Page 15

Xavier

“Good thing I’m a patient man.” Knuckles lounged behind his desk, one booted foot propped on the edge. “I told you an hour and a half ago the meeting was in an hour. There a good Goddamned reason you kept me here half an hour before you decided to show up?”

I grinned. “Yep.”

Knuckles grunted, nodding at Tillie, who held firmly to my hand as we walked into the other man’s office.

“Probably has something to do with that sweet girl you corrupted after you went to prison, so I guess I can’t really fault you.

” Knuckles pointed at Tillie. “Family first, honey. He tries to put the club first, you come talk to me. I’ll kick his ass. ”

Tillie sniffed before clearing her throat. “I swear to God, Knuckles, if you make me cry I will put hair remover in your beard oil.”

My president sat up straight, a look of horror on his face. “Now, look here, little miss. No messin’ with the beard. That’s a step too far.”

Tillie laughed so hard she was crying, and Knuckles gave me a wary look. “Don’t you let her mess with my beard oil, Xavier. I didn’t make her cry. That’s all on her.”

I chuckled, pulling Tillie closer to my side. “Can’t make any promises, boss. Woman’s got a mind of her own.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Knuckles muttered, but his eyes were warm with affection when he winked at Tillie and grinned. “All right, let’s get down to business. First things first. Your property situation.”

He pulled out a thick manila folder and dropped it on his desk. “Got some good news and some better news. Which you want first?”

Tillie squeezed my hand. “Good news?”

“Menendez cartel won’t be bothering you anymore. Ever.” Knuckles’ expression turned cold and deadly. “Let’s just say they got the message loud and clear that you’re under our protection. And they know we are the muscle for the Miles family.”

I felt Tillie tense beside me, but she didn’t ask for details. Smart woman. Knuckles seemed to be studying her reaction but said nothing.

“And the better news?” I prompted.

Knuckles didn’t take his gaze from Tillie’s. Instead, he started a line of questioning I wasn’t really comfortable with.

“Tillie, do you know the Miles family?”

“Not personally.” Tillie looked extremely uncomfortable, but not like she was going to balk.

“Wouldn’t expect you to know them personally, honey. You know who the Miles family is, though. Right?”

She took a deep breath, then met Knuckles’ gaze with a direct one of her own. “I know they have mafia ties. Other than that, not much. They’ve been in the news some.”

“Yeah. They try to keep a low profile, but it’s hard not to get noticed.” He took a breath and let it out slowly, waiting patiently. I knew he wanted Tillie to ask questions, but she looked like she was at a loss.

“Knuckles. Just say what you need to.” I wasn’t going to let my president make Tillie uncomfortable when there wasn’t a reason. “She’s not gonna faint if you tell her the truth.”

Tillie surprised me by addressing Knuckles.

“Look. I don’t have a problem with what you do.

If all of you are like Xavier, I know you’re not shaking down mom-and-pop shops for protection money or some shit.

That’s not who Xavier is. He wouldn’t stand for anyone else doing it.

” Knuckles’ lips twitched but he held his expression blank.

“Having said that, I know you’re not always on the right side of the law. And I know you kill when you have to.”

Knuckles shrugged. “Or when someone needs it.”

“Exactly!” Tillie’s smile was genuine as she continued. “I’m sure every single one of you has a mean streak in you, but you’re not the kind of men who’d beat up on people weaker than you are.”

“I like this girl, Xavier. Wasn’t sure about her at first. Seemed a little too gentle for this place, but she’s got fire.” The big oaf grinned. At my woman.

“You got your own old lady, asshole. Don’t grin at mine.”

“Wouldn’t think of it. And you’re a jealous prick for thinkin’ I would.”

“Damn straight I’m a jealous prick!” I draped an arm around Tillie and pulled her closer. “Mine.”

“Why not just pee on her and be done with it?” The voice wasn’t one I recognized. Instinctively I turned, sweeping Tillie behind me to keep myself between her and danger. “Knuckles.” He addressed our president instead of me, which was just as good.

“Antonio.” Knuckles stood and took the hand Antonio offered. “Thank you for coming on short notice.”

“Kiss of Death has made my life easier since our collaboration began. And, to be honest, if we work something out here it’s going to benefit me much more than her.”

