Ruthless Arrangement (Underworld Kings)

“I think maybe we’d be lost without each other,” she corrects, proving that she’s the smartest woman in the world.

Damn, I’m a lucky man.

EPILOGUE TWO

KILLIAN

One Year Later

Reclining back in my office chair, I grin down at my son while wiggling the bottle in his mouth to remind him he needs to drink, not sleep. He’s so perfect. Belle had to go into the salon for a bit today, so I’m getting to be on Daddy duty—and loving every minute of it. Liam Ryan O’Leary has made mine and Belle’s life even more complete. I can hardly reconcile the man I was before I met Belle with who I am now. I can’t even remember the life I led before her and Liam.

And I never want to.

“Are you even paying attention, Killian?” E-Z asks, trying to pull me back into our conversation.

“I heard you. I just… Hell, E-Z, are you sure?”

I look up at my friend. I can't remember the last time he was on a job that required him to be away for long periods. Hell, he's been my right-hand man for longer than I've been working in the family business.

"Yeah, man. I need a change of pace. I like the idea of being out west. Plus, I’m getting older, and I hear it’s hot as hell out there. That should be good for my old bones."

“Oh, yeah,” I laugh, rolling my eyes as I shift my son to burp him and sit the bottle on the table. “You’re ancient.”

E-Z flips up his middle finger making me laugh harder.

It feels good to laugh because having E-Z leaving Boston truly sucks. Still, the decision is his.

The Russians decimated any and everything to do with Bones in retaliation—and that included dismantling his MC Club. Apparently, the Bratva already had a huge deal brokered with TOH MC. After learning of Bones’s treachery, they systematically destroyed the Phoenix Chapter and its offshoots. They sent a gift to his MC and took over the ownership of their lands and properties. I don’t know what the gift was—but I can’t imagine it was good.

Speaking of gifts, for some reason, Aleksandr decided to gift the club to me since I assumed the position as head of the O'Leary family.

I have been complaining about it ever since. I have no idea what to do with the motorcycle club’s lands and a few stubborn officers that refuse to accept they’re done. They apparently have chapters in six different but very vital states. All of these connections will work great to run guns and other assets the family dabbles in. It makes sense I suppose, but I just keep coming back to not wanting the responsibility of overseeing all of it. I offered the club to E-Z. I did it thinking he’d laugh me out of the damn room.

That didn’t happen.

In fact, he admitted that he was going to approach me and ask to be given the reins of the club. It shocked the hell out of me and didn’t make me happy at all. I really don't want to let him go.

"The TOH are already feared in Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada. They have smaller charters in California and Washington, too. It’d be insane to give that up. It can be used to your advantage. Honestly, it will give me a new challenge. One that will be my own."

"E-Z, think about what you’re getting involved in. Sure, most of the members have jumped ship once the Russians took over their assets and property. None of them were stupid enough to fight the Bratva—especially once their allies wouldn’t touch them. But there are still men refusing to leave. They want to be part of a new club that will work tightly with the Bratva—or so they say. How do you think they will react when they find the Bratva has discarded them? Better yet, how can you be sure those men aren’t as stupid and untrustworthy as Bones was?"

“It's not my first rodeo, Killian. I'm prepared. I'll be fine, and I'm taking my men you met the night of the meeting with the Bratva with me. They’ll watch my back. I’ve put Eddie in my place here. He’s damn good, and you can trust him.”

"You already know anything you want is at your disposal," I mutter. I’m not going to fight him, probably because I can sense it would be useless. This feels like a goodbye, though. E-Z hates Boston and I know for a fact he’s been restless for a new challenge. I get it, but I don't like it.

“That I do,” he says with a nod.

"You'll have to do the Russians a favor or two here and there to keep them happy, but you'll have their firepower if you need it."

"You had to know there would be conditions with their gifts," E-Z says, rolling his eyes.