Page 93 of A New Era

“I must admit, I was expecting threats of some kind.”

“Threats?” he huffs. “Nah, for a good partnership to work, it has to be based on respect, while both sides knowing the consequences of betraying the other. You’re fully aware of what my nephews will do if you betray us, and we know what your club is capable of.”

Jamie Boy certainly is taking his time getting those drinks.

“There’s more money to be made than any of us could imagine and us Haywards are already extremely wealthy. For this partnership to be more than just a partnership, we have to have a level of friendship. Hence why we’re sitting here this afternoon and then this evening, dinner at the Manor with my brother and his wife. I’ve been told your club is family to you, so you should understand where I’m coming from. This could be life-changing for all of us if there’s trust.”

I took the patch planning on how to break away from the Haywards. But after this trip, and after meeting their uncle, the future has changed and is clear to me.

“You have my loyalty for as long as we have yours.”

He holds his hand out across the table, and we shake on the future.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Leo

I’m well aware of how the rich live. I’ve not once ever given a shit about it either. But as the car drives up the Manor drive, I admit I’m a little awed. The lawns are pristine. Water features everywhere. When the house comes into view, it screams Haywards. Wealth, style, and over-the-top expense. The cars parked up out front of the house are a poor man’s wet dream. Ben comes to a stop, and I step out of the car.

“Is Holly and your wife here?”

“They’re still on their way back. They won’t be long.”

In the house, the place screams money from the fine furniture to the art hung on the walls. Children’s laughter comes from the back of the house and as we enter the huge kitchen, children are chasing Cody around and a small boy is trying to shoot Nerf bullets at Ritchie. One hits him and he drops to the floor, feigning death, and making the kid laugh.

I knew their business was family orientated but I didn’t spend any time giving thought to their actual family dynamics. These men are the most feared in England, their reputation spreading to the states and here they are with their kids, being playfully shot and comically dying to make them laugh.

“Mum, Dad,” Jamie Boy says. “This is Leo Jackson.” He turns to me and adds, “Leo, this is my mother, Flo, and my father, Jack.”

His mom is a beauty for someone who must be in her fifties or sixties. She drips in wealth and smells just as good as she looks. I shake her hand and then Jack’s. I can see each brother in him, and I see his brother's old-school ways too.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say.

“It’s nice to put a face to a name,” his mother says. Though I’m pretty sure she’s seen photos. Just like I’ve seen photos of them all.

“Can I get you a tea, coffee, cold drink?” she offers.

“I’m good, thanks.”

I’m led into a home office by Jack, and he closes the door.

He heads over to the drinks table while I take a seat on the couch by the floor-to-ceiling window.

The backyard stretches on and on and it makes me think of Victoria. She’d love strolling around looking over all the different plants and flowers. No expense has been spared and it certainly shows.

“We’ve lived here over thirty years now and it still takes my wife’s breath away.”

“You really do have a nice place.”

“It’s my wife’s, really. It’s all for her. I pay for it, and she makes it a home.”

He passes me a whisky and this drink I can get on board with. Being here is weird as fuck.

“I spoke with my brother after you left the prison. I’m sure you don’t need his validation, but he liked you. And coming from my brother, that means a whole lot.”

“He wasn’t what I was expecting but he didn’t piss me off.”

Jack laughs and I drain my tumbler of whisky.

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