Ambush by Redbacks?
Double-cross by Kingsmen?
Or did Garrison have a special surprise behind door number three?
“Sweetheart, enjoy your night. Grizz will follow your cab there, stick around and bring you home.”
“Stay safe,” her last words. I’d prefer to exchange the whole I love you, but we deserved a more romantic setting to say them for the first time. A beach. My private yacht. The backyard of my parent’s home under the lemon tree. Soon, we’d say the words soon. Then I’d call her father and she’d become her daddy’s girl again.
First, I needed to sort out Adelaide and arrive back home in one piece. No sweat.
“Guys, what the fuck are you doing to me?”
Luther: Karnal’s invited us to have a beer. Your attendance is not optional since you’re hosting.
Yeah, I’d had better invitations before, but opening Luther’s text on the plane gave me the information I needed.
My nightclub would be the venue, but Karnal thought he was in charge.
Bullshit. Karnal had managed to open my nightclub without keys and by the time I arrived, he’d made himself at home while Luther paced. Over a dozen bikes were on the footpath and blocking the road outside.
Anything could set this monster off.
“Strangely enough, Ibrahim,” Karnal replied, offering me my own beer, “Life is not all about you.”
“My club, my business. If I were threatening your business, you’d be up in my face.” Years of standing up to bullies had taught me well. I didn’t care about the consequences of taking on Karnal. Yeah, Luther should have my back, but I’d tried playing nice. “Sort your shit out and keep my business out of it.”
I chose a table near the stage, inviting Luther and Karnal to join me. Lowering my voice so they’d have to sit down to hear, I continued, “I’m not asking you to be friends, but keep your shit out of my clubs. Keep me out of it.”
“Difficult when you put us in the middle of your own dispute with Garrison.”
Yes, I’d picked the table, but Karnal tried to own it. Leaning across and tapping his black octagon knuckle rings against his bottle until I wanted to smash it across the room. I’d fought enough to know how to use the rings to my advantage. Karnal didn’t scare me. But an escalation would only hurt innocents, and my business.
“You bought this shit into my world. My business deal with Garrison looked sweet until the two of you decided to turn my nightclubs into your personal battle ground. You fucked me.”
“Oh, Ibrahim, if I fucked you, you’d know it.”
“I’m feeling it, believe me and it aint pleasant.” Time to finish the pissing competition and lower the tension. “I hope your women at least leave with a smile.”
“Women?” Karnal smirked. I knew his reputation.
“Doubt a man like you sticks to one.”
“What are you offering?”
I nodded to Luther. This was his fight, I wanted to go back to my role of peace maker.
“The Kingsmen were in Sydney before the Redbacks decided to patch over some of our guys.” Luther wrote three names down on a cardboard coaster. “If these guys leave Sydney, we can talk about peace.”
“You want me to tell my guys to leave town?” Karnal snorted. “Why the fuck should I do that?”
“Because they don’t exhibit loyalty. If they patched over to you, why wouldn’t they turn on you the moment someone offers them a sweet deal? Or the cops? Or anyone?”
“What do you think I offered them?”
“Does it matter?” Luther snorted. “I don’t give a flying fuck what you offered or whether they came to you. Loyalty is everything, to me and to your club. Those bastards weren’t loyal to me.”
Karnal at least stopped his incessant tapping while Luther paused before continuing, “Can you really sit there and think their oath to the Redbacks means more?”
“They leave, they die.”
“Leave town or leave your club?”
“Either. The only protection they have from you is in Sydney.”
“The Kingsmen have never wanted a stronghold in Adelaide,” Luther changed the subject. “We’ve only ever wanted safe passage as a stop-over between Melbourne and Perth.”
“Meaning?” The seat creaked as Karnal leaned back.
“Ibby and I have a deal. I provide protection for all his clubs. I’m loyal to my customers and your presence here is distressing for Ibby and embarrassing to me.”
“So do something about it!” Karnal challenged, sitting upright. His body language became his greatest weakness. Something for me to consider if we got out of this mess. “And see how I respond.”
“I could,” Luther kept an even tone, always Mr. Chill. “Or we could pretend for a moment to think about our businesses. How quickly do you think the feds will get up our ass if I track down and eliminate the three traitors you are harboring in Sydney? At the same time, wiping out your Adelaide boys with one drive-by.”
“You wouldn’t,” I interrupted, fearing I’d misread the conversation.
“Ibrahim, the adults are talking. You would be wise to shut up.” Karnal nodded as Luther warned.
“Like I said, it wouldn’t take much for this thing to escalate.”
“You want them out of Sydney?”
“Tonight would be good. As a sign of mutual respect, my boys will escort them until they are at least two hours from the city.”
“What do I get?” Karnal resumed his tapping.
“Adelaide. Bring your boys here, set up shop and do what you want. Give Ibrahim the protection his clubs need, as long as my boys can still come here in peace, and use it as a stop-over.”
“You won’t do business in town?”
“We should talk about Sydney,” Luther changed the subject back. “Sydney is my town.”
“Was.”
“Will be again. Like I said, I value loyalty and my friends have been patiently waiting for you to come to your senses.”
