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— GRACY —
Clemente mentions the timeline and it makes me gasp. “That’s around the time we met. When your father came back and ran into my mother.”
Clemente rubs his fingers over his lips as if he’s thinking things through. “What if your mother and my father reconnecting made a wave in your mother’s marriage?”
“She was separated from my father a few weeks after they met. I didn’t think anything of it at the time, I mean...they were always fighting so my first thought was ‘finally!’ But what if Rush did work with Spencer and they both forged the papers because they needed the money? Money Spencer needed for himself because my mother left him. Or maybe he invested with Rush and needed it back because my mother found out he took her money? Because I know for a fact my grandfather made sure everything stayed in my mother’s name.”
“My lawyers were able to get their hands on the papers that were filed to refuse your inheritance. They had them checked and the report stated they were forged.” Clemente gives his attention to Eddie. “I’m guessing if we put the papers you’re talking about right next to them...maybe they were forged by the same one. Wait. I suddenly remember something. It might be nothing but it’s too much of a coincidence.” Clemente reaches for his phone and starts to type. “Here.”
He turns his phone and both me and Eddie lean in to see a news article about a huge drug bust in one of the nearby ports.
“I checked into Spencer’s background and saw he used to be the CEO of a freight and shipping company.” Clemente continues, “What if he used to get a golden handshake every now and then to look the other way when it involved certain ships? They could have been working together for a while. And what if they owed a cartel cash for a deal gone wrong?”
“It’s like tiny pieces of a puzzle,” I mumble to myself. “And if this is true, it’s connected to all of us. Crossed paths even before we met. But it also means this isn’t as simple as turning in the evidence, Eddie. What if Clemente is right and years ago those drugs that were taken were meant for Rush? Has he paid them off by using the investors’ money? Those funds were never retrieved because he faked the bank account he put in your name, right?”
“There was no money,” Eddie grunts. “I thought I could escape jail time if I paid off the few investors who had proof they transferred the money. But those funds were transferred to a Swiss bank account, it didn’t match the one on the contract. Like I said, there was a lot wrong with my case.”
“You were lucky you only spent a few years on the inside and had a reduction in sentence, man. Fuck,” Yates grunts.
“Every month Rush drops off a package. I’ve walked into him putting cash into a leather bag and he either drops it off himself or lets Banjo or Maxton drop it off,” Rhett suddenly says. “Is he still paying it off or getting drugs in small portions? I know he was about to drag the whole MC into his business but he never made a secret of his selling drugs on the side, so I never questioned his activity as long as he didn’t pull any of us in along with it. But from what I heard Banjo mention a few times when he was drunk off his ass is that Rush only has three big clients and he basically just makes sure he gets the drugs off the boat and transports them to those three and swaps the money. Then the money needs to be dropped off. They make it sound easy and risk free but we all know that shit isn’t.”
“It’s a sales pitch,” Clemente tells him. “I don’t think Banjo was drunk when he shared that piece of information with you. Nor did you accidentally walk in on seeing Rush with a pile of cash. It sounds more like a way to buy souls. Make you interested in an easy way to earn big cash fast. Gracy, I believe your family owns or co-owns one of the major ports in California, right? And when you think about Spencer who used to be the CEO of a freight and shipping company...there’s a link between all of it all right. I’m sure my father will have more information about what goes on in those ports. I have to talk to him after we’re done here and explain everything, he might have more insight with the connections he has. He might also know who Rush is dealing with and if I do, I will put an end to it.”
“Can you do that?” I gasp. “Go to a drug dealer or a cartel for that matter...that’s what they call these things, right? I mean, those things are huge, and you’re saying you can just...shoo them away? I know I make it sound easy but it really sounds unrealistic, all of it.”
“It’s complicated and it will take some meetings with the right people but it’s all about having the necessary contacts and power.” Clemente gives her a satisfied grin. “Power comes with order; my family has earned this and is respected. When my father moved to Italy, my uncle took over and when we returned, my uncle retired and it was my time to take over but that shouldn’t have happened the way it did. My father would have been in charge for a few more years while I was at his side. But with the death of your mother...your mother. Her death was ruled a suicide, right?”
I swallow hard and can only nod. Even if it’s been almost nine months, her sudden death still hits me hard every time I think about it.
