“I’ll be right there.” I wait until I’m alone to dig into my pocket and find the phone. Hitting speed dial, I bring the phone up to my ear. Someone I don’t recognize picks up the call after the first ring. “It’s Corrigan,” I announce. “Checking up on how you liked the shipment after our meeting yesterday.”
“Mr. Giovanni will be right with you, sir.”
Figures, the guy would hire help answer his fucking phone. Which is funny considering that every prior conversation we had before today was man to man.
“Mr. Corrigan,” Giovanni answers. “Nice of you to check in.”
“I’m assuming we’re all good?”
“Yes, we received the items as scheduled. Everything is more than satisfactory.”
Well of course it is. Does this man not know who he’s working with?
“Good to hear.”
“I’d like to make that volume a regular arrangement if you’re able to manage that capacity.”
I have no idea why anyone would need that many weapons on a regular basis. Giovanni either has a massive nationwide operation, is stockpiling them for some unknown future use, or he’s smuggling the bulk of them across the Pacific where the demand for American brands is still high. Or all three. I don’t give a fuck what the man plans to do with them, though. I’m glad for the extra business.
“We can.” I keep my ears honed in on my newest repeat customer’s voice. “There’s one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“You wouldn’t happen to know anything about an attack on my club last night, would you?”
“Attack?” he asks, but it sounds more rhetorical. It’s like the fucker already knows. “No, not at all. What sort of attack?”
I grit my teeth, realizing it’s a fucking longshot to think this douchebag would give me any kind of information if he knows anything. “Low-grade explosives. Nothing too serious. You didn’t know about it?”
“That’s alarming to hear. It sounds like quite the mess.” Giovanni isn’t giving me direct answers to any of my questions.
“You could say that. If you hear anything through your sources—”
“Absolutely, I’ll pass along any information if I find out more about it. You’ve got a satisfied customer here. Rest assured, we’re on the same team now. I’m sure you understand.”
“Sure,” I reply through gritted teeth. “I’d appreciate that.”
“So, are we covered for the next shipment or do we need to renegotiate?”
“Same time, same place, same supply.”
“Excellent.”
Click.
I blink a few times, staring into the empty void as I wait for the man to continue. There’s nothing on the other end of the line. Fucker hung up on me. Shaking my head, I shove my phone back in my pocket. That son of a bitch might have denied any knowledge about last night, but regardless of what the motherfucker said over the phone, my instincts are on full alert. Don’t trust a soul, and Giovanni sounds like he’s hiding something. It’s not just paranoia. I’ve already seen that the man lives for power and thrives on dominance. It’s nothing I don’t already see in the mirror every fucking day. We’re both alpha-style leaders, but running a motorcycle club that’s jam packed with alpha males makes me more aware of what’s needed to handle this prick. That’s why negotiating with people like him is second nature to me. In our world, balls, brawn and boldness are a necessity when dealing with the worst of the worst.
That fact brings me back full circle.
I get to my feet and head outside toward my mother’s silver Jeep Grand Cherokee. She’s still sitting inside, talking to someone on the phone with her driver side window down. Leaning forward, I pop my head inside, kissing her cheek. “Keep an eye on Sabrina while I’m gone, okay?” I straighten up and start to walk away with Axe.
“Uh, sure,” she shouts with the phone still at her ear. “Because I have nothing better to do with my day.”
She’ll whine and moan and bitch about it, but she’ll do it because she knows I can’t let Sabrina go yet, and I also can’t be in two places at once.
I round the bend into the back section of the parking lot and find Tate, Cole and our reinforcements perched on their motorcycles parked next to my ride. They’re all waiting for me to lead them into battle. I straddle my bike and zip up my cut as I look over at Axe next to me.
“Everything’s set?”