“You get safe passage in Adelaide; I want the same arrangement for Sydney.”
“No business?”
“I can’t agree to that, but you won’t know my boys are around.”
“No more coming after my customers?”
“Not even two-faced bastards like Ibrahim.”
I wanted to defend myself, explain once again about loyalty to Luther and not meant as disrespect to the Redbacks. But tonight wasn’t the time to have a conversation. Karnal would respond to action and I’d figure out a way to prove my respect.
“Don’t look so worried,” Karnal put down the glass long enough to slap me across the back. At least I could see the missing tooth through his smile. “I’ll make a couple of calls—as soon as my boys can start work looking after Ibby’s club here.”
“Making the call now.”
Luther didn’t bother leaving the table or shielding the conversation. At one point, he even put his phone on speaker to reinforce the safe passage of the traitors from Sydney.
Within half an hour, Karnal and Luther had made all calls and I’d found a bottle of forty-year-old scotch to open.
The Kingsmen had turned from protection to customers in Adelaide to the surprise of the police waiting outside for the fighting to start. Instead of hurling bodies into the back of police vans, they were knocking back invitations to join me and my two best friends inside my nightclub. Three friends sharing a quiet drink before the nightclub opened.
“Happy?” Luther asked as Karnal left to check on some of his guys in person.
“Not really. All this shit scared off my potential investor. The final balloon payment is almost due and unless Lachlan can come up with a miracle, Garrison might get what he wants.”
“And what is that? Your clubs? Karnal and I can make his life hell, just for fun. Build a friendship out of taking down a common enemy.”
“No, it doesn’t matter. I offered up something I shouldn’t have as security. Garrison is playing with my head looking to
cash in early.”
“Your house?”
“Worse.”
A two-hour flight to get to Adelaide, a half hour cab fare for an hour conversation. Not bad if Luther and Karnal could hold up their end of the deal.
The even better news was not having to stay overnight in Adelaide. I wouldn’t get back to Sydney before Katie’s shift ended, but we’d be waking up together.
I tried Katie’s phone half a dozen times in between booking a return flight home and getting back to the airport.
Nothing, but she was probably busy on the floor. My darling girl didn’t have to work, not tonight and not ever. Even if she dumped my ass, I was working with Lachlan to set up some way of paying for her university in advance. Whatever course she wanted, whichever university she chose.
Katie’s ideas were about to make The Venue a reality. The least I could do was make sure her career dreams could come true.
Of course, I missed my connection from Melbourne to Sydney and had to sleep in the VIP lounge until being upgraded to first class on the first flight out.
“Hey, babe, about to board my connection from Melbourne. I’ll be home soon.”
“Hey, babe, just arrived in Mascot. About to pay my way to the head of the taxi rank. Be home soon.”
At first, I’d convinced myself Katie had been too busy at work to check her phone. Not completely unusual, although these had been unprecedented times. Then, stuck in Melbourne, instead of embracing the city I normally loved, I spent my hours watching and willing my phone to buzz or ring. Trying to assume she’d gone out with Janet and the other girls. After all, Katie deserved to go out, have fun and catch up on all the goss before heading home.
But my house alarm hadn’t been turned off.
Katie hadn’t come home.
“Steve, how’d it go last night?” In desperation, I hoped Steve worked last night and could fill me in. Perhaps Katie had crashed at The Club and I’d just get the cab driver to go into the city and bring her home; to our home.
“The groups went well, and numbers were down but not too bad. I guess, the regulars now assume a police presence and treat it as part of the entertainment.” Steve laughed at his own joke.
“What about Katie—how’d she go?”
“You should ask the lady herself.”
“She’s not answering her phone. Color me paranoid, but did she make it through her shift okay? If so, I’ll call her security detail.”
“Katie had a surprise guest last night.” Steve usually didn’t leave me hanging.
“Go on,” I urged. Hopefully, Steve was just trying to mess with my head. Maybe Erebus and his girlfriend could have decided to come to the city for some fun. I owed the guy big time.
“Garrison had a private chat with Katie.”
“How the fuck did he get in?” I raged, incurring a dose of judgment from my driver. Nothing a large tip couldn’t overcome. “I gave explicit orders.”
“We had a new girl on the desk. The message hadn’t gotten passed on. Numbers were down and he was with one of the groups and she didn’t recognize him.”
“What happened?” I slumped back in the seat. No reason to change direction and head to The Club. Katie had every reason not to take my calls.
“They had a chat and then Garrison left her alone.”
“How did she seem?”
“You know Katie, she brings life to any party.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“You’ll have to ask the lady herself.”
Ibby: I’m back in town. Please tell me you are okay.
I had four hours to find Katie, convince her to forgive me, before heading to mama’s for lunch.
Ibby: I’ll be home in ten. I know you spoke to Garrison.
Ibby: Please, Katie.
I cleaned out my wallet, throwing notes to the driver before we’d even driven into my street. Easily double the fare and hopefully enough to buy me good karma.
Seatbelt unbuckled before we came to a stop, I leapt out, bounded up the stairs. The front door was still locked, and when I’d checked less than five minutes ago, the security was still turned on.
