4. Mason
4
MASON
C hanning paled when I said the fucker’s name. That made everything worse.
His normally tanned skin, covered in tattoos, looked washed out. He seemed staggered, his hand grabbing at his dark blond hair before it moved to grab the back of his neck for a short moment.
He blinked a few times, shaking it off before scanning around us. “We can’t talk about him here.”
He really wasn’t making me feel better. I wanted to find this asshole. I wanted to find out why my father was so torn up about this guy, and then I was going to rip his head off. That was my plan for dealing with him. Simple murder.
Channing had connections. He’d help cover it up.
And I wanted to keep Logan out of it, so if anything happened, he could defend me to the best of his ability. His conscience would be clear.
Everything inside me raged right now. Murder might not have been the best answer. In a few days, rational thought would come back to me, and I’d think about Sam. I’d think about my kids. I couldn’t put any of them at risk of losing me, but fuck. If someone found this Bennett guy, brought him to me, and handed me a gun? I’d take that gun and pull the trigger so fast. I’d kill him. I’d do it without thinking, with no hesitation.
“Where?” I demanded, scowling. A few people were looking over. I heard someone say my last name, and I didn’t know if this was typical scene-of-the-crime attention or if it was because of my football celebrity status.
Goddammit. I hated everything about this. The grief, losing my dad… Later when I was with Sam in the privacy of our room, I’d feel it. Until then, I needed to scramble to find my footing. James laid a pile of shit at our feet and told us to clean it up. I needed to sort the pile of shit before I could even think of how to clean it up.
Frustration jammed my throat.
First fucking thing first. “Where, Channing?” I asked again. “Where can we talk?”
He sighed, looking around again. “I don’t want to do this in my office, just in case. Let’s go to where we used to have the bonfire for Fallen Crest. You remember where that is?”
The old stomping grounds, where we’d had more than a few Fallen Crest parties during the District Weekend, a tradition among Fallen Crest, Roussou, and Frisco. Each town had an event. “I remember.”
“You can follow me if you forgot the way.”
I raised my middle finger, to which he barked out a laugh. Each of us broke away to our separate vehicles.
We hadn’t gone far before my dashboard started lighting up. My phone had automatically connected, so all the texts were coming through—some from Sam, from Channing. There was a pause, and then some from Nate came through. The last few were from Matteo. And still more from numbers I didn’t know. I frowned, hitting ignore so they’d stop. I’d need to read through them on my phone, but later. Everything was later.
When we arrived, Channing swung in among the trees, parking.
I slid in next to him, and by the time I got out and rounded the back end of my Escalade, he had a beer waiting for me. I shook my head. “I’ll need something stronger when I start doing that.”
He nodded but had no other reaction.
I sighed, leaning against the bumper. “I need to know everything.”
“Yeah.” He didn’t sound happy about it.
We looked around us for a moment. We were in the middle of the woods, in a valley before a bunch of hills. Sam used to run around here. Jesus . That was so long ago. She’d go for hours, running from all her demons. Everything had been so different, but in a way, we were back there all over again. If someone told me today that I needed to pick up my little brother before we headed to high school, I wouldn’t have argued. It felt natural.
Time was a funny bitch. I hated her.
“I gotta know something first.” Channing focused on the ground. “Where’d you hear that name?” He lifted his head, his gaze eerily sharp. “It’s not a name someone like you would know, and trust me, brother, you don’t want to know that name.”
“Too fucking late.” I told him how James called us, how the whole thing had gone down.
At the end, after I quoted him word for word what my dad said, Channing’s mouth hardened. He flinched. “Fuck.”
“Tell me I can kill this motherfucker.”
He shook his head. “I wish you could. But no.” He drew in a deep breath, exhaling as he said, “He’s mafia.”
I stared at him.
I heard him wrong.
“Say again.” It wasn’t a request.
Channing’s mouth firmed even more. “Mafia, Mason.”
“My dad cut all that shady shit a long time ago. He wouldn’t have any dealings with the mob, not anymore. Try again, Chan. Who is he? Why can’t I kill him?”
He grew wary before flinching all over again. “I can’t give you a different answer. He is, quite possibly, one of the most powerful crime lords this side of the world. And he is still growing in power.”
Fuck.
Fuck .
I frowned. “I feel like I’ve heard his name before.”
“You remember Quincey’s father?”
“Nate’s wife? Her dad?”
He nodded. “The one that your dad told you had mob connections, and because of that, there was a conflict of interest for him?”
Anger burned through me. I clenched my jaw. “That was when he was into some questionable business dealings, but he went straight.”
“I’m not saying that. I know your dad went straight and has been for a while. I’m saying that’s the mob connections to Quincey’s dad. I’m sure it was probably some of his minions down the ladder that loaned Quincey’s dad money. But, follow that chain of command up and there you go. Same guy. Same name. He’s at the very top.”
