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)
“They lost three men. If it had been the three of you, don’t you think we’d be riding in and demanding some fucking answers?” Eagle-eye says, fixing his clear eye on me. His expression is dark.
I fall back, still not happy.
“They weren’t just lost. They were executed,” says Arturo icily, glaring daggers at me. “On your territory, with evidence that your people were behind it. By your own admission, you were there! Even someone like you can understand how that looks.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” I growl. “You think you’re better than me? Than us?” Of course he fucking does. Wraith and Nitro get up and stand with me, an obvious show of support. “I’m good,” I bite out between clenched teeth.
“The man asked a fucking question,” Eagle-eye says, his tone smooth and deadly—a warning for Arturo to not wear out his welcome.
“I don’t believe you did it,” says Arturo finally. “We wouldn’t be here if I did, but the good of the Family comes first, just as I’m sure your club does with you. I’m not here to make accusations, but in the end the future of the Giordano family is more important than my personal feelings.”
“Then stop dancing around the point and tell me what the Giordanos want. I don’t want a fucking war. You don’t want a fucking war. So where do we go from here? I’m being as fucking understanding as I can because three of your men are dead, but mine are being framed for shit we didn’t do. Neither of us can afford to let this go and if we spend our energy fighting each other we are playing right into their hands.” Eagle-eye crosses his arms over his chest and leans back.
“A week. You can have a week. After that, we must take action or it will be seen as weakness. This isn’t a threat, it’s simply all I can give you. I bury my nephew on Sunday and I need to look his mother in the eye and tell him that we will make those responsible pay.”
“A fucking week?” King cracks his knuckles. He’s been mostly silent so far, but nothing has slipped past him. I wouldn’t fuck with him any more than I would Eagle-eye. “That’s not much time, not if we have to pursue multiple leads.”
Arturo picks up his phone from the meeting table and slips it into his pocket. “No, it isn’t, but all we ask is that you find the guilty party. The revenge we are more than happy to arrange ourselves.”
Eagle-eye rises slowly, leaning his weight on the table and looking Arturo dead in the eyes. “You realize that we’re not going to bring the war to you, but if you start one, we’ll burn your fucking empire to the ground.”
“You may try. I’d expect nothing less.”
They stare at each other, and I get the feeling that while they might look nothing alike, they both have a feral streak that would mourn the casualties but absolutely glory in finding out who would win.
Luca clears his throat. “Alessa is expecting me to visit with her and the children after our meeting. Is that going to be a problem?”
“Not today.” Eagle-eye gestures towards the compound. “But go with Viking so everyone knows to keep it fucking friendly.”
When they’re gone and it’s just Eagles left, he lets out a long breath and leans back in his chair. “What a fucking mess. That girl you pulled outta there. Where’s she now? I think it would be good for us to have a longer chat. Were there any other witnesses?”
King leans forward. “Gabriel was working that day, one of the neighborhood guys. I’ve known him since he was a kid. We can bring him in, but he was the one that called to tip us off and I’m pretty sure if he saw anything useful we’d know by now.”
“Do it,” Eagle-eye orders.
“I’ve got Kaylee’s contact info from her application. The only reason she was even anywhere fucking near us was because she had an interview at the studio. We’ll get her,” Wraith says.
“Fuck. I won’t mind seeing her cute ass again,” Nitro says with a grin. “But it’s fucked up that she almost fucking died because you were trying to keep her safe from our shit.”
He’s not wrong. She was fucking adorable. When Wraith told her she wasn’t cut out for the job, I wanted to punch him. It would’ve been entertaining as hell to watch her shocked little face adjust from some frou-frou lady salon to a fucking biker tattoo joint. I’d give her a week before she worked up the courage to follow through on some of the long looks she was giving us at her interview.
King growls. “This is serious shit. There’s a war coming if we don’t get some real information. Keep your dicks in your pants, for fuck’s sake.”