doors Cage was counting on me to break through.
Clayton and his family have connections. If you so much as breathe in the South East, North East, or East Coast Clayton knows about it. Anywhere else, he’ll have access to the information soon enough.
Clayton and I have an understanding. Ask what you need, act as if the rest doesn’t exist. It works for us. Has for the last decade or more, no need to change it now.
“Welcome back, Mr. Mason,” a pretty brunette with a tray of drinks in her hand says as I walk into the club. I’m positive I once knew this one biblically.
I look into her hazel eyes and confirm, I indeed once fucked her. She has a come-hither look as she lets her gaze roam over me. Not Eva, not interested.
Hell, I can’t even remember this one’s name or how long ago we fucked. Clearly, she didn’t leave the impression I so obviously left with her. Ignoring her flirtatious looks I keep moving.
Dressed in a tailored black suit and black dress shirt with the top three buttons open, I move through the club Clayton and I silently own together. I’ve learned it’s always a good idea to have my eggs in more than one basket. Not that I don’t trust King and the Lost Souls. I just wanted something to call my own.
King is the same way. He and I both actually have businesses outside of the club together.
After Cage died, we always wondered what truly happened that night. We knew who we could trust and who we needed to keep an eye on. We also knew we needed a nest egg in case we needed to regroup.
I spot Clayton up in VIP and head straight there. Although, this isn’t a Lost Souls business, I have hired Diggs’ Security firm to handle the place. I don’t trust anyone else.
Clayton stands with a smile on his face as I reach him. He pulls me into a big bear hug. Not many men can dwarf me. Clayton comes pretty close.
The ginger is a jolly red giant without the perpetual jolliness. He’s the guy who everyone is drawn to, it doesn’t matter that he’s brooding most the time. He has a way of talking and moving that makes people gravitate to him.
When Clayton smiles your way, you move because it seems like a gift he’s bestowing. I have seen it work on women and men alike. I’ve been amused more often than not to watch him in action.
“It’s good to see you,” Clayton says as he releases me and nods for me to take a seat. He goes to wave over one of my usual girls, but I hold up my hand for her to stay put.
Again, I’m not interested. If it’s not Eva, I want nothing to do with her. The busty blonde pouts and turns back to her seat, looking deflated. I’ve already forgotten her. When I look at Clayton, he has his brow lifted at me.
I shrug my shoulders. “Things have changed,” is all I say.
Clayton looks me over and smiles. “Is the wife back in the saddle?” he asks, but I know he’s about to answer his own question and a few I’ve come to get answers to. “I hear she has ruffled some feathers. I can’t believe she has unraveled all you’ve done for her.
“Mayor Finch has been looking for a way out of his debt to your circle.” Clayton pulls a face. He never likes referring to the club in public. “He had nothing, not until your crazy wife went barking up some of the wrong trees. This is less about your brothers than it is about her. Miguel is coming for her ass. However, he does seem to have a bit of a problem with you and King as well.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.” I snort. Although, his words confirm Jemma’s suspicions and my own.
“I think you have two problems on your hands here. There’s a hidden player in this all. Someone not involved with Miguel, but who’s watching what’s going on to make a move. I’m hearing talk, but I’m still digging on that one.”
“What kind of talk?” I ask, leaning in with my forearms on my knees.
“Listen, this unknown, they’re after anything with the name Kennedy or attached to it. Friends, family, associates. The LS included. Someone wants that whole club to burn.” He frowns, his eyes turning hard.
A growl rips through my chest at the thought of a price