Pity she couldn’t get closer to one of them, might make a good weapon.
She sat down across from him and he handed her a mint julep, which she sniffed experimentally. She’d never developed a taste for the cocktail even though it was a staple at get-togethers in the south. It consisted of bourbon, fresh mint, sugar, and crushed ice. She thought they were a waste of good bourbon. They tasted like alcoholic gum, but she took a generous sip from the glass anyway. Southern hospitality could be a real pain in the ass sometimes.
“Let’s discuss our business venture.”
She took a deep breath to steel her nerves and let him have it. Men like Beauregard respected strength. “Not to state the obvious, but your crazy is hangin’ out all over the place.”
He tilted his head to the side, studying her. “I think you mean tenacity.”
“We don’t have an arrangement. You made an offer and I turned you down. I don’t want to work with you. I can’t be any clearer. No means no.”
He gave her an audacious smile. “I’ve always operated under the assumption that a no can be turned into a maybe. And a maybe is only a nudge from a yes. You’ll reconsider,” he murmured, meeting her gaze. “Tonight.”
“I take my domestic violence analogy back, apparently you have a date rapist philosophy when it comes to mergers and acquisitions.”
“Now, now, don’t get tetchy.”
She drained her glass and slapped it on the small table next to her. She could feel her ire building. Right now, she wanted to pull a Ryker and Louisville Slugger some baseball-sized cracks in the back of Beauregard’s thick skull.
“You can shove your offer where the sun don’t shine, kid.”
His features remained smooth, not betraying any trace of anger. But his eyes nearly melted her, they were filled with hot fury. “No one speaks to me that way.”
“Oh yeah?”
“And there’s a reason they don’t,” he whispered. He got closer, voice lowering to a threatening purr. “For your sake, pray you never find out.”
Okay, so the nasty approach wasn’t working. Time to switch tactics. In fact, it might lead to that torture thing. She tried to let him down easy instead.
“Look, I appreciate the proposal, but I can’t go into business with you. And as for the MC? They don’t want to be mixed up with the Dixie mafia. After what went down in the eighties, we tried our best to steer clear of anything RICO-related.”
“I don’t intend to get caught.”
She raised a brow. “How many people intend to get caught?”
“You gotta point there. But the bottom line is, I need some muscle and your MC fits the bill. It would be a profitable arrangement for us both. I’m even willing to help you neutralize the Raptors. What more could you possibly ask for?”
She shouldn’t be hashing this thing out anyway. It wasn’t her place. “I’m having a case of déjà vu over here. Talk with Captain. He’s the president. I’m only an old lady. I don’t even have a vote.”
“You’re a hell of a lot more than that.” He cocked his head to the side, studying her. “Do you know why I came to you with the deal in the first place?”
“You think I’m a weak link?”
He shook his head. “Hardly. I chose you because you’re strong. You get things done and you’ll make this happen. You’re the fulcrum of your little organization.”
“Come again?”
“The fulcrum…the heart of it. Those biker boys adore you. I see them surrounding you in town, seeking your advice, your praise. You saved the Horsemen from disaster, built small businesses, pulled them back from the brink. They think of you as their savior. Why, even the president has fallen head over heels for you.”
Shit. He sure as hell didn’t run a sloppy organization. He’d done some homework. She side-stepped the Captain issue. “I wouldn’t say that, exactly. I couldn’t have done it without the help and support of others.”
Byron chuckled. “What a charming little speech, but we both know better.” He steepled his fingers and watched her. Tell me something, Eddie, while we’re on the topic of your choices. Why haven’t you remarried?”
That was way over the line.
“None of your damn business,” she snapped.
“But it is. If we’re going to be partners, we should get to know one another. The Horsemen are such a tight-knit family, I’m simply tryin’ to fit in. If you talk to me a bit, you might find you like me.”
