Page 55 of Forever Zara

Wiser.

Better.

Blah fucking blah.

How Rider kept his cool, it was anyone’s guess, but he did. Leading Rex, not to his office, but a larger side room with a table and desk.

“Take a seat. Whiskey, okay?”

Rex sighed when he let his bigger bulk lower into a leather chair. “Yeah. Ain’t you meant to be tying the knot today, boy? Your old lady can’t approve you bein’ gone on her big day. Me and my old lady are lookin’ forward to the party tonight.”

“Zara knows the club comes first.” Rider fed his uncle the line he’d understand. When he cut a gaze over his shoulder, it was to see a smirk. “Damn right. Bitches gotta learn their place early on, Rider, the only way is to teach ‘em. My old lady wouldn’t dare question any shit I do.”

Rider gave a grumble of fake agreement as he slid a tumbler of hard liquor across the table, poured himself one, and then took a seat opposite.

“The Raging Rebels.” He started.

Rex didn’t bother to hide his arrogance, draining the drink in one, Rider grabbed the bottle and poured him another.

“You let a club like that come to light; it gives others the idea you’re weak. Nobody woulda dared try that shit in my day.”

“What I can’t understand is why now. Why they’re resurrecting?”

“Don’t worry, boy. You got me advising you now. I won’t steer you wrong. We’ll teach the fuckers this is our territory. For as long as I can remember, theSoulsowned Colorado, ain’t no two-bit wannabes coming in.”

At least Rex had that right. Only, he was included in it too.

He just didn’t know it yet.

And nothing here was his. Not now or ever.

Rider was adept at waiting out an enemy. Waiting for the perfect time to cut them down to size. He’d waited more than a year for this showdown. So while his uncle prattled on about how great his reign was, Rider listened and poured him more whiskey.

The idiot should know by now never to accept a drink from an enemy.

“First thing you gotta do is…”

Rider tuned him out because he was watching Rex’s every reaction. When Rex’s speech became slurred, he smiled, rimming his untouched glass of whiskey.

Sweat dotted Rex’s forehead, and he swiped it away with his forearm.

“And if they give you any trouble, you mention my name.”

“Why is that?” Rider asked, tone even and hard. “Is it because you’re the one who sponsored theRebelscoming back to life? You and your best friend, the mayor, fronting up the money.”

Rex’s shrewd eyes snapped up, and the truth was right there before he closed it down.

“Whatcha talkin’ about, boy?”

“I have it from the horse’s mouth how you were the one to reform the band again. Only it was with a purpose, wasn’t it, uncle? To fuck with my club. And more personally, to fuck with me andmine. Cause as much damage was their objective. Bring coke through my territory, make it so my attention was divided. Isn’t that right?”

Rising from his seat, Rider’s stride was slow as he picked up his glass between his thumb and forefinger, he placed it on the counter and turned back to his uncle.

“Have you ever seen a movie where the bad guy takes the time to boast about his big fuckin’ evil plan? And the audience knows it’s giving the good guy too much time to get out of his quandary?” Rider asked easily. Resting his ass on the unit behind him, he looked relaxed to the untrained eye.

This was the final act.

The fanfare and curtain call.

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