Page 37 of Fall of Hellfire (Hellfire Society #3)

Epilogue

Cash

I t’s been a week since we took out the last of our fathers.

Rumors have spread throughout the city like we knew they would.

I’m not surprised how fast they spread since we made sure James, Henry, and Ethan were all found by men we knew were loyal to the old ways.

Most of them have run scared, while some of our men have been getting antsy with anticipation of our next move.

That is why we have called this meeting today, to flush out the last of the spineless weasels that we know of.

For the most part, our research has shown us that the majority of our empire aren’t as dumb as they look.

They knew change was inevitable to happen, and they have fallen in line.

“How long do we have to be here for?” Ali asks, twisting her hair around her fingers. Leaning forward I kiss her temple.

“Not long. We have a few things to clear up then we can head out.” She lets out a deep sigh, slumping down in her seat.

A chuckle escapes my throat as we pull up to the club.

We decided to call a meeting of a few of our “business” partners.

Riot invited Marco, Arsen invited the trusted club managers, and I invited the few business owners we’ve worked with the longest. Lastly we invited the few men we know we can’t trust, who think we are stupid enough to believe there are changed men.

“Why got a hot date or something?” I finally ask as Arsen throws the car into park.

“You know I have a fight tonight.” She rolls her eyes in my direction before Riot is opening her door and helping her out.

I also didn’t forget, because tonight is the night Ali takes her place among us at our first official fight night.

It’s also when we talk with Shane about working with us.

After everything he has done for us, for Ali, we plan to pay him back tenfold.

As I step out following behind Ali, I button my suit jacket and straighten my sleeves.

The valet gives us a small bow taking the keys from Arsen and immediately driving off to park our car.

Staff members greet us with nods of respect as we make our way into the club and around tables towards the back meeting room.

Riot throws open the door dramatically, greeting the room with a wicked grin.

I have no doubt half the men jumped or are shitting themselves at the sight of him.

At the sight of us all. All three of us are dressed in nice suits, Ali, in a stunning all black cocktail dress, but our outfits come with a twist. We’ve decided to make a statement donning our now preferred masks.

It gives us a crazy, unpredictable look now, which is why Riot and Ali must have suggested them.

I don’t bother smiling, no one can see my face right now as I make my way around the table.

My pace is steady, uncaring as I head for the head of the table.

Riot, Arsen, and Ali move to stand opposite me, the men surrounding the table shifting with unease.

Once everyone is in place, I nod to the room before taking my seat, folding my hands under my chin as I eye each man.

“Gentlemen, welcome. Thank you for joining us tonight,” I state.

“As rumors have stated, leadership has changed. The family businesses have been handed over to their rightful heirs. Most business will continue as usual, some with minor changes or new deals between partnerships.” I glance at Marco, then at a few of the men I will be working with closely and nod.

“Moving forward we expect the utmost loyalty to us and Hellfire. If this is not something you can give, please leave now.” I wave to the door and watch through my mask as all the men at the table glance at each other.

It’s like they think they are being tested or something.

Partly true, but not in the way they think.

When no one moves or says a thing, I stand clapping my hands together.

“Good. One last matter to attend to.” Riot, Arsen, and Ali move then, moving to stand behind the three men we came here tonight for.

Everyone tenses, and the fear in the room skyrockets.

It’s almost a tangible object with how nervous everyone gets.

“Jared, Greg, Alan, thank you for all of your work, but you are no longer needed. We will not allow rats to infect our empire.” I wave my hand in the air as a signal and all three men jump up but are too slow.

Seconds later, each man has a slit throat, gaggling sound fills the room, as everyone sits stunned or too afraid to move.

They’re shoved back into their seats, hands covering their throats as blood slowly coats the table pooling in a lake of red among the remaining men.

“Take this as a warning, you fuck with what is ours, you forfeit your life.” The men still breathing nod in understanding, my point being made.

A phone going off catching my attention, I’m about to go off on yet another person when I realize it’s Ali pulling out her phone.

She eyes me before shrugging. “My bad.” A frown paints her face when she looks at the screen before she answers on the fourth ring.

“Yes?” The frown shifts to one of confusion before ending on concern and anger.

“Lock the door. I’m on my way.” Then she ends the call.

“Who was that?” Riot asks, but before she can answer, I interrupt.

Turning to the room. “Meeting adjourned. Get the fuck out!” No one wants to find out what would happen if they didn’t move their asses fast enough as everyone scrabbles to exit the room with haste.

Marco is the last to leave, stopping to whisper something to Riot who nods in return.

I don’t bother demanding to know what, since that is Riot’s area of expertise.

Once everyone is out, the three of us turn to Ali expectantly.

“There’s a girl who needs my help.” She tucks her knife back into her thigh sheath.

“And I think it’s time we showed this city who the fuck Hellfire is.

” She doesn’t wait for us to answer, pivoting on her heel and heading back out to the front of the club.

I glance at the guys, as we watch her sway her hips away.

“If I wasn’t already in love, I would be now,.” Arsen says, immediately following suit.

“That’s my bad ass fucking wife!” Riot whoops, following next.

I shake my head at my brothers, but they aren’t wrong. Ali is a hell of a woman and is going to make the perfect queen to lead beside us. I catch up to the guys just as the valet is pulling up the car and handing the keys to Ali with a respectful nod. “Let’s go rebuild our empire.”