“You’re insulting my hospitality,” Devil said. “Call your dogs off or else.”
“Your hospitality?” Frederick chuckled. He poured himself a drink and turned to look at Jerry. “You think this is your town? You’re wrong. Now, Fort Wills is owned by Tiny and The Skulls. They own that town outright, and even I won’t mess with that kind of shit. No drugs and no women and I respect that. This town, however, this town is mine.” He turned to look at the room.
Curse saw the smile on his lips, the cruelty. The insult was clear for all of them to see. Frederick respected Tiny while he didn’t respect Devil or the club.
Devil looked ready to commit murder.
“Now, I let Rob slide—and yes, I knew about you then—because he was a little shit upstart who thought he was better than anyone else. Dale I was looking forward to hurting, and you took that opportunity away from me. Not only was I going to give him to a friend but I was getting a shitload of money from him. I want to know why, and you better have a damn good reason.” He took a sip of the whisky. “Damn, that’s good.”
“I’m the reason Dale was killed,” Mia said, stepping forward.
Curse swore as she brought the guy’s attention toward her. The bruises had lessened slightly but not much.
“Come here,” Frederick said.
Going with her, Curse refused to be pushed aside.
“You’re the one who killed him?”
“Yes.”
“Figured as much.” Frederick grabbed her face, turned it this way and that. “Dale was an animal. He couldn’t handle being told no. What else did he do to you?”
“He tried to rape me. Curse got there before he could do that,” she said, looking down at the floor.
“Fine. I can see why you killed the fucker. I know Dale had already raped a couple of women, and then he nearly fucked up the deal that you guys did by raping my friend’s daughter. Any man who needs to rape a woman is no man in my book. Now, beating a woman from time to time is okay. They need to be kept in line. Raping, I don’t like or agree with.” He dropped his hand. “Go away.”
Curse despised the man. No man should ever lay a hand on a woman to cause her pain.
The men who’d gone away to look around the clubhouse came back holding Ashley’s arm. She wasn’t fighting them. Pussy and Death looked annoyed as they followed behind them. None of them were used to having to follow other men around.
Holding onto Mia, Curse watched the conversation.
“Now, I’m a lenient man, but I can be pushed. I accept why Dale had to die, but we’ve got to come to some arrangement,” Frederick said, facing Devil. “Jerry told me you’re businessmen and you won’t make waves unless you have to.”
“We are businessmen. We’re not lapdogs,” Devil said.
“Good, I’m not looking for lapdogs. I’m looking for men who can do a job without getting caught.” Frederick took a seat, looking more relaxed than tense. “I think we can do business providing you’re prepared to listen to me.”
“What do you want us to do?” Devil asked.
“I like Tiny. He’s a good man and has morals. I want you to make sure Piston County remains your town. Any new little upstart you take out, and we take their business. I want you to run guns and drugs. The women I’m not interested in yet. I’ve got plenty of girls around the world earning me more than enough money. However, that may change as all business does.” Frederick took another sip. “I want you to do a better job than the person I’ve got in charge now.”
“Frederick, I—” Jerry started to speak.
Curse tensed and covered Mia’s mouth as Frederick shot Jerry without another word. The bullet entered the front of his head and smashed the window behind him. Jerry fell to the floor. Lexie screamed, covering her ears, and Phoebe cried out. The whole room stayed silent.
Turning toward his president he saw Devil gritting his teeth at the slight they’d been dealt with. Jerry had never been a problem to any of them, and now he was dead.
“As you can see I’ve got a job opening for a new leader of Piston County,” Frederick said.
Ashley looked pale, ready to pass out.
“You’re fucking insane,” Devil said.
“I can kill you all now, and when I’m done here I can go and get Judi and Ripper, I believe his name is. I can kill all of your family, and I couldn’t give a shit.”
“How can I trust you not to do that to us?” Devil asked.
“You’re friends with Tiny. I suggest you start taking a leaf out of his book and own this fucking town once and for all.” Frederick looked at all of the men in turn. “Now, are you willing to agree to my terms, or is this a waste of my time? I’ve got the girl. You, Jerry, and myself have already agreed to her.”