Chapter 9
Chapter nine
Suddenly I’ll be the problem.
Roman
“What the fuck do you mean he won’t do business with us?
Did he say why?” The hand gripping my phone tightens, causing the thick black plastic to creak.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I let out a deep sigh.
We were banking on this deal with X to really show my dad that we are ready to take over more of the business.
X is known for his connections, and he was an integral part of my plan.
My father and his associates need to retire and allow me and the boys to take charge.
My father still believes we can’t handle the full weight of the operation and is withholding a lot of the day-to-day dealings from us, but how are we supposed to succeed when he is hiding shit?
I’ve known for a while that my father’s hands aren’t clean.
Mine aren’t either when a man like Wesley Shaw raises you.
That’s why this deal matters so much. Mr. X isn’t just an opportunity; he’s an exit.
A way to build something that doesn’t have my father’s fingerprints pressed into the bones of it.
I need connections that don’t answer to him and favors that weren’t bought with blood.
If I can get X on my side, I finally have leverage.
The chance to distance myself from my father and his trail of ruin.
Options to be more than just the heir to the great and untouchable Wesley Shaw.
Until then, I play the dutiful son and keep my mouth shut, pretending I don’t hear the whispers in the walls of our house.
But I’m watching. Waiting. And when the truth finally shows its face, I won’t be standing in my father’s shadow anymore.
I can’t take what I have to the council.
Not yet. Suspicions won’t buy me anything except a knife in the back, and my father has spent years making sure the right people owe him favors.
I need evidence, hard, undeniable proof that can’t be brushed off or buried under influence and smiles.
And even then… I don’t know who I can trust. Most of the Alphas on the council have been over for dinners and golf with Wesley on the weekends. I have no doubt that some are directly involved with my father's other side of business he keeps hidden from me.
The council likes to pretend it’s squeaky clean, but power comes with rules and honor, but I’ve seen how easily those rules bend.
One wrong move or a rumor spoken in the wrong ear and suddenly I’ll be the problem, not him.
So I listen more than I speak. I collect fragments, ledgers that don’t add up, meetings that happen off the books, and keep track of my father’s whereabouts and communications.
It’s slow. Dangerous, like walking on the razor edge of a blade.
One wrong move out of order and I have no doubt my father would attempt to put me in my place.
But when I finally stand before the council, proof in hand, I won’t be asking them to believe me. I’ll be daring them to deny it.
I hear Harris murmur something under his breath before answering me.
“All he said was that he doesn’t do business with men like your dad and his friends.
Honestly Rome, it felt like he would have made a deal with us if we weren’t associated with your dad.
He told me that if we ever wanted to branch out on our own, he would talk to us then.
I think he knows more about your dad than we do at this point. ” Interesting.
Damn it. I’ve suspected for a long time that Wesley Shaw crossed the line—maybe obliterated it—but I still don’t know how deep he’s gone. To the rest of the world, he’s the picture of a loyal, honorable Alpha. Riverside’s beloved mayor for twenty-five years. Untouchable.
No one sees what festers beneath the polished speeches and handshakes. No one knows about the secrets he shares with other city officials, or the quiet arrangement he has with Sheriff Dominic Moore—an arrangement that involves moving drugs and weapons for a cartel boss.
In the public eye, my father is a saint. A pillar of the community. A man above suspicion with his fake smiles and fundraising galas. But I know better. And I know appearances lie.
I hear more murmuring, making me lose my already thin patience. “Harris, who the fuck are you talking to?" I snap; I’m annoyed with this whole situation. I should have been there tonight, but Wesley had me meeting with another potential buyer for the recent gun shipment we just got in.
“It’s just O. He has been complaining ever since I interrupted him and some dancer from the club he bought a dance with.
Apparently, he needs to go to the jewelry store to pick out a wedding ring.
” I hear a long pause before he starts speaking to O again.
This time is loud enough for me to make out the words.
“O, her job was to spend time with you. You literally paid her to fuck you or whatever the hell you guys did. I really don’t think it means you two should get married just because you like the way she smells and touches you. ”
“What the hell are you talking about? He paid for a chick to actually touch him. Was he drunk?” I had to ask because that doesn’t sound like Theo at all.
He hates being touched by anyone, but especially women.
Harrison and I know why; he hates the way they look at him in fear.
It’s not his fault; the man is built like a mountain, and the scar marring his face doesn't add any softness to his appearance.
“Yeah, he says it was love at first sight and that we wouldn’t understand.” I roll my eyes at that; that poor girl doesn’t know what she has gotten herself into. When Theo likes something, he usually gets what he wants, one way or another.
I shake my head in annoyance. I really don’t have time to reel Theo back in right now. “Guys, enough. We don’t have time for this shit. X’s deal fell through. My meeting today didn’t go so hot, but I’ll be out here for another week. I have a few other clients to meet with before heading home.”
“Why did your dad send you anyway? Doesn’t he or Cruz go?
Since you know, we are still young and don’t understand politics yet.
" Harris chuckles under his breath, making me roll my eyes. He isn’t wrong.
I’ve known about my dad’s unsavory side of business since high school, but it wasn’t till recently that he started allowing us into the fold of information.
“Honestly, I don’t know, but I don’t trust him. I think my dad and the others are trying to make bigger moves, but I just don’t have all the pieces yet.” It’s honestly been driving me crazy.
“So, what do you want us to do in the meantime?” Harris asks, and I let out another annoyed sigh.
I internally roll my eyes as I speak my next words. “Well, dear old Dad wants us to babysit.”
“You’re fucking kidding me! Not again. That guy is a fucking douche,” Theo whines. “Plus, I have better shit to do. Ouch, fucker, what was that for?" I can just imagine Harris hitting O over the back of the head.
“Leave that girl alone. You paid her for a job; that’s all it was.
” Harris reminds him, but we both know O better than that.
He will find her and fuck her till he gets bored.
Luckily for this girl, X is her boss, and that gives her certain protection.
No one messes with X’s girls. The rumor is he knows the psycho called the Karma Killer.
So, she won’t get the same treatment as his other little toys.
“Theo, stay away from that girl. We can’t afford to get on X’s bad side right now.
As for the babysitting job, you know the deal.
Hang out with him, take him to his favorite spots, get him drunk and laid, and then take his ass home.
The more alcohol you give him, the faster he gets shitfaced, and the faster you get to go home. ”
There is rustling over the phone before I hear Theo’s voice loud and clear.
“This is bullshit, Rome, and you know it. We shouldn’t be getting these babysitting jobs.
This shit is getting ridiculous. When are we going to start making moves against Wesley and Moore?
Hell, even Cruz. We’ve been gathering information for over a year now.
We should take what we have to the council and let them deal with your father. "
I know where he is coming from, but I have a plan, and I still need time. "Look, we will talk about this when I get home next weekend. I think things will work out in our favor in the end, but we need to play the long game. Are you with me, brothers? Can you trust me?”
There is a short pause before I hear both guys call out "yes." “Good. Now, until then, let’s play our part as good little lap dogs. You have your job for Friday night. I’ll check in each day and see you both Sunday night.”
“Aye aye, captain.” Harrison calls out, and I can picture the asshole saluting the air.
“Oh, and Theo…”
“Hmmm…”
“Behave!” I hang up, not needing to hear O whine and complain. Harris will keep him in check until I get back. At least I hope so.