“State your business, Mr. Abbott, and disrespectfully get the fuck out of here.” Hank stomped toward us, ready to fight, even if it meant pulling out the guns, hidden within compartments around us. Hank scrunched his face, his eyes narrowing.
“I’m merely offering a deal, and it looks like you might be more… inclined to take the offer. I’m sure your leader, I mean your president would agree.” Franklin smiled. He stared at me, stepping forward without a fear that I would rip with fucking throat. “I think once you hear the offer, you’ll be a good little boy and agree.”
I growled, lunging forward, breaking free from Stray’s grasp. I gripped his lapels, thrusting Franklin against the wall. The clicking of guns fell behind me.
“You messed with the wrong fucker.”
“Oh no, I don’t think I have. Tony, you weren’t wrong, this man would tear down the city for her.” Franklin chuckled. I looked over my shoulder and the man he was referring to finally made me realize exactly who he was. The fucking bookie that has been draining Amelia of money, of her damn freedom.
“Never trust a snake.” I sneered, turning my attention back to Franklin. I thought I would never see the day where there wasn’t another person that was as batshit crazy as I was Franklin proved me wrong.
“Talk fast. Now,” I commanded.
His smile never faded. “Simple. There are two things that you want. Our family would be out of your city and the girl’s debt wiped clean. My associate lets me know that she is quite the hard worker and never breaks down even when the amount keeps adding up.”
“Leave her out of this. Your business is with the Saints, not her.” I pressed him harder against the wall.
“Shooter, ease off, man,” Hank warned me.
“The offer. One fight night. You against our fighter. If you win on behalf of your club, the family will cease operations in the city and Amelia’s debt will be wiped from our records. But if we win, the debt is doubled and the family will take over your club’s operations and you all cease to exist.” Franklin kept it simple.
Everything would be in my hands. The club and Amelia. But that’s the one thing, I was a warrior, a soldier, I would lay down my life, giving everything I could for people to survive. Every risk would be worth it.
“When?” I asked.
“Uh, Shooter, we need to get Hound Dog,” Hank chimed in.
“Then get him on the phone before I make the rash decision of saying yes.” I warned him, never taking my eyes off Franklin.
After a mutter of “fucking hell” from Hank then came a booming voice of Hound Dog that echoed in the gym. He grumbled,“What the actual fuck is going on?”
“You wanted a way to get these leeches out of our city; well an opportunity has presented itself.” I sneered.
“Why is it when there’s trouble, I find you in the middle of it?”Hound growled out.
“It’s what happens when you go to certain lengths for your woman. Ain’t that right, Prez?” I shot back.
Frankie boy started to explain the deal, indicating the next steps and what would be on the table. Even the way he was trying to con Hound into this deal felt off.
“How do I know that you will stick to your end of the bargain when we win?”Valid question.
“So confident that it will happen. I guess you’ll have to trust us, friend,” Franklin answered.
I took a deep breath, loosening my hold on him.
“I don’t fucking trust you,”Hound Dog snarled.“Contract, signed and agreed to, or else you’ll get fucking nothing.”
“Well, you’re going to have to, unless you want to diminish your kingdom.” he teased.
“Hound, I can do it. We both know I can.” I said, trying not to plead because the deal sounded too good. The club would go back to normal operations and Amelia free from the depths of her divorce.
Hound groaned on the phone,“I also can’t ask you to do it.”
“Good thing you didn’t ask me, I’m fucking volunteering.” And I would do it over again if given the chance.
“Franklin, you can tell your boss we have a deal. A fair fight, everything on the line,”Hound reiterated.“I expect a contract by the end of the week.”
“My boss will be in touch. Let’s say, four weeks? Should be enough time for everyone to prepare, for marking purposes?” Franklin said.
