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The protection tithe could be worse. It could be 10% of my gross takings. Regardless, the money they want is too much for me. Not that they'll see it that way, or care if they do.
"We'll be checking your books to make sure you aren't shorting us. You don't want to steal from us." Theo's voice is laced with threat.
Atlas turns a glare on him before looking back at me. Something roils in the blue depths of his eyes, but he says nothing to deny the other man's words.
Something inside me shatters. My ability to trust. My hope for the future. My soul. I don't let it show though. I am stronger than that.
I am stronger than either of these men will ever know.
"When is the money due?" My tone is cool and my voice doesn't break. I'm proud of that.
Theo sighs dramatically when Atlas remains silent. "One of us will come by every Sunday to collect."
I nod my understanding. It's Wednesday. That means my first official payment is in four days. I'll have to make sure I have enough cash on hand to cover it.
"We'll take our first payment now," Theo says and I wonder why Atlas came at all if his soldier is doing all the talking. For intimidation factor? "Whatever cash is in your till."
I want to refuse, but I can't. I want to say I'll have to pay again in four days, can't they wait? But they don't care if it is fair, or even reasonable. Only that I pay what they consider I owe them for doing business in the territory they now claim.
I know this game. My dad tried to keep work away from his family, but I was a curious child. I overheard plenty when no one realized I was around.
This is how it works. If I were a restaurant, they would be asking less because profit margins are lower. If I owned a casino, it would be more.
They don't care that I was going to buy a house. They don't care that I have to pay for Lenny's care. Nothing matters but me paying them what they require for their protection now that they have moved into the city.
If the payment meant closing the club, they'd adjust it, or force me to take them on as partners and change the way I do business to bring the profit margins up.
Sure, they'll keep the other gangs and syndicates at bay, as long as they're the strongest. Not that anyone else was demanding money or making problems for me.
"Were those Russian guys the other night bratva?" Is Atlas moving in on Nuovi Inizi before they get a chance to?
Atlas knew them. Said the one guy's name was Ivan. He took them outside and I haven't seen the three men back in my club since.
Theo gives Atlas another long-suffering look and then answers my question. "Yes."
"Were they here to claim my club for their syndicate?" I direct my question to Atlas and dare him with my eyes to let Theo answer for him again.
"Yes," Atlas says with a frown.
He doesn't want to talk about this. Too bad. It's my life going into the crapper because organized crime finally decided Portland has potential.
"You'll be better off under our protection, believe me," Theo says, his dark brown gaze earnest.
"You think? Considering the fact that you are here demanding payment for that protection, you'll understand me not taking your word for it."
"They would have taken more than money from you," Atlas says through gritted teeth.
"So, you say."
"It is the truth."
I let him see how much I believe his so-called truth. "Why should I believe you about anything?"
"I have no reason to lie to you." Atlas's handsome lying face demands I believe him.
Not going to happen. "Your credibility is suspect."
"You need our protection," Atlas grounds out. "Larry, Curly and Mo coming here shows how much."
