Trench

 

     “She stays. I like this one close,” I said. As soon as the words left my mouth I knew I was going to catch hell from my VP later. It was a reckless move to let Tori be a witness to our meeting. Women weren’t involved with club business for a reason. Mainly, to keep them safe, but also to keep them honest. What they didn’t know couldn’t be leaked to anyone outside the club, voluntarily or otherwise. I knew something the rest of the room did not. Tori was scared before, but now she was armed, in a room full of unfamiliar and threatening faces, and there was no way she was leaving my sight.  

     My declaration had not only caught Clutch and LoJack’s full attention, but Alexei’s as well. He weighed the situation like the trained assassin he was, and not for the first time in the last twenty-four hours, I feared for Tori’s life. Alexei was cool and calculating. He could shake your hand and in the same second gut you like a pig, all the while never missing a beat as he hummed along with the orchestra playing his favorite classical tune in the background. So, I tensed at the way he regarded her now. He was memorizing her features in case she became an issue and deciding whether he’d make me watch. Alexei was a master at spotting weaknesses and the twinkle in his eye told me he thought Tori would be mine.

     I hated that she’d put me in this position and later we would talk about how she’d forced my decision. The Russian mob was not an organization you fucked over and walked away to tell the tale. They would not only kill you, they would make you watch as they cleansed your family line, murdered your friends and acquaintances, all for the express intent to make you suffer the pain of losing everything you loved before taking you last.

     I felt Tori’s body tense as my wandering hands played with the waistband of her tight pants. I should have known better than to leave a loaded weapon in the room with her. I’d been careless and too enamored by her story to think about the loaded pistol in my top drawer. I had to give her credit for bringing it along though. This girl had brass after all. Too bad the minx wouldn’t be keeping it.

     The only reason I feigned ignorance was for the safety of my own club. If I removed the gun from Tori’s waistband now it would create chaos. Alexei would think we were ambushing him with this beautiful stranger and if she panicked and reached for the weapon Clutch would have taken her down before she could fire the first shot. The possible scenarios didn’t exactly paint a pretty picture. I was thankful for one thing. Tori was discreet. She remained quiet and took my stare as silent warning. Her eyes were an open book and I could see the understanding within. Her opinions were not welcome, even if I was allowing her presence for this meeting. I would deal with Clutch and LoJack’s dirty looks later.

     Tori watched me for cues allowing her own mask to shift to one of a dutiful old lady. My better half, to be sure.

     Pandemonium had been exchanging services with Alexei and his Borgata for more than a decade. The man wasn’t so different from me. We were both born into this life. We grew up learning our fathers’ trades. Was it our fault their given trades were weapons and cash?

     Alexei’s father was still alive, but his health had been deteriorating for years. Considering his father’s decreased presence, Alexei ran the show, making all the decisions for his family as the next in line to be Capo, the big boss. There was an unspoken mutual respect between us, something akin to what old friends might share, if we put a label on our relationship beyond business. I didn’t and I imagined Alexei didn’t either. It was dangerous to let people get close to you, for any number of reasons, but most importantly, plausible denial. The less you knew about another man’s personal life, the better. If the man turned out to be a traitor he wouldn’t have as much ammunition to play against you. Your family. Your children. Your business, and ultimately, your money. That was why Alexei found Tori, her presence, so fascinating. She was a weakness and I was sharing valuable information with him by including her. He thought I loved her, trusted her with my world. That made her a prize if I ever fucked up Pandemonium relations with the Russians.

     The Russians were smart and their resources ran deep. The Feds didn’t sniff around for Russian dealings this far south of the Mason Dixon line, since the larger fish tended to work up North. It made Pandemonium the ideal associates. We were considered little fish in a big ocean of criminal activity, allowing us to fly under the radar. In exchange for our ambiguity, my club held financial interests in Alexei’s legitimate businesses around the country. Our money was clean and any audit or investigation to suggest otherwise would be met with solid proof of Pandemonium’s legal stock investments.

     It was rare that Alexei visited our region, and even more rare that a meeting was unscheduled. I had the distinct impression his scheduled meetings often coincided with extracurricular activities that required a solid alibi. In the five years since I took over the club Alexei had never dropped by unannounced. He was a clean operator, almost obsessive compulsive about his calendar and appointments. That meant, if Alexei was changing the way we did business, I was entitled to throwing a curveball too.