“I think it’s time I had a little chat with Spencer,” Clemente suddenly says and locks eyes with Eddie. “I’m not liking the way this deepens and crosses lives and paths.”
“When? ’Cause I want in,” Eddie says and there’s a look in his eyes I can’t place.
My gaze ping pongs between Clemente and Eddie because I don’t understand their reasoning. “Aren’t we supposed to leave Spencer to the police? I mean, the whole thing with him forging my signature and filing something I didn’t...that’s fraud and will put him behind bars, right?”
Clemente’s face stays the same, not one twitch different, but when I glance at Eddie there’s sadness and...pity? For me? Why? And when did this discussion go from my mother to Spencer?
A jolt of awareness fires through my veins making me gasp, “No. You’re thinking Spencer killed my mother?”
Oh. My. God. And the worst is...it actually makes more sense than my mother killing herself because she was clearly happier when they separated and she moved out of Spencer’s house.
Eddie wraps his arm around my waist and plasters me against his body. His lips are touching my temple in a tender kiss. “One thing at a time, darlin’, one thing at a time.”
I lean into his touch to search his strength in all of this. Clemente is holding his phone as if he just contacted someone or is about to but he’s watching us instead.
“I’ll have him within the hour. Do you need to talk things through with your guys first?”
“Pres.” Yates clears his throat. “I’m thinking it would be better to have the meeting later when we have more details. It’s a lot to process and if we can iron out more details and get balls rolling ourselves it’s better to present the whole thing at once instead of shards of information. Unless we need more manpower.”
“I have more manpower.” Clemente grins. “And I second your VP’s thoughts. Besides, I also put out a few feelers to see who Rush’s supplier might be and where Rush might be hiding out.”
“I know for a fact he owns a building near Monrovia Avenue. I’ve seen the ownership papers when I was in his office and had to drop something off. He quickly covered it up and that’s why I remembered. It’s worth checking out, right?”
Clemente types another message on his phone and says, “I’ve put someone on it.” His attention goes to Eddie as he says, “Can we talk in private?”
My first instinct is to leave them to it but then I realize they’ve been discussing details right in front of me and suddenly Clemente doesn’t want me to hear what he has to say about Eddie? That means just one thing.
“He’s mine and I’m his, Clemente,” I snap. “Deal with it. I’m not giving him up because you can’t handle the fact that we’re together.”
Clemente rises one eyebrow and says, “With the way you two interact, it’s clear no one can come between the connection you share with him. My request to talk in private was indeed to split you up, but it was only for a short period of time because I don’t want you near Spencer. Eddie and I will handle it so you’ll either come with us and will be in another room, or—”
“She stays at the club,” Rooney states. “She’ll be surrounded by brothers who will protect her.”
Yates nods and Eddie just gives a radiant smile.
Clemente sighs and says, “Fine. Just so we’re clear, that’s my sister. If anything happens to her, you’re all going to wish you were dead, am I clear?”
“Dude.” Rhett scrunches up his nose. “No need to throw out a threat like that. She’s the president’s old lady, your wrath would be peanuts compared to what Pres would do. Have you seen him fight? I was peeing blood for two days when he just lightly tapped my kidney the last time we were in the ring together. Yeah, no way would we let one hair on her head fall the wrong way, she’s safe with us.”
Eddie is still wearing the same smile when he gives me another kiss on my temple. “She stays at the club while I go with you.”
Clemente lets his harsh gaze slide over Rooney, Yates, and Rhett, before he finally grunts, “Fine. But I’m coming back in to check if she’s really fine when I drop Eddie off.”
“Clemente!” I gasp, making the corner of his mouth twitch.
Eddie chuckles and slides his fingers to the back of my neck to pull me close as he takes my mouth. His tongue swoops in and swirls around mine. The kiss is hot, sensual, and he takes his time to claim my mouth for both our pleasure. Or he’s just showing off to Clemente that I’m his to take care of. Either way, I don’t mind because I’m reaping the benefits.
He rips his lips from mine and places his forehead against mine. “I won’t be long. Stay with the guys and trust them if they make a decision concerning your safety, okay?”
I give him my word and leave the limo along with Rooney, Yates, and Rhett.
“Let’s get you inside,” Yates grunts. “I don’t want you out in the open or near windows. The shit going on is insane.”
Rooney places his hand at my lower back and guides me inside as the others follow.
