by Ravenna Tate
“Oh my God,” said Rai. She didn’t look well, and sat down abruptly on the nearest stool.
Tannin was at her side, stroking her hair. “It’s all right.”
“I never wished this for him,” she said. “No matter what he did to my business, I didn’t want anyone to kill him.”
“We know,” said Tannin. “None of us wanted it to end up like this.”
“What happens now?” asked Meghan, walking over to put her arms around Phenex.
“We tighten security until Donny can get us a name. Otherwise, it’s business as usual.”
“Does this make you wish we’d moved the club?” asked Natalie.
“No,” said Tannin. “This is our home. This building and this land have history and meaning for all of us. We live here. Our business is here. Fuck Roberto di Stefano, and fuck Mad Dog’s followers.”
“Exactly,” said Phenex. “We’re not leaving. We will stand and fight. We will protect this place and everyone who lives and works here.”
“And that’s why we love you so much,” said Meghan.
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” said Rai. “We’re all very proud of the members for taking that stand.”
“We refuse to run away in fear,” said Phenex. “We were here first, this is our home, and some asswipe from Queens can’t simply show up and force us out.”
“Hear! Hear!” said Tannin. He gave Rai a quick kiss. “Let’s get out of here and let these ladies finish lunch.”
“You okay?” asked Phenex quietly.
Meghan nodded. “Yes. We’ll get through this together. And before any more time goes by, I need to tell you that I was so damn proud of you with your father.”
“What do you mean?”
“Standing up to him like that. You were brave and strong.”
He kissed her. “That means the world to me. Thank you.” Her words gave him the courage to do what he had said he’d do. Move past this and build a future with this extraordinary woman who now belonged to him.
Chapter Seventeen
Conversation during lunch centered around the news Donny had brought with him, as well as a rehash of the meeting, during which they’d voted not to move the club. If anyone disagreed with the decision to stand their ground, they didn’t voice it out loud. Meghan was very grateful they had reached the conclusion as a group, because she would have secretly thought it was weak to move the club.
Although she understood why Donny had suggested it at first, she was also glad to hear he now agreed with them staying put. A pissed-off Mob boss with a streak for vengeance was dangerous. They all knew that, having watched it firsthand when Rai came here, running from Vito.
But these guys were tough, too, when they needed to be. An MC club was a family, first and foremost, but they were also not afraid to defend their position.
Now that Vito was dead, Meghan believed Donny had more at stake than any of them. If Donny didn’t make sure he kept control of the agreements he and Vito had reached over years of doing business in the same area, Roberto di Stefano could easily swoop in and run Donny out.
As if reading Meghan’s thoughts, Rai shared her story with them once more. “I hated Vito when I met him. I mean I absolutely detested the man. So arrogant and condescending. The way he spoke to me as if I was a child, and he’d already planned my life.”
“It must have been really scary for you to learn he’d put a hit on you,” said Kayla, her eyes wide.
“Yeah. Scary doesn’t even come close. I was in a full-blown panic. I just started grabbing anything I thought I needed, got in my car, and just drove.”
Tannin brushed a hand up her arm. “And then you pulled into the driveway here.”
“Yeah.” Rai shook her head. “And I thought you were the one Vito sent to kill me.”
“Why did you think that?” asked Kayla.
“Tannin was behind me in his truck. I was already looking over my shoulder and a complete wreck by the time I saw the lights on this place. When I pulled into the driveway and he followed me, I thought he was following me, as in after me.”
“It was fate,” said Meghan.
“It sure was.”
Phenex smiled at Meghan in a way that made her spine tingle with desire. “It was fate for a lot of you to end up here.”
Fate had brought her to this club, and to Phenex. Whatever fate had in store for all of them, Meghan knew they’d weather the storm because they were stronger together than apart.
****
Two days later, Gorgon called the officers together about two hours before the club opened. “Vassago has information for us.”
Vassago passed around sheets of paper with a mug shot and various aliases for the man. “He’s from the same neighborhood Donny and Roberto grew up in. He works for di Stefano, and Digger is certain he is no longer in Ohio, but we don’t want to take any chances.”
“Is anyone else here from di Stefano’s camp?” asked Tannin.
“No. It was Vito they were after. They think this will weaken Donny, but Donny is already talking to Vito’s closest lieutenants. They weren’t in a position of strength as it was, due to all the stuff that went down after the FBI took over Rai’s assets. You all recall that. Donny had Vito by the short hairs before Mad Dog shot Howler. In fact, that was one of the reasons Mad Dog was talking to other Mob bosses. He thought Vito had become weak and could no longer protect them.”
“Wouldn’t Mad Dog have told di Stefano all about that, though?” asked Rahab. “The concessions Vito had to make for Donny?”
“Yeah, but once Howler shot him and the group split, their source of inside information was gone. Di Stefano made an error in judgment when he assumed Donny’s organization had been weakened.”
“Is Donny taking over Vito’s operation?” asked Phenex.
