Chapter 33 #2
“Oh no, I don’t think I have. Tony, you weren’t wrong, this man would tear down the city for her.” Franklin chuckled. I looked over my shoulder and the man he was referring to finally made me realize exactly who he was. The fucking bookie that has been draining Amelia of money, of her damn freedom.
“Never trust a snake.” I sneered, turning my attention back to Franklin. I thought I would never see the day where there wasn’t another person that was as batshit crazy as I was Franklin proved me wrong.
“Talk fast. Now,” I commanded.
His smile never faded. “Simple. There are two things that you want. Our family would be out of your city and the girl’s debt wiped clean. My associate lets me know that she is quite the hard worker and never breaks down even when the amount keeps adding up.”
“Leave her out of this. Your business is with the Saints, not her.” I pressed him harder against the wall.
“Shooter, ease off, man,” Hank warned me.
“The offer. One fight night. You against our fighter. If you win on behalf of your club, the family will cease operations in the city and Amelia’s debt will be wiped from our records.
But if we win, the debt is doubled and the family will take over your club’s operations and you all cease to exist.” Franklin kept it simple.
Everything would be in my hands. The club and Amelia. But that’s the one thing, I was a warrior, a soldier, I would lay down my life, giving everything I could for people to survive. Every risk would be worth it.
“When?” I asked.
“Uh, Shooter, we need to get Hound Dog,” Hank chimed in.
“Then get him on the phone before I make the rash decision of saying yes.” I warned him, never taking my eyes off Franklin.
After a mutter of “fucking hell” from Hank then came a booming voice of Hound Dog that echoed in the gym. He grumbled, “What the actual fuck is going on?”
“You wanted a way to get these leeches out of our city; well an opportunity has presented itself.” I sneered.
“Why is it when there’s trouble, I find you in the middle of it?” Hound growled out.
“It’s what happens when you go to certain lengths for your woman. Ain’t that right, Prez?” I shot back.
Frankie boy started to explain the deal, indicating the next steps and what would be on the table. Even the way he was trying to con Hound into this deal felt off.
“How do I know that you will stick to your end of the bargain when we win?” Valid question.
“So confident that it will happen. I guess you’ll have to trust us, friend,” Franklin answered.
I took a deep breath, loosening my hold on him.
“I don’t fucking trust you,” Hound Dog snarled. “Contract, signed and agreed to, or else you’ll get fucking nothing.”
“Well, you’re going to have to, unless you want to diminish your kingdom.” he teased.
“Hound, I can do it. We both know I can.” I said, trying not to plead because the deal sounded too good. The club would go back to normal operations and Amelia free from the depths of her divorce.
Hound groaned on the phone, “I also can’t ask you to do it.”
“Good thing you didn’t ask me, I’m fucking volunteering.” And I would do it over again if given the chance.
“Franklin, you can tell your boss we have a deal. A fair fight, everything on the line,” Hound reiterated. “I expect a contract by the end of the week.”
“My boss will be in touch. Let’s say, four weeks? Should be enough time for everyone to prepare, for marking purposes?” Franklin said.
“Prez?”
“Yeah, should be enough time. Franklin, a word of warning, the last time someone messed with the club, they got burned. I’d be careful if I were you.” Hound Dog said, ending the call before Franklin could go running his mouth.
“That was a lot easier than I expected. If we had known earlier what it would take for you to fold, we'd have done it sooner.” Franklin chuckled.
“Mr. Abbott, I suggest you watch what you say unless you want to return to your boss with less appendages,” Stray warned him.
I let go of the fucker, reeling in from making him a permanent fixture on the wall.
“Pleasure doing business. At least I know someone from your gym can follow through on an agreement.” Franklin said as he adjusted his suit and cut his eyes to the back of the gym. I glanced in that direction and saw no one was back there.
I still didn’t trust them one bit, but I had to trust that Hound Dog and the club had my back and would do anything for what would need to happen.
The once silent fighters broke apart, watching the group of suits leave the gym, trudging back to their stations.
Hank couldn’t help but burst into laughter in pure disbelief.
“What the hell was that? I don’t fucking like them, and they had the balls to come in here.
I swear I’m getting too old for the dramatics. ”
“Shut up, no, you’re not.” I walked up to him, flexing my hands trying to find the feeling back in them. I think the adrenaline did a number on them.
“I feel like Hound has a plan up his sleeve. He’s just not saying anything yet.” Stray shrugged.
The chime from the front door snapped our attention, and it was the best view this side of the Mississippi.