Chapter Eight #4
“Dakota, this is Anatoly. He was my best friend growing up. Anatoly, you’ve already met my wife.”
He nodded. “I did. I’m afraid we scared her a bit when we barged in. Had to put on a good show for the men with me. I’m in charge now, over the Los Angeles area. Showing weakness would only get me killed. I couldn’t let anyone know why I wanted to find you.”
“I’m still waiting to hear that explanation,” I reminded him.
“Right. Look, I’ve missed my friend. When I heard you were alive, it was surreal. I needed to see you. But more importantly, I think you need me right now.” He held my gaze. “The Cartel are after your wife. Her brother pissed off the wrong men, and they won’t stop until she’s in their possession.”
“They’ll die trying,” I said.
He nodded. “I’m aware. I also noticed she’s expecting. Congratulations. Never took you for the family type. Then again, I thought you’d be the one taking over instead of me. Life never works out quite as we plan for it to.”
“Are they close?” Dakota asked.
“Yes. If your brother doesn’t return the woman they want, then they’ll take you instead. And what they have planned for you…” Anatoly sighed. “Even I could never be that brutal, especially with a woman.”
“Halden,” she said softly standing and coming to me. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close, wishing I had the right words to say. I could feel her fear, nearly taste it.
“You don’t have enough men here,” Anatoly said. “And if we could get inside, then the Cartel wouldn’t have an issue breaking in. All we had to do was threaten your guard. With a gun pointed at his head, he opened the gates right up.”
“Fuck,” I muttered. Looked like Carlos wouldn’t be patching in after all. In fact, I’d be replacing his ass soon as I could.
“You need more resources, and I think you might be able to help me find what I need as well.” Anatoly leaned forward, bracing his arms on the table. “I can help you keep your family safe. All I need in return… is a wife.”
Dakota turned to face him. “Are you crazy?”
He smiled. “Yes. But I’m not insane enough to marry a woman from within my organization. Her father or brothers would only be looking for a way to climb higher in the Bratva. That’s not what I want. But a tie to a club like yours… now that would be beneficial for everyone.”
“Sorry but we don’t have anyone old enough, who isn’t already attached.” I tightened my hold on Dakota. “And I’m not promising you any of our daughters. Not mine, and not any of my brothers’ kids. You’re shit out of luck, Anatoly.”
“What about a sister?” Dakota asked.
“Go on,” Anatoly said. “I’m listening.”
“I haven’t been introduced to anyone here, but one of them has to have a sister who’s single and of age.
It wouldn’t be right to force her to marry you.
I’d never suggest such a thing. However, a meeting could be arranged.
A blind date, so to speak,” Dakota said.
“Would that be enough for you to help Halden keep me safe?”
Anatoly’s gaze softened as he stared at my wife. “Yes. That would be enough. If I didn’t need to make it look like I was gaining something from all this, I’d offer my help with no strings. I’m afraid things don’t work that way in my world, or in your husband’s, for that matter.”
“Then we have a deal,” I said. “I’ll find out who might have a willing sister. Just as soon as I fill them in on everything… and tell them I have a pregnant wife.”
Anatoly threw back his head and laughed. “Now that’s a conversation I’d love to witness. I have a feeling they’re not going to be very happy with you.”
He wasn’t wrong. My club would be hurt. Angry.
Probably would feel betrayed. Too late to change any of that.
I’d just have to weather the storm and hope I could earn their trust again.
I didn’t think they’d vote me out over this, not once they met Dakota and saw her cute little baby bump.
Didn’t mean they wouldn’t give me shit about it for months. And I’d let them.
“Will you stay with Dakota if I call Church to talk to my club? I’ll call when I’m ready for her. I don’t like the idea of her sitting around the clubhouse, especially since the whores are most likely hovering,” I said.
His brow furrowed. “I thought you didn’t have prostitutes.”
I snickered. “That’s what we call the women who spread their legs for any biker.
They like to party, get fucked, and a few are hoping to snag themselves a property patch.
Don’t think it will ever happen, but I don’t like the word never.
Soon as I make that claim, someone will decide a club whore is their destined old lady.
I’m not sure I could ever understand accepting someone like that as my one and only, but to each his own.
Those women are grasping and devious, so watch your back. ”
He nodded. “Noted. And yes, I’ll help keep her safe and bring her to you when you’re ready. The building I passed near the gate? Is that where you’ll be?”
“Yeah. Church is down the hall. You’ll know it when you see it.”
I pulled out my phone and sent out a text to every brother in the club.
Church in ten.
Time to jump feet first into the fire, and hope like hell I didn’t get burned.