“I like it when it’s quiet,” he stated, bringing the tumbler to his lips. “I can actually hear myself think.”
“I don’t,” I muttered, leaning back in my seat. “In my world, the quiet holds secrets. Secrets that can kill you.”
“You are safe here, Carly. No one knows I own this place.”
I sighed. “I know. It’s just that my whole life, Mother trained me to always be on guard. Trust no one. Not even her, she would tell me. I thought it odd, but over the years, it began to make sense.”
“Stupid mind games. I hate them.”
“So do I.”
“Carly, there is something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about. I wanted to give you time to settle and get comfortable here, but I’ve come across some information that I feel you need to know.”
Looking at the handsome man, I asked, “What is it?”
“What do you know about the Soulless Sinners Motorcycle Club?”
“Only that they are one of the biggest MCs. They have chapters all over the world. The Mother Chapter is based in New York City and is spearheaded by a man named Montana Stone. The oldest son of George Stone, the CEO and owner of Stone Corporation. Why?”
“Have you ever met either man?”
Frowning, I sat up straighter. “Not that I’m aware of. Why?”
Sal said nothing as he reached for his cell phone. Swiping his thumb across the screen, he turned it toward me and asked, “Have you ever met this man?”
Taking his phone, I looked at the screen and frowned. “Yes. He was at the Democratic Nomination Dinner. Dad spent time with him.”
“Where else have you seen him?”
Lowering the phone, I looked at Sal, who stared at me intently. In the weeks I had been in his home, Salvatore never gave me pause to worry. I knew the man had connections to the underworld, but I never suspected a connection to the Society.
Slowly laying his phone down on the table, I cautiously stood and whispered, “Why do you want to know?”
Holding up his hand, he quickly said, “It’s not what you think. I promise. I have no affiliation with the Society or theirsubsequent divisions. I’m only asking because I’ve received reliable information that you have a connection to that club.”
Shaking my head, I muttered, “What information?”
“The man on my phone is George Stone. The former president of the Soulless Sinners. That man is not to be trusted. He worked for your mother.”
“Who told you this?”
“A man named Justin Peterson.”
I said nothing as my body instantly shut down.
Taking my seat again, I stared at Sal and waited for him to continue.
“I’m only telling you this because Peterson’s gotten word that George Stone and a few others are planning to take over where your mother left off, and he believes your life is still in danger.”
“What else did he say?” I asked, looking down at my hands.
“That you held the key to everything. Also, that you were to be protected at all costs. He was rather insistent on it.”
“He say anything else?”
When Sal didn’t respond, I looked up to find him staring at me.
“I think you already know.”