“And then I’ll toddle off afterwards and do you bidding because we had a touching heart-to-heart? Convince Captain to make a deal with the devil?” She glowered at him. “You can save the bullshit. We’re never going to be partners.”
“Never say never.”
She ran a palm down her face, trying to come up with some sort of plan to get herself out of this mess.
“Come on then. Answer the question.” He withdrew an elegant black box from the inner pocket of his jacket, and pulled out a cigarette. “Care for one?”
She recognized the brand, Insignia. They were imported from India and, of course, pricey. Only the best for those bastard Beauregards.
She bet Byron thought the sun came up just to hear him crow.
Eddie nodded. It would occupy her mouth so she wouldn’t blurt out anything reckless, and let her stall for time.
He placed two cigarettes in his mouth and lit them both, before passing one to her. She took a drag and inhaled deeply, letting the smoke fill her lungs. Then blew it out in a long stream, before sitting back in her chair. She’d been expecting the hard sell, but this was so much worse.
“You’re a beautiful woman. Your husband died in the nineties, yeah?”
She didn’t answer.
“Why haven’t you remarried? I’m sure you must have had offers.”
“Not really.”
Most of the townies were suspicious of the MC and the club. All of the bikers around her age were in federal prison or the graveyard. Other than a couple of disastrous first dates? There’d been a big dating desert. And moving away from Hell to find another man, another life hadn’t been an option. She wanted her boys to grow up in the club, change it for the better, and they had.
He didn’t seem to be buying it. “The president is in love with you.”
That was dangerous information. It made her a bargaining chip and Byron could use her to manipulate Captain. “We’re friends.”
Then, she turned the tables on him.
“And what about you?” she countered. “You’re in your thirties, settled in your, er, career, and successful. Why haven’t you gotten married?”
He took a pull on his cigarette. “Love is a trap. It brings out the worst in people. Makes you possessive, jealous. Stupid.”
She supposed she would feel that way, too, if her father had killed her mother in a resentful rage. “Sure, love can bring you pain, believe me, I’ve experienced the downside first hand, but love is roller coaster. It has ups and downs. The highs are wonderful, and the lows are horrible.”
“Then why do it? If it’ll be terrible sometimes?” He cocked his head to the side, and she got the sense it was a sincere question.
“The lows are the price of admission. It’s worth it in the end, because the ride can take you somewhere amazing.”
While her love story with Joker had ended in tragedy, she’d gotten two wonderful kids out of it, as well as a supportive group of family and friends. It’d been worth all the sorrow.
“I can’t believe you, of all people, can say that,” he said softly.
Eddie frowned. “Me of all people? Why did you phrase it that way? Because Joker ended up in jail?”
He just shrugged.
“You can’t predict the future. You have to handle what life throws at you, but I don’t regret one day, not one second. I spent with him.”
He blinked. “You don’t?”
“No, why are you staring at me like that?”
“It doesn’t matter. I guess what I’m saying is, I d
on’t have time for any of that, good or bad. It distracts from what really matters.”
She’d never heard anything so ridiculous in her life. “And what really matters?”
He ticked them off on his fingers. “Profit, power, position...”
“Oh, good Lord, you aren’t serious, are you? You sound like a motivational speaker.”
He laughed. “I’m practical. I went to business school while I pursued my other…vocation.”
That’s a nice way of saying killing people.
“My father was more of a thug than a businessman, though he listened to financial advisors when it came to investments. I’m more level-headed.”
“So, you intend to make your family even wealthier.”
“Exactly.” He spread his arms wide, resting them on the chair arms, like fucking lord of the manor or something. “Under my guidance, we could become billionaires. And you’re a part of my plan. What do you think?”
Oh, so they’d circled around to his proposal again. “I think your spiel sounds like a prequel to A Christmas Carol, Scrooge.”
Beauregard laughed. “I have to admire your spirit, if nothing else. It’s a generous offer. Ten percent of the returns, plus the price of your recipes, say a half a million. That is a tidy profit. Plus, there’ll be many more opportunities for the club to earn with me. Jobs for everyone. What do you say?”
