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Shaking my head, I added, “Got a big meeting in an hour. Need you and Payne at my side.”
“Busy.”
“Then get un-busy. I need you upstairs.”
“Fine,” Malice groaned, throwing the core of his apple at Barney, who whimpered, pissing himself.
Getting to his feet, Malice followed me out of the mailroom, turning off the lights behind him. As the door shut, I smiled, hearing Barney scream.
The first to arrive was Giovanni Valentinetti with his brothers, Salvatore and Lorenzo, along with a handful of their cousins. The Valentinetti’s ran Chicago but had major holdings and connections in New York City. Their sister, Illyria, ran Valentine Industries, which encompassed everything from household goods to the entertainment industry. Rumored to be stepping down as head of the family, it was a shock to see Giovanni.
“Giovanni,” I greeted. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Montana,” the silent but firm Italian acknowledged, shaking my hand. “A family matter. Nothing more. Is it true?”
I nodded. “Yes. Let’s wait until everyone else arrives before we discuss anything. How is your lovely wife?”
Gio smiled. “Beautiful as ever, and pregnant again. She is not happy with me.”
I laughed. “Children are a blessing, my friend, as I’ve just recently discovered.”
“I heard the wonderful news. Congratulations on your son.”
“Thank you,” I replied, when the doors opened and in walked Renaldo Romero with his brothers, Romeo and Rico. Renaldo did not look happy, nor did I blame him. This was a clusterfuck of epic proportions. One, I had assumed my father had taken care of years ago.
As Renaldo greeted Giovanni, Mercy stepped up beside me and whispered, “I’ve got brothers watching the house. Tessa and York are safe. Your dad just dropped your mom off at Stone House. He and the Rejects are on their way in.”
I nodded as Renaldo looked around and asked, “Where is the Bloodletter?”
“Hasn’t arrived yet,” I replied, then turned to my guests. “Gentlemen, the bar is open. As soon as Fedorov arrives, we will begin.”
The next to arrive was my brother Kansas with Pence and his enforcer Whisper. Baby brother did not look happy. “What the fuck is going on? Dad showed up with mom and told me to get my ass here. I don’t like leaving Kali alone and why is Stone House surrounded? Does this have anything to do with what we talked about earlier?”
“Later,” I whispered. “Mom and the girls are safe. I wouldn’t have included you if you weren’t involved.”
“I’m not involved,” my brother seethed. “I’m not part of this club anymore. Remember?”
“As long as the brand is on your back, you are.”
“Fuck you, Montana. We made an agreement. I’m out.”
“We’ll never be out,” a gruff, stern voice said, walking out of the shadows. Turning, I stared in disbelief as my brother Arizona made himself known.
I hadn’t seen him in close to twenty years.
He’d changed so much.
No longer the tall, rail thin bookworm I remembered. Arizona now stood tall, built and from the glint in his eyes, he was extremely dangerous. Dressed in black leather pants and a dark red long-sleeved Henley, my brother glared at me as if I were the enemy. Muscle bound and tattooed, Arizona’s steel eyes stared daggers at me as he growled, “This better be fucking good, Montana.”
I couldn’t find words.
It had been so long since I’d been around one of my brothers, let alone two of them. The only one missing was Dakota, who was babysitting a high-profile client of the club. I couldn’t think what it would be like if Dakota showed up.
The four Stone Brothers, all in the same room. I would have thought hell had definitely frozen over, for sure.
“Thank you for coming.”
“Don’t want your thanks. Why am I here?”
