But for the moment, they don’t appear to be a threat.”
“How ’boutchu? You planning to be a bother to me and mine?”
“Thought we’d agreed to a truce.” The relaxed pose remained, but coal-black eyes narrowed.
“Agreeing and abiding are two very different animals. You’ve a history with the North as well-paid mercenaries to their cause. A smart man’d still be thinking with me and mine out of the way, the road to the Gulf and unlimited trade would be there for the taking.”
With a silky smile, Rueben allowed, “And that’d be true ’cept for one thing. You and me, we’ve both been on a leash for someone else’s gain. Can’t say I much liked it, how ’bout you?”
Though Max didn’t reply, the chafe of that constriction rubbed his mood raw.
“And you’d be wrong ’bout another thing,” Rueben continued. “It ain’t about you and yours and me and mine. ‘Ours’ started with that fella right there,” the Memphis leader hooked a thumb toward a startled Giles, “and the future his wife carries. That’s our next generation. And his sister and me, well that might lead to another reason for us to take care of each other’s interests.”
Giles took a menacing step away from the door, looking every dangerous inch the former leg breaker for Jimmy Legere as he growled, “You and Corriene?”
Another unconcerned chuckle. “I suggest you take that up with her. Think you’ll find she’s a woman with an independent mind. And happens I find your cousin Boyd a right handy fella to have around.”
A subtle wave from Max backed his bodyguard down to a simmer, allowing Rueben to continue.
“We’ve our differences, Savoie. Always will. But we both want the same future for our families. We’re not strong enough to hold onto it alone, but we put our resources together behind Terriot teeth we stand a chance of protecting what we have.”
“Holding on isn’t enough.” Giving time for that to sink in deep, Max added, “Even if we take out my aunt, another’ll replace her.”
Black brows soared. “You want to take it to them. To destroy them?”
“No. To join them for the good of all our kind.”
CHAPTER TEN
The five Terriot brothers gathered at Colin’s, overflowing the living space while a recovering Mia napped in the bedroom. After a still exhausted Colin assured that her strength was returning more rapidly than her memory, conversation centered on immediate issues.
“What’ve you found out, Row?” Kip asked, checking his watch for the dozenth time since arriving. Worry over leaving his new mate and younger siblings alone with their grandmother while Warren Brady was free on bail divided his attention.
Turow drew a breath and released it slowly, frustration evident in his weary tone. “No word on where Stephen and Lee have stashed our father. No suspicious activity around the casino from what Sylvia’s seen. She’s got the place locked down tight. Things are quiet in our compound. Apparently, the insurance investigation is complete.”
Silence met that grim finality.
“And a complete lie,” Rico muttered, his bitterness earning agreeing nods. “Have more of the family checked in?”
Kip sighed. “Not yet. Either they’re hiding deep, haven’t found someplace safe to set up, or . . . what we have is all that’s left. Or are loyal to our father.”
“How do we even know the old man is still in Nevada?” Realizing how sharp his words were, Colin amended, “It’s what we’re all thinking. Worrying we’ll turn around and he’ll be there waiting to take our heads. Lee and Stevie . . . I still can’t believe they’d be so damned stupid.”
“Stupid, greedy or just plain scared,” Rico muttered.
“Stupid,” Colin insisted, “not to realize they’ll be the first ones he turns on when everything goes to shit. And where will their families be then?”
Cale settled the matter. “They’ll still be our family. I need to know where they are so we can at least take in their mates and children if the worst happens.” Something in his heavy tone sharpened their attention, prefacing a heavy, “We need to talk. No, I need you to listen.”
Silence. They all looked to him. When he didn’t begin at once, Kip urged, “What is it, my king?”
Cale laid it out, voice flat and firm. “Our home is destroyed, our legacy in doubt, our people dead or scattered. We need a leader who’ll save what’s left so we can begin again.”
In a blink, Colin got up close and very personal, fury pounding through his words. “You expect us to bend a knee to that crazy tyrant