Page 23 of Fall of Hellfire (Hellfire Society #3)

eighteen

CASH

N one of us wanted to leave Ali alone. Especially alone is a place that holds such bad memories and is currently holding one of her tormentors captive in its basement.

She assured us that she will be okay, and I trust that she knows herself and what she can handle right now, but it wasn't that long ago that she was tied to a chair in that very same basement while her sick fuck of a brother cut her up to try to get to us.

We are the ones to blame. It was our fathers that decided to play the games.

Who kidnapped people to make it all seem legit, when really the objective was to kill their own sons off.

And for what? To stay in power for longer.

To rule the empire that our families built, but they were already burning it to the ground.

The Hellfire Society was started by three main families: the Grants, the Parkers, and the Castros.

Three friends went into business together generations ago and built something that was more than they imagined.

What started off as small-time crimes turned into working with cartels to supply and move guns and drugs overseen by the Parkers.

The Castros were all about the flashiness, so it made sense for them to oversee the sex clubs.

What started as strip clubs and private shows turned into buying pleasure anytime you wanted.

You need to bribe someone, bring them to a club, and buy them some top-notch pussy.

Lastly, you had the Grants. With dirty deeds comes dirty money.

The Grants were the "clean" side of our empire.

We ran the business that took the dirty money and cleaned it in various ways.

We kept our businesses legit so that if the Feds ever came knocking, they couldn't prove anything.

This was how it was run: all three families worked together, pulled equal weight, and made equal profit, or at least that's how it was.

Everything changed when our fathers took the ruins.

Now here we are. Having to clean up the mess they have made.

As I pull up to the meeting spot, I leave the SUV running as I step out and hand the keys over to the valet.

He hands me a ticket that I tuck into my jacket pocket.

Unlike Riot and Arsen, who can get away with looking laid-back in jeans and tees, I’m dressed as if I’m headed into a board meeting.

With a dark gray three-piece suit with a light gray dress shirt.

It's not far off, since I've asked multiple men here today.

All businessmen who, as of now, thought my father was a decent man.

When I contacted each of them, I made it clear that my father had been hiding some very important things from each of them.

I still kept it vague by not telling them what, but that was how you hooked them in.

I've piqued their interest and they all agreed to meet because they want to know what information I have.

I straighten my suit jacket, adjusting my cufflinks as I approach the front door.

A doorman spots me, quickly opening the door and bowing his head as I pass.

I smirk. I chose a gentlemen's club that me and the guys own on our own.

It's a place that our fathers can't touch and made for the perfect meeting spot.

The hostess spots me next, eyes widening before a flush paints her cheeks.

"Mr. Grant, sir. Your party has already arrived.

Would you like me to take you to them?" I eye the long-legged blonde.

She's cute. If this was weeks ago, I would take her up on her offer, making a pitstop at my office for a quickie. But alas, I’m a changed man.

Plus, I have a feeling if any of us ever cheated or thought about it, my Bunny might go on a murder spree.

"I think I can manage walking around my own club, don't you think?

" The lustful flush turns to one of embarrassment as she ducks her head and nods.

I can't even bring myself to care that I was rude to her as I simply start to walk away and to the back room where the meeting is being held.

I made sure to tell them a time at least ten minutes before I planned to be here.

It's a common power move, but one that is effective.

One of the servers stands right outside the door and immediately rushes to open the door as he sees me.

I'm a man on a mission as I waltz in, head held high as I move to the head of the table.

"Gentlemen," I say, taking a second to look at each and every man joining me tonight.

There are a dozen or so seated around the table, all older than me and around my father's age.

I have concerns that some of the men in this room will see this as me being upset that my daddy didn't hand over the family business and now I’m trying to overthrow him behind his back.

That's the furthest from the truth, but tonight will also give me an idea of which men I will be cutting ties with in the near future.

"Thank you for joining me on such short notice.

" I take my seat as I eye each man. I'm getting a wide range of expressions from each, from annoyance to concern.

"Tell us, young Grant..." he sneers at my name.

"Why have you called us here today?" one of the men asks, glancing around the room as others nod approving of the question.

"You gave little to no information yet asked that we did not include your father.

Why is that?" I give the man a smirk as I give him my full focus.

He squirms in his seat a bit before narrowing his eyes back. A challenge?

The man, Mr. Smith, if I remember correctly.

Such a boring name for such an unassuming man with his dark, greased back hair and cheap looking suit.

I can tell right away that he is not here to discuss future business deals with me, so in one swift move, I pull a gun from my shoulder holster, aim, and pull the trigger.

A single shot sounds out, echoing in the small space before Mr. Smith’s eyes go wide before he slumps back in his chair.

Men around the room scramble to get out of their seats as chairs fly backwards in their rush.

"Take your seats!" I yell out, and everyone freezes, eyeing me with caution as they slowly inch back to the table.

All too afraid to challenge me now. I set the gun on the table facing the room at large.

"Now. Anyone else working for my father?

" I ask, watching each man carefully. No one speaks, but they all shake their heads in answer.

"Good. Now let’s get right to business." I glance at Mr. Smith, now sporting a bullet hole in his head.

I let out a sigh before pulling out my phone and sending out a text.

Seconds later two men come in and carry the dead man away.

"That's better. Now where was I?" I pause, giving the men remaining a chance to breathe.

"Ah. I've asked you all here today because I've discovered that James Grant has been double dipping.

