Page 9 of Kade

“That’s what he said.” I closed my eyes and saw it all over again.

Bang.

“I’ll never fucking get that out of my head.”

“I’m sorry, man.” He reached over and clasped my shoulder.

“I need the layout on this family. Kai is the one in charge?”

Channing grimaced before nodding. “This is what I know. Again, I try not to get too nosy. They tend to know who’s looking into them and don’t take kindly to that. Rumor was there used to be a board for all the Canadian mafia families, but I don’t know if that’s true. Right now the Bennetts are in charge. Kai’s the leader. I’m not sure about the other siblings, but there’s one other brother who’s heavily involved with the business. Tanner Bennett. He spends a lot of time in Kansas.” He studied me. “There’s another rumor. I don’t know the validity of it, but you may know someone connected to Tanner Bennett.”

I tensed. “Who?”

“Cutler Ryder.”

No fucking way. “The pro NHL hockey player, Cutler Ryder? Kansas City Mustangs?”

He gave me a slow nod.

I shook my head. “No way. Fuck no. No fucking way does Ryder have mob connections.”

“I’m not saying heknowshe has mob connections, but yes, I think he does.”

“How?”

Channing heaved a silent sigh. “Look, I don’t like knowing this shit. And I don’t want my name attached, because this information came from someone connected to my sister, and if she’s put at risk, heads will roll. I mean it.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I don’t even know what you know.”

“Bren can’t be put at risk. That’s what I’m saying. I know you. I give you this information, and with the rage going through you right now, you’ll use it to burn down the place. They’ll start looking andwillconnect the dots, you get me? My sisterwill notbe collateral in this.”

I growled. “Jesus Christ. I know your sister. I don’t even want to fuck with her, but yes. I promise not to put her at risk.”

He was quiet for a moment, considering me before he gave in. “There’s a nightclub outside of Kansas City, Bresko’s. That club is connected to your friend, right?”

“I’m familiar with it,” I clipped out. I did not like where this was going.

“There’s a silent partner. The rumor is that it’s Tanner Bennett.”

I cursed under my breath. Ryder was a stand-up guy. If this was true, he didn’t know. There was no way he could know. “This is insane.”

“It’s a connection.”

“What do they do? Specifically. The Bennetts.”

“They do almost everything except sex trafficking. That isnota rumor. I know as fact that they have a hard line against sex trafficking, but I believe they do everything else. Distribution. Transportation. Guns. Drugs. If this is true and they were coming after your dad, they’re likely forcing a hostile takeover with Kade Enterprises. That’s my guess. Your dad had to open up a small percentage of shares. If we look, I’d bet whoever bought those is connected to the Bennett family.”

I sat with this for a beat. “If this is all true, how do we fight them?”

He shrugged, but he was still studying me. Wary. “You’re legit. You’re not a criminal. You don’t have any shady ties. You’re famous. Your name and face alone gives you some protection. It should scare off any hostile takeover attempts, I’d think. Pair your name with Sam’s?” He whistled under his breath. “You guys are like one of America’s sweethearts. When press finds out what your dad did, it’s going to be crazy. All eyes are going to be on you. Your dad—though I don’t like what he did, it makes sense in a way. If he was the weak link the Bennetts were using to push in on, he eliminated their way in. What he did will force all that attention your way. But not just you—you and your brother and the entourage that comes with you guys. Me and mine included. Plus, you guys are connected to Brett’s new wife. The media is still in a frenzy about her.”

I shook my head. “We’re not that close to Brett or Billie.”

He shrugged again, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m just saying you have some arsenal in your backyard, if you need it. Brett will step in to help. You know that. Plus the niece as well.”

I shot him a look. “We’renotusing our kids.”

“His niece is going to your kid’s school. Your kid and mine are like glue with each other. I’m just pointing out the connections, that’s all.”

---