Before the Storm

Chapter 17

Walking downstairs and into the kitchen, I find everyone standing around, trying to busy themselves with breakfast. I could cut the tension with a knife. Phoenix’s gaze is bouncing between Meadow and Aidan, forever playing peace keeper. There has been obvious tension since Aidan returned, and I am trying to figure out how to navigate around everyone. I don’t know how to act around Aidan, and Meadow is pretending he doesn’t exist. His betrayal cut deep, and I don’t know how to move past it—if I should move past it. I am usually in control of all aspects of my life, but since the little vixen came back and Aidan”s betrayal, the control I hold onto so tightly feels like it’s slipping through my fingers, and there is nothing I can do to stop it.

Rubbing my hand over my freshly shaved jaw, I sigh and head for the coffee machine. I can’t deal with this stress on top of dealing with my father’s bullshit. He called me last night to request a meeting, and when he calls, I have to fucking answer, no matter how much I wish I could push that little red decline button. Once everyone is in the kitchen, I announce that I have a meeting with my father today, and unfortunately, I have no clue why I am being summoned. I hear some cursing and other choice words but no objections since they all know I have no choice but to attend lunch. The last time I missed a meeting was well over a year ago. I had been shot and, apparently, that wasn’t a good enough reason for me to miss, according to my dearest father. He beat the shit out of me once I had healed from the bullet wound.

I am glad Father Dearest hadn’t requested the guys as well. There is no question, he would have sniffed out the tension between us in a second and used it to his advantage like the rat he is. The guys and I try to keep everything we do out of his eyes. After coffee and a light breakfast, I had to force myself to head to the office to plan for the next shipment. I also have to call Grisha and finalize our next meeting. I have only a few hours to get this done before my meeting, so I don’t have time to waste.

I sit down in my leather chair, feeling the familiar comfort of my office. I take a deep breath in and slowly release the breath, exhaling the tension that has been in my body since I walked into the kitchen this morning. I forget everything but the task at hand. Once I am calm and relaxed, I grab the paperwork needed for our next delivery and go over every little detail. Grabbing my phone, I call up Grisha. I would be surprised if that burly bastard is awake at eight in the morning, but he answers on the second ring with an angry ‘hello’.

“Grisha, it’s Knox. Do you have time right now? We need to finish our discussion.”

“It is eight in the morning on a Saturday, what the fuck kid? Do you have a death wish?”

“Not everyone can get paid to drink all day; some of us have actual jobs, Grisha. Can you talk or not? I don’t have time for your shit.”

“Yeah, yeah, give me a damn minute.”

I can hear some grunting in the background and the sound of a woman moaning. If he is having sex while on the phone with me, I am going to put a bullet through his head the next time I see him. A minute later he comes back on the phone, bitching about having to leave the pussy he already paid for to deal with bullshit that could have waited until later. I start laughing at the fact that he has to pay for pussy Hell, before Meadow came back, I could have gotten pussy whenever without needing to pay for it. The old man on the other hand can’t find anyone to deal with his limp dick so he has to pay for pussy.

“Stop laughing, kid, you owe me four hundred dollars. I had to leave twins for this. Did you hear me? Twins.”

“Stop bitching, I will pay for your whores. Don’t throw a tantrum. Now, are you ready to get down to business?”

All I get is a grunt in response, so for the next hour, Grisha and I get every detail down, so we don’t have another incident like we did at the docks all those months ago. The ship hits the port in three days with our product. The Russians have created a new drug that works fast and gives you a high that will get you addicted to after one hit. It is a powder similar to cocaine, but it is blue, and they call it lotus. There is even a little flower on the fucking pouch it comes in. I give the Russians props; they know how to market a drug. And even better? The Wolverines are their sole distributor.

Grisha wanted us to have full authority over the drug, so it is exclusive, and they can charge more. I agreed because there is so much money to be made since we are the only ones with access to it. The new drug rolls out in a week, and I am excited to see how much traction it gets. We already have our small-town dealers hyping it up. We gave them a little sample to try it themselves and put the word out. There has been nothing but great reviews. There is no hangover once the high wears off, but it does leave you wanting another hit.

Once we’ve planned out everything, I hang up and shift my focus to our income reports. I don’t trust anyone else to look over these numbers besides, well, Aidan, but he is in the doghouse, and I don’t want his help. Going over the reports, I notice one of our districts has lost income over the past few months, and when I look at which district, I’m even more shocked. What the fuck? That is our best distribution area; we are never in the red. My mind is reeling, so I grab the last few months of statements for that area and see that they have been in the red a lot lately, which doesn’t make sense. I call Hunter and ask him who runs the drug game in the area. He tells me he will find out and call me back.

My mind is reeling with the possibility that one of our members is stealing from us because when I go over the inventory list, I notice that whoever is running our shit in that district keeps asking for more, saying they are out. This guy is either stupid or didn’t think we actually looked over our books. While I run through the numbers again, I get a call back from Hunter.

“Hello?”

“Hey boss. The regular guy we had running that area died about five months ago in a drive-by. His next in line took over, and his name is Christian. I looked into him. He joined two years ago and did so because he needed extra money to pay for family medical shit. His background check came up like the rest of them: misdemeanors and one felony. He spent two years in prison for assault. Is there a reason you needed this information?”

