Page 45 of Possession

“I disagree. What doesn’t look good is a high school dropout who was a top-ranked football prospect sporting a cut with your club’s patch on the back. You’ve got enough attention from the law as it is. Do you really want that kind of scrutiny? If he’s with me, he’s an intern. I can tell everyone he’s the son of a friend who’s come to stay with me to learn the ropes.” I motion to the fortress where I’m now the one calling the shots. “Look around. No one will find him here, and he’ll still be our main line of communication. Let some time go by, people will forget about him, then he can return to you for the rest of his tat. He’ll learn a hell of a lot with me that will benefit you later on.”

Logan reclines into his chair and takes me in as he mulls it over.

Landyn shifts next to me, like she’s about to jump into the middle of negotiations on behalf of me and Rocco, so I bring a hand up and give the end of one of her perfect waves a tug.

“Look,” I say, purely to cut off Landyn. “I already told you I see the Jackals becoming a more integral part of the Marino business structure. I’m changing the landscape, and I see you in it.”

Logan’s gaze shifts to Landyn before settling back on me. “You mean your new father-in-law is out of the picture, and you need legs to get your product over the border.”

Landyn stiffens at my side at the mention of her father. I turn to her and press my lips to her temple.

She’s not loose or relaxed any longer. Not like she has been since we sat down for dinner. At the mention of her father, her expression blanks.

I turn back to Logan. “My father-in-law is still a sensitive subject.”

“Yeah,” he mutters. “I can imagine.”

“My business with others is confidential. I hope you can appreciate that. I’m not going to flap my gums about you to anyone else either. My offer to you is fifteen percent of the sale when the load is safely delivered, and Rocco will remain here. He’ll work for me as cover while this arrangement is in place.”

Logan hikes a brow. “Rocco?”

I shrug. “It’s his name. He can finish out his tattoo and live on with the Jackals later. Do you want the deal or not?”

He shakes his head once, but responds immediately. “Forty percent and you can have the kid for as long as you want.”

“Fuck that,” I bite. “You just ate at the Marino table and drank our whiskey. We’ve been getting along just fine until now. Do not come into this house and straight up insult me. No one gets forty in this business, and you know it.”

He nods toward Landyn when he argues, “I can provide security her old man couldn’t. With me, your product will be delivered just fine.”

I narrow my eyes and challenge, “You still have to get from A to B. Do you have your own set of submarines that I don’t know about? It still has to come over the border.”

His expression turns smug, and he lifts his chin. “Not over—under. Unlike the mob, the Jackals don’t mind getting their hands dirty—literally.”

And this is what I’ve been waiting for.

It’s like Landyn knows something is coming and anticipates it as much as I do. Her slim fingers press into my thigh just inches from my cock where she hasn’t let me go.

“You’ve got tunnels,” I state.

“All I’m going to say is we’re not the navy.”

I give him a slow nod. “I suspected but didn’t know for sure.”

“No one knows the Jackals business.”

“Yet you just shared your lack of submerged warships,” I counter. “I see a long-term relationship in our future.”

“Only if the terms are right.” He looks again from me to Landyn and this time addresses my wife. “No offense, lady, but your daddy played old school and almost got dead because of it. At least you look like you’re still in one piece after he sold you to save his ass.” Landyn stiffens against my chest. Logan shakes his head and turns back to me. “I thought we’ve had some rumbles in the past. Nothing beats the Marino wedding that never was. News traveled far and wide. That’s a tale that won’t soon be forgotten.”

“Which explains my changes. Twenty-five percent and Rocco. If you have tunnels, we can move more product—as long as you’re up for the work.”

“Thirty,” he demands. “And you can haveRoccoas long as you want while this business deal is in play. If shit hits the fan, he’s a Jackal again.”

Ifmy ass.

When shit hits the fan. The way things are going, I’m going to blow the fucking fan up sooner than later. And there will be no Jackals for Rocco to go back to.

I shift Landyn in my arm to extend my right one over the table, offering my hand to close this deal. “Thirty and Rocco. It’ll be a pleasure doing business with the Jackals.”

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