“Nope,” she said, lifting her chin and locking eyes with him. “But thank you for the hospitality.” Eddie stood up and he did, too. Byron was taller, and she only came up to his shoulder.
“I like you, despite myself. I wish you’d listen to reason,” he said with a frown. “The next time we have this conversation, I’ll have to do something unpleasant.”
Eddie sucked in a breath. The Dixie mafia was infamous for extreme measures. That could mean anything. The aforementioned torture, a kidnapping, a bombing, murder. In general, all kinds of mayhem.
But she refused to back down and she didn’t show him her fear. “No matter what you do to me, I won’t help you.”
“Now, who said I’d hurt you? I know you think I’m a monster, but I don’t hurt women.” he said stiffly. He seemed offended by the very notion.
“You don’t?” Eddie stared at him, open-mouthed. Who knew? He had a twisted moral code of his own.
He gave her a conspiratorial wink. “Especially, when you have so many family members and friends to choose from.”
At the mention of her boys, Eddie saw red. “Leave them the hell alone and deal with me.”
“I knew it!” he said triumphantly. “I could torture you ‘til the cows come home and you wouldn’t break, would you?”
They had a stare down.
She had a steel spine and it had been tested in the past. She’d gone through countless interrogations with the feds and they’d leaned on her hard, but she hadn’t broken. Not to mention, several run-ins with rival clubs.
“You know, you almost restore my faith in women. You care more about them, than you do yourself.”
“Of course I do.”
“That’s why I have to hurt someone you love and not you. Can’t you see those ties make you weak, vulnerable?” He shook his head, as though he pitied her or something.
Fuck him and fuck his ultimatums. “If you do, the club will make you very sorry.”
He seemed to be enjoying himself, eyes bright, lips curving into a wicked smile. “Oh, I look forward to it.”
Would reason work on him? “You know, the feds are watching us.”
“I’m aware,” he said, leaning closer to whisper in her ear. “But they can’t protect you from me. No one protected you tonight, kept me from snatching right under their noses.”
And he’d wanted her to know what, too. He’d kidnapped her in her own home. Essentially, she was safe anywhere in Hell.
“They won’t be able to protect your club from me either.” He glanced at his wristwatch. “But I’m afraid I have another appointment, so our time together has to come to end. I’ll take you home.”
With that, he grasped her by the shoulders and pulled her against his chest, then brushed a kiss over her forehead, before she could shove him away. “I’m truly sorry, for what I’ll have to do next time.”
She shuddered as he released her.
It wasn’t meant to be a kind gesture, a goodbye. No, this was a warning. A Kiss of Death.
Eddie just hoped she didn’t wake up with a Horseman’s head in her bed.
***
Captain had flown into a panic when he’d gotten a terse phone call from Ryker, saying Eddie was missing. She’d left behind her purse, keys, and the front door had been left standing wide open. Ryker and Axel were currently driving around town looking for her.
When he pulled up to the house to search for any clues left behind, he found Beauregard standing on the porch with her. While he was relieved she was safe, he wondered what fresh hell Mafia Boy had in store for them.
Fuck. He should have handled this shit already, shut Beauregard down in no uncertain terms when he had the chance.
She stood at the railing, legs planted wide, and her lips pressed into a thin line. He fired off a text to her boys, letting them know she was safe and saying she’d see them tomorrow. He thought about asking them to act as backup, but that would escalate this situation. Captain had a better chance shutting this down on his own.
Captain pulled up, cut the engine, and then darted up the stairs. “Leave her alone and deal with me.” He stepped closer to the bastard, putting himself between Eddie and Beauregard.
Without take his eyes off the dickhead, Captain asked her, “You okay?”
“Just dandy. I went for a little visit to Beauregard Manor.”
Holy fuck. Byron kidnapped her? “Get inside. I’ll handle this.”