     Tori made him uneasy. I could see it in the way he studied her. He wasn’t convinced she was someone to be trusted with sensitive information. Smart man. Pulling rank on my home turf put us on a more level playing field. A fact he didn’t like, but would respect. For now.

     “Ok. She stays,” he conceded reluctantly.

     Tori turned in my arms and rested her ass against the stool between my legs. I could feel the press of the cold metal against her waist and it made me crave her even more. She was a paradox. Sweet, beautiful innocence mixed with a turbulent past that had hardened her resolve. I lived with similar demons. I grabbed my glass from the bar and took another sip of the strong liquor before offering it to her. She might need it, bearing witness to Alexei’s style of business, could unnerve the calmest of men.

     Tori had probably been present for some of her father’s dealings, which gave her an edge on other women in our world. I didn’t have to imagine the ventures the Disciples were involved in. I had reliable sources that confirmed most of my suspicions, though there were always a few hidden talents in any MC. I did, however, feel confident that the Russian mafia was not among the Disciples list of allies.

     “What brings you by, Alexei? I wasn’t expecting you until next week.” I started, rubbing soothing circles underneath Tori’s shirt with my thumb.

     “We have a new product that needs delivery.”

     “Ok. Will I be able to travel light?” I asked in our usual exchange of information. I could typically send two to three men on a run for Alexei, but if the product had changed, the method of transport may have as well.

     “Your current means should suffice. The product is only slightly different, though the quantity is higher than our current arrangement.”

     “That shouldn’t be a problem. How soon do you need the delivery and how far are we talking?”

     “One week, less if possible. The customers are the same, but we have been notified of some possible interference in the area. It seems there is a similar supplier approaching my clients with promises of a quicker delivery window. I want to prove them wrong. There will be a substantial bonus involved if you can accommodate the new deadline.”

     I glanced at Clutch, whose focus had finally shifted from Tori to the business proposition. He nodded to me, a sign that he was on board with the new terms.

     “Consider it done providing the product arrives within the next 48 hours.”

     “Good, my friend. I can always count on you.” Alexei took a casual sip from his glass on the bar. “Now that’s cleared up, I wanted to get your thoughts on something I came across recently.”

     Alexei motioned for one of his men to come forward and Tori tensed in my arms. Her hand gripped my thigh and I covered it with one of my own just to hide the obvious reaction from others in the room. My own mind began spinning reasons for her apprehension at this man. As he approached I noted the tell-tale signs of scars, pockmarks, and a cauliflower ear that spoke of his participation in recent ground fighting. If anything went south, he would be my primary target. He would be the biggest threat if unarmed.

     The heavily built man stepped between Alexei, Tori and I, and placed a small slip of black velvet on the countertop before opening a plastic baggie and dispensing the contents. If he recognized Tori at all, there was no indication given, unlike the woman whose nails currently dug into my leg from his closer proximity. Tiny white pills, not unlike the shape of Xanax or Ecstasy laid before us. I studied the drug for a moment, but didn’t touch. Clutch and LoJack moved in to get a better look while Tori choked out a cough.

     Alexei was a lethal predator, in tune to the slightest changes in an individual’s body language. His line of business made it necessary to read people, uncover their truths and their lies. The way he eyed Tori now, with such curiosity, made me nervous and highly guarded. She covered her mouth with the back of her hand and reached around me for the amber liquid on the bar, taking another sip. I could feel her erratic heartbeat and I knew a surprise was coming.

     “Do you recognize these, angel?” Alexei questioned Tori. “I would be grateful for your insight. You see, Tori, these drugs belong to the people who are trying to steal my business. One of my men came across a buyer who was willing to…share his knowledge with us. Granted, he wasn’t much help,” Alexei took another slow sip of his own drink, never lowering his careful gaze from Tori. “He couldn’t tell us the name of the supplier, but his distributor lives in a town west of Calabash.”

     She leaned closer still and eyed the pill thoughtfully. “Afraid not. They looked like something I saw at a rave once, but that was a few years ago,” she replied coolly. She was lying. I knew it, and judging by the devilish smirk, Alexei wasn’t buying her bullshit answer either. “Ecstasy on steroids. Strong shit. Took a week to clear out of my system, but I had a good time while it lasted.” She gave an overly sweet grin.

     “Interesting. My condolences to the poor bastard whose heart you probably broke after that high wore off,” Alexei relaxed his shoulders. Another morsel to convince his prey that she was relatively safe.

