Page 56 of New Orleans Collection

Even then, we can be blindsided by things.

Like when Viola was abducted. We had no idea it was going to happen. We knew Martinez was making some bigger moves in our city, but we allowed it because he hadn’t come near our business yet. There’s plenty of crime to go around in the city. Some of it we might not touch, but it’s not our duty to keep the other criminals in line with their practices.

When it touches us? That’s something else entirely.

After striding to my car, I put the case in the back, hiding it in the compartment I have in the floor for this exact kind of situation, and then slide behind the wheel to head across town to the DSMC clubhouse. I’ve been the middleman when it comes to deliveries with the club for a long time now.

Gio wasn’t allowed to do it—probably because Dad and then Dante was afraid that he’d get distracted by pussy—and Rocco wasn’t old enough when I took over the task. He would be able to handle it now, but it’s a part of my job I enjoy. I respect the loyalty the brothers have to the club and to the Guidice family.

I’m hoping the relationships I’ve made with the men in the DSMC will help when it comes to announcing Fleur belongs to us.

I can only fucking hope.

To a lesser man, some of the brothers in the club would scare them shitless. I’m not a lesser man, by any stretch, and there’s no way I’m letting go of our woman. I hope that serves me well.

When I pull up to the compound, I give a chin lift to the prospect at the gate which is opened immediately for me. I drive through and park near the front doors of the clubhouse and take a deep breath. I make sure to keep my neutral mask in place because now is not the time to tell the club I’m claiming their princess along with my brothers.

No matter how much I want to stand on the highest roof in New Orleans and yell it loud enough for everyone to hear.

I know Fleur is at her house because I checked on her before I came here, but the possibility of seeing her here, since it is her turf more than it is mine, has my palms fucking sweating. I don’t think we’ll be able to hold out and not see our woman for very much longer.

I need to see her and touch her. I know I’m not the only one suffering while she’s not with us. I have a feeling it’ll only get worse for us the longer we go without seeing her.

We’ve been barely holding on and sniping at each other since the moment we woke up without her in bed with us. Even Gio has been brooding and that isn’t normal for him at all.

I can only hope that giving her a little time and space is the right thing to do.

Walking into the clubhouse after grabbing the case from my trunk, I’m greeted by some of the brothers, and I force myself to greet them like I normally do. Knowing Fleur isn’t around makes it easier on me since I don’t feel the need to look for her, but, damn, I do wish she was here, and I could get a glimpse of her.

Prodigal is standing at the bar and looks over at me when I walk closer. “Hey Leo,” he greets me. I meet his eyes and hope he can’t read in mine that I fucked his sister’s ass not long ago. “Lucifer is in his office.”

“Hey, man,” my voice sounds rough, and I clear my throat. I want to tell him that something has happened between Fleur and my brothers, but until we get her to stop running, I don’t think it would be a good idea. I will make sure that we’re the ones to tell him and Lucifer instead of risking them finding out some other way, but now isn’t the time. “Are you sitting in on the meeting?”

He gives me a chin lift. “Of course.” He nods over my shoulder, and I look over to see Scythe, one of the club’s enforcers, coming my way.

Scythe comes off as an intimidating guy. He has more tattoos than a lot of his brothers and he’s a big dude—tall and muscular. I’ve seen him when he’s in enforcer mode, but I’ve also seen him cut it up with his club brothers.

I give him a nod in greeting before we head toward Lucifer’s office. The moment I step inside, I force myself to push aside all my thoughts about Fleur. There will be time to let the men around me know about what she means to me, but now isn’t the right time.

After opening the case and showing them the new guns we’ve acquired and talking about how many they want and price, I know I need to tell them about what Gio found out. When Viola was in trouble, we asked the DSMC to have our back and it’s only right that they know what is going on in the city.

Considering it involves Fleur, I hate to bring it up, but it would be wrong to keep it from them.

“What’s on your mind, Leonardo?” Lucifer’s deep voice pulls me out of my thoughts which were starting to spiral into rage.

“As you know we’ve had our ear to the ground while using all the people we know who have the ability to hear things.” Lucifer nods and I take a deep breath and brace, knowing he’s not going to like what I have to say. “Martinez is still underground licking his wounds and probably planning something.”

“He’s scum and we’ll have your back against him considering his partnership with the Riding Rebels, who are on our shit list,” his voice is a growl that makes a sinister smile curl on my lips.

There’s nothing better than bonding over mayhem, destruction, and making mutual enemies pay.

Maybe telling him about Fleur belonging to me and my brothers won’t be so bad.

“One of our contacts told us about a man asking around about Fleur,” my voice feels like gravel in my throat as I push the words past my lips.

Lucifer and Prodigal freeze as their eyes harden. I don’t blame them. Their anger becomes a palpable thing as it surrounds us.

Lucifer growls, “What?”

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