“He likely will, yes. Any of Vito’s associates who don’t want to work for Donny are free to do what they want, but the consensus among them is none of them want to side with di Stefano.”
“Won’t stop him from trying to get this club, though,” said Mastema.
“Maybe not, but it’ll make him think twice when he learns how much power Donny has here.”
“So we’re off the hook for now?” asked Rahab.
“Yes and no. Are we in immediate danger? No. And neither is Donny. Should we relax our guard? Absolutely not.”
“All this extra security can’t hurt,” said Gorgon. “The fence, the gates, the lights. It’s a lot of land, and we’ve never been able to keep an eye on all of it at the same time. How long will all Donny’s extra men be here? Not that it matters, but I’m sure he has better use for them.”
“He wants to leave Gene and Dominic here permanently, if we say it’s okay, but the others will leave today.”
“That’s fine with me.” Gorgon glanced around. “Anyone object to Gene and Dominic continuing to live here?”
No one objected.
“One more thing,” said Vassago. “Donny is going to Vito’s funeral next week. He thinks it would be a strong show of unity and support if we did, too. The Outlaw Dogs who followed Howler will be there.”
There was some murmuring, and Gorgon let it die down before he spoke. “The Outlaw Dogs who followed Howler aren’t the same ones who were always giving us shit about this club. Sounds like Donny will end up owning the Last Stop Saloon anyway. Like Vassago said, it would show support and unity within the two MCs if we went, too.”
“Let’s put it to a vote,” said Rahab.
“All in favor?”
All six officers raised their hands. Gorgon banged his fist on the table. “Done. We’re going to the funeral.”
“What if Mad Dog’s followers show, too?” asked Tannin.
Gorgon shrugged. “If they do, they do. We’ll be ready for them.”
“Pretty fucking disrespectful to try to cause shit in a cemetery,” said Phenex.
“They’re assholes,” said Mastema. “They don’t give a fuck.”
“Maybe,” said Gorgon. “Either way, this will show we’re still behind Donny, and that we’re willing to give Howler and the rest of the Outlaw Dogs a chance to make things right.”
“Sounds smart,” said Tannin. “Better than fighting our own turf war when we have Mob bosses trying to take over Donny’s business.”
“I agree,” said Rahab.
“All right,” said Gorgon, banging his fist again. “We’re done.”
****
Later that night, long after the club had closed, Phenex and Meghan lay in bed, snuggled up next to each other as they talked about the latest developments. “Do you think Donny is losing his edge?”
“Why do you ask?”
“You said he looked really shaken up by the news of Vito’s death.”
“I think it upset him because of how easily di Stefano got to him, not because he’s afraid of the man. Donny isn’t afraid of anything, at least that I’ve ever seen.”
“Do you think this is over now? Will di Stefano leave everyone alone?”
“I have no idea.” Phenex pulled her close and kissed her gently. “Are you going to be all right going to the funeral?”
“Yes. Vassago is right. If we all go, and so do Howler’s followers, it will send a message that we’re willing to work together, or at least willing not to try to hurt each other.”
“Exactly. That’s how we all feel. We might not ever be best friends with any of them, but if Donny takes over Vito’s operation, he will own their bar, and technically their MC as well.”
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”
Phenex chuckled softly. “Yeah. That, too. It will send a message that we all support Donny, and that’s important right now.”
“Do you think Mad Dog’s followers will show?”
“I hope not, but if they do, they’ll face two MCs instead of one. That might take the fight out of them.”
Meghan crawled on top of Phenex and brushed her nipples against his lips. “Speaking of taking the fight out of someone…”
He laughed as he grasped her breasts and gently bit her nipples. “You are the sexiest woman alive.”
“Just keep telling yourself that so you’re never tempted to look for anyone else.”
His expression grew serious as he cupped her face. “I’ve found the woman I’ve been looking for. I found her two years ago. Meghan, I love you. I will always love you. We can’t count on much in this world, but you can count on that. Forever.”
Her heart skipped a beat, and she had to blink back tears. “I love you, too. My life is nearly perfect now.” Meghan bit her lip. She might as well tell him now. This was as good a time as any. “Remember when you asked me once if I’d consider trying to have a child again?”
“Yeah,” he whispered.
“I’d like to.”
“Oh God. Are you sure?”
“Very.”
This time, she couldn’t hold back the tears as he gazed at her with awe and love in his beautiful eyes. “Meghan, I’m overwhelmed.”
She leaned down and kissed his neck. “We’d better get started, then.”
“Oh yeah. We’d better do that.”
As Phenex kissed her, Meghan gave in and let the emotions wash over her. He was the man she’d always fantasized about having, when she dared to dream about such things. She was his old lady, and they would always love each other. And maybe, one day, they’d welcome a child into their lives.
