Page 94 of Brandishing Balance
Marcos
“Goodwork,man.”Islapped Axel on the back as we walked out of the warehouse that held the fight.
Axel nodded, a man of few words as usual. “You need me for the sit down?”
“Nah, unless you want to be there. I’ll call Trick and Ransom for back up. Stone’s home with Luke and Maya.”
He shook his head. “Nah, I’m good. I need a shower. I hope he gives you what you need.”
“Me too. Be ready for church if things roll fast.” I glanced back at Phoenix and Blaze. The men nodded their heads at me.
I turned to Nico and nodded. “Ready?”
“For a sit down with the Irish? Always,” Nico chuckled. “I texted Trick already. Him and Ransom are gonna meet us.”
“Good.”
Marcos
The ride to Satan’s Palace is peaceful, if not a little chilly. Middle of October in central Illinois meant the riding season would be coming to an end soon. Nico gave Leo a call on the ride, and due to Bluetooth, we were both able to talk to him.
Dagger gave his cousin the run down and Leo agreed that Nico could make a deal on behalf of the family, and the Psychos could discuss their own deal for distribution.
Things were finally looking up. I only hoped that Ronan Tiernan was a man of his word, and that he wasn’t just blowing smoke up our asses to land a coke deal.
We pulled into the parking lot of Satan’s Palace. The bar and grill were around the corner from the Devil’s Psychos clubhouse, so Nico and I parked at the clubhouse and walked over. As we were walking, I looked at the empty buildings between the two businesses and frowned. I paused as we passed a large empty lot.
“What’s going on?” Nico asked, stopping beside me.
“Just thinking,” I murmured.
“About?”
“Expansion dreams, brother. Expansion dreams.”
Nico looked around and I could see it dawn on his face. “Build something like the Knights?”
“Maybe.”
“It’s a good dream.” Nico patted my shoulder as we began walking again. The bright lights of Satan’s Palace light up the otherwise deserted street. It was amazing that this place did so well, but because of its night club vibe after ten p.m. it really kept things exciting. The rooftop dining with a view of the river probably also helped. Something I would have to think about if I planned on buying the properties between the clubhouse and here.
The place was still busy, despite it being a Sunday night. We walk in just as Trick and Ransom pull up in front, so we pause to wait while they shut off their bikes and dismount. “Hey guys, thanks for coming.” I slapped hands with them both, patting them on the back as we shook hands.
“Not a problem pres. Glad we could be of help,” Trick said.
“You got a private room we can use?” Nico asked.
“We should,” Ransom nodded. “Let’s go talk to the girls.”
He led the way to the bar where there were three ladies slinging drinks like their lives depended on it. Trick and Ransom were a couple of the most solid brothers the Psychos had. They’d always been great when I needed something, and they were never loyal to Buckley in the sense that I had to watch my back. They were good dudes.
After talking to the bartenders, Ransom led us to a staircase on the right side of the room that led up to the VIP area on the second floor. On a Sunday night, the second floor was empty, as was the banquet room in the back.
When Ronan Tiernan and his brother Kierney arrived, one of the bartenders led him up to the VIP section and immediately took everyone’s drinks. Ronan and Kierney settled into thebooth across from us, their associate James standing near the stairs, where Trick and Ransom were standing by for back up.
“Damn, you look like shit, man,” I said, cutting right to the chase. Axel really beat the shit out of the Irish man.
Ronan laughed and shrugged. “I’m good. Your boy Axel is a good fighter.”
