Twist of Fate (Kings of Chaos 6)

“Hard to run a club if we’re all locked up, and our way of life becomes illegal. They’re already trying to take our cuts and change us to gangs officially.”

“None of us are afraid to do time. Everyone comes into this life with the understanding its part of the experience.”

“Sounds a lot like you’re criticizing the man running the entire organization.” I study his expression and body language.

“Just because I follow Stone, doesn’t mean I always agree with his plans. I swore fealty, not blind obedience.” He blinks rapidly, dialing back his disapproval as his eyes dart from left to right. Dodgy.

Biting my tongue, I nod my head. There’s a time and a place for revelations. Around here it’s wise to play things close to my chest. I don’t miss the politics or subterfuge that comes along with the club. Everything is about pecking order and power plays when you get close to the inner circle. I never had a taste for it. The calls they have to make affect too many lives.

“Have some drinks and find yourself a girl for the night.”

“I appreciate the hospitality. I’m going to catch up with some of the brothers. It’s been a minute since I came through.” I wave down the woman working behind the bar, grab a beer and mingle, making a note of everything to report back to Stone. I’ll have to catch up with the V.P. another time. Big seems content to talk his ear off tonight, and my wake-up call is comi

ng closer. I wonder if he senses the impending end of his reign.

***

“I’ve never been so happy to leave work in my life. If it gets any icier in the truck, I’m going to start singing ‘Let It Go’ from Frozen,” Xia says

Ellis showed up today with a petite Southern belle named Mandy who couldn’t wait to learn everything. I wasn’t sure how to take the move. Was it a threat warning Xia that she could be replaced, an acknowledgment that she deserved more for herself, or a smart move that would cover his ass?

“Did he ever say anything to you about why he hired her or if he told the others about your plans?”

“No. I think we spend the majority of our time pretending the other person doesn’t exist. He’s prideful, and me choosing to leave and forcing his hand hurt him He wants to blame it on me. I can see it when I catch him looking at me with his special blend of irritation and disappointment.”

“I can’t believe you haven’t talked about it.”

“We ignore and avoid in my family,” she says dryly.

“That never works.”

“I know. But it takes two to have a conversation.”

Plopping down on the couch beside me, she rests her head back against the cushion.

“We left work an hour ago, and I can’t stop trying to guess what Ellis is thinking. Does my father know? He’s not the type to be subtle, so I can only assume he doesn’t know. I’m sure it’ll be a huge blowout. Maybe the first excommunication in the Foley history.” She sighs. I’ve known her long enough to realize she wants to talk this out.

“I’m assuming they wouldn’t want to be the one to deliver that message.”

“You’re right. I didn’t even look at it from that angle,” she mumbles. “What do you think about the new menu items? It seemed to draw in more customers who were looking for something sweet or something to drink. They picked excellent local brews.”

“Are you going to keep dancing around what you actually want to say?”

“What the hell was up with the new girl? I mean, is she going to be my replacement? Has this become a race to fire me before I quit?” She rubs her temples with her thumbs and forefingers.

“Maybe they’re just covering themselves for when you leave?” I suggest.

She sniffs. “And they just happen to choose the applicant who’s everything I’m not? Seeing her in all her Southern girl beauty felt like a punch to the gut. There’s no way that wasn’t meant as a dig.”

I’m not stupid enough to tell her she’s being overly sensitive, but I’m thinking it. Taking the smart route, I remain quiet.

“What do you think?” I ask cautiously.

“It’s impossible to know without asking him.”

She scowls. “He wishes.”

“Hmmm.”