Page 90 of Claim Me

Roman smirks at Aunt Fred’s bluntness. “Can you explain why?”

“A single meeting took place on the night Natasha returned. Alec Brennan offered the club nothing of value. It was a deeply unserious offer by a feckless man. Bear’s engagement to Natasha was the only answer we provided them.”

“Yes, but you should have provided us with this information.”

“What would you have done if we told you?”

“What we’re doing now,” Roman says and flashes a frown at Bear for some reason. “Solving the problem.”

“How will you do that?” Aunt Fred asks.

“Don’t you want to know how we learned about the meeting?”

“Not really.”

Roman studies Aunt Fred before glancing at Noble. He finally nods and uncrosses his arms.

“The Brennan family’s power isn’t local despite what Alec thinks. Their strings are pulled by their uncle in New York. Pat Brennan wasn’t happy to hear how the Hills Chapter shut down Highway 37. As you know, one of their shipments into Banta City got hit three days ago. That’s when he reached out to me.”

“Pat Brennan should have kept a tighter leash on his people if he was so worried about losing money,” Aunt Fred says, sounding far less sweet than usual. “The cops made this personal. We’ve been rather restrained so far. The club hasn’t gone after a single pig’s wife or kids yet.”

Roman doesn’t respond immediately. His gaze flashes to Noble who only grins. I’ve always been impressed by the Syndicate’s organization. Yet, Banta City requires more than cold efficiency. It’s a rowdy town filled with greedy fuckers. Keeping everyone in line demands rough men like the Backcountry Kings. If Roman thought he could scare Aunt Fred, he hasn’t been paying attention.

However, I suspect today’s meeting is a formality. Roman, like his father, never reveals his hand before he is ready to make his next move.

“What I need to know is if your club still has our back?” Roman asks.

“Of course, but we’ll never sacrifice our people to bolster your ego. This is a partnership. We aren’t the help.”

Roman would likely threaten or charm most people in this situation. With Aunt Fred and Noble, he doesn’t waste his time. The club has survived the rise and fall of other powerful people.

“Here is the deal Pat Brennan has offeredus,” Roman says, stressing the last word. “Caveman opens up the road, allowing shipments to move smoothly again. The day after Alec Brennan’s funeral, I will announce my impending marriage to a member of the Brennan family out of New York.”

“How will Alec die?” Noble asks, sounding angrier than usual.

“Trapped in his burning car, screaming and in pain.”

I notice Bear smirk next to me. Noble and Aunt Fred appear pleased, too. I ought to care as much about revenge, but I’m mostly focused on safety.

“What about Tommy Brennan?” I ask, startled by the sound of my voice.

Roman frowns at me, seeming surprised to realize I’m even here.

“The DA is about to charge him. Pat Brennan will ensure Tommy takes a plea deal so the case remains out of court. I figure you can kill Tommy in prison or once he’s released in a decade.”

Aunt Fred glances at me to see if I’m happy with that solution. I offer her a little smile. If the cops are about to be neutered by their uncle, Siobhan can deliver safely, and I can take my family home.

“In the future,” Roman says to Aunt Fred, “we would appreciate if you alerted us whenever anyone attempts to woo your club away from its alliance with the Syndicate.”

“I can’t promise we’ll always be honest,” Aunt Fred replies in a soft yet steely voice. “Yet, we allowed a member of our family to marry yours. We’ve bled for your people, but that doesn’t mean we won’t keep our secrets.”

Roman grunts at Aunt Fred’s refusal to bow, but he’s putting on a show. No way did he think she’d beg for forgiveness. Aunt Fred might speak softly and look like a sweet grandma, but she isn’t a part of club management because of her pie-making skills. If she ever decided Roman was a threat to her family, she’d cut her losses and send the club after the Syndicate.

Fortunately, for peace in Banta City, the Backcountry Kings and Kovak Syndicate understand how our alliance is in both our interests.

“Thank you for handling this issue with Brennan,” Noble says after Roman returns to his chair behind the desk. “Killing cops would have been messy, even for Zoot and Caveman. Your way allows us to get back to making money.”

Roman nods. “Alec Brennan made this thing personal. Such sentimentality has destroyed better men than him.”

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