Page 15 of A New Era

“That bitch got us locked up. We missed over a year of our lives because of her. I don’t understand why we’re not gonna take advantage of this meeting and take her out. This is the moment we’ve been waiting for.”

Sighing, I say, “I’m all for making our move, but this isn’t it. Roseville’s crime level is severely low to non-existent. If we attack or she does, it’ll bring heat to the club, and we don’t have time for that kind of attention.”

I stand and grab my cigarettes. “Her day will come, Mase. Trust me on that.”

* * *

Luca is the first to arrive at the diner, with Angel, King, and Trey. I park next to my brother and kill the engine. Scouting out the place from my bike, a single SUV is parked near the diner’s entrance and two men in suits stand by the trunk.

“They’re the only two. King rode out early this morning and kept watch. She showed up alone,” Luca tells me, his hand resting on his gun.

Lighting a cigarette, I remain on my bike and scan the windows of the diner. Effie is sitting in the end booth and she’s staring straight back.

“While we’re in there, I don’t want any of you making a move. However, if anyone shows up, make them wish they hadn’t,” I instruct.

Puffing on the cigarette, I meet Luca’s eye and nod. We both climb off of our rides and I flick the cigarette across the parking lot.

Side by side, my brother and I walk inside and the smile on Effie’s stiff face grows. In her usual tight skirt suit, her red lipstick, and tacky red nails, she remains seated, and Luca and I sit opposite her.

“Hi, I’m Suzie, I’ll be your server today, what can I get you both?” a chirpy waitress asks.

“Nothing, we won’t be long,” I tell her, and she scatters away muttering under her breath.

Once she’s out of earshot, I look at Effie and grunt, “Lay your offer on the table, we’ve got shit to do.”

“Yes, I imagine planning a wedding takes up a lot of time.” She then looks to Luca. “And a newborn, I bet you’re tired from the sleepless nights.”

“Like you give a fuck. Get on with it,” Luca snaps.

Under the table, I nudge my brother’s leg with mine to remind him to keep his cool.

Unaffected by Luca’s tone, Effie goes on to say, “Once you’re married, babies are usually the next step. Babies are expensive and precious, and need fathers around for protection against the horrors in this world. My offer will enable you both to provide and protect your families, and your club. You will all thrive.”

“We’re thriving as it is,” Luca says as I remain tight-lipped.

“Because of the Haywards, but the money from them is nothing compared to what you could make with me.”

Sighing, I go to stand when she carries on, “I will triple what they pay you and in return, you run and protect my city. The Haywards are only here because I haven’t even begun to send them away. I tend to find entertainment in seeing others fail. You have no loyalty to them, and they will never get their hands on what’s mine.”

“You seem to think we’re pawns to buy and use as you please,” I grunt.

“I don’t want to use you. I want us to work together. Imagine, you’d have free reign over an entire city.”

“The city is my brother’s territory, but as the head of the Lost Souls motorcycle Club, I can tell you…”

“Don’t say anything now.” She slides out of the booth and stands. “You have twenty-four hours to consider and let me know.”

“And if it’s not the answer you want?” I ask.

Her smile turns cruel. “Then we go back to our game of cat and mouse until I grow tired of it and wipe you all out.”

“I’m genuinely interested in how you think,” Luca says. “You shot my friend in front of me. In what fucking world do you think I’d want to work for you?”

“Ask yourself, Luca, how much is one man worth to your whole club?”

Her heels tap against the tiled floor as she makes her exit. Luca slides around the table and we both watch her climb into her car.

“I fucking hate when people give us a time frame,” Luca near enough growls as the waitress passes the table.