“What does that mean?” I could feel my hackles rising. “Who are you talking about?”

Antonio turned his attention to me. “Antonio Miles.” He held out his hand. I didn’t immediately take it, but Antonio didn’t drop his hand yet. “Xavier, I presume?”

“That’s my name.”

“I’m here to help Ms. St. Martin with a piece of property, which includes a house she might wish to liquidate.” Antonio didn’t seem impatient and still stood there with his hand out, like he knew he had to let me have time to make up my mind.

I thought about telling the bastard to fuck himself, but that was the green-eyed monster inside me I hadn’t realized existed. I took his hand in a firm grip. “Sorry. I’m a bit rough around the edges.”

“No apology necessary. Might I speak to your woman?” The bastard had to be all polite and shit. Didn’t change my answer.

“Not alone. You want to talk to her, you do it here.” My tolerance only went so far.

Antonio grinned. “Of course. Ms. Matilda St. Martin?”

“Tillie,” she said.

“Tillie, then. Please call me Tonio.”

“Why would you want to speak to me?” I felt Tillie curl her fingers into the waist of my pants.

“Because you have a house I’m fairly certain you’d like to never see again. I’m willing to pay you a fair price for that little farm.”

“You realize that place isn’t safe. Right?”

Antonio smiled at her. “Of course, you’d warn me. But yes. I’m fully aware of everything going on there. So, my question to you is, would you be willing to sell the property to me?”

“Not that I’m not grateful or anything, but why would you want that place? I don’t know you, but you seem nice. I don’t want anyone getting hurt.”

I had to bite back a growl when Antonio Miles grinned at my woman. “Sweetheart, the very last person you need to worry about is me. I promise you I am fully aware of everything and will take all necessary precautions.”

Tillie seemed to consider Antonio for a long moment.

I expected she’d ask why he wanted her land but when she spoke, that’s not what she said.

“I paid cash for the place, so the guy who sold it to me came down on the price so I could afford it. I don’t think it’s right for me to ask for the market value when I didn’t pay that for it.

I mean, you’re doing me a favor. Not the other way around. ”

“There’s where you’re wrong.” Antonio sat in a chair on the other side of Knuckles’ desk and spoke to Tillie.

He wasn’t mean. In fact, he seemed amused.

Not in an obnoxious way or anything, but like he found it cute Tillie was concerned she was ripping him off.

“I can’t get into specifics, but by purchasing your farm from you without an agent, and since I’d have control over your end of the paperwork as well as my own, I have a unique opportunity to obtain a property with the most prolific narcotic highway in the country.

The one maintained road that’s not on a map.

I can control the paper trail and everything official in the sale, then I’ll be in a better position to control the flow of narcotics from Mexico all the way to the Great Lakes. ”

Tillie groaned. “Why did you tell me that? Now I know!”

“You do?” Antonio’s amusement was really grating on my nerves.

I hated the guy on principle because he was rich, good-looking, and could give Tillie everything I couldn’t.

I never thought I was insecure, but it seemed like I was finding out more about myself than I ever cared to know. “What exactly do you know?”

“I don’t know! Just…” Tillie took a deep breath and closed her eyes before exhaling and flashing Antonio a bright smile. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”

“Relax, Tillie. I’m a hardass and I’m not a good person, but I don’t threaten or intimidate women for any reason.

You’re here with Xavier and Knuckles.” He indicated our joined hands and the property cut Knuckles had tossed to me while Antonio spoke to Tillie.

“You’re Xavier’s woman, so you know no one here is completely legit and they do things sometimes not accepted in polite society. ”

“Don’t we all.” God, Tillie’s musical laughter warmed my soul in ways I never thought possible. “Honestly, I don’t care. But I don’t want you mad at me if something goes wrong.”

“Absolutely not!”

“No fuckin’ way.”

“Ms. St. Martin, I can assure you something like that will never happen.” Antonio looked genuinely incensed. “I never do anything without all the information available and, honestly, I’d suspect just about anyone here before I’d suspect you.”

“What? You don’t know me. How can you say that?”

“Honey, I’m the one who got Xavier out of prison on a moment’s notice. Knuckles and his club work for me. I take care of my own. So when I got the call, I looked into you. You wouldn’t betray me. It’s just not who you are.”

“You got Xavier out of prison?”

