Chapter 20
CHAPTER 20
U nwanted Guests
Dean
I don’t even open my eyes as I stretch in bed when I wake. I feel like I’ve been asleep for years. It was much needed. My mom comes to mind, and I quickly open my eyes and reach for my phone.
I turn off the do not disturb and make a quick text to Hudson to let him know to get ready. I’ll be heading out as soon as I eat something and get dressed. Then I call the hospital to check in.
I’m tying my robe closed with my phone between my shoulder and ear as I head for the kitchen, when I hear movement in that direction. Moving swiftly, I grab a gun from one of my hiding places.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I bite out when I find Byron cooking in my kitchen.
“You’re alive. That’s good to know,” he says bitterly.
“You know, one of these days I’m going to shoot first and ask questions later.”
“Whoa, Baby Girl. It’s only us, family,” Lyric says, causing me to whip around and aim at him.
I roll my eyes and put the safety back on my gun. Lyric comes over and pecks me on the cheek. I punch him in the arm and follow him into the kitchen.
“I want that key back before you leave, Byron,” I grumble.
“You’ve been at the hospital since you returned. I didn’t want to wake you. Not that you were answering any of our calls,” he replies.
“If it doesn’t involve my mom, it’s not important right now.”
“Sorry, but it doesn’t work that way, Baby Girl,” Lyric says.
“I left you in charge. You mean to tell me you can’t hold things down while I take care of my mom?” I snap.
“Danny, you know I always have your back, but there are things you have to have a final say on,” Lyric sighs.
“I know what I would do if I were running things,” Byron says.
I jerk my head back and look at him. He purses his lips and holds up his hands. I glare at him hard.
“I’m just saying. You asked Lyric to step in as your right hand. He should know what to do in your absence. That’s all I meant.”
“Good thing you’re not running things. My job isn’t to overstep. Shit is getting real, and every move made holds weight.
“These decisions need to be made carefully. I know you, Danny. If I fuck this up, you’ll have my head. That’s that shit Uncle Freddie taught you,” Lyric says.
“Or are you trying to make her second-guess herself so you can take over?” Byron mutters under his breath.
“I have enough shit going on. If you two are going to have a brat fest, get the fuck out. I don’t have the time or patience for the bullshit right now.”
“Sorry, Baby Girl. I didn’t mean to bring you any drama. I’ll hang out with you today and see if you have a moment for what I need to talk to you about,” Lyric apologizes.
“Sorry,” Byron says. “How is Aunt Den’Nisha?”
“I couldn’t talk to her doctor just now. The most they could tell me is that she’s still stable and making progress. I’m heading there once I’m dressed.”
“What about Anika? Is she there with her?”
“Fuck that bitch. I have no idea where the hell she is. Really don’t care,” I bite out.
“Damn, what happened?” Lyric says with concern in his voice.
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Do you need me to look into things for you? Find out what’s up with her?” Byron offers.
“Not if you don’t want her blood on your hands. Leave her trifling ass wherever the fuck she’s at.”
Lyric releases a low whistle. “Noted. I’m not getting into that shit.”
“Well, you know I’m here for you. I’ll do whatever you need. If that means you want to find her and tell her about your mom, I’m here. If not, I’ve got your back in any way you need,” Byron says.
I go to glare at him for not letting it go and remember his mom and twin. I’m sure he’s thinking about how hard it was for him to lose a sibling. Especially the one he was closest to.
“What are you cooking?” I ask to change the subject.
“Your favorite,” he says with a big grin on his face.
“Cool, that means I have some time to get dressed. Lyric, head to my office. We’ll talk in there. You don’t need to tag along with me.”
“I can come with you to the hospital,” Byron offers.
“That’s not necessary.”
“That woman baked me cookies whenever your uncle would bring me by your house. She’s like family to me. You both are.
“Let me be there for you guys. I can make sure you eat and take notes when you speak to the doctors.”
“Boy, you know I don’t forget shit,” I say and tap my temple.
“I’m not saying you will, but this is a traumatic time. You might not hear everything like you should. Let me help, Danny.”
I think about it for a moment. Byron is always trying to help me. Maybe he’s right. It might be time I allow someone in.
“Fine. You can come with me. Give Lyric the plate when you’re done. We’re meeting in private.”
Byron looks frustrated, but he nods. Business is business. He can, as he says, look out for me and make sure Lyric isn’t on some bullshit—but he doesn’t need to sit in on meetings and learn all my moves.
***
“Bujar is a problem, just as I thought he would be. He’s been strong-arming Casanova and Brando to get his shipments through. They’re too stupid to see the problem with what they’re doing,” Lyric says as I eat the breakfast quiche and grilled mango Byron sent for me.
“Yeah, Bujar had my attention before all this with my mom came up. I had planned to give his ass a visit. I don’t take to threats and I don’t like that he feels so familiar with doing so.”
“That’s just the thing. I agree. I think he needs to be touched, and Casanova and Brando should be taught a lesson as well. They’re not paying the tax on the shit they’re transporting for Bujar.
“They’re assuming we’re not paying attention and they can get away with the bullshit. The problem is, the Alliance has already given the Albanians a seat at the table. Granted, your seat will hold more weight than theirs, but we don’t want to go fucking up relationships your uncle set in place.”
He’s right, Cass and Bran should know better. There is a tax for any illegal business run through my fleet. We have to know what we’re transporting. That way, we know how to handle it.
If they’re backdooring us, that puts everything in jeopardy. They could get us all taken down. Moving their work and someone else’s poses that threat.
I sit back in my seat and take a beat to think. It’s not that I don’t know or understand how this alliance is supposed to work; I’m being cautious because of my understanding of it. If it fails, we could be bringing heat down on our heads for nothing. However, if these dudes can do what they promised, then this will be outstanding for the organization.
“This LaSalle is still asking for a meet, right? He wants to know who I am?”
“Yeah, Dad wanted to give you time, but they’re still asking to meet you before the Ireland roundtable.”
Something clicks in my brain, and I know exactly what I need to do. I can’t believe I almost missed it. This is it.
“Okay, I’ll meet him, and I’ll take him a gift. He can have the Albanians and still allow me to demand my respect. Whatever it is he’s punishing them for, I’m sure my gift will open the door.”
“Okay, I hear you. We do what Uncle Freddie taught us and come out on top, but this better be one hell of a gift.”
I laugh. “It is. Bujar and Dalmat have a cousin who should have taken over the family. The brothers snaked him out of his spot. He’s been biding his time to get them back and take what’s his.
“I make a friend and earn everyone’s trust in one go. I will then make a few requests of LaSalle in return.”
“Baby Girl, this is why your uncle chose you. I have never had a problem being your second. Shit, sometimes I don’t even think Dad is going to hand his seat over to me. I bump heads with Marlow and his boys too much.”
“I find that so interesting. You know, I have only ever met one of them.”
“Consider yourself lucky. Those motherfuckers are dumb as fuck and entitled.”
I snort and try not to laugh. A knock at the door interrupts my next thought and I look at the time. I need to get going to see my mom.
“Anything else?”
“Nah, not right now. Go take care of your moms. I’ll hold it down.”