by Blue Remy
“You alright, Reb? You down with the plan?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m good. I appreciate you putting so much faith in me; I don’t want to let you down.” His face is a mask of concern, but I’m not worried. Reb has always been a loyal soldier – apart from his unhealthy obsession with my woman – I trust him completely.
I offer him a smile. “Brother, I hand-picked you. You know what I need you to do. Keep to the plan, Reb, and everything will work out.”
He finishes his beer, and then we hear shouts coming from the bar.
“Guess the Brothers have arrived.” I lightly punch his arm. “You packed?”
“Yeah, Prez.”
“Good, you’ll leave first thing tomorrow. Now, be the soldier I need you to be, and lets go welcome our Vegas Brothers.” I pin him with a look, he squares his shoulders, and follows me to the bar.
***
Standing at the bar are two of the sorriest looking Savage Angels members I have seen in a long time, covered in dust and grit, they’re smiling at Bear as they drink from their beer bottles.
“Anyone would think you two have been riding for fucking days!” I bellow at them.
Both heads snap in my direction, the man closest to me, Cooper, walks toward me holding out his hand.
“Dane, good to see you again, man.”
I grasp his hand and we shake. “You too, Coop. It’s been too long. Thank you for coming all this way.” I turn around and see Rebel behind me. “This is Rebel, he’s the man you’ve come to escort back to Vegas.”
Rebel extends his hand. “Nice to meet you, Brother.”
They shake. “Same.” Coop gestures over his shoulder. “That sorry piece of crap is Cage.”
Cage does a chin lift, takes a sip of beer, and heads in our direction. “Good to meet you all.”
“You look like you could use a shower and a meal, showers are down the hall, go get cleaned up and we’ll talk then.” Both men nod at me.
“Thanks, man.” Cooper walks back to the bar, picks up two bags and tosses one at Cage. “We’ll come find you when we’re done.”
Rebel walks with them down the hall, pointing to the room they’re staying in.
I walk back to the bar and look at Bear. “You met them before, big fella?”
“Yeah, Dane. They are loyal to the MC, both been in for years, but you probably knew that.”
“Yeah, King, hand-picked them, but it’s always good to get your opinion, Bear. We’re going into unchartered territory for the MC, and if it all works out the way it’s supposed to, we’ll all be set for a very long fucking time.”
***
Hours later, Cage, Cooper, Rebel, Dirt, Jonas and myself are sitting around the big table in our meeting room. Everyone’s been fed and we all have a drink in front of us.
“Brothers, thank you for coming. You are here to escort Rebel back to Vegas, but what you don’t know, is that we are going into the casino business.” Cage whistles, Cooper grins and nods. “We will be silent – as in very fucking silent partners – the Abruzzi family will be our front men for this endeavour. They, of course, will get a sizeable cut, as will your Chapter, but most of the profits will come back here to Tourmaline, for future developments.”
“Does Kingston know?” asks Cage.
“Yes, I wouldn’t even think about doing this without fucking talking to him first. It’s on his turf, but your Chapter doesn’t have the money to front it, we do.”
Silence fills the room as Cage and Cooper exchange looks. Slowly both of them turn to look at me, but before they can ask a question there’s a knock on the door.
“Yes?” I say.
The door slowly opens, and a child’s face peers into the room. “Uncle Dane?”
I immediately rise, stalk to the door and scoop Vincent, my sisters’ son, into my arms. “Vincent!” I throw him up in the air. “What are you doing here?”
His laughter fills the room, and when I look around the table, some looks are bemused and some are shocked at my show of affection. I don’t care.
“Daddy went to the bathroom, and left me with Uncle Tony who’s talking to a lady.”
“Is that right?” He nods his head at me, and the mass of curls on top of it jiggle everywhere. “Hmm, so what should I do with you then?”
“Chocolate!” yells Vincent.
The Brothers in the meeting room laugh. “You expect me to give you chocolate?”
“Yes! I need it Uncle Dane!” Vincent pleads.