“Yes. He went in because of me in the first place. I don’t send my people in someplace without making sure I can get them out quickly. Sure, it still took a few hours, but I put the extraction plan in motion the second I got off the phone with Knuckles.”

“Then, acceptable risk and a backup?”

“See? You understand. I’m a predator, Tillie. Make no mistake. But I don’t hurt my family for my own gain. I expect their loyalty, but I give them mine in return.”

“You know what? Who am I to judge? My life looked ideal, but it was a nightmare. Every single person in my life failed me in more ways than I thought possible. Xavier was the only person to help me. Whatever you guys do, I don’t care. I’m pretty sure you’re better people than anyone else I know.”

“Thank you, Tillie.” Antonio sat back in his chair.

“In my research, I also found the amount you paid for your property. I’m telling you that so you’ll know I am fully aware of what you have in the place.

I’ll have my lawyer draw up the necessary paperwork for you to sign in a few days, along with a check.

I’m giving you double the amount you paid for it, plus a little extra. ”

“What? No! You shouldn’t to do that.”

“I never do anything I don’t want to do, honey.

Trust me. I could pay you three times that amount and still have the better deal.

” He shrugged. “Might do that anyway.” He winked at Tillie.

“Just ‘cause you’re too cute.” He chuckled.

“Worried I didn’t know the place was dangerous. That was adorable.”

Tillie leaned into me, clutching my arm. “Something’s wrong with him. I don’t think he’s all right,” she whispered. “You know. Upstairs.”

“He’s fine.” I tried hard to scowl at Antonio, the bastard, but it was hard because honestly, it was kind of cute. My little Tillie was worried about the man who was probably the biggest crime lord in the region not understanding the place was dangerous. It really was a funny notion.

“Are you sure you want to buy that place?”

“Yes, Tillie. I promise.”

“I can’t say I’m not relieved. I didn’t really care about the money, but I’m glad I’m not going to lose it.”

“I’ll be in touch with Knuckles. We’ll set up a time for you to sign the paperwork.”

Antonio stood, and everyone but Knuckles followed suit. Antonio held out his hand to Tillie, who took it without hesitation. “Thank you, Tillie.” As he walked to the door, Antonio turned back. “Oh. You might want to expect a call from your parents.”

“Crap. That was your fault?” Tillie put her hands on her hips and glared at Antonio.

“Wait, what?” I looked from Tillie to Antonio. “What do you mean his fault?”

“They’ve been blowing up my phone, Xavier. I haven’t talked to them. I’m not really sure I want to.” She wrinkled her nose delicately. “What did you tell them anyway? They’ve been going on about me being famous or something. I’m not famous.”

“Apparently one of your mother’s friends is a fan. I only know because I hacked into your mom’s phone’s cloud service and found all sorts of things she probably didn’t want me to know. Your dad too.”

“See? I told you he wasn’t all right, Xavier. I think he’s crazy.”

“Like a fox.” Antonio grinned before walking out the door.

“Why didn’t you tell me your parents had been harassing you?”

“Out of everything he just said, that’s your takeaway?”

“Tillie.”

“I can deal with my parents. I let them push me around for a long time, but now that I know what a real family is supposed to be like, they don’t intimidate me anymore. I also find it difficult to believe they ever loved me. Or my brother.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Knuckles said, sticking his chin out stubbornly. “You’ve got all of us now. We’ll look out for you.”

“I really am grateful to you guys. For everything.”

“That’s what family does.” Knuckles’ expression grew serious then. “When Antonio mentioned your parents, you looked like you swallowed a lemon. They gonna be a problem for you?”

“No. They just want to see if they can get more money out of me.”

“Right,” I muttered. “Ain’t happenin’.”

“I don’t want to talk about them right now.” Where before Tillie had been almost carefree, this meeting had seriously dampened her mood. I could see it in the set of her mouth. She was stressing, and I didn’t like it.

“Come on.” I took her hand and headed out of Knuckles’ office. “We’ll catch up with you later, Prez.” I threw my hand up at Knuckles as I led Tillie out of the room.

“Where we going?”

I didn’t look at her as I guided her through the building to the outside. “To put a smile back on your face.”

A couple hours and several orgasms later, I’d definitely put the smile back on my precious Tillie’s face.