JETT
The café I’d been told to go to was cold and empty. My alarm sensors were going off. York didn’t want me to do it, he was outside, probably pacing by the car. Everything about this was telling me to run, and yet I was still sitting here with my gun strapped to my ankle.
Finally, the curtains to the kitchen opened and a tall man in a dark suit walked through. He looked at me, pausing before moving to the seat opposite me.
“James.”
“Yes.”
“But aren’t you known as Jett?”
“You know me?”
“Of course, someone not to be messed with. You have quite a few contacts in places we do. I’m impressed, you’re only young and have claimed quite a lot.”
“Well, I appreciate that. I want to speak to my grandfather.”
“You can’t. He doesn’t speak to anyone but a Brother. You can pass your message through me.”
“I want to speak to him.”
The man sighed. “I already told you—”
I stood up and headed for the door.
“Wait!”
Turning around, I saw the curtain part and another man in a suit walk out dismissing the other.
“Sit.”
I did, looking at the graying man with interest. He looked so familiar, but I knew I had never met him before.
“What do you want from me?”
He didn’t seem angry, just impatient.
“You’re my grandfather?”
“Yes.”
“Right… I’ve come to ask for you to plan a vendetta against one of my family.”
“You are speaking of Veronica Lambert.”
“Ronni. Her name is Ronni and yes.”
“You know of our ways… yes?”
I nodded.
“You know we do not forgive these past acts.”
“What about redemption?”
He considered it for a moment. “Perhaps, redemption is something we take seriously here.”
“Ronni helped me dispatch of John Lambert who killed your daughter.”
“I am aware.”
“Surely that helps.”
“One good act does not outdo the original.”
“So my mother meant nothing then?” I angrily spat.
“Do not speak so emotionally, boy. I’ve heard of your career as Jett Black. I am impressed. It must pain you to have to reach out for help from me.”
“I see it rather as broadening my horizons and my connections.”
“You have a smart tongue. I like that. What are you suggesting?”
“Partnership, or more likely an understanding. You know I control the city, I have connections in all places, we could share information, join our forces.”
“You could join the Brotherhood.”
It was tempting, but from what I know of the brothers, their wives are treated like birthing vessels. I could never do that to Ebony. She was my equal in every way. Another problem would be all brothers are treated equally, I couldn’t do that. I’d been my own boss for far too long to even consider going into a non-ruling role.
“I have too much already. I run my crew, my clubs, and I have connections in the government. Not to mention, I also have the Stilettos under my power now.”
Not exactly the truth, but it was something I could use to help Ronni. He was contemplating what I was saying, his mouth moving up at the corner in a way that told me I had won him over.
“Veronica is safe,” he said. “We can be called on from time to time, but we are not to be mentioned in any altercation.”
I nodded. “That’s fair.”
We stood up, shaking hands to seal the deal. I was eager to get back to Ebony with the news.
I was almost out the door when I heard him calling my name. Turning around, he was coming toward me.
“You would have made my little girl proud,” he said, putting a hand on my shoulder. “She wanted a better life for you than this, but it seems you’ve come out better than what she could’ve ever imagined.”
I nodded my thanks and left before I overthought what he was saying. It wasn’t exactly the outcome I wanted, but I got there without violence.
That had to be a first.
York looked up suddenly, getting in the car before me.
“Home. I need to see Eb.”
“She’s not at home, she’s at the office.”
I frowned, knowing I’d told her to rest for the afternoon. “I told her not to leave without someone.”
York shrugged. “She doesn’t follow orders well.”