Well, shit . “Fucking mafia?”
A look of pity flashed over Channing’s face before it hardened. “You need to go through your dad’s books. I’m talking go tonight and get them. They’ll start an investigation and they’ll freeze everything. With his company being as big as it is now, they’ll look into it. You might not get out from underneath this.”
“You think my dad owed them money?”
“Maybe.” He shrugged, his head tilting back. “It’s not so black and white with the Bennetts. It’s a family operation. They’re from Canada, but they’ve expanded huge down in the States. The last I heard, they ran most of the Midwest, going all the way to Oklahoma. I don’t think they’ve been able to get a good hold on that state. Red Demons control most of that and Texas. You remember them? The biker gang that operates out of Frisco?”
I nodded. I remembered when he went against them too. They were the one percenters, the real deal criminal motorcycle club gang.
Channing was still saying, “They’ve also got most of the southwestern states, and a brand new fucking charter moved into Frisco.”
I felt my eyes widen. “What?”
“Yep. Same club, but they replaced the old charter. New members. We’ve had a few run-ins, and they’re not that bad, as far as Red Demons go. Brandon’s woman is friendly with their president’s woman. Shane King. Goes by his biker name Ghost. He’s the national VP, last I heard. I think there was a question about whether their national prez was alive or not. I’m not in the know as far as that goes, but it’s not a total bad thing to have them so close. They separated from a cartel that’d been pushing up here, and they did it in a big way. We don’t have cartel here anymore—or at least not as strong as they were—so it makes sense that Bennett is sniffing around. No doubt the Red Demon turf war got his attention.”
“What other areas does he run?”
“Montana. Idaho. Washington. They might’ve pushed into Oregon. I’m not sure.”
“Utah?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think so. The Red Demons might have Utah. Maybe. Or they’re duking it out. I know the Red Demons have Nevada. I’m not sure about Colorado or Wyoming. Bennetts have Kansas, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin. I’m not sure about Iowa. There’s other mafia around there—all of which is none of my business. I’m aware of the players around here and around where my sister lives, but other than that, I keep my head down. It’s easier that way. I go in, grab our guys, and we get the fuck out. We touch base with cops in the area to make sure they know we’re there and to find out if the way is clear for us. That’s the most I’ll probe in.” He paused to take a breath. “Your dad killed himself because of Bennett?”
“That’s what he said.” I closed my eyes and saw it all over again.
Bang .
“I’ll never fucking get that out of my head.”
“I’m sorry, man.” He reached over and clasped my shoulder.
“I need the layout on this family. Kai is the one in charge?”
Channing grimaced before nodding. “This is what I know. Again, I try not to get too nosy. They tend to know who’s looking into them and don’t take kindly to that. Rumor was there used to be a board for all the Canadian mafia families, but I don’t know if that’s true. Right now the Bennetts are in charge. Kai’s the leader. I’m not sure about the other siblings, but there’s one other brother who’s heavily involved with the business. Tanner Bennett. He spends a lot of time in Kansas.” He studied me. “There’s another rumor. I don’t know the validity of it, but you may know someone connected to Tanner Bennett.”
I tensed. “Who?”
“Cutler Ryder.”
No fucking way . “The pro NHL hockey player, Cutler Ryder? Kansas City Mustangs?”
He gave me a slow nod.
I shook my head. “No way. Fuck no. No fucking way does Ryder have mob connections.”
“I’m not saying he knows he has mob connections, but yes, I think he does.”
“How?”
Channing heaved a silent sigh. “Look, I don’t like knowing this shit. And I don’t want my name attached, because this information came from someone connected to my sister, and if she’s put at risk, heads will roll. I mean it.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I don’t even know what you know.”
“Bren can’t be put at risk. That’s what I’m saying. I know you. I give you this information, and with the rage going through you right now, you’ll use it to burn down the place. They’ll start looking and will connect the dots, you get me? My sister will not be collateral in this.”
I growled. “Jesus Christ. I know your sister. I don’t even want to fuck with her, but yes. I promise not to put her at risk.”
He was quiet for a moment, considering me before he gave in. “There’s a nightclub outside of Kansas City, Bresko’s. That club is connected to your friend, right?”
“I’m familiar with it,” I clipped out. I did not like where this was going.
“There’s a silent partner. The rumor is that it’s Tanner Bennett.”
I cursed under my breath. Ryder was a stand-up guy. If this was true, he didn’t know. There was no way he could know. “This is insane.”
“It’s a connection.”
“What do they do? Specifically. The Bennetts.”
“They do almost everything except sex trafficking. That is not a rumor. I know as fact that they have a hard line against sex trafficking, but I believe they do everything else. Distribution. Transportation. Guns. Drugs. If this is true and they were coming after your dad, they’re likely forcing a hostile takeover with Kade Enterprises. That’s my guess. Your dad had to open up a small percentage of shares. If we look, I’d bet whoever bought those is connected to the Bennett family.”
