AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And it appeared today there was to be a noted exception given the resolve softening his expression.
He lifted his glass instead. “Good decision, son. Especially now. I know what I said before, but you’re right in that we should have handled Thomas a long time ago.”
I had a feeling there was something more behind the sudden dullness in his eyes. The fallout with Thomas had taken a brutal toll for a long time, his recovery pushing him into an even more savage man. I hated Thomas almost as much for that alone. Sadly, Pops appeared much older as of late, as if retirement and memories of the past had taken a significant toll.
“About time, brother. Congratulations. I can’t wait to meet this woman who managed to capture your attention through the most notorious methods. When is the glorious wedding day?” My brother was gloating, but I sensed my decision was nothing but an aggravation. What wasn’t at this point? “You enjoy taking risks. Tell me, is she as fucked up as her father?”
“I don’t know about the wedding but she’s completely different.” So much so it was difficult to believe she was his daughter, although I knew it for certain. I’d followed him closely enough over the years, keeping track of him required given our background and the harm he was capable of bringing.
“Well, that will add a complexity into this game we’re playing.”
I shifted my gaze toward my father, ignoring Francois altogether. “What do the DEA and Travis Ramsey have to do with the possible arson? If you don’t know, you suspect, and your gut is usually right.”
Francois was responsible for the work being done in Texas, controlling the entire development end of our corporation. He enjoyed spending time in the state, owning a small ranch in addition to the house he owned in New Orleans. I visited the sprawling, hot as Hades area as infrequently as possible. “The DEA was on the site less than three hours after the fire was reported.”
“They were tipped off,” I snarled. There was nothing worse than being played, treated as if our empire could be squashed beneath the greedy fingers of men who’d described themselves as having the pulse on the life of so many Americans. It was an insult to our French-Canadian ancestry, a reminder that our father had yet to become a citizen of the only country my brothers, sister, and I had lived in. Our mother was American through and through, considered royalty in the same regards as members of various influential political families had been through the generations. Yet it had never been good enough.
“Yes, dear brother. They closed the site. I just got back into town. It’s been a long night of dealing with paperwork and accusations.”
“But the site is clean. Yes?” My question was more of a demand. I’d forbidden drugs of any kind to be associated with our legitimate businesses, phasing them out altogether within the year.
His glower was followed by a deep exhale. “I’m not a fool, Arman. I have no desire to spend several years in a maximum-security prison.”
His willingness to play by my rules wasn’t about his adoration for me or my leadership, only the act of self-preservation. It would remain a bone of contention between us.
“Why didn’t you call me?” I bristled and my father threw out his hand. The patriarch knew all about the situation and I’d been left in the dark. Because of my impending relationship with Raven. Did they think I’d suddenly become disloyal to the family?
Francois always preferred handling business his way. I couldn’t blame him, but I held the title, the reins of the family, another bone of contention for my Capo. He’d told me more than once that if he were in charge, he’d handle the business in a significantly different way. That’s one reason I’d given him the portion he preferred: the constant ebb and flow of danger in handling illegal drugs and weaponry.
The thought of being challenged by my own flesh and blood was unacceptable.
“It was handled, Arman. That’s all that’s important.” Now my brother stood with a jerk, taking long strides toward the bar, remaining tense as he made himself a breakfast cocktail.
“Handled? Ramsey, who happens to be best buddies with Thomas Cartier, director of the FBI, has suddenly positioned himself to be in the top position of the DEA just in time for a blaze to occur out of the blue in the state where a pompous jackass has issued threats. If you think any of this is coincidental, you’re both wrong.”
“It’s no coincidence, son, but the situation is something we need to handle very carefully,” Pops said.
“Would you like a drink, Arman? It would appear you could use one.” my brother asked without turning around.
“No.” Fuck, no. What I wanted was to smash someone’s head in. But Pops was right. I had to maintain a cool head until I determined what we were dealing with. “I’m headed to Baton Rouge after this meeting. Obviously, the timing of claiming my bride is fascinating, but why not put the bastards on edge. However, we need to talk about Texas, Francois. I want the full details of what occurred and what was said.” I could tell Pops was watching our interaction carefully. He’d warned us a long time ago he’d never interfere with our relationship, but strongly encouraged us to remain close.
Francois tipped his head over his shoulder. “Fine. You’ll have them in a couple hours. Taking your possession, oh dear brother of mine?”
“Yes. It would seem I have no other choice.” None whatsoever. Someone was playing us or goading perhaps, trying to force our hand. It would take prudence and patience to deal with the situation without causing undue bloodshed, which we definitely didn’t need.
“Bring her to dinner tomorrow night,” Pops instructed. “There will be no better time to introduce her to the pack. Then she’ll understand what her father is doing is atrocious.”
The pack. My father had no idea how accurate he was. While we could hide behind sophistication, we were nothing but wild animals. “I’m not ready to tell her about the past. Not yet.”
He glanced at me. “Understood.”
Exhaling, I stared at both him and my brother harshly before trying to soften not only my expression but the anger residing because of Thomas. “Where is this dinner being held?” Both the kitchen and dining room in my parents’ house had yet to be completed. “Not here. Please tell me not here.”
He gave me a stern look. “No, son, although given your sister’s wedding in barely one month, your mother is becoming… difficult to appease. At the hotel.”
They’d taken residence on an entire floor of the hotel we owned, enjoying what Pops had called a fifth honeymoon. It was good to see they were still very much in love after all they’d been through.
I had a feeling the solidarity requirement was a necessary but possibly knee-jerk reaction to the DEA expanding their investigation. They wanted to be a thorn in our side.
