"So, are you going, man?" Reid asks me later that day at the clubhouse. After finishing up with my client I closed the shop early. I needed a fucking drink. I was still reeling from the recent invitation I received from Santino.
"Fuck, I don’t know. This is the son of a bitch responsible for my father’s death. I might be tempted to put a bullet in his head the moment I see him. Hell, I should have done it years ago." Blowing out a frustrated breath, I turn to Reid. "My instincts are telling me to take the meeting."
"You need to bring the club in on this, brother. Prez will be pissed if you go to this meetup alone."
"Not yet. Not going to involve the club unless I have to. I’ll take the meeting, see what he wants."
"Dammit, Gabriel. Men like Santino don’t request a meetup without cause. You think he wants to sit around and shoot the shit with you? Ask you how you been? No. This man wants something from you, brother. He didn’t stay in town and find out where you work for nothin’. My guess is he knows all about the Kings too. This whole situation reeks. And Prez is going to have your ass, when he finds out what you’re doing."
"I’m not involving the club." I say with finality, looking Reid in the eyes. "I’ll accept whatever consequences come from not telling Jake. For now, this is my business, and I’ll handle as I see fit." My tone leaving no room for argument.
"Fuck." Reid mumbled, running his hand down his face. "Well, I guess it’s going to be my ass too, cause I’m coming with you. No way can I let you go in alone."
"Thanks man, I appreciate it." I say smirking at him when he stands up from his stool, cursing under his breath.
"Yeah, yeah, asshole. I’ll see you in the morning. I’d like to get this shit over with as soon as possible."
The next morning, Reid and I drive to the address listed on the card given to me. It’s a local hotel a few miles from the clubhouse and not a place I pictured Santino staying. Not with the kind of money he has. But then again, Polson doesn’t have much in the way of luxury hotels. Still, I was expecting our meeting to be more private. Getting off our bikes, Reid and I walk into the lobby of the hotel. Striding up to the front desk, I spot a middle-aged woman typing away on a computer.
"Can I help you?" She asks in a bored tone, not bothering to look up.
"I’m here to see Miguel Santino. Can you ring his room and tell him he has a visitor?" At the sound of my voice she startles, looking up. With her mouth gaping open, she runs her eyes over the length of me. It’s not every day she has two members of the Kings strolling into her hotel. Before the stunned woman has a chance to respond, a voice calls over my shoulder.
"That won’t be necessary."
Hearing the familiar voice brings back a time in my life I wish I could forget. Turning around, I stare into the eyes of Miguel Santino. My fingers itching to pull out my knife and slit his throat.
"Gentleman." Miguel says motioning to some chairs in the corner of the lobby.
I follow him over with Reid behind me. I notice three of his men throughout the lobby. I clocked them about two seconds after entering the hotel. Pretty sure that’s how he knew we were here.
"I’m glad you decided to meet with me, Mr. Martinez."
"Enough of the formalities bullshit." I say cutting him off. "Just get to the part where you tell me what the hell you want."
"Very well." Santino replies with a smile. "I want you and your club to do something for me."
"No." I snap as I stand up from my seat.
"Do you not want to hear my terms?" He presses as I go to leave.
Turning, I reply. "I don’t give two fucks about your terms. My club and I aren’t doing shit for you."
"That’s too bad, Gabriel. I was
looking forward to working with you."
I make it a few steps before he calls out.
"How’s your sister?" My steps falter and chills run down my spine.
"I don’t always bank on luck, Mr. Martinez. Running into you after all these years was quite a nice surprise. When my nephew asked me to swing by and see his fight, I thought what the hell, I was in Seattle on business. I never approved of his decision to get himself mixed up with biker trash, but family is family."
What the hell is he talking about?
"I see the wheels turning in your head. I believe you refer to my nephew as ’prospect’. Daniel told me all about your sister and has been all too forthcoming about your little club. As you know blood is thicker than water. His loyalty lies with his real family."
"Fuck." I hear Reid curse under his breath. I now know why I’ve not heard from her. I knew something about that shit wasn’t right. Standing very still, I listen to Santino speak.