Making the King: A dark forced marriage romance (The Cruz Kings MC)

Chapter Thirteen

“I’ve got an hour before the girls pester Lily to call me. So let’s get started.” Dante orders from across the table as his Aussie mate, Baz, relaxes back in the chair looking like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

Since Baz had business over here in the US and Dante was concerned with the increasing Reaper situation, they flew over together from the UK in the Marx family’s private jet and got here an hour ago.

The fact that Baz came with Dante to see us is significant. It means there’s cause for real concern. Dante may want his advice or even access to his associates, should we need it.

“If they call, let Uncle Cain handle it. They love me.” Cain beams from next to me and Dante frowns.

“They don’t even fucking know you. They think it’s Santa, and the Easter Bunny and whatever else I can come up with to hide who is really sending all the fucking candy and extravagant gifts, half of which I have to fucking send back. You’re not fucking taking that call.” Dante growls and Cain snickers.

“And why don’t they know me? Huh?” Cain raises his brows. “Because you’re fucking greedy and won’t share them with me. I’m a good uncle, and when I speak to them, you will see how wrong you are.”

“Jesus Christ.” Dante pinches the bridge of his nose.

“Tell us about the Reapers?” Baz asks, directing the conversation to business.

“The Reapers are a problem, but so is Cara’s mom,” I tell them, knowing they have already been updated on last night’s events.

“So it seems.” Dante frowns. “She’s been a ghost for so long, but with Cara being released from prison, she’s taking risks. Coming out of hiding. It’s a good thing because we have a better chance at catching her, but why does she want Cara so bad?”

“At first, I think she originally wanted her because she thought Cara was still a virgin when she got out of prison.” I state, hating saying those words about my wife out loud. But I trust these men. They only want what’s best.

“I take it by the way you had her pressed against the wall before we came in here that you have taken care of that?” Dante smirks.

“It’s been well and truly taken care of.” I smirk back, knowing that details aren’t required, because that’s not the way any of us roll.

Wait.

I take that back.

Cain rolls that way, but the rest of us like to keep our intimate moments to ourselves.

Cara is out in the club, sitting and chatting with Rose while the other Diamonds and Tex prepare for a busy night. I can see Cara feels almost responsible for the poor girl. Not in the blame way, but in the way that Rose is now alone, and Cara wants to make sure she doesn’t feel that way, so she is devoting time to the girl, talking her through the assault she endured.

“So what’s Cara’s appeal to her mom now?” Baz asks and I shrug.

“I assume a big part is so she can have control over her daughter again. When she showed up on my doorstep, there was mention of getting Cara hooked on drugs so that she’ll comply and be a high earning whore for them.”

“But the Reapers are involved too? Who are these men? Why haven’t we heard of them before this?” Dante asks.

“The Reapers are a nomad club, causing havoc everywhere they go. For some reason, they’ve set their sights on this area after hearing the territory could be up for grabs. They are bad news. Dealing in the skin trade, and probably various other nefarious things.” I slam my fist on the tabletop in frustration. “We can’t let them take over our area.”

Dante and Baz share a look, before Dante speaks.

“Our crew is big, but we are just that. A crew. Not a fucking motorcycle club. Their business dealings are different to ours. Morals too.”

I nod, knowing all of this.

“Then what do we do? Just sit by and let them destroy the peace we’ve brought to the area?” I ask, clenching my fists on the tabletop. “Gang crime is down because of us. Most of them move on over the mountains rather than go up against us. We can’t lose that.”

“I don’t want to lose that either but short of finding another club willing to relocate and take over the area so the Reapers can’t, I don’t know what to do.” Dante admits, and we all fall silent before I speak up.

“They’re buying little girls, Dante. Reselling them. Helping Cara’s mom keep her fucking sick empire going. We can’t sit on this.”

“He’s right.” Baz agrees, sharing another look with Dante. “The only way to keep this region safe is to fill the gap.”

“But we aren’t a fucking MC.” Dante hisses and Baz nods.

“So start one. It’s not like you don’t have men to spare. Start a fucking MC right here in Santa Cruz. Bid for the territory and keep this place yours.”

Dante frowns, staring at the tabletop. “We know nothing about running an MC. They deal with Cartels and Mafia and powerful men with too much money and God complexes.” He shrugs.

“Like you?” Cain interjects with a laugh, but Dante ignores him.

“Who would I even get to run a fucking MC?”

“I will,” I say before I even realize the words are slipping from my mouth.

Baz grins pleased while Dante continues to frown.

“You’re only twenty-two.” He tries to use it as an excuse, and I shake my head.

“The same fucking age you were when you started the Diamond Crew, as well as the same fucking age Cain is right now, running the DC over here. Don’t you think I can do it? Lead?”

Dante leans closer to the table, staring me straight in the eye.

“I have no fucking doubt you can lead, Rochus. You are a born leader. My reservation comes from losing you.”

I relax back in my seat, crossing my arms over my chest. “Are you gonna miss me?”

“Shut the fuck up. I already miss all of you. I hate being so far away from my OG crew.” Dante admits and Cain swoons.

“Awww, he loves us.”

We all chuckle before falling silent again, deep in thought about the prospect of starting an MC.

Honestly, I had thought about it briefly, but like everything to do with this life, I needed to discuss it with my crew. Baz bringing it up made it easier for two reasons.

The first, because I didn’t want Dante to think I’d ever desert him.

And secondly, Baz bringing it up means it’s not a ridiculous notion.

Next to me, Cain glances at his phone, reading a message before showing it to me. It’s from Gunner.

Gunner: Have you seen Gray? He was gone when I woke up.

“I haven’t seen him.” I offer, remembering how they checked in at sunrise to give an update on the boat bonfire before going to bed for the day.

“He’s probably buried deep in pussy. He’s been sniffing around one of the new Diamond recruits lately.”

I chuckle. “Well, he deserves a few extra hours off before he starts his shift helping Tex.”

Grinning, Cain shoots Gunner a text back and I glance up to see Baz and Dante talking quietly. I sit and wait, wondering if he’ll take me seriously.

I know I’m young, but with Cara by my side, and some help from the crew, I have no doubt I can form an MC and make sure the Reapers don’t get access to our fucking territory.

“Okay, let’s talk more about creating an MC.” Dante states, shooting me a look of absolute respect.

Both Cain and I sit taller in our seats, more than ready to have this conversation.

“It’ll take a bit of setting up.” Dante continues, “You’ll need to recruit for the MC. You can take some of the crew with you if they are willing, just don’t take them all.” Dante grins, and we all chuckle before we sink into a strategy session on how the fuck one starts an outlaw MC.