* * *

I sat back in my chair as if giving it some thought but I really wasn’t interested. A year ago I would’ve been more sympathetic, but even then it wasn’t my problem. The thing is, if they fucked up, their shit might splash back on me and I didn’t want that. It’s the only reason I was even here entertaining their bullshit.

“If you’re all agreed then you’re gonna have to get all the way out in your individual territories. That’s the only way we can do business with each other in the future. It’s not easy but it can be done. To do this you’re gonna have to get rid of all these new factions that keep cropping up. I’ve already cleaned up my backyard, you’ll have to do the same.” I knew they weren’t ready for that shit. As soon as the Feds eased up on their shit they’d be back to their fuckery.

I let them throw around ideas, putting in my two cents where it was needed, but with the knowledge that it was an exercise in futility. I knew every man in the room, knew more than they knew I knew. Poppy had made sure I learned all their weaknesses and their strengths years ago.

The ones I’d taken out were the ones who posed the greatest threat to me and mine, they’re gonna have to do the same. But they’re gonna have to do that shit without me just like I’d done my shit on my own. I was starting to get hot under the collar at the reminder but kept my cool as they started to wind down. “We done?” They don’t need me here for this shit.

“Who’s this new guy you got going around offing people with a bow and arrow? Didn’t know you were into archery Flanagan.” There was a round of laughter around the table at Scarletti and his shit. I didn’t change my facial expression, didn’t even blink. When they realized there was no answer forthcoming they took one look at my face and got smart real fucking quick.

I got up and left with the understanding that they weren’t to call my ass again unless it was some sort of emergency that impacted my life in some way. It’s not like we were friends or some shit. I knew part of the problem was that I had done away with shit they would’ve loved to get their hands on. But once I’d made the decision to get out, I’d decided to eliminate all the illegal activity in my territory. If I’m not running that shit why the fuck would I want some other less qualified asshole doing it?

I’d made everything legal that I could and given poppy’s partners their cut, but the shit that I started on my own had nothing to do with them. I’m done. The next time they call me I’d know it meant war and there won’t be any congenial meets.

* * *

Back at the house Mouth still wasn’t back and the twins were loitering around outside ma’s house looking like their asses were lost. I had Mikey pull into my parents’ driveway instead of mine and went to see what the hell she was up to now. “Where is she?”

“In there.” Alec pointed towards the house where I could hear the women cackling. His face looked like he’d sucked on a lemon or some shit. “Fuck’s wrong with you two?” I looked from one to the other of them and saw that they’d both picked up her annoying ass habit of rolling their eyes. Zane looked at me like he wanted out; shit was funny as hell. What the hell could she get up to over here?

“They’re planning the bachelorette party in there.”

“And?”

“Look, you hired us to ride herd on your woman you didn’t say nothing about stripping.” What the fuck! I looked towards the French doors that led into the kitchen where I could see ma, holding court.

“What’re you talking about?” They mumbled some shit under their breath and I pulled the door to go see what my nut was cooking up to make my ass crazy this time.

“What did you do to those two?” I kissed her before kissing ma’s cheek. They had all kinds of shit spread out on the kitchen island like they were having another one of ma’s planning parties.

“Nothing, we just asked them if they wanted to take part in the party since they’re gonna be there on my ass anyway.” She gave me a look like her demented shit was my fault. “What’s this about strippers? You have strippers I’m having strippers too.” Like fuck! I’ll probably be staked out outside her party anyway.

“I hope that bitch can duck quick whoever she is.” Yeah, that’s not a double standard or anything. “Where’s this party going to be anyway?” I don’t see why we couldn’t just tie the knot without all this extra shit mucking up the works.

“We’re thinking of using the club but Pia wants to go check it out one more time to see if it fits.”

Good, if it’s at my place I can control shit and make sure she doesn’t get into trouble.

“How many people you inviting to this shit anyway?”

“Shane, I’m not going to ask you to watch your language again.” I guess she didn’t hear Mouth lighting into me with her shit. Women! I left when they started trying to draw me into their party planning shit. I stopped at the door and turned back to them. “I have our first song picked out for the reception so don’t mess with that.”

I felt like an ass saying that shit and the looks on their faces only made me feel like more of a bitch. At least Mouth had that dreamy look on her face and was no longer skewering imaginary strippers to the wall with her little toy in her head. Murdering fuck!

“Shane, come back here.”

“Gotta go ma.” My two shadows fell in line behind me after making kissy faces at their wives and the twins tried following. “The fuck you two going?”

“Come on Shane, she’s not going anywhere. They keep giving us looks and giggling behind their hands and shit. Who knows what they’re planning in there.”

“Not my problem she leaves here without you two on her ass again they’ll be fishing your asses outta the deep.” Damn, what the fuck am I getting myself into? If these two were running scared, the Mouth would have me on my toes for the rest of my fucking life.

“Look, you two might as well get used to this shit because you’re not going anywhere no time soon.” I’d hired them on a temporary basis but even with her giving them the slip the day before I was thinking that shit might have to be more permanent. I can’t have eyes on her twenty-four seven so I was gonna need all the help I could get.

They didn’t seem too put off by the idea for all their griping and I’m fucked if I’m gonna train another team to deal with her shit. I wouldn’t have time for anything else if I did. Tony and Mikey headed for the fridge and leftover pie while I contemplated the meeting I’d just left.

I didn’t pick up the vibe that anyone there knew whom she was or that she was mine. If I can keep it that way, until after the wedding, that would be great. That got me to thinking about just exactly where poppy and his two cohorts were this very minute and what the hell they were up to.

All this thinking shit was making me tired. I hope that’s not Mouth’s hormone shit affecting me. I’m already getting queasy some mornings when her morning sickness is especially bad. I rested my head back against the hair in my home office and closed my eyes.

Since Mouth had taken care of the congressman I had nothing else on my murder wall. Unless something popped off from today, which I see no reason for it to, then once we come back from seeing this Tommy guy who’d murdered her mom, we should have some peace and quiet. That’s if some unsuspecting soul don’t cut Mouth off in traffic and she gets after them with her toy.

With her out of the way I had time to get some things together for our trip to Chi-town. I had to make sure that nothing could be traced back to us to avoid any retaliation from the families there or we’d never get out of the life.

I wasn’t planning on taking anyone but her team and mine and a few extras. The least amount of people who knew about this shit the better. Not that it’s ever a good idea to share this kinda shit around. I wasn’t telling poppy shit because he’d tell the other two and I didn’t need them making this shit harder than it needed to be.

I understand her old man might feel it was his to do but I think at this point he knows just as I do that it means more to her. She needs to vanquish this asshole from her life, and for her, this is the only way.