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“Do I have any allies? Other than Nate and Joe?”
My father went quiet again. “Well, I think you do, but you’re going to have to make an effort with them. Michael and Chris. I trust them much in the same way I trust Joe and Nate. They are good guys, and they didn’t like Reggie. They weren’t interested in the sex trafficking business, either, because they have daughters.”
“You think I can trust them?”
Padrenodded. “Once everything is settled and the Club is up and running, I think gaining allies should be your next focus. Not to say that something is going to happen, but you need people on your side who you can trust. And you need to cultivateyourpeople. They need to beyourallies because of you, not because of me.”
“So, what you're saying is that I need to make more of an effort to get along with people.”
“Exactly.” He looked over at me and smiled. “You can’t have everyone thinking that you might kill them if they disagree with you.”
“Kent had it coming—”
“I’m not talking about him.” Dad arched an eyebrow, giving me a devilish smile. “When you grazed his ear, I’d never been prouder of you in my life.”
I nodded, smiling. “Thanks, Padre.”
“Princess, you need people you can depend on because of who you are, because of whatyoubring to the table, and not because of me.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “The loyalty of anyone who was loyal to me will die with me. Nate is loyal to you. Joe is loyal to you. But in the family, that's pretty much it. And while it’s good to have people outside of the family as allies, it's not everything.
“You need members of our family to be behind you, too. And while the club is a good place to start once it gets up and running, you're going to have to do something else. Always be thinking of ways to make money. If you make them money, keep them fed, it keeps them happy. It’s as simple as that.”
I nodded, leaning my head against the shoulder. “I was thinking about throwing a luncheon or brunch for the wives of those guys. Bring them into the family. Make them feel important. What do you think?”
I could hear him smiling.
“I think it’s a great idea.” He looked down at me and smiled. “Get to know more of the family. It’s a good idea. Be sure to invite the wives and girlfriends, but not the mistresses.”
“There are mistresses in the Kingsley family?”
“There are a shitload of mistresses in the Kingsley family.” Dad laughed, shaking his head. “Don’t invite them. If you do, you’ll just make more trouble for yourself.”
“Noted.”
We talked until we both fell asleep. I could have kicked myself for not asking him these questions sooner. I should have. I would have, if I hadn’t been so full of myself and wanting to prove to him that I could do it. I should have asked. Maybe things would have turned out differently.Padretold me about a journal he kept in his office in a locked top drawer. He told me he put everything in that journal, and he did it for me, so I would know who to talk to, who to only tell certain things to, who should not be around whom, and so on.
We woke just as the smell of garlic and onions wafted through the vents. “I’m guessing dinner’s ready.”Padreyawned, smiling when he looked over and saw I was still there.
“Good, ‘cause I’m starving.”
I helped him down the stairs and into the dining room where Nate and Joe were waiting. Instead of sitting far apart, on opposite ends of the table, we all sat next to my father. I sat to his right while Nate was on his left and Joe sat next to Nate.
We ate and laughed, mostly at Joe who gushed about his bullet wounds. He was so proud of them, he wore them like a badge of honor, which made my father smile and shake his head. My father was the first to go to bed, and then Joe started feeling the effects of the pain medication they had given him.
“I have a surprise for you,” said Nate once we were alone.
My eyebrows raised instantly. “Nate, what did you do?”
He smiled. “We found them, and they’re confined in the old factory, waiting for you to do what you do.” A crease formed between his eyes. “The tip you gave us about the flowers was spot on. Here there were three Families looking for them and nothing. But he made one mistake, and we caught him.”
An evil grin lit my lips. “Guess I should start plotting my revenge then.”
Chapter 8
Addie
Since both Nate and my father thought it was a good idea, I sent out invitations for the brunch. Instead of doing it in the house, I chose the garden. My father’s party planner, Marigold Morrison, helped me with everything. We invited all the women in the family that could drink legally. Most of them I had never met. After we set everything up and the time drew near, I found myself getting excited about it. Actually looking forward to it.
The colors for brunch were mint green and light pink. There was one long table in the middle of the garden in between the ruby red roses and the multicolored tulips. There were four small tables with pastries, quiche, and other finger foods.
