Page 92 of Meraux Mafia: No Ordinary Love

“Thank you, son. I appreciate it.”

“Don’t thank me yet. My money comes with some stipulations.” Lucas narrowed his gaze anticipating what I was going to say. “I need some information. What have you and Uncle Ross and Ev been beefing about?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“I guess I can’t give you my money either.”

“I am your father!”

“This is business, Pop. If you don’t like my rules, get the money somewhere else.”

“Ross and Everett are ready to step down now. I’m not.”

“Does that decision have anything to do with this loan?”

“Yes.”

“If they’re ready to step down now, they have a plan. Who do they want in charge when they do?”

Lucas was stuck. He needed this loan, but he didn’t want to betray his brothers to do it. His fingers tapped his desk, hoping I would change my mind. I was the fruit of his loin, so he should’ve known that was unlikely.

“Mack.”

“Why the fuck would they pick him?” I asked, somewhat shocked that Gianni wasn’t the first choice.

“He’s level-headed and remains calm in stressful situations. You’re hot-headed and don’t think things through.”

“Why didn’t they pick Gi?” I asked out of curiosity.

“Gi has a lot on his plate. He’s been distracted, and Ross doesn’t think now is the time to add more.”

“That’s a shocking development. Unlike you, Ross always rides for his son.”

“It doesn’t make them better than you. Each of you brings something unique to the table,” Lucas reasoned.

“I don’t need a pep talk. I need your allegiance. When the time comes, I’m the guy, and you need to make them understand that.”

“Being the man looks glamorous, son, but it’s a lot that comes with this.”

“How the fuck would you know. You’ve been second to Uncle Ross forever. I want more,” I maintained. My comment stung, making it hard for him to respond, so I saved him the trouble. “I can give you a million, but I need to move some things around. I’ll hit you tomorrow.”

Apart of moving things around was paying TJ a visit, I needed to go home and shower. Afterward, I picked up something to eat and hit the road.

When I arrived to meet TJ Pierre, his assistant, he let me know he’d be right out. Shortly he appeared with a scowl but most importantly, he had my money. Without a word, he handed over the bag and walked away.

Lifting the bag like a dumbbell, something was wrong. “Aye, this shit feeling too light to be, my money.”

“It’s all I have, thanks to your cousin.”

“Tell me what the fuck you’re talking about while I care because your time is running out.”

“Gianni found out about the guns we sold to the Mayans. How did he find out? You said you had it handled,” TJ rattled off, not making any sense, but the latter part of his rant caught my attention.

“You tell me. Maybe it was your people who fucked up,” I fired back, wondering why Gi hadn’t mentioned anything at the roundtable today.

“Nothing has changed on my end. It’s Gianni sticking his nose in business that doesn’t have anything to do with him. He needs to be worried about that wife of his.” TJ tried to walk off as if he was going to end the conversation on that note.

“Why the fuck would he need to be worried about that?”

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