Charlotte closed her eyes, and then gently blew out the candles. Smoke came from each one, and she sighed.
Ivan clapped his hands. “I’ll grab a knife.”
Seconds later, we were sitting around the table, enjoying some cake.
I noticed the necklace around Charlotte’s neck and instantly knew it was from Ivan. Glancing at my boss, I couldn’t help but wonder if he wasin fact attracted to her.
I made a note to call Slavik and Andrei, to see if he devoted this much time to their new wives.
After the cake, Cassie and Charlotte excused themselves, and I took Rage and Ivan to my office, closing the door.
“I do not believe we should be talking business on your wife’sbirthday,” Ivan said.
“Regardless ofwhether this was Charlotte’s birthday or not, I’ve been trying to contact the both of you, but neither of you have responded.”
This was news to me. Ivan had been the one who wanted to take on the Evil Savages MC.
I looked toward Ivan, who shrugged. “I’m a busy man.”
“Besides, you knew where Ive was the whole time.”
“I was showing respect,” Rage said.
“And I was showing that I was busy. In case you didn’t notice, I have a coupleof hurdles to deal with.” Ivan took a seat. “I have a territory currently vacant, and two potential people to take over.”
This made him smile. He’d now mentioned two people, twice to me. There were only two people he’d struggle over, but I wasn’t going to bring them up in front of Rage.
“So, why don’t you catch me up to speed and do it quickly?” Ivan rested his elbow on the arm of the couch, and then placed his head on the tips of his fingers. One leg was crossed over the other. He looked bored.
And Rage started to talk.
He already told me the details over the phone. One, Hank Belafonte had paid him a visit at the Evil Savages MC. They wanted to partner up, and according to Hank, he had backing. So far, those details were not new to me.
“He claimed the cartel are in on it,” Rage said.
“Well, the cartel would explain the girls from Ive’s territory. They have since been taken back, and are secured. As for the cartel, they have been attempting a takeover of this city, as well as many of my other cities, for many, many years. None of them have been successful.”
“Which is whythey reached out to me.”
Ivan clucked his tongue. “No, they’re wanting power and numbers.” Ivan ran a finger across his lips. “I do find this interesting.”
“What do you find interesting?” Rage asked.
I needed whiskey.
Ivan was treating this like a game, and I didn’t have time for games. I had to squash Hank, Benjamin, and the cartel immediately. This was my fucking territory, and I wasn’t giving it up for anyone or anything.
“Well, I’ve had several run-ins with the cartel. It never ends well for them, but I didn’t take this city, nor any other city from them. Each territory I owned was controlled by someone else.” Ivan turned his gaze to me. “Do you remember who owned this territory before we took it?”
“The Irish,” I said.
“Exactly. They had deals in place with the cartel before, as well as the Italians and the Spanish, but it was the Irish who had the main control.” Ivan ran his hand down his thigh. “Hank Belafonte may think he’s working for the cartel, but there are bigger fish here, and the Irish have stayed strangely silent in all of this. Haven’t you noticed that?” Ivan asked.
I had noticed that, which was why I kept coming back to them. Everyone else had played their cards when it came to the rumor of Ivan’sdeath, but not the Irish.
Ivan clucked his tongue.
“So, Rage, were you tempted to sway your loyalty?” Ivan asked.
“You know I wouldn’t.”
“Charlotte is no longer your responsibility. She won’t pay for you or your club’s crimes. She is Volkov now.”
I looked toward Ivan and was surprised. I’m used to Ivan needing a lot more from the women than just a few words and a couple of meetings, but so far, that seemed to be all it had taken.
“I suggest we arrange a meeting with Hank Belafonte,” Ivan said. “I’d liketo talk to him personally.”
Lottie
“Do you know why Rage has come?” I asked, watching the men disappear into Ive’s office.
“Work, what do you think? Something is going down, but I don’t have a clue.”
“You don’t?” This did surprise me. Cassie was used to peopletalking to her about all the comings and goings at the MC club.
“There have been a lot of changes. I know Rage had to prove so many times that he is fit to lead.”
“That’s always a risk. They’re loyal to Dad, right?”