Page 66 of Brandishing Betrayals
“Short of killing Hillcrest,” I mumbled darkly.
Kara sighed and squeezed my hand. “Not yet. Soon, I promise.”
“Kara,” I breathed heavily. “How much longer? Las Serpientes fucking kidnapped you, they played the Psychos like a fool, my club is gunning for retribution. I don’t know how much longer I can hold them back. Couple of my guys have personal beef with the snakes too. They want to wipe them out.”
“We’re down for that,” Johnny growled. “Trust me, the Knights are itching for this too.”
“My father’s trial starts the week after next. Depending on how it goes, will determine the date for sentencing. It would be faster if he took a plea deal though. If he admitted he was guilty and took the deal, it would give me what I need with the board and ensure the smooth transfer of the firm to me.” Kara took a pull from her whisky.
“He hasn’t agreed to a plea yet?” I asked, confused.
Johnny shook his head and paced away, rubbing his hands over his buzzed hair. Clearly, there was some contention on the subject.
“I’ve been worried that if he took a plea, the board wouldn’t agree to transfer the firm into my name, but I just threw the bylaws at themtoday, and they’ve agreed that if my father enters a plea deal and pleads guilty, they will transfer everything to me. So if you can somehow convince my father to enter a plea deal…”
I sipped my whisky thinking. “What would that do to the timeline?”
“If he signs the plea deal, the D.A. is confident that we could get him before a judge by end of next week. Sentencing would likely be same day, but could take a couple days depending on the judge and the deal,” Kara explained.
“So no trial?”
“If we can convince my father to a plea deal, no trial,” Kara huffed.
“That going to be hard?”
“He’s apparently had a change of heart since admitting to the crimes at the police station. He wants to go to trial,” Kara grumbled.
“The fuck?” I turned to Johnny. “I thought you guys had the Bratva assisting inside?”
Johnny shook his head. “We’re still rocky with Tarazov since shit went down with the Seratelli’s. Until we get that smoothed over, Tarazov has us on ice.”
“So a sit down with the Seratelli’s is needed.” I concluded.
“It would help.” Kevin nodded.
“I’ll talk to Nic, see if he can talk to his cousin again.” I finished up the last of my whisky and glance around for the bottle. Kevin set it on the island in front of me. Pouring another two fingers of whisky into my glass, I continued, “Maybe we can knock out two birds with one stone, see if the Seratelli’s have anyone inside that will convince Vince and get you that sit down you need.” I ran a hand over my hair, thinking.
“I’d appreciate that, brother.” Johnny nodded solemnly, always serious.
“It’s going to take some time though. Nico and Leonardo had a falling out a couple years ago. He’s tried reaching out recently and it didn’t go well. He’s talked to his mom about it, so we’re in a waiting game until Nic hears back from his mom, or Seratelli.”
Johnny let out a long breath, clearly not happy with the news.
“I know man,” I said. “It’s been one thing after another.”
“Yeah,” Johnny agreed.
I turned to my sister again. “Did you reach out to your friend? The one who does family law?”
“Yeah,” Kara dropped my hand and walked over to the counter closest to the mudroom, where her purse was sitting next to herkeys. She dug in her purse for a moment before she pulled out a white business card. Walking back over to the island, she handed me the card. “Michelle Lakeson. I had lunch with her today. She agreed to help. Give her a call in the morning.”
“Shit man, you gonna sue for custody?” Derrick asked.
I shook my head. “I need to establish paternity first. I’m not even on his birth certificate.”
“Shit.” Kevin sighed.
“Yeah.”
