Page 22 of Fall of Hellfire (Hellfire Society #3)

"Keep your phone on, Bunny," Cash adds, leaning in to kiss her.

Arsen steps up next, planting a quick kiss on her lips as well before ducking out of the way and heading to the car we plan to take.

It's my turn to step up and I swoop in, grab Ali by the back, and yank her against me before slamming my lips down on hers and devouring her.

"Be good, baby." I nip at her lip before finally pulling back and winking as I grin at the flushed look on her face.

With that, I turn and head for Arsen, nodding at Cash, who is pulling away in the SUV.

"Let's go get this over with." We climb into one of the extra cars the Black’s own and head out.

I gave Marco an address of an old warehouse we stopped using years ago.

It's a bit out of the way, but men like Marco prefer to meet in secret.

Our line of business isn't one that is done in public.

I pull up and park up front before getting out to lean against the car.

Arsen follows suit before pulling out his phone and sending out texts.

His phone starts to ding back and I glance in his direction.

"I'm letting clubs’ managers that I trust know that a few changes will be happening this week.

" He shrugs like that explains it all. I suppose it does on his side of the business.

He will probably want to head to some of the clubs to make sure they know new management is moving in.

The sound of crunching gravel catches my attention as two sleek black sedans round the corner and pull to a stop.

I don't need to ask if Arsen is packing any heat because I know he is. He knows my line of business and the men I meet with, not that I’m worried about Marco.

He is a man of his word and agreed we would meet as businessmen.

But then again, I learned you can never truly trust a man, so I make sure my pistol is positioned for easy access.

When Marco nor his men get out right away, I almost want to roll my eyes.

It's a power move of his, letting me know he doesn't have to be here, but it is so we will need to wait until he is ready to meet.

After about five minutes, car doors open before Marco and his men step out.

Marco is a few years older than me, in his mid-thirties.

He took over for his father a couple of years ago, much like I was supposed to.

As he comes closer, I take him in. He is dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a long-sleeved black button down.

He even has on a pair of sneakers to match his laid-back appearance.

It's much different than the times I've met with him before.

The other times he looked the part of a cartel boss in three-piece suits and dress shoes.

"Ah, Riot, mi amigo." He opens his arms wide before reaching forward and meeting me halfway in a handshake. I nod my head in a sign of respect.

"Marco, my friend. How have you been?" I glance around at the men he's bought before dismissing them. They eye me and Arsen with caution, but I’m no threat to their boss unless he makes me one.

Looking behind me Marco spots Arsen. "Been well.

You know how it goes. Business here and there.

The wife wants to go on a vacation and has started talking about babies.

" I let out a chuckle because I do know how it goes, at least the business part.

"What about you? Any woman been able to tame you yet?

" My eyes automatically turn to slits at the mention of a woman in my life.

Does he know about Ali? Interest lights Marco's face before he grins wide.

"Well, God damn. I didn't think it would be possible.

She must be a very special woman." When I don’t say anything he lets out another chuckle.

"Okay, okay. We are here to discuss the future, are we not?

Tell me, Riot, what is this proposal you mentioned? "

I keep my face blank as I cross my arms over my chest and lean back against the car. "I'm sure you've heard the rumors."

"Ah yes. You, my friend, are supposed to be dead, are you not?" I nod, knowing that’s exactly what my father wishes I was.

"Yes, well, as you can see, I’m very much alive.

" I throw my arms out to my side to prove that point.

"But your current business partner won't be for much longer.

" He cocks a brow in question. "There has been some.

.." I glance at Arsen, debating how to explain what we are dealing with without giving too much away.

"Some management restructuring as of late.

" I smile. That’s a good way to put it. Marco nods her head slowly in understanding.

He has lived the same life as us and understands our way of things.

"How do you propose moving forward?" he asks.

"I'm here today seeking support. We want to know when the time comes that you are an ally that will stand with me and my brothers.

We do not wish for assistance in any way but an understanding of such that soon, it will be me who does business on behalf of the Hellfire Society.

" It's my turn to cock a brow in question. Marco stares at me for a long minute.

"Can you guarantee your..." he waves his hand in the air, seeking the word. "problems won't spill out of house? I do not like it when other people's problems become my own."

"Yes, we don't expect our problems to be around for much longer," I tell him vaguely.

He lets out a low humming sound. "I like you, Riot.

You've always been honest with me. So, I'll give you two weeks to settle your in-house affairs.

In two weeks let's meet again, maybe with our women, a double date.

We can discuss a new partnership and how we want to move forward.

In the meantime, yes, you have an ally in the Los Banditos Cartel.

" He holds out his hand for me to shake again. Grasping his, I make the deal.

"Thank you, friend. I look forward to meeting with you in two weeks." We nod to each other one last time before he turns on his heel, getting back into his car and driving away.

We continue to watch them until the cars are completely out of sight. "Well, that went a lot smoother than I thought it would. Can we trust him not to tell Henry?"

"Yes. Marco is a man of his word. I think he was overworked with Henry as well.

He mentioned before that Henry was trying to buy more at a cheaper price, then turning around and selling it for more than what it was worth.

Rumor has it, he is making other shady deals as well.

Marco is a good man to have in our corner, but now we need to work fast. Two weeks is not a lot of time.

" I side-eye Arsen before nodding to the car.

"Let’s go. I'm sure Cash's meeting will go just as smoothly, but I want to get back to Ali. "