Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
His tongue slides into my mouth and what was meant to be a tiny thank you turns into a deep, hungry kiss. He tastes like danger and possibilities. Possibilities I’ll never see, and that’s probably for the best, but when I watch them drive away, I know for a fact the heat of the flames won’t be the only thing I remember from today.
5
TANK
Arturo Giordano pauses his measured pacing of the meeting room above the Roost and turns to the table. “This looks very, very bad, Eagle-eye. You must understand that.”
From what I’ve heard, Papa Giordano is still the Don of the Giordano Mafia family, but Arturo has taken on most of his father’s work at this point. Sharp-eyed, with a hawkish expression and a crisp designer suit, he looks every inch the capable second in command. When he steps into control, I don’t see him being any easier to work with than his father.
Good for their business, but kind of shit for us since right now easy to work with would be really fucking useful. At least that’s the way it seems to me. Not that anyone asks.
I cross my arms over my chest, flexing a little for emphasis. Our VP King and Viking, one of the officers, sit at the table with Eagle-Eye. Wraith and Nitro sit off to the side, but I’m standing in back. It’s what I’m good at. The muscle, the threat. All this political shit? I totally understand why the Giordanos are pissed, but I’m glad I’m not the one having to figure out what the fuck to do about it. I’d probably just get everyone killed.
“My men were passing through your territory after a meeting in Abbeville. It had nothing to do with biker business, and yet I’m sure you’ve seen the latest news? The images the police put out in search of more information? The images that show men with your patches attacking completely unprovoked?”
“Of course I have,” growls Eagle-eye, the words coming out like gravel from a rock crusher. “But they aren’t mine. I haven’t seen a single one of those fuckers before and none of my men are unaccounted for.”
Arturo throws his hands up. “Cazzo! I don’t know what to believe. The only reason we’re here asking questions instead of shooting up the place is because of the years of truce that have benefited the both of us. And Alessa, of course. The Fabbris weren’t the only part of the Family that weren’t happy about our cooperation, and this only fuels the rumors.”
Old history and more fucking politics. Alessa’s the Giordano Mafia princess who ended up the old lady of four Eagles. Yeah, I’m glad I’m not the one in charge of this.
“What rumors?” King asks with a hint of danger in his tone. He never likes being questioned, and as VP, he’s in a similar position to Arturo. They both need to make sure that not only are their people safe and under control, but that their authority as second isn’t in question.
Too much fucking stress if you ask me.
“That Alessa is nothing but a hostage you’re holding over Luca and she should be considered an acceptable loss.” Arturo nods his head at Luca Giordano, Alessa’s father. “There are those who think the safety of the truce will make us soft and that you’re testing the water to see if our internal conflict has weakened the Family.”
Luca, like most of these mob guys, usually shows about as much emotion as a rock, but at Arturo’s words, he snarls. “My daughter and grandchildren are not pawns.”
Viking grunts in agreement. He’s one of Alessa’s men in addition to being one of Eagle-eye’s officers. “We had nothing to do with this mess, but if you’ve got people looking for a fight, let them come here and say that to our faces.”
Whoever set us up knew exactly what buttons to push. Alessa shacking up with bikers nearly started a war between the Screaming Eagles and the Giordanos when it went down, but if there’s one thing both organizations have in common, it’s family and fucking loyalty. Throwing that into question is a quick way to piss everyone off.
“Enough! The Fabbris have been pains in both our asses,” Eagle-eye snaps. “Are they trying to cause trouble again? Neither of us would profit from a break in the truce. Or has that changed?”
Arturo and Luca share a look before he shakes his head. “No. It’s not impossible, but we’re watching every move they make and we haven’t heard even a whisper.” Arturo sighs. “I need more than your word that the men on the video weren’t yours.”
I’ve had enough of these bullshit accusations. “We told you what we saw! Are you calling us liars?”
Eagle-eye raises a hand. “Tank. Stand down.”
“I just think it’s really fucking shitty that after all these years, an obvious fucking set up like this is all it takes to make them question us.”