you still belong to this family as you are my brother’s only child.”Julien growled.
“A child you turned your back on a long time ago.A child you didn’t want all those years ago and a child who grew up.I’m fully grown now and it's only when you think you can control my life that you come back for me.Well, Uncle Julien, guess what?It's far too late for you to care now, far too late to expect me to fall into line just because you say so.I don’t know your rules nor do I want to know them.You let go of me a long time ago and that’s just fine.My grandparents on my mom’s side raised me all these years and I don’t even know you anymore.”She paused then told him, “My husband and his brothers are going to find Ray and shut down his operation.He was part of an international drug and gun ring.They have taken down most of it but they will find the other two they missed out on.If Uncle Ray is on his way here, he won’t find it so easy to kill me.He’ll have to go through my husband and his brothers first, but let me tell you something, these guys have friends that will stop him at all costs and if you choose to help Ray, they will take you down too.Don’t you dare come here and expect me to go home with you.I’m not leaving my farm or my chosen family behind.”Charli was breathing heavily when her tirade ended and she handed the phone to Mario.
He looked pale as he took it back.
Charli turned and went inside, slamming the door behind her.
