Page 37 of Outlaws’ Runaway

“To start with, Hellfire was right, the Fabbris used to be tight with the Giordanos, but they started going rogue about ten years ago when Eagle-eye and the old Don established a working relationship. The Fabbris weren’t happy about working with dirty animals like us and refused to fall in line.”

“Fucking wannabe dictators,” Savage grumbles. “They act like they’re fucking above it all, but I’d rather get shot in the face than stabbed in the back.”

“No shit,” I agree.

“Last Eagle-eye heard of them causing trouble for sure was about five years ago. They were using some small-time MC to sell drugs, weapons and occasionally women in Eagles territory.”

“What the fuck? I take it that MC is no longer in the picture?” Savage’s tone lives up to his name.

Poe taps his nose and then points at Savage. “You would be correct. In any case, there have been rumors and suspicions since then but the Eagles consider it mob business unless it spills over on them.”

“So let’s say they got spanked out of town by the Eagles.” I stand up and start pacing. It helps me think. “Maybe it took them some time lick their wounds, and then they start looking around for a new home.”

“I think you’re on the right track,” Poe agrees. “I snuck a backdoor into one of the Vice systems and did some snooping. The local cops started keeping an active file on them about three years ago. They’ve probably been slowly growing and trying to stay under the radar, but it sounds like they are getting cocky.” He turns his laptop, probably so we can see what he’s talking about but me and technology have never really gotten along.

“Okay, but if it comes down to it, can we take them?”

It’s always the same question in the end. From the little fish that looks at a bigger fish, to fucking countries and their armies. Can we take them?

Poe grimaces. “One on one? Sure.”

“But the mob is a fungus,” Savage adds, nodding. “By the time we see it, the spores have spread deep. I get it, but we can’t sit around doing jack shit because it’s not a perfect plan. Stefano is the asshole in front of us right now and making sure Paige is safe is our main priority.”

“Speaking of Paige, what the fuck are we doing with her?” Poe asks. “I’ve gotta be straight with you. I haven’t fucked her yet, but there’s something there with us and I want to see where it goes.”

A flash of something that isn’t quite guilt crosses Savage’s face. “Same.”

“Is that why you were late? Got distracted by a girl? That’s fucking hilarious,” I say with a laugh. “Mr. Professionalism himself.”

“Shut the fuck up,” he growls.

“Nah. For once we’re all on the same fucking page I think. Hah! Paige. We all want to be fucking the same Paige more like.” I grin. “No? Come on, that was good.”

Poe finally cracks a grin. “Yeah, okay.”

“I'm throwing my fucking hat in the ring, just so that's clear.” Am I a little annoyed that I’m last to the party? Sure, but in the long run, who the fuck cares? “She needs to know that we’re all fair game, because we are, right? We don’t usually have to spell shit like this out, but there’s nothing fuckingusualabout her.”

Savage smirks. “She was mumbling about fucking around with Poe when I took her back with me last night. Nothing even happened but I guess she felt like she had to tell me.”

Poe clasps his hands behind his head with a shit-eating grin. “Damn. I left a good impression.”

“There’s a party tonight, and we might not get another chance before the Fabbris come calling. You think she’d be up for playing?” I ask Savage, as the last one to see her.

He nods. “I think we should let her know the option’s open.”

“I’m game,” Poe adds.

I’ve always wanted an old lady. Someone to fucking come home to, like General had with Bonnie, his widow. Someone who would mourn me if I didn’t. Sharing a woman has never been unusual at the club, but when Ghost and the others brought Jessica in and claimed her together, it shifted something for a lot of the guys. Even if his brothers are always his brothers, shit changes when a guy claims a woman. Except I’ve seen how Ghost, Tex and Riot have been since Jessica. They’re closer than fucking ever.

I think I want that. Is this the right opportunity? Won’t fucking know without exploring it.

“Good.” I nod, glad we seem to be in agreement. “So what do we do about the fucking Mob?”

Savage reaches across the table and closes Poe’s laptop. “Stefano is gonna be well protected, but there’s no way he was personally dropping cash off. Let’s head over to Paige’s laundry tomorrow morning and see if we can pry some information out of her uncle’s guys. There’s no fucking way she’s the only one that noticed shit happening, and they might be able to ID the mob’s delivery guy.”

“Good idea.” Poe pulls his knife out and starts playing with it. “I can be very persuasive when necessary.”

“Counting on it. I’ll run everything by Hellfire, make sure he’s okay with us tugging on the mob’s strings. You two drive by Walter’s house this afternoon. I doubt they let him go with a slap on the wrist, but if there’s been any movement over there, I want to know about it,” Savage says, pushing off the table to stand. “Paige should be safe here in the meantime, but let’s let her know how to get a hold of Jessica if she needs anything.”

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