Page 14 of Raze

“Your name, how did you earn it?” He flicks his finger, gesturing for me to continue.

“The club didn’t give it to me, my fight instructor did,” I explain, trying not to think back to the time when I was happiest. “All fighters need a gimmick and that was mine.” I shrug.

“So you fight?” he looks up at me before snorting his line and smiling at the satisfaction.

“I used to, it’s been a while,” I admit.

“Professionally?” He seems impressed, I’ve done my research on Raoul Burlusconi, I know he enjoys gambling on a good fight.

“Maybe I could have been, but I took a different path.”

“Club life, it chooses you, right?” He sniggers.

“You could say that.” I agree.

“So why step away from it for so long? I know how hard Jimmer had to work to get you here.” He narrows his eyes as if he’s daring me to lie to him.

“Because I lost my faith in the brotherhood and I failed someone close to me.”

“A female… it is always a female.” His head tips back as he laughs to himself. “They make us weak, do they not?” He looks out past his freshly cut lawn and fancy pool toward the Hollywood sign that’s just about visible in the distance.

“Listen, Raoul. I came here to assure you that you can trust me and you can trust my men. I pride myself on my honesty and I hope you’ll take my word when I promise that I ain’t nothin’ like Cliff Adams.”

“So I’ve been told. Jimmer spoke very highly of you.” He nods his head and takes a sip of his lemonade. “He saw you as the end to all Long Beach’s problems.”

“And I don’t intend on lettin’ him down.” I ignore how pressuring that thought is and offer Raoul a confident smile.

“Have you heard of the D’Marcos, Logan?” He places down his glass and changes the subject.

“No, but I’ve been in town for less than two days. I’m sure if I go back to the club–”

“The Lambroni brothers have been silenced and now Davide D’Marco thinks he can become my next challenger. He sent me a threat, one that named my wife and my child.”

Fuck!

“You want it taken care of.” I don’t even have to ask, I already know this will be my first test.

“No, a Burlusconi man likes to serve his own punishments. I just need you to find him and bring him to me. This residence is not my family home, it’s used only for business. I have facilities here that can accommodate him while he regrets his decision.” A wicked smirk lifts onto his cheek as he lights himself a cigar.

“Understood.” I nod my head.

“I’m also assuming the run will go ahead as scheduled. I’m relying on the buyer, your Nevada charter fixed up to have his money ready. I want this deal moved fast. Dealing weapons makes me uncomfortable.” He curls his lip. “I much prefer to stick with what I know.” He licks his finger and dabs it into the cocaine heap before sucking it clean.

“So why do it?” Curiosity gets the better of me, Burlusconi doesn’t strike me as the kind of man to do something he doesn’t want to.

“Let’s just say I stumbled across some supply, and the sooner I get it out of my state, the better.”

“Consuela, she busted the Lambronis for arms, it’s their supply ain’t it?” I sit up a little straighter in my chair when I start to put two and two together.

“I pay you to move it, Logan Ashford, you needn’t concern yourself with where it came from.” I know the agent worked closely with Jimmer and there’s rumors that they had something between ‘em. Burlusconi seems to trust her too, which makes me even more sure that the call she made to me was legit.

“You have your work cut out for you, Logan.” Raoul balances his smoke between his lips so he can hold out his hand for me to shake.

“It’s a good thing I like a challenge.” I shake it firmly before making my way back through the house, to my bike so I can get back to the club.

It takes me just under an hour to get back to the club and when I pull through the gates and only see a few bikes parked up in the parking lot, I consider going straight to my hut to check if Peyton is okay. I sent out a message to all the club members this morning explaining that the girl was staying as my guest and that they were to stay away from her. I don’t care what my new brothers take from that, I just wanted to ensure they all keep their distance.

I hear music thumping from the clubhouse and when I hear what sounds like another fight breaking out I rush through the arch to see what's happening. Ruckus has Greaser pinned up against the concrete wall and I take a long patient breath before moving toward ‘em to prise ‘em apart.

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