24. Chapter 23 #3
“Whoa.” I stepped around him and got between the gun and the guy I’d never met before. It was probably stupid, but Apollo had been teaching me for years how to spot an opportunity to gain a favor. “What’s with the gun?”
It was Luka that spoke, but his brother didn’t lower the gun.
“The Crimson Room may be neutral ground for the families, but outsiders aren’t allowed on any NYC territory.
We’d maybe let it pass if he was just passing through, but standing outside of the establishment where the families are known to meet shows ill intention. ”
If I could get them to back down, this guy would owe me a life debt.
“That’s my mistake. My father and I do business with the Saintless Sons.
We were supposed to be meeting tonight at our estate, but when Lucian died, we were needed in New York.
He was already on the road so we asked him to meet here.
” I turned my back to the gun, very stupid, but needed, and looked at the guy that was standing there with an eyebrow cocked like he had guns pointed on him every day.
“That didn’t require you to follow me here, though.
I thought we were meeting at a diner later. ”
The guy smirked. “What can I say? I’m a busy man and didn’t want to wait around forever. Especially after having to drive even further.”
Sandro sighed and hung his head. “Luka, have your brother lower the weapon.”
I couldn’t see what was happening behind me, but when Luka didn’t speak and I heard a gun being cocked, I figured this was about to get messy. When I turned back around, I saw Marco with a gun to Tommaso’s head.
“This all feels like a bit much.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, pretending to be annoyed instead of worried. “I apologize for this intrusion. Know that I will handle it. Now, can we please all just get on with our lives?”
Luka looked between me and the guy behind me. “What business does your family do with a motorcycle club?”
My jaw tensed and I narrowed my eyes at him.
“That’s none of your goddamn business. Don’t mistake my politeness for weakness.
I have shown you the respect you deserve as the heir to the Accardi family and the brothers of my soon to be sister-in-law.
It would do you well to show me the respect I’m due as well. ”
Luka didn’t say a word, but flicked his eyes to his brother. It was enough for Tommaso to get the message and he flicked the safety back on and pocketed his gun. Marco did the same.
I could feel the tension bleed from my body though I made sure it didn’t show on my face. “Thank you.” I turned to Sandro. “I’ll head on with him to the diner we agreed to meet at and have my father meet us there.” My security had driven here separately just in case I needed to make an escape.
The Accardi’s along with Sandro and Marco walked on out to the street where their security pulled up. Once they were in their vehicles and had pulled off, I turned my attention to the guy in front of me. It was then that I noticed the name and rank on his chest. Remnant. Sergeant of Arms.
Could this be the guy that sold Ari the drugs that killed her father?
The guy scrubbed a hand over his face. “I guess I owe you one.”
I scoffed. “No shit. What are you doing here anyway? You had to know this was a bad idea.”
He just shrugged. “Had a job to do. Probably wouldn’t have been out in the open if I’d known that not all the families had left yet, but what can you do?”
That was probably all I’d get from the guy, but honestly, it’s not like I wanted or needed more.
He was a means to an end. A favor when I needed it the most. “We’re going to hop in the car with my security and head to a nearby diner and chat for a while.
I don’t care if we spend the whole time talking about the weather, but we need to be seen doing what I said we were if one of the families decides to check cameras and see if I was telling the truth. ”
He tipped his chin up in defiance. “What makes you think I’m going to do what you say? I could hop on my bike and head home and leave you to deal with the fallout of your choices.”
“You wouldn’t because of two reasons. One, there’s honor among thieves.
You owe me for saving your life, something that MC’s don’t take lightly.
Two, I might not officially be part of the Vitale family, but I’ve gone through the initiation and if you don’t do as I say, I won’t hesitate to put a bullet in your skull.
” He raised an eyebrow at me but didn’t say a word or move to do as I’d said.
“All I would have to do is tell them you killed Don Vitale. They wouldn’t ask too many questions, but the ones they would ask, I’d have answers for. ”
His jaw ticked. “You would think the system of anonymity that I’ve set up would be safer for both of us, but I guess somehow I’m at a disadvantage, not knowing you were the buyer, but you knowing I was the dealer.”
I shrugged. “Maybe don’t go around wearing your codename on your chest like a nametag at a class reunion.”
Much to my surprise, the guy laughed. Like, really laughed. “Alright. Fine. I’ll go to the diner with you. But you’re buying me dinner.”