“So, what’s on the table?” I ask. I need a distraction.
“A contract,” Lachlan says shortly. “We need to figure out what assets will be ours when the wedding is finalized.”
“How much stake we get in his business,” Connor adds. “Antonio will take what he gets. It’s our terms.”
“Obviously,” I say. We have his daughter all but locked up. “But how much are we willing to risk taking?”
“More than just enough,” Lachlan says. He smirks. “We can get away with it.”
“Should we? I’m all for taking everything we can, but maybe we should try to secure some things beforehand. Just in case he tries to pull shit in the meantime.”
“He won’t. We have him under watch, and you have Rose.”
I don’t push the issue. Lachlan knows more about the business outside of the club. If he thinks this will work, I don’t mind holding back.
For now.
“Well, the Messinas also have an issue,” Finn says, breaking the few seconds of silence.
Lachlan stands from the desk. “We have to go see them.”
I follow the others out. It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Messina family. They’re our allies, but they’re usually a quiet presence. They were the only ones who would work with us for a while after our father’s death. They like to keep to the shadows.
Enzo Messina heads their organization. Lachlan must have set up a meeting ahead of time. We drive to meet them downtown, in an out-of-the-way spot by a warehouse. It’s not the Messina headquarters, but this feels last-minute. Impromptu.
Serious.
Lachlan pulls up to where Enzo is already standing by his black car, and we all get out.
“O’Reilly,” Enzo says. He dips his head at Lachlan, giving the rest of us a brief jerk of his chin.
Lachlan folds his hands in front of him patiently. “What’s the problem, Enzo?”
“Shit’s been unstable.”
I catch Finn sending me a sideways glance. Enzo isn’t one to tiptoe around anything, but this is a lot for him. Especially since he’s an ally.
“Unstable?” Lachlan echoes.
“Your territory,” Enzo says, his voice low. “The docks.”
I glance at Lachlan. We allow the Messina family in our territory just for this, and there’s trouble?
“It’s a good spot,” Enzo says, as if he can read my mind. “Right on the docks. But it’s been dangerous for my men lately. We’ve had two deals go bad.”
I hadn’t heard about this. I tense, hiding my curled hands behind my back. It doesn’t make sense for us to have trouble. We’ve been relatively clean for a long time now.
“We’ll deal with this,” Lachlan finally says.
Enzo gives Lachlan a once-over. I feel a gut tug, a sharp warning at the way he’s looking at Lachlan.
“I hope your alliance with Donovan won’t make you forget your old friends. Your first.”
There’s the other shoe dropping.
Lachlan tilts his head. It’s a tiny movement, a signal he’s annoyed. Something only his family knows.
“I think it should be clear by now that we don’t forget,” Lachlan replies.
