AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A ripple of discomfort courses through me, but I keep my expression neutral. “King,” I acknowledge, my voice steady.
Lore shifts uncomfortably across from me, her eyes avoiding his lingering gaze.
He smirks, undeterred by my lack of enthusiasm. “Mind if I join you? Always a pleasure to be in the company of a beautiful woman.”
I glance at Lore, my protective instincts kicking in. “We’re good, King. Just enjoying a quiet breakfast.”
He leans in. “Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me.” With a final look at Lore, he strolls away.
I exhale a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, my gaze fixed on King until he disappears farther into the diner.
Lore’s eyes meet mine. “Who was that?”
“King, Las Vegas president.”
“He’s a long way from home. Why would a chapter president come here?”
I take a deep breath as the weight of the truth settles in my chest. “To cause shit. The fucker is after Dane’s crown.”
“Does he have a cause?”
Moments like these make me realize how much I’ve missed Lore. She knows the inner workings of an MC, and I don’t need to explain anything about club life to her.
“No. But there’s trouble coming. Dane has called a meeting out at the barn. Only patched-in Tourmaline members have been invited.”
“Does King know?”
Frowning, I say, “He shouldn’t know, but I think there’s unrest within our ranks.”
Lore chews on her bottom lip. “Why the barn?”
“It’s our safe place.”
Lore chokes on her coffee. “It’s the place you eliminate problems.”
“Yeah, but it’s safe from prying eyes.”
Chapter Ten
SALVATORE AGOSTINO
Captain, Abruzzi Crime Family
The door’s hinges gave a faint creak as I eased it open, its worn wood protesting the intrusion into the silence that had settled over the house. The narrow sliver of light from the hallway cast a soft glow across the bedroom floor, illuminating the small, scattered toys my children had abandoned earlier in the day. As I stepped out, I took care to avoid the squeaky floorboard by the doorway—my wife is a light sleeper, and the last thing I need is to wake her.
Tony, my second-in-command, is sitting outside our door. He has a book in his hands, which he closes when his dark eyes catch mine. A warm smile spreads across his lips. “I’ll watch them as they sleep,” he says, nodding toward the closed bedroom door.
There’s no one I trust more to keep my family safe.
“Thanks, Tony.”
“The others have arrived. They’re downstairs.”
Stopping, I straighten my long-sleeved shirt, tugging at the cuffs. “All of them?”
“You called them, and they came.” Tony stands. “I’m going to do a walk around the outside on this floor, make sure everything is kosher.” He lays the book on his seat. “Who would have thought a biker would own a three-story home with multiple points of entry?” Tony taps his temple. “Not very smart of him, boss.”
“I guess he didn’t think war would come this close to home.”