     The lines of his lips curved slightly, a show to make any stranger believe his smile was sincere. Alexei set his tumbler on the bar and picked at a piece of lint on his pant leg, so small it was nearly invisible. When he raised his head to pin Tori with his eyes again, I found myself squeezing her hand reassuringly. Saying with physical contact what I wouldn’t say with words in front of Alexei.

     “Isn’t it lucky then that you found your way to this little town? A beautiful young lady like yourself probably needs protection, doesn’t she? I bet the men line up for a chance to get your name.” Where was he going with this? “I mean, it would be a shame if anything were to happen to you, seeing as Trench has grown so fond in such a short time. I was here barely a month ago and I didn’t have the pleasure of being introduced, which leaves me to assume you’re a shiny new toy.”

     Shit! There it was, Alexei’s keen skill at reading people. Watching him put the pieces together made me painfully aware of the risk I took including her in this meeting. I’d exposed her to a new threat while still working out how to protect her from the current one. I wasn’t prepared for him to convey as much interest in Tori. Fuck me. The smug mafia prince would be sifting through her past before our next get together and that was on me. It was my own fault for dangling her in front of him like a diamond.

     It was her reaction to seeing the drug. She knew more than she wanted to divulge and Alexei’s subsequent inquisition spurred from his constant desire to be in control like a puppet master. I had put him off balance with her presence, but only momentarily. No one escaped Alexei’s attention, and once in his sights you were vulnerable, exposed.

     Clutch and Lo straightened from their relaxed stance by the bar and moved in closer, clearly interpreting Alexei’s hidden threat the same as I had. Alexei had leverage against me with Tori and he was declaring this knowledge without making waves.

     I leaned in next to Tori’s ear and whispered, “be a good girl and hang out in the kitchen with Jinx until I’m done here.”

     Tori looked over her shoulder to me, but didn’t argue. She nodded her understanding and began to walk toward the kitchen. Alexei raised his hand, signaling one of his men in the background as his eyes tracked Tori’s movement. Alexei’s man moved to block her exit. Tori tried to shift around him, but the man reached out, his two beefy hands gripping her upper arms with more pressure than necessary.

     My feet hit the floor nearly as hard as the stool that fell over. He met my glare with a knowing smile. Alexei’s second man moved closer, his hand covering the butt of his gun on his waist. I didn’t have to look back to know Clutch and LoJack’s weapons were trained on the two men flanking Alexei.

     “That’s not how we do business, Alexei. You don’t come into my house and threaten what’s mine.”

     “I’m sorry, old friend. I had to be sure,” he replied casually and finished his vodka in one large swig before standing up and smoothing the front of his suit jacket and pristine silk tie.

     “Sure, of what? That I would hate to kill you, but if you threaten her again, I just might.”

     Alexei laughed. “Can’t say that I blame you, Trench, but yes, I had to be sure she meant as much to you as you wanted me to believe. Now, I know she does.”

     “And what happens now that you know, old friend?”

     “She lives.” His amusement died out as quickly as it came, matched only in intensity by his cold glare. “If she tells me where she’s seen the pills before.”

     “First, you tell your trained dog to take his filthy paws off her before I remove his grip one fucking finger at a time and if he left any marks, I will be returning the sentiment before he walks out of here.”

     To the man’s credit, he never removed his hands until Alexei gave him the nod, but I fully intended to follow through with my promise if there was so much as a red mark on her bare skin.

     “I never took you for the type to settle down, but it will do wonders for your reputation.” He smiled in Tori’s direction as the man released her and she came to stand beside me. “Now Angel, do us all a favor and spare the further dramatics. Where have you seen these before?” Alexei gestured towards the white pills.

     Tori’s shoulders sagged in defeat as she took in a steadying breath and answered.

     “The last time I saw one, they were strictly experimental. The street name is ‘Crush’.”

     “And how would you have come across such an experiment?”

     “Because I was one of their test subjects.” My hands fisted by my side as adrenaline coursed through my veins. “The Disciples MC came up with the recipe, but I’m not sure where they’re being manufactured.”

     “You came to Trench from the Disciples?” It was Alexei’s turn to look surprised as his eyebrows rose and his gaze shifted from Tori to me in question.

     “She ran away from the Disciples. She was a prisoner, not a voluntary participant, Alexei.”

     “I see. How long ago did the Disciples begin these…experiments?”

