“I wish there was, Layla,” Reaper began. “Without a blood bond, I can’t interfere in any way on your behalf. I will be a bystander. Nothing more. If shit goes sideways, my hands would be tied. As the President of the Golden Skulls, I would have to defer to Gio.”
“Then defer to Gio!”
“He can’t do that,Tesoro,” Gio sighed. “The alliance between my family and the Golden Skulls is contingent on you becoming a member of the club. If your brother Dylan was healthy, he would be the one representing you in Italy. But since he is unavailable, Reaper will go in his place as he is the closest relative.”
“Massacre is going. I’m not related to him.”
“He is my cousin. Therefore, he is allowed. But there is no way around this matter. This meeting we are about to attend is wrought with so many traditions. It’s downright archaic. When it comes to you, someone from your bloodline must represent your interest.”
“Then Aunt Roxy can go.”
Shaking his head, Reaper said, “She isn’t a member of the club.”
“Bullshit. She was married to Moonshine. He was the President of the Tennessee Chapter.”
“I married into the club, baby girl. I wasn’t born into it.”
Shaking my head, I looked at Gio, “Please. There has to be another way.”
“I am so sorry,mia Amore. If there was, I would gladly do it, but there isn’t.”
“Then I won’t go,” I whispered.
“You have to go, my love. This meeting can’t take place without you. It’s all about you. You have to be there.”
“Gio,” I gasped as my eyes watered. “You don’t understand. I’m deathly afraid of needles. I always have been. I know it’s a stupid phobia, but I am scared to death of them.”
“That’s why I have asked Lorenzo to give you a sedative to help calm your nerves.”
“No,” Reaper said, stepping forward. “She has to do this on her own. There can be no interference in her decision. She either does this of her own free will, or we come up with a new plan.”
“He’s right,” Roxy stated. “Like your family, the Golden Skulls have their own traditions, and this is one that is taken very seriously. There can be nothing marring her decision.”
I saw the defeat on Giovanni’s face. I knew he would not force me to do this. I also knew that it was the only way this meeting could take place. I really appreciated everything everyone was doing on my behalf, but I could not do this. I’d do anything else, but not this.
Gio went to sit at his desk. “Then we need a new plan.”
“We don’t have time,” Reaper stated angrily.
“I won’t force her.”
“Then make her because I didn’t fly here for nothing. My club is at war, Giovanni. I signed that fucking contract, and I will hold you to it. I’ve lost too many brothers, and I won’t lose anymore. You fucking find a way to make this happen or else.”
Gio slowly rose. “Don’t you ever threaten me, Maxwell. You will not like the outcome.”
“Really? What more can you do that her fucking father hasn’t already done? This whole fucking mess is because of her fucking father. Everything. He is coming after my club and your family. Without the Skulls, you all fucking die.”
“So do you,” Gio seethed.
“Stop!” I shouted, tears streaming down my face.
They were both right.
This was all about me.
My father.
The man I loathed more than any of them.