Meghan had no clue what would happen with Vito’s operation, with Roberto di Stefano, or with the men who now followed Mad Dog’s memory. But she knew she loved Phenex more than anything in this world, and he loved her equally as much. And, she knew she’d spend the rest of her life, making sure he never doubted that love. Not for one second.
The End
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Other Books by Ravenna Tate:
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BONUS SAMPLE CHAPTER
A COVERT CONQUEST
The Weathermen, 7
Ravenna Tate
Copyright © 2016
Chapter One
Rissa Kerry sighed in frustration as the bustle on her damn bridesmaid dress got caught again in the scrollwork of her chair when she shifted in her seat. Who the hell wore bustles anymore, and how had she ended up in this bridal party?
She’d known Sallie, the bride, from before everyone was forced underground seven years ago, and they were acquaintances still, but hardly BFFs. Sallie had begged her to be in the wedding, whining that she barely knew anyone she could ask. Rissa only knew two other bridesmaids, so she had no clue where Sallie had found the rest of them. She guessed they might be part of Cason’s family or group of friends. The man Sallie had married seemed to know everyone who lived in SouthCentral.
Rissa nearly tore the dress disengaging the bustle from the chair, and then went into the bathroom with the intention of finding a way to remove the damned appendage for good. Her ears perked up when she heard voices coming from the long row of stalls, because Olivia Marin’s voice was one of them. She’d know that annoying tone anywhere. The rant about a laptop didn’t stop as Rissa entered, and she wondered if Olivia even knew or cared that someone else was in the bathroom.
Who was she talking to? Rissa peered into the room with the stalls, but didn’t see anyone. Was she on the phone? Olivia was Sallie’s cousin, and Rissa had the unfortunate luck to be having lunch with Sallie the last two times Olivia had visited from NorthCentral, where she and her husband, Rob, lived.
Travel between cities wasn’t quick, but Olivia made the trip several times a year to visit her favorite cousin. She had not, however, been asked to be in this wedding. Rissa hadn’t bothered asking Sallie the reason why. She didn’t care.
Sallie had brought Olivia along to lunch without letting Rissa know she was going to do it, and it had been all Rissa was able to do both times to hold down her food. The next time Sallie wanted to go out to lunch, Rissa first intended to make sure her cousin wasn’t visiting.
Rissa turned so she could look into the mirror, and began trying to detach the bustle. She stopped at the sound of a male voice.
“For fuck’s sake, Olivia. I don’t know what else to say. All I know is the alarm company called and someone broke into the fucking house. I told you I should have brought along the damn laptop. They took it!”
That was Rob. She’d met him for the first time today, but he had a distinctive voice she now recognized, which meant he was in a stall with Olivia. Why were they arguing in the bathroom? They were both so odd.
“I didn’t know you left one of your laptops home,” said Olivia. “What’s the big deal? The same info is backed up on both, isn’t it?”
“God, you’re a stupid bitch. Yes, the same info is on both, but now they have one. With names and dates.”
Names and dates of what? Holy crap. What were these two into? Rissa flattened herself against the wall, standing as quietly as possible but ready to bolt if they emerged from the stall.
“They don’t know what they have,” said Olivia. “It was a common theft. They’ll wipe the hard drive clean and sell it, or take it apart to use for rebuilds.”
“Unless one of those fucking Weathermen took it.”
Rissa nearly gasped out loud. She worked for one of the men who called themselves the Weathermen. Did Barclay Hampton know what this was about?
“You’re jumping to some mighty big conclusions here, Rob. You told me the police said it was a routine break-in and
they only took high-tech gadgets. That doesn’t sound like a planned robbery by one of the Weathermen to me.”
“Are you calling me paranoid now?”
Olivia was a piece of work herself, but how could she stand being married to this asshole?
“Yes, I am! You have been ever since Ace fired you. If you’re so damn convinced they’re onto you, why don’t you stay offline for a while until they back off?”
Oh fuck. Onto him for what? Rissa glanced around, wishing she had something to write with. Barclay needed to know about this, and she couldn’t even record it since she’d left her phone on the table.
“Because people need to know the truth about them,” said Rob. “If your stupid friend hadn’t got herself fired, we’d have everything they know by now.”
“Isabelle tried to hack into systems that you should have known would never let her get inside. She got fired because you forced me to blackmail her with that damn video.”
Blackmail? Hacking into systems? What the hell had these two done? Who was Isabelle? Had she worked for one of the Weathermen? Is that whose systems she had tried to get into?
“And now we have two less inside people,” said Rob, “because Rafael or whatever the fuck he calls himself these days has left the country, and he won’t be allowed back in.”
Inside people. This was bad. She needed to get out of here and call her boss.
“He was careless,” said Olivia. “He shouldn’t have set the strip mall on fire. That was stupid. If he’d just kept his head down he’d still be a foreman on that job, and he’d have an inside track to Damien’s company.”
If Olivia meant Damien Rivera, Rissa knew that name. He lived in SouthWest and ran a construction company. He was one of the Weathermen, too.