“Vincent, how are you little man!” yells Bear from the bar.
“Chocolate!” Vincent replies.
Bear’s laughter rumbles around the room, he reaches under the bar and produces a chocolate bar, holding it up for Vincent to see. Vincent wriggles out of my arms and runs toward Bear. When he gets to him, Bear bends down and picks him up, keeping the chocolate out of arms reach.
“You gonna be good for Unclie Bear?” Vincent nods vigorously, trying to grab the bar. “Promise?”
“Yes! Unclie Bear, yes!” yells Vincent, laughter bubbling up out of him.
“Okay then!” He hands Vincent the bar. “Now we are going to go for a walk to Betties Café where I am going to buy you –” He pauses for dramatic affect. “Ice cream!”
“One scoop, Bear!” Sal yells – as he emerges from the bathroom – when Bear takes Vincent out of the Clubhouse.
Bear chuckles and keeps going. Sal places his hands on his hips and turns to face me with a questioning look on his face.
“He’ll protect him with his life, but when he returns, you’ll have a child high on sugar. It’s a fair trade,” I smirk.
For a moment he drops my gaze and looks at the floor, then he says, “Let’s get this shit done.”
I extend my arm toward the meeting room. “After you.”
He makes a dismissive noise and opens the door. Conversation in the room ceases immediately. I take my seat at the head of the table, and Sal makes himself comfortable next to Rebel, slapping him on the back as he sits down.
He nods at each of the men. “Gentlemen, for those of you that don’t know me I am –“
“Salvatore Agostino, Captain in the Abruzzi family, rumored to be the new enforcer and future head of the family,” replies Cooper.
A smirk spreads across Sal’s face as he leans back in the chair, and folds his arms. “Yes about my name, the rest is up for debate. And you are?”
“I’m Cooper, and this is Cage, we were sent by King to escort Rebel back to Vegas, and see he arrives safely.”
Sal places his arms on the table, and leans forward. “The Savage Angels are about to expand their business dealings into Vegas. The Abruzzi Family are going to be the public figure while you all stay in the shadows. Gentlemen, you are about to go into the casino business.”
Cooper and Cage exchange a glance, and then look at me.
“Why do you need Rebel in Vegas, why not yourself?” asks Cage.
“My face is in every fucking newspaper, magazine, hell, it’s even on Facebook since I married Kat. We’re supposed to be silent partners in this. Rebel doesn’t have a public face, and he’ll be representing me in this deal. I need you to keep him safe, show him around town, and get this deal done before anyone is the wiser.” I pin each of them with a look.
“We’ll leave tomorrow,” says Cage in a serious tone, then he looks at Rebel. “Don’t worry, Reb, we’ll get you there safe and sound with a bow on top.” Then he blows him a kiss.
The room erupts into laughter, and Rebels says, “Fuck you, Brother.”
“Well if you want us to, that can be arranged,” chuckles Cooper.
“Alright, alright, that’s enough. This deal is going to be good for all of us. The Brothers that don’t have a criminal record can get work at the casino, and if we need to launder any money, the casino is perfect. Most of all – if managed correctly – she’ll be a cash cow.”
There are whistles and nods around the table, and Sal stands. “I will fly into Vegas to begin the negotiations
, we don’t want to upset the locals. You three will ride in, good luck, and happy travels, I’ll meet you when you get there.”
With that, he leaves the room, and once again, only MC remain.
I push out my chair and stand. “Listen to Sal, we can trust him, and I do with my life. This deal needs to happen quickly, and quietly. I know that you will do me proud. Now, let’s get another drink, and an early night so you can head off at dawn.”
Chapter four
Salvatore Agostino
Captain in the Abruzzi Family
Vegas is hot, even in the early evening. I watch as the three MC members arrive on their Harley’s, all of them are smiling, but I find little to smile about. This deal isn’t going as smoothly as I’d hoped. The local casino owners – most of whom are affiliated with a criminal organization – aren’t happy with me. They think the Abruzzi family is trying to muscle in, we already own a casino in Vegas, and another one would give us an advantage.