“Let’s see who Finn is humping,” Rhett chuckles enthusiastically. “My money is on Hudson.”
“I ain’t betting with you, Rhett. You saw me hand over Finn to Hudson when Yates called us.”
I turn and smack Rooney’s arm. “That doesn’t mean he’ll be humping Hudson.”
“Wanna bet?” Rhett grins.
I roll my eyes. “No, I never bet. Besides, Finn humps everything, it’s a no-brainer.”
“Everything?” Rhett cringes.
My head bounces up and down. “Yup, everything he can wrap his front paw around and can bite down on.”
“From now on, I’m locking my room,” Rhett states as he dashes off toward the hallway, and I can’t help but laugh.
“You want something to drink?” Yates offers.
I glance around and my eyes finally land on Yates. “I don’t suppose you have wine since I’m only seeing beers in everyone’s hands.”
Hudson snickers as he sits down next to me. “You’re right, but Eddie made us go out and buy supplies, including a crate of wine. Three to be exact because he wanted you to have a choice. So, what will it be? The only choice you have is white, red, or a rosé. Eddie already picked the brand, it’s a good one, no worries there.”
I glance at the clock and make my decision. “Make it a rosé.”
“You got it,” Yates grunts.
Three glasses of rosé later and I’m really starting to know these guys. Not only do they work construction, Yates seems to own two apartments right next to each other and he lives in one while he’s renting the other one to a woman.
The woman hasn’t paid him for over three months and Rooney—the businessman he is—says he needs to give her a final notice and throw her out because she needs to pay. Hudson however suggested Yates makes her pay by giving his dick some attention. Naturally, I smacked Hudson on the back of his head and we ignored his suggestion.
Rhett returned before we had the discussion and he asked what reason the woman gave him. Turns out, she lost her job because her mother took a bad fall and she wanted to take care of her mother. That right there pulled on my heartstrings.
“I’ll pay what she owes and the next two months too. That should give her a head start to look for a new job,” I tell Yates.
He gives me a slow smile. “Nah, sweetheart. It’s fine. I already told her the same thing.”
I reach out and pat his hand. “She’s lucky you have a big heart.”
“She and him could both be lucky because his dick is bigger than his heart,” Hudson mutters.
And this time I can’t help but laugh along with all the others. Finn is sleeping at my feet and this bunch is highly entertaining. They each have their own life and yet they spend the majority of their time either here or working. After a while we shift from the bar to the large round couch and Hudson turns on the TV and puts some series on the majority of the guys like and it makes time pass even quicker.
My eyes start to fall shut and when they open, I realize it’s late at night and my head is leaning against Yates’ shoulder. Eddie is standing in front of me and easily picks me up. I wrap my arm around his neck and cuddle close.
“I fell asleep,” I mutter as he carries me to our room.
His chuckle rumbles through his chest. “I noticed.”
“Yates is a sweetheart but not so good at the landlord thing,” I mumble. “He lets his tenant live there for free while she finds herself a new job. But it’s the whole taking life one wave at a time thing and how it echoes into the lives of others. She lost her job because she’s taking care of her mother who had a bad fall. Yates lets her live there without the pressure of the money.” I groan as Eddie places me on the bed. Maybe I had a little too much rosé. I can’t remember what the point was I’m trying to make.
“Yates can afford it, no worries,” Eddie says as he slowly strips me naked.
“I know, I offered to pay the woman’s rent and he wouldn’t let me.”
Eddie chuckles. “You’re both softhearted people. The whole heart at the right place when it matters.”
“That’s rare you know,” I tell him and snuggle against the pillow as I crawl underneath the sheets. “There are a lot of rotten people in this world tainting the good ones.”
“That’s true,” Eddie says as he spoons me from behind.
Skin to skin, that was fast. Shit. Finn. I dash up and glance around. “Where’s Finn?”
“Sleeping in his bed in the corner. Now, let me hold you so we can get some sleep. We’re going to pick up my mother tomorrow. It’s been a long day.”
I snuggle back against him and sigh in contentment when I’m wrapped in his warmth. “You’re right. And if I didn’t drink too much rosé we would totally be having sex right now.”
Another rumble of laughter vibrates through his chest. “Sleep, darlin’.”
“Thanks for all the wine, I appreciate it,” I mumble.
Right before I drift off to sleep, I hear him chuckle, “I noticed.”
