Page 27 of Pound

“What in the actual fuck was that?” Morningstar asked as he watched Mash lead Meri away. “He was downright pleasant.”

“Indeed,” Granite agreed before turning to Pound. “But what the hell was that, veep? You dragged her in here like she pissed in your Cheerios. I half expected you to shove her to the ground.”

His president was practically growling at him. “What? I’m not pissed, and I would never hurt her.”

“Sure coulda fooled me,” Morningstar chimed in.

“Is that how you handle your women? Because if it is, I can guaran-fucking-tee you Trip won’t sign off on you being her ol’ man. And neither will I.” Granite turned and joined Morningstar in pouring a drink.

Pound was fucking pissed and hurt that Granite would say that, let alone think that about him. After everything he knew about Lea and him, that stung.

“You know better, prez.”

“I do, but what you just displayed makes me question if that bitch fucked up your head worse than I thought.” He didn’t speak in anger this time, instead, there was sympathy there.

“Meri kissed me, or tried to. I didn’t mean to be rough, I was just… shit, I don’t know. I didn’t realize I was wound that tight. After I get my hands on Leone, I think I’ll calm down, prez. That man has been living in here rent-free and I need to fucking evict his ass.” Pound tapped on his temple.

Granite’s sympathetic mien intensified. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak. Whatever he was about to say, Pound was not going to like it.

“About that. Sit, have a shot.”

Pound obeyed.

“The bastard was killed in the extraction.”

Pound immediately stood. “How?” he growled.

“Sit back down and have another,” Morningstar offered. Granite’s look told him to comply.

“They tried to take him alive, but he was in the process of watching as his own men were abusing a woman. Leone drew on Thunder and Chubs when they entered. They had no choice but to take him out. I’m sorry, brother, but at least it’s over.”

He looked to Morningstar who was nodding. “You can verify it for yourself when the cleaning crew gets back with the evidence. They also rescued the woman, she’s the one who helped yours. Reno Moreno is no more, and it seems the rest of the Moreno family won’t shed any tears over it.”

Pound knew that meant they wouldn’t be coming after the Phantoms or the Travelers. That was one less thing they would have to worry about.

“What about the woman who helped Meri? How bad is she?” He wanted to thank her.

“Good enough, Mash should be able to treat her and keep her out of the hospital. If we can clear her and she poses no threat to us, we’ll send her on her way once she’s ready.”

“She can come to Vegas. We’ll offer her a place. We owe her.” Granite said what Pound was thinking.

“The Travelers’ll offer the same. Chubs said the man about to rape her pulled a piece and aimed at him. She batted his arm away and the shot went wide.” A phone interrupted anything else he was about to say.

Morningstar pulled his phone from his pocket. “Yeah, Mash.” Pound perked up at hearing who was on the other end of the call. “Her stuff’s already in her ol’ man’s room.”

He ended one call and engaged another. “Hey, Cam. Can you shift Meri’s stuff next door?”

What the fuck? Did he hear what he thought he heard? Morningstar didn’t say a damn word when he ended the call, just turned his drink up.

“Why is Meri being moved?”

“Doctor’s orders are what I was told. I don’t question the medical shit. Mash knows what he’s doing. Besides, he was here when you dragged her in like a criminal, so he probably had her moved because of that alone. I’d watch myself, Pound; Mash has a hell of a left hook for an old man.”

Pound bowed up his chest and stepped toward the man. President or not, he didn’t get to make that call for him. Granite stopped him with a hand to his chest before he could make his displeasure known.

“Stand down. Morningstar’s right. You can’t handle a woman that way, intentional or not, especially one who’s been through the shit she has. You’ll be lucky if she even gives you a chance now.”

Pound’s throat went dry at the thought. She had decided not to kiss him after all. Maybe she saw something in him that wasn’t worth the effort.

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