Page 44 of The Mistake

I sat, wanting to be alone with my wife, to talk to her, but Cassie sat next to Charlotte, talking to her. I hadn’t realized the two sisters were close. No one would have assumed that based on the intel.

Cassie was the MC’s princess. I assumed she would have contributed to making her life miserable, but instead, the two were talking like they were old friends.

Rage had a smile on his lips. He was the doting father figure for Charlotte.

Ivan came around the corner, and began to sing happy birthday to her. Charlotte gasped and Cassie stepped back. We all stood, and joined in the song, as Ivan put the cake in front of Charlotte.

Nineteen candles.

“Don’t forget to make a wish as you blow out the candles,” Ivan said.

Charlotte closed her eyes, and then gently blew out the candles. Smoke came from each one, and she sighed.

Ivan clapped his hands. “I’ll grab a knife.”

Seconds later, we were sitting around the table, enjoying some cake.

I noticed the necklace around Charlotte’s neck and instantly knew it was from Ivan. Glancing at my boss, I couldn’t help but wonder if he wasin fact attracted to her.

I made a note to call Slavik and Andrei, to see if he devoted this much time to their new wives.

After the cake, Cassie and Charlotte excused themselves, and I took Rage and Ivan to my office, closing the door.

“I do not believe we should be talking business on your wife’sbirthday,” Ivan said.

“Regardless ofwhether this was Charlotte’s birthday or not, I’ve been trying to contact the both of you, but neither of you have responded.”

This was news to me. Ivan had been the one who wanted to take on the Evil Savages MC.

I looked toward Ivan, who shrugged. “I’m a busy man.”

“Besides, you knew where Ive was the whole time.”

“I was showing respect,” Rage said.

“And I was showing that I was busy. In case you didn’t notice, I have a coupleof hurdles to deal with.” Ivan took a seat. “I have a territory currently vacant, and two potential people to take over.”

This made him smile. He’d now mentioned two people, twice to me. There were only two people he’d struggle over, but I wasn’t going to bring them up in front of Rage.

“So, why don’t you catch me up to speed and do it quickly?” Ivan rested his elbow on the arm of the couch, and then placed his head on the tips of his fingers. One leg was crossed over the other. He looked bored.

And Rage started to talk.

He already told me the details over the phone. One, Hank Belafonte had paid him a visit at the Evil Savages MC. They wanted to partner up, and according to Hank, he had backing. So far, those details were not new to me.

“He claimed the cartel are in on it,” Rage said.

“Well, the cartel would explain the girls from Ive’s territory. They have since been taken back, and are secured. As for the cartel, they have been attempting a takeover of this city, as well as many of my other cities, for many, many years. None of them have been successful.”

“Which is whythey reached out to me.”

Ivan clucked his tongue. “No, they’re wanting power and numbers.” Ivan ran a finger across his lips. “I do find this interesting.”

“What do you find interesting?” Rage asked.

I needed whiskey.

Ivan was treating this like a game, and I didn’t have time for games. I had to squash Hank, Benjamin, and the cartel immediately. This was my fucking territory, and I wasn’t giving it up for anyone or anything.

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