For a moment, she hesitated, and he wondered if he’d have to throw her over his shoulder and haul her ass inside, but then she slipped in the door. As soon as she did, he released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Fuck, he couldn’t think straight when she was in the line of fire.
Beauregard smirked. “Now, that was rude. Eddie I were having the nicest chat.”
“Like I said, deal with me and leave her out of this.”
He straightened his tie. “Why should I? Especially, when it gets you so riled. Why, I bet she’s got you wrapped around her manicured little finger.”
He didn’t deny it, mostly because the bastard was right. He’d been a lost cause since the night he’d clapped eyes on her. But that made Eddie his weak spot and Beauregard might seriously hurt her to get what he wanted.
He crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you need somethin’? Or do you feel the need to make pointless observations?”
“I wanted to get your attention.” Beauregard had an unholy gleam in his eyes.
“You might wish you hadn’t,” he drawled. “And to answer that burnin’ question of yours? We’ll never work with you.”
Beauregard leaned against the railing, eyes glittering. “Now, see, that kind of thinkin’ is short sighted.”
“How so?” Captain played along for a minute.
“You done poked a bear and now you’re in a real pickle. The Raptors ain’t gonna let the whorehouse deal slide. In fact, I’ve been the one holdin’ them off from retaliating. And when you finally make your move, things are gonna get bloody. You know they won’t leave town all quiet-like.”
He’d already been anticipating a battle, dreading it, actually.
“And if you don’t want to lose some of these innocent townsfolk,” he said, vaguely gesturing to the street, “you’re gonna need a powerful friend. Someone who can help you keep the peace.”
Captain grunted. “Yeah? Your friendship comes with a fuckin’ steep price tag.”
“I’m afraid that’s the way of the world,” Byron said. “Nothin’ comes for free.” He paced the length of the porch, the boards creaking beneath his footfalls. “Unlike my father, I’m a clever man.
A man with vision. Machiavelli says you can judge a ruler by the men he surrounds himself with. If he chooses those who are reckless or weak, then you can conclude he has those same liabilities.” He stopped to meet Captain’s eyes. “My father allied himself with fools and I’m going to sever the relationship.”
The Horsemen wanted the Raptors gone, but teaming up with the Beauregards would be both stupid and risky. He might be smarter than the Raptors, dress like a gentleman, but it didn’t make him any more honest or trustworthy. An alliance would only lead to bloodshed and chaos. Probably another RICO conviction, if they were lucky. A coffin if they weren’t.
From what he’d heard, Beauregard worked as a hitman before he took over for his father. He made his livin’ killing people and it didn’t seem to bother him. Captain always felt uneasy after he shot someone, even if the guy had it coming. Sometimes, when he laid down at night and the world got quiet, he saw their faces.
And it shouldn’t ever be easy. It was supposed to haunt your ass. He had a feeling Beauregard slept like a baby.
Well, a homicidal, rich baby, anyway.
“We don’t work with sociopaths. Particularly ones, who team up with the Mafia.”
A smile played on his lips. “And you think I’m a stone cold killer?”
Captain nodded.
Beauregard tilted his head to the side, as if considering Captain’s words. “Perhaps, but as long as our goals match, you and I will get along fine.”
His eyes widened. “That was one hell of a disclaimer.”
“You’d prefer a pretty lie? I like keepin’ everythin’ above board.” Then, he shrugged. These days, I’m more interested in my bank account than my body count. Wouldn’t you rather have my help? This could be a very lucrative opportunity for your club.”
Captain stared at him, taking his measure. Trying to see something of the man he truly was, beneath all his easy Southern charm.
Beauregard stared back, utterly still. Unblinking. Like a fucking shark or something. It was downright eerie. And Captain only saw ruthless ambition and cunning. It made the decision easy. “No, thanks. Stay away from her. Stay away from my club.”
Devil May Care (Four Horsemen MC Book 4) Page 14