     “I couldn’t say exactly, but in the last three years, I’ve tested them at least fifty times. Twice, Crush nearly killed me.”

     “And the other times?”

     “I was -,” she began, but I could see the humiliation on her face, hear the fear in her voice as she tried to recount the memories. Alexei had taken this line of questioning too far.

     “That’s enough, Tori. Grab something to eat and wait for me in the kitchen. Lo, see that she gets there without interference.”

     Lo smirked as he approached the big man who cornered Tori earlier, making a show of bumping his shoulder into the Russian as Tori passed without issue this time. The man sneered at his disappearing back, but it made no difference.

     “Seems like we have a mutual problem.” Alexei folded the pills neatly into the black velvet before handing the material to his second man. “What can you tell me about their MC?”

     “Only that we have nothing in common.”

     “You will tell me if you make a move against them, yes? Consider it extending a professional courtesy.”

     “That depends.”

     “On?”

     “Whether we can depend on you for support in numbers.”

     “Of course. Let me know when and where and the arrangements will be made.” I nodded to Alexei. I’d never been so eager to see him leave. “Demitre will leave you with the details on our earlier discussion. As soon as delivery is made, I’ll arrange payment through our usual methods.” Alexei straightened his suit coat and ran his fingers along the lines of his silk tie, everything in perfect order. He leaned forward placing one hand heavily on my shoulder, close enough that only I could hear his next words. “Keep that one close. I suspect she'll attract predators even bigger than me.”

     To that I laughed. “As if that were possible.” Alexei shrugged indifference and grinned.

     Demitre was already settling the details for our additional run with Clutch while I escorted Alexei and his larger shadow to the door.

     “Next time, call before you stop by.” I chuckled, slapping Alexei on the shoulder before I made my way back inside.

***

     The door had barely closed behind Demitre when LoJack reentered the room and Clutch chimed in with his opinion. Truth be told, I was proud of him for holding back as long as he had. He must have concluded that I had my hands full enough with Tori without his added comments.

     “The fuck was that, Trench? Are we letting bitches into our meetings now? Should I round up the girls and invite them to church for fucking tea?”

     “Watch it, Clutch,” I growled in his direction. I was prepared for his protests and I’d planned to let him have his say, but I wouldn’t be disrespected in the process.

     “No, you watch it, brother. You met this girl yesterday, fucking yesterday, and she just sat in on a meeting with Alexei. The fucking mafia prince. The heir to the Capo’s throne, and our biggest client.”

     “I had my reasons.” I was not about to tell him one of those reasons was locked and loaded in the next room. A thought that made me uneasy and ready to move this shit fest along a little quicker.

     “You had your reasons?” Clutch mocked. “Well fuck if I don’t want to hear this. Mind sharing with the group?”

     “As soon as I talk to Tori.” I answered, starting for the kitchen door, but Clutch’s hand on my arm stopped me. “I’d advise you to move your hand, brother.”

     “Or what? You’ll beat the shit out of me, like Stryker and Deuce? Over her?” He challenged and I turned to face him. “I’m not even sure you know where your allegiances lie when she’s around.”

     “What did you say?”

     My fist was ready to do exactly what he said and I was equal parts angry with him and myself because he was right. I was attacking anyone that threatened this woman and I barely knew her. When it was Pops defending Sasha, I was in the same position as Clutch, confused and angry. Now, the tables were turned and it was me standing behind a woman who was more harm than good for my club and asking my brothers to trust me and do the same. Fuck me, if I didn’t hear Pops laughing in my head, saying ‘I told you, son.’

     “All right, I think the two of you need a time-out or some shit. My head is starting to hurt. No one likes it when Mom and Dad fight.” Lo grunted as he grabbed the open bottle of Vodka from the countertop and took a big swig.

     “The old bastard’s right.” I relaxed my fists and turned my attention to LoJack instead.

     “Who are you calling old?”

     “He’s talking to you because he sure as hell isn’t talking about me,” Clutch joined in, but his expression told me our conversation wasn’t over. “Look, brother. I get that you feel like your Pops’ debt is yours now, but you need to keep in mind how helping her is going to affect the rest of us.”

     “I am.”

     “Alright then, let’s find out what else she knows about the drugs the Disciples are spinning.”

     “Not today, brother. Give me some time alone with her. I’ll get answers.”

     The last thing I wanted was to have the Russians go in before us, guns blazing and fuck it all with questions and collateral damage. Aaron and Preacher were mine to destroy.