Page 9 of With This Ring

“None. I reached out in good faith, hoping he wouldn’t want his people to be caught up in some bullshit.”

Declan scoffs. “Yeah, and tell him we’re vulnerable? Smart move, Car.”

“If they wanted to attack, you think they’d wait until the day of the meeting to do it? That would put a target on their backs,” I say matter-of-factly.

He grunts but doesn’t say anything further.

I don’t want to admit it, but I did take a risk by telling the Reyes family what I wanted to talk to them about. Juan might be in the life, but as my family does, they believe in honor amongst thieves. From the little I know about them, the Reyes family don’t push first. They’re content to get money and retaliate when necessary.

Five or so years ago, the Albanians tried to run the Reyes family out of town, starting a war that almost spilled over into the entire state of New Jersey. But the Reyes family were well equipped and had people everywhere. They pushed the Albanians out to the point that they no longer have a foothold in the state. They didn’t start the war, but they finished it in a big way.

I glance in the rearview mirror to make sure my guys are following behind us. Juan asked not to have more than my dad and brother with me when we came to the meeting, just as he will only have two of his men. So as not to cause bad faith, I plan to honor that. But they won’t be far behind.

Thirty minutes after we leave Dad’s place, we pull up to the designated warehouse. Just like mine, Declan’s head is on a swivel, looking around to make sure this isn’t a set up. From what I can see, there are no shooters on the roof or around any corners. The only car I see is a sleek black BMW.

After making sure the coast is clear, I motion for Dad to step out of the car and we approach the door. I knock on it three times in rapid succession, pause, then knock five times more slowly. The door pops open and Juan Reyes himself stands on the other side.

“Carter Whitlock. It’s a pleasure.” His light words hold sincerity. “Do come in.”

I step to the side and allow Dad to step in first, then follow behind, Declan bringing up the rear.

When we’re all inside, I turn to Juan and hold out my hand. A historic first since our families have never had any meeting or truce.

Juan pauses for a moment, looking at my hand. When I think he won’t shake, he clasps my hand, shaking it once. “Thanks for taking this meeting.”

“Please,” he says, indicating we step further into the room. Two other men stand near a flight of stairs. Both are spitting images of Juan, so I take it they’re either his brothers or his sons. “This is Junior, my son,” he says, pointing to a man with a long black ponytail and permascowl, “and this is my brother, Alonso. You did not bring anyone else with you, correct?”

“No. Just my father and brother. Declan and Dominic.” I point to my brother and father in turn. “As you asked.”

Juan dips his head. “Thank you for that. Now, tell me about what is going on in your camp.”

Declan speaks up. “And what’s to say you won’t use it against my family? How do we know it’s not you that’s fucking with us?”

With a raised eyebrow, Juan gives Declan the once over. I step in front of him, drawing his attention away from my brother. Yeah, we’re meeting with them on what I hope to be good terms, but I won’t hesitate to lay him the fuck out if he tries something with Declan.

Juan only smirks. “If it were me, you would be dead as soon as you crossed that boundary, little boy.”

“I got your little boy, bitch,” Declan says, his hand going into the jacket of his suit.

Junior and Alonso’s hand go in the same direction, though no one pulls their weapons. Dad steps up as if to speak, but I beat him to it. If he wants me to take over the family, I have to diffuse this shit. Though Declan will have to answer for putting us at risk on enemy territory. Sometimes, his fearlessness is a fucking deterrent.

“Enough, D. Remove your hand from your gun. Now.” A few tense moments pass before he does what I say. Alonso and Junior follow suit. “Though, he has a point, Juan. What’s to say you’re not behind the rumblings of a war starting?”

Juan waves me forward and we slowly start walking deeper into the warehouse. “We were almost wiped out by the Albanians all those years ago. We won and we took their territory, but at what cost? Junior and Alonso are all the immediate family I have left. Everyone else is dead or in prison. We have a strong grip on our territory, but another war will annihilate us. We can’t take another hit.” He stops walking when we get into the warehouse proper. The room is empty and roomy, a slight chill in the air. “We don’t have the manpower to take you on.”

I wonder why he brought me through this area, then it clicks: it’s a sign of trust. He’s showing me that he has no one else here either, that he expected me to follow his instructions and he’s showing me that he’s a man of his word. He only has his brother and his son with him.

I nod, giving him the indication that I appreciate him showing that he’s kept his end of the bargain. “I hear you. Are you planning to join forces with whomever is against my family?”

Juan shakes his head. “That would be foolish. I’d have to tell them how much manpower I don’t have. What’s to say I join up, they eliminate you and they come after me? No, I’m already risking a lot by telling you of our troubles. And I only tell you so you know it is not us that want to take your territory.”

“And you’ve heard nothing?” Declan asks, his voice still holding that hard edge.

“Nothing,” Alonso says, the same edge in his tone. “We don’t want any part of an impending war. We will tend to our business and remain neutral. We are ready if it happens, but not before. We have all we need. We are not greedy. And honestly, we will not survive another war.”

He sounds sincere. I glance at Dad, and he nods once. Turning back to Juan, I ask, “Do we have your word that you won’t take sides?”

Juan places his hand on his chest, right above his heart. “On my honor as a Reyes, I will not take up arms against your family, nor will I join yours. In this, we are neutral.”

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