A sigh escapes me as I try and see a way through the mess. Rebel sees me sitting in my SUV and gives me a chin lift, I open the door.
“Yo! Sal!” yells a very relaxed looking Rebel.
I raise a hand and walk toward him; he meets me in the middle of the road.
“How was the ride out?”
“It’s been good man, really good.” He stands back and looks me up and down. “You look stressed, Sal, more than normal.”
He’s always been intuitive, but I’m surprised he can read me so well.
“We need to go somewhere and talk. Are you hungry? I know a good Italian place.”
“Sounds good. I just need to check-in with King and the Chapter here. Text me the address and I’ll meet you there.”
I nod and return to my car. I watch as he goes back to the other two, and they exchange playful blows. There is much to like with the Savage Angels MC, but sometimes it feels like I am dealing with pure brawn and no brain. Then I cross wits with Dane, and I know why they are as successful as they are. He once told me that there are many soldiers within his organization, all loyal, and his job is to rule them with an iron fist, and guide them in the right direction.
His job is not an easy one, like my family, some of their members are stuck in the old ways with guns, drugs and whores. It’s easy money, but the risks are no longer worth it. The police are only getting smarter and more inventive, we need to outwit them, and move in a different direction.
I pull my phone from my breast pocket and text the address to Rebel, then start my car, and head toward the restaurant.
***
The owner of the restaurant knows who I am, as soon as he sees me, he orders one of his waiters to find me a table.
“Mr. Agostino! Welcome back! Is it just you this evening? Or are you bringing your lovely wife?”
“Mario, how many times do I have to ask you to call me Sal? And no, my lovely wife is at home with our children, but tonight I am not dining alone.” His eyebrows go up, he smiles, and guides me toward a table. “I will be dining with a business associate, Mario, nothing more. He is probably not your usual clientele, but I know you will make him feel welcome.”
“Of course, of course! Now, can we get you anything?” asks Mario.
“Hmm, my dinner guest is more of a meat and potatoes kind of man, perhaps you could bring him something? And I’ll have my usual, with a bottle of your best red, but my dining companion will have a beer.”
Mario scoffs. “A beer?” I nod. “Very well, shall I get it now?”
“Yes please, Mario.”
He walks away shaking his head, and I take a seat at the table, my back to the wall, facing the entrance. I have no reason to think my life is in danger, no one would want to start a war with my family, but you can never be too careful.
I survey the room, and my eyes land on an attractive blonde woman sitting a few tables away. She smiles seductively at me, and I hold up my wedding ring, she shrugs and throws her hair over her shoulder, and licks her lips. I shake my head at her, and continue my surveillance of the room. There are no threats.
Mario returns with my wine, and places a beer opposite me. I nod at him, and take a sip; it’s divine, like silk. The taste of it makes me think about my wife, Emily, she always picks out a good bottle of red to have with dinner. I miss her and my children. I left Vincent in Tourmaline with Dane and Kat. I know he will be safe there, if he were here, I would be constantly worrying. I look at my glass and realize I have finished my wine.
“Sir.” I look up at a waiter. “May I?”
I place my glass on the table and nod, he refills it, and moves away. The blonde sits down opposite me.
“Hello, handsome, looking for some company?” She’s on the other side of thirty, and wearing way too much makeup. Judging by her comment to me, she’s a working girl.
“I am so sorry Mr. Agostino! I will remove her at once. Please, accept my apologies.” Mario grabs her by the arm and pulls her up from the seat, they exchange heated whispers, but she is removed.
Rebel enters the restaurant, as Mario gets to the door with the woman. He’s dressed in his colors, and I watch as Mario looks him up and down. I stand and wave at Rebel, Mario’s mouth falls open, and Rebel makes his way to my table.
I grasp his outstretched hand. “Glad you found it, my friend.”
“Sorry I took so long, club business. Have you ordered?” asks Rebel
“I hope you don’t mind, I ordered for both of us.” I point at the beer on the table. “Drink?”