" Some of the men glance around at each other with frowns on their faces.

Another man clears his throat, staring at the table as he asks.

"What do you mean, sir?" He flinches when he feels my attention turn to him.

I can't remember most of their names right now, though I should probably learn the names and faces if we do continue business, but that can be for another day.

"James Grant has been skimming money from all of your books for a little over a year now.

" My words are met with confused gazes. "I've recently discovered that he has been using a few bookkeepers, ones most of you have in common, to adjust the numbers so that they reflect a smaller profit than what you are actually making.

If I had to estimate, he has stolen over 50k from each of you.

Probably more." The confused gazes have turned into angry ones.

Another man, this one younger than the other, abruptly stands, slamming his hands on the table as I lean back in my seat. "Why the fuck are you telling us this? Aren't you his son? That means you are probably in on this scheme with him. Why the hell should we believe anything you say?"

"Because I plan to kill James Grant and take his place.

" I get to my feet. "I'm telling you this because I have proof of his crimes.

I'm here today because I know the men in this room do good work, and I want it to be known that once I take my rightful place, things will change.

" Slowly I begin to move around the room, trailing the backs of the chairs as I speak.

"The Hellfire Society has been around for years, and many of you have worked with my grandfather before.

This empire was once a commanding force in this state, but James Grant and the others have rotted it from the inside out.

Me and my brothers see this empire going bigger, being more than the nickels and dimes James has been feeding you.

I'm not asking for your blind trust, but I am asking for you all to become our allies in what’s to come. "

"And what is to come exactly?" The younger man still standing asks, crossing his arms over his chest as I pass him. He's a well-dressed man, and I think I recognize him from somewhere but can't seem to place it.

"New leadership. New structure. We want to reshape the way we do business and move our empire into a new era."

His eyes narrow on me. "This all sounds like a lot of pretty talk, but you haven't explained what we will get out of all this." I nod, giving the man a clever smile. He's smart; I like that. He will make a good ally.

"As I mentioned, James has stolen from you all.

I have all the proof with the exact amounts.

Become our ally and continue to do business with me and my brothers, and you will get what is owed plus interest, of course.

" I give the room a light smile, trying and probably failing at trying to seem non-threatening.

The men begin to murmur among themselves as I return to my seat, giving them a moment to decide.

After a few minutes another man speaks up.

Once again I remind myself to look into each of their names.

"And if we agree, what then?" I cock a brow in question, wondering what he is getting at.

"What happens if we agree? Most of us have weekly meetings with your father.

Are we to pretend this meeting never happened or that we don't know what he has done?

And if he finds out we are going behind his back, then what?

What kind of protection do we have against your father?

" I nod, approving of his question and train of thought.

"This is where your alliance comes in. If you agree to new terms today, then you will stop all contact and partnership with James moving forward.

Take a few weeks off, go on vacation if you want.

" I throw my hands up in a go crazy, who cares motion.

"Look at it as cutting the head off the two-timing snake.

James won't understand what is happening and you will be cutting him off from his extra funds.

" I shrug. "Give me a few weeks to take care of a few family matters.

Once I've finished my part, you will get your money back, and we can all discuss new terms moving forward.

" I hold out my hands with a satisfied smile. "How does that sound?"

A few of the men begin to nod, while others still seem unsure.

I understand why, I am the son of the man they just found out was stealing from them.

I would be hesitant as well, but we are all grown men in a corrupt world and know how these things work.

You will win some, and you will lose some.

That’s how our world goes, but right now I’m offering them a chance to be on the winning side.

It’s up to them on whether or not they will take the offer.

Not wanting to sit around all day and discuss the full terms since we aren’t even there yet, I decided to move this along.

“You have five minutes to decide how you would like to move forward. After that time, I will rescind my deal, and you will be on your own.” I look down at my clock and note the time, then wave at the room to continue to discuss.

When no one speaks, I grin. “So, I will take everyone’s silence as agreement that I have your full support moving forward?

” A round of yeses go up. I clap my hands together causing a few of the men to jump at the sudden noise.

“Good.” I stand, adjust my suit jacket, and wipe away invisible lint.

“As I mentioned, I recommend you sever all contact with James moving forward. He needs to know you no longer support him. I will contact you all once we can move forward with discussions for a new partnership. Until then, I suggest you all skip town for a few weeks.” I eye them seriously.

“You are making the right choice today with your decision, but let me make one last thing clear.” I grab my gun off the table and tuck it back into its holster then move towards the door, ready to get back to Ali.

I face the room, dropping my friendly smile and donning my usually cold disdain.

“Cross me and my brothers, and you’ll find yourself in the same position as Mr. Smith.

If you’re lucky, I won’t let Riot play with you first.” Each man in the room does a full body shutter, making me grin.

Riot’s reputation proceeds him, that should make the psycho happy.

“I’m glad we could all come to an understanding today, gentlemen.

Until next time.” I tip my head before turning my back to the room and heading out to valet.

I quickly hand over my ticket as he quickly runs off to grab the SUV.

Pulling out my phone, I see a text from Arsen.

ARSEN: We are headed back now.

Perfect, a small part of me eases knowing that Ali won’t be alone for much longer. My SUV pulls up to the curb and I give the valet a hundred before climbing in and sending off my own text.

ME: On my way as well.

As I pull away from the curb, I can’t help but smile to myself. Everything is starting to fall into place. A few more pieces to move and we will have a checkmate.

Then the real game will begin.