“Yeah, I need you to go and pick him up. Bring him to the basement, but don’t hurt him unless he tries to run. I am pretty sure Christian is stealing from us, or at least knows who is.”

“Got it, don’t injure him unless needed. Do you want him sitting or standing?”

“Sit him down, I just want to have a friendly conversation when he gets here.”

I hear Hunter laugh and then hang up. I wasn’t lying about wanting a friendly conversation; my fists are going to get really friendly with his face. No one steals from me and gets away with it. This is why I check the books monthly. Unfortunately, I have been a little preoccupied with Meadow and haven’t had the time to pay much attention. If I had just been focused, then maybe I would have seen this earlier. Looking at the time, I notice it is eleven o’clock. Mentally berating myself, I get up to get ready to meet my father. I have less than an hour before I have to meet him at the restaurant, and I don’t want to be late. I guess I should be happy that he is meeting me in public, less chance of him taking his anger out on me.

I arrive at the restaurant and give my keys to the valet. I usually don’t let anyone else drive my car, but today I will make an exception. I head inside and tell the hostess that I am here under the name Gomez, and she smiles at me and tells me the other party is here. I nod my head and dutifully follow her to the table. When I look up, I notice my father isn’t alone. My shoulders tense, and I mask my face before anyone can see. My father sits in his chair, smirking at me. I head to my assigned chair and greet them.

“Father, you didn’t tell me we were going to have company,” I say as friendly as I can through gritted teeth.

“Knox, I raised you to have better manners than this. I am so sorry for his appalling behavior, dear, you must excuse him, I think he has hit his head one to many times.”

The woman looks at me and smiles, it is not a friendly smile either. She looks at me like I am her next meal ticket. I nod my head and finally take a seat while her eyes never miss a move I make.

“Sorry, Father, I was just surprised is all.” I look over to the scantily-clad woman who is showing off more than I want to see. She has fake blond hair, and I can tell her boobs are fake from how perky and round they are. “My apologies ma’am, my name is Knox. It is very nice to meet you.”

“You are fine, darling. My name is Maeve. It is nice to meet you as well.” She holds her hand out for me to kiss. Her nails are perfectly manicured, and it doesn’t look like she has worked a day in her life. If I had to guess, her age would be around thirty, but she is wearing so much makeup right now; who knows? I don’t kiss her hand, but I do shake it gently and let go. I can see the hurt in her eyes, but I don’t want to lead her on. I already have the girl of my dreams.

“Now that introductions are out of the way, let’s order food and discuss business,” my father says, which surprises me. He has never talked business with an outsider present. The hairs on my neck rise every moment I sit in this chair, looking at my father. He is up to no good, and I am unsure I want to find out why this time. I knew it was odd for him to request a lunch meeting at a fancy restaurant. He has a trick up his sleeve, and he needs to come out with it before I lose my shit.

The server comes over, and we all order food and sit in an awkward silence. I can promise that I will not be the first to break it. I don’t mind sitting in silence; it has to be better than whatever bullshit he has come here with today.

“Well, son, I have some news for you. Maeve’s father and I have been discussing business, and we have made a decision that may shock you, but you will agree regardless. You know who her father is, correct?” Michael asks me.

“No, I don’t. Please, do share this news,” I say through gritted teeth. My jaw is shut so tight I may crack a tooth.

“Oh, Daddy is Quinn Asher. He is the leader of the Irish in our district,” Maeve says as she gleams at me.

My mask falls momentarily at the name. I know Quinn; he is a mean son of a bitch. He’s ruthless and will do anything for his princess, and his princess is staring at me like she just caught the biggest fish in the pond. “Yes, I have heard of your father, great businessman. Now what have you discussed?”

“Well, son, he needs someone to marry his princess, and we need the manpower he can offer us. We expand our territory with his help, and he secures Maeve’s future. Plus, he will own half of everything we take over together.” Michael smiles at me.

“Okay, so she is going to marry you then?” I ask, hoping the next answer will be yes, but deep down, I know why we are here. My father just pimped me out for more money. I mean, it’s not like he hasn’t tried in the past, but I was quickly able to shut that shit down. I look up at him, and his Cheshire grin shows that the answer I am hoping for isn’t going to come.

“I am way too old for her, not that I didn’t try, but her father wants someone younger for her and, well, we decided it should be you, Knox. You and Maeve are getting married in six months. Congratulations are in order,” Michael states like he just fucking won the lottery.

“I am sorry, Maeve. I am sure you are a lovely woman, but I already have someone; I cannot marry you, and I sure as shit will not marry you.” I glare at her with all the venom I am feeling right now.

Who the fuck does my father think he is? This is the twenty-first century; he can’t force people to marry. I refuse. Fuck, what will Meadow think after everything that happened with Aidan a few weeks ago? My mind is reeling even harder than when I realized someone was stealing from us, and I feel a panic attack begin to hit. I discreetly text Aidan 911, so he is aware I need help. In the next minute, my phone rings, and I excuse myself from the table, not caring about my father”s disapproval. I answer the call and say the one word I know will get through. Peaches.