He sits, and picks up the beer taking a long swig. “Much better. Is it safe to talk here?”
“Yes, it’s one of the reasons I chose it. The owner, Mario, is sympathetic to the various business dealings that go on within his establishment, and sweeps for bugs three times a day.”
Rebel smiles at me, and takes another sip of his beer. The waiter arrives with our meals, placing them on the table. For a while we eat in silence, both of us enjoying the meal.
Finally I say, “We have a small problem with one of the local families. They believe that my family is trying to muscle in on their business.”
“Have you tried talking to them?”
“Yes, they don’t believe me, and I can’t tell them that it’s really the Savage Angels who are buying the casino,” I say with no small amount of aggravation.
“Sorry, Sal, what can I do to help?” asks Rebel.
“I would like an introduction to the Savage Angels Chapter here, can you arrange it?”
“Yeah, man, how does tomorrow sound?”
“Good, thank you. How’s the meal?” I ask.
“Best thing I’ve eaten in a week. You are paying, yeah?” A smile spreads across his scruffy face.
“It would be my pleasure, Rebel. What time tomorrow?”
“I’ll text you.”
Chapter five
Salvatore Agostino
Captain in the Abruzzi Family
The Vegas Chapter Clubhouse is not as nice as the Tourmaline one. This, like so many other establishments in Las Vegas, is trying to be something it’s not. They’ve tried to make it a little up market, but in the light of day it looks gaudy and out of place. Tourmaline has wooden floors and a comfortable – almost cozy – feel, but this Clubhouse has a tacky multi-colored carpet, that at night looks fine, but in the daylight is disgusting. It’s all chrome and glitz, not what one would expect from an MC, but it is Vegas.
I wait at the bar as a scantily clad female flirts with me, and offers me drinks. I’m sure – like everything else in here – she’s probably for sale. A quick glance around the room, and I can see this is more of a stripper joint than a Clubhouse, judging by the poles on the stage. It’s early, so the place only has Savage Angels members, the odd woman, and myself. To say that I stand out in my Armani suit would be an understatement.
“Hey, Sal, King is just taking care of business in the back, he won’t be long,” says Rebel as he comes up to stand next to me.
“Good. What do
you think of this place?” I say as I gesture around the room.
“It’s Vegas, baby. What were you expecting? Everyone relies on the tourist trade,” he replies as he smirks at me.
“Indeed. How well do you know King?”
“Not well, Brother, and he’s no Dane, but his boys seem to like him. He knows why you’re here, he doesn’t understand why we’re expanding though, but he’s old school. When the money starts coming in, he’ll like it well enough.”
“Will he be a problem for us?” I ask.
“Guess we’ll see.” He nods his head toward the back of the Clubhouse. Coming near us is a six foot six man, who has an air of authority about him.
He strides right up to us and extends his hand. “Name’s Kingston – King – welcome to Las Vegas.” His voice is deep, and he looks to be about thirty.
I grasp his hand and shake it. “Salvatore Agostino. Is there somewhere private we could talk?”
“Follow me.”
He turns and walks back in the direction he came from, with Rebel and I close behind. We go through a door, and the décor back here is vastly different to the front house. No glitz, no glamor, just a comfortable, manly space.
King looks me up and down. “What? Were you expecting the crap that we have out the front for the tourists back here? After Dane married Kat, the Savage Angels became a household name, we decided that the Clubhouse should be more tourist friendly, but they don’t get to come back here. Back here is ours, and not for outsiders. And you, Brother, are no outsider.”
It’s high praise coming from this man. He doesn’t know me, and yet he has welcomed me into his home.
“Thank you, King. Can I speak frankly?” I ask.
“Not yet. My most loyal and senior members are waiting for us in the meeting room.” He points at a door. “Let’s get this fucking party started.”
He opens the door and walks through, sitting around a very large square table are six members of the Vegas Chapter. All look to be no older than thirty-five, which surprises me, even in the Tourmaline Chapter, some of the senior members are forty and over.