Still, it didn’t stop me from racing through the house, checking each room and calling her name.
If not here, where?
Chelle was still out of town.
Her parents? Hardly.
Garrison? No. No. No.
“Katie, honey.”
Mentally, I offered up promises if only I could find her unharmed. I’d be a better son, the best uncle. I’d shower all my employees with, well I already paid above award wages, but I’d be a better boss.
It was only when I stood at our bedroom window, looking out into the garden I’d promised to find time to improve, that I caught sight of a black boot.
I grabbed my thick jacket, the one she’d worn after being returned to The Club. I didn’t know if she’d been outside all night, but it explained why security hadn’t triggered.
“Sweetheart?” Nervously, I knelt beside her, carefully placing the jacket around her goosebump shoulders. I wanted nothing more than to share my body warmth, but even at the touch from the jacket, she flinched away. “Katie, honey, please talk to me.”
Her beautiful blue eyes were bloodshot. Her cheeks flushed and tearstained. I’d never hated myself more than in this moment. “How about you talk to me. Tell me whatever you haven’t thought I needed to know.”
“What do you want me to say?”
I needed to know how much Garrison had told her. If he hadn’t shown Katie the messages, I had a chance.
“The truth. Let’s pretend I know a lot, but thought you deserved the chance to tell me your side.”
“Katie, I never meant to hurt you, or put you at risk.”
“Just treat me like a piece of property that you could mortgage off to the highest bidder.”
“It wasn’t like that.”
Shit. She’d seen the messages.
“Me and Chelle—is that why we weren’t safe?”
“Garrison’s had a hard-on for both of you.”
“So you thought you’d deliver us to him, what a wonderful business man you are.”
I’d never expected to see my beautiful Katie capable of such anger or hatred. Yes, I deserved it, but I’d been working my ass off, offering anything and everything to correct my stupid fucking mistake.
Only, until an hour ago I hadn’t realized not being the one to tell her had compounded my mistake. I’d stood back and let Garrison be the one to tell her the truth, instead of me; the man who loved her.
“Sweetheart, I’ll tell you everything, but we need to get ready for lunch at my parents.”
Katie snorted, “Do you really think I’m going to go to your parents?” The only reason I came back here is because your security goon wouldn’t let me go home.”
“This is your home. For as long as you want, this is your home.”
“I don’t want. I want my own bed, my own fridge and to look in the mirror and see a person, not an asset to be bargained off.”
“If I’d had any idea things would turn out this way—” I started.
“Really? How long have you been in business? Doing deals with bikers, wharfies and who knows what. How many nightclubs do you own, and you thought that if Garrison wanted Chelle and me as part of the deal, we’d be okay with that?”
“Please, let me call my mother and then I’ll tell you whatever you want.”
“I want the truth, but do you even know how to give it to me?”
Katie
Arriving back at Ibby’s house, I hadn’t wanted to go inside. Sending my security detail away, I’d waited until they left before making my way around the side and to the garden. What had seemed like a sanctuary my first night here, became my hiding place.
I should have at least grabbed a blanket.
Or some warm clothes.
Or stopped being stubborn and gone inside to wait.
But I found comfort in m
y discomfort. Knowing I could change it at any time, meant I had control.
Apparently, I didn’t have control over where I worked, or who for. I didn’t have control over where I lived—until Ibby sorted out his debt to Garrison. I didn’t even have control over being able to talk to my best friend.
I had control over where I waited.
Once my legs defrosted enough to walk, I followed Ibby inside. Resisting his offer to carry me, or even take his hand.
We were no longer a couple.
A pawn on a chessboard couldn’t become part of a couple.
No matter how crestfallen, guilty or sorry Ibby seemed. He’d been the one in control; handing over Chelle and me to Garrison. What sort of asshole did that?
The one I’d loved.
Loved. Past tense. I hoped.
I curled up in one of his single seaters. Ibby made me a pot of my favorite tea, serving it in his grandmother’s china with a plate of his mother’s Maamoul Bi Fistok. Offering up my favorite pistachio maamoul or biscuits may have proven he’d taken the time to know me, but it didn’t change what he’d done.
“Katie, please,” he implored. Sitting at my feet. Who’d have thought Ibrahim Mercia even knew how to assume a submissive position!
“What? I’m here, I promised to listen.”
“Just hear me out, ask all the questions you want. Nothing’s off limits, okay?”
I didn’t bother nodding. What would be the point? I wanted to hear him out. I needed to at least try and understand how a man I could love, could also be the sort of person to treat two employees like cattle.
But, when Ibby decided to talk, he didn’t stop.
I already knew how much The Venue meant to him, but Ibby took me back to the beginning. How important it had been to build his business from the ground up. How the nightclub made him more wealthy than he imagined but had never made him proud.
The Venue would be about families. If it worked, it would be about the start of a successful, respectful business.
Something his parents could be proud of.
Slowly, I understood how the man before me had become so hungry to make his dream a reality; so confident that he’d thought through every eventuality, that failure hadn’t been a consideration.
Hard Bargain: a Billionaire Suspense Romance (City Sinners Book 3) Page 19