I sat with this for a beat. “If this is all true, how do we fight them?”
He shrugged, but he was still studying me. Wary. “You’re legit. You’re not a criminal. You don’t have any shady ties. You’re famous. Your name and face alone gives you some protection. It should scare off any hostile takeover attempts, I’d think. Pair your name with Sam’s?” He whistled under his breath. “You guys are like one of America’s sweethearts. When press finds out what your dad did, it’s going to be crazy. All eyes are going to be on you. Your dad—though I don’t like what he did, it makes sense in a way. If he was the weak link the Bennetts were using to push in on, he eliminated their way in. What he did will force all that attention your way. But not just you—you and your brother and the entourage that comes with you guys. Me and mine included. Plus, you guys are connected to Brett’s new wife. The media is still in a frenzy about her.”
I shook my head. “We’re not that close to Brett or Billie.”
He shrugged again, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m just saying you have some arsenal in your backyard, if you need it. Brett will step in to help. You know that. Plus the niece as well.”
I shot him a look. “We’re not using our kids.”
“His niece is going to your kid’s school. Your kid and mine are like glue with each other. I’m just pointing out the connections, that’s all.”
I shook my head. Maddy and Max. Those two couldn’t get enough of each other, and I didn’t know if I liked that, but I also knew Maddy got my stubbornness. And there was some extraness in my daughter. Just extra. Extra attitude. Extra grit. Extra…we were still learning, but my daughter was unpredictable and uncontrollable. She was also loveable at the same time. If she was going to rob a place, she’d waltz in, give the cashier the gun, and somehow get them to help her rob the place. Not saying she would do that, but if she did, that’s how she would pull it off. There was no telling what she would do. Max was a good kid. If anyone was the bad influence, it was my daughter. As for Brett’s niece, Maddy had only mentioned the girl a few times since she’d started at Fallen Crest Academy.
I wouldn’t say they were friends.
Hell, I wasn’t sure who my daughter’s friends were besides Max, and he went to Fallen Crest Public. “Max mentioned Brett’s niece?”
Channing shrugged. “Only reason I mentioned them was an added connection. If you needed Broudou, he’d throw his hat in the ring because of his niece.”
I shook my head. I didn’t want to get to that stage. I’d handle my business. Channing should remember that part of me. If we needed to do something, we’d do it, and I didn’t want to owe anyone favors.
My phone buzzed.
Sam: We’re all drunk at Manny’s.
I snorted, showing Channing my screen. A thin ray of light pushed through the storm clouds. It hurt to feel it, but it was needed. A small pocket of air to a vacuum where all the oxygen had been sucked out.
He chuckled as he grimaced at the same time. I understood that reaction. Now that we were back, it was as if Sam and Heather made it their mission to have daily adventures. They went down town in Fallen Crest for a book club and three hours later, Sam called to tell me she joined a marathon that was running through downtown and won. She was pissed they weren’t giving her the title. Their argument, she never registered to run. Her argument, she won. That’d only been one of their adventures.
“How do you want to proceed?” Channing was back to considering me.
The slight reprieve was gone. The light was snuffed out and the pressure was back on my shoulders. “I’ll call my publicist and have her do damage control as long as possible. Hopefully we can keep it out of the press about how my father died. We’ll break it to the kids in the morning. You guys should come over when we do. Maddy will want Max there. The twins will want Natessia there.”
“And this business?”
“Family first. We’ll tackle the business stuff after. Even if they’re going to try to push in, they’ll wait to see how everything pans out with Logan and me coming in. We already have shares. Nate too. No matter what, they can’t get the majority. We have it.”
He grunted, raking a hand down his face. “It ain’t good, and I’ve got a feeling shit’s going to get worse.”
I had the same feeling.
“Let’s go get our wives. I’ll check in with Logan, see where his head is. He’ll want to know all of this.”
Channing led the way after we returned to our cars, turning in the direction of his wife’s bar. I followed him but made a call on the way.
My private investigator picked up, her voice wary. “I know whatever you’re about to ask me won’t be good, not with a call at this hour.”
I told her the basics about what had happened.
She was quiet for a long while. “This isn’t good, Kade. This is so fucking not good.”
I remained silent. She wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t know.
She sighed. “Okay. I’ll find the specifics on what they’re doing. We’ll go from there. But what I know—apparently more than what Monroe told you—is that Kai Bennett is another animal. He is smart, ruthless, and calculating. If you look up the word mastermind , his picture would be next to it. He’s not a normal human being.”
None of that made me feel better. “Get everything you can. I have to go.”
“Hey, Mason?”
I was pulling into Manny’s, and as I parked, I held off turning the engine. “Yeah?”
“I’m sorry about your dad.”
“Yeah,” I said, rougher than I’d intended. “Call when you have information for me.”