Chapter 7 Oak #2
When we make it inside I take note of the place. The only people here is the manager we hired and a few employees.
The Pit does well in business. It has a grunge feel to it but it meets with modern chic.
The bar is a curved set up with a waterfall background and low lights.
The bar stools are charcoal leather and the stands are custom made metal vipers.
The bar countertop is a thick and glossy black marble with silver flecks.
Chandeliers made of black metal hang from the ceiling creating a glow over the tables and the dance floor.
It’s beautiful and it has an appeal that keeps people coming back.
Snake and I nod our heads at the employees as they make their final rounds of cleaning before opening back up.
We walk until we hit the back area that leads to a hallway. The first door on the right hand side is where Daniella, the manager, has her office.
Snake knocks twice and that’s when we hear the natural husky voice of Daniella telling us to come in.
I follow in behind him and close the door.
Daniella is a beautiful woman. There’s no denying that. Long and thick dark brown hair that stops more than halfway down her back. Dark brown eyes that are both warm and alluring. High cheekbones and a jawline models envy along with her near six foot height.
Her parents immigrated from Italy before giving birth to her and her two siblings.
She’s the only female and youngest of the family.
Despite her young age she has the maturity and intelligence of a person who has lived a long time.
It’s why I wanted her as a manager here.
She knows how to run a business. It wouldn’t surprise me if one day she started a business of her own.
She’s also a dear friend to Nora.
Which can also explain the glare she’s throwing my way. “Oak,” she says my name with hostility.
“Daniella, how are you?” I ask dryly as I take the seat in front of me.
She narrows her eyes at me. “How is your sister?”
“Great, I just talked to her before coming in to handle business with you.”
Her mouth goes slack as she blinks at me a few times. “Oh.”
“Yeah, oh.”
“You can’t blame me, Oak,” she then says after regaining her composure.
And I don’t. “Your loyalty to my sister is admirable.”
She blows out an exaggerated breath of relief. “Good.” Relaxed she now leans back in her premium leather chair. “Snake, looking good as always,” she compliments then follows up with, “How is your woman?”
Light enters his eyes the same way they always do when Alice is mentioned. “She’s perfect.”
Daniella laughs softly. “I’m excited for the wedding. How many months is it away now?”
“Too many. Tomorrow wouldn’t be soon enough.”
“So eager,” she comments teasingly.
“When you love someone with your entire being, Dani, you can’t wait to spend the rest of your life with them.”
“Never thought I’d see the day you’d become a romantic.”
“There’s that and she’ll be tied to me in every way humanly possible. Made a mistake once with her. Not letting that fucking happen again.”
Daniella smiles softly at him. “I’m happy for the both of you.”
Snake nods his head in return.
Seeing that our little small talk is over I ask her, “Ready to talk business?”
Straightening in her chair she clasps her hands over top of her desk. “There’s a situation that could turn major if it doesn’t get handled soon.”
My brow raises. “That is?”
“I was questioned.”
“By whom?” Snake asks.
“The FBI.”
Fucking shit.
“Come again?” Snake questions with an edge in his voice.
“What did they want?” I calmly ask her. Emotions in high stress situations never do anyone good. Keeping a calm and level headed mind do. I know how to do that. I did it everyday for nearly seven years.
She sighs heavily. “They wanted to know my association with the club.”
“Any other questions?”
“No. Just my relation to the club. Listen, I’m not an idiot so I didn’t say anything incriminating.”
“Never accused you of being one, Dani,” I assure her softly, even using her nickname to tear down her defenses.
She smiles at me, a grateful one. “I wanted you to know so that they couldn’t blindside you.”
I nod my head. “It’s appreciated. I’ll tell Sticks and he’ll thank you personally.”
Waving her hand in the air in dismissal she says, “Not necessary. I only hope that whatever they are searching for they don’t find.”
Rising from the chair I tell her, “Keep in touch. If they try to question you again let us know.”
Snake rises from his chair as well. I can feel the fury vibrating from him. It’s palpable enough to slice with a machete.
“I will. Should I tell, Nico?” Nico is her eldest brother who is a high profile lawyer that we use from time to time.
He’s gotten us out of many petty crimes but if the FBI is sniffing around they aren’t here for our past charges.
They’re the whale hunters. They either have something massive on us or are still trying to gain evidence.
“No. We’ll be in contact with him in that regard when it becomes necessary.” Before we do anything Church needs to be held immediately.
“Be careful.”
I offer her a smile that I hope reassures her but I have no fucking clue if it’s working. “Always am.”
Nodding my head at her I then clap Snake on his shoulder signaling for him to follow behind me. He does and as we exit The Pit I can’t help but have an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“What would the fucking feds want with us?” Snake questions with quiet rage.
Truthfully I can see why the feds are interested in us. We have a trail of dead bodies behind every one of us.
They have more than enough reason to take interest.
The only question now is how much evidence do they have stacked against us?