Page 35 of Motown
Then a familiar voice is heard: Bronson.“This is Bronson Sunderland.Logan tells me you’re the man I want to meet to solve a problem I’m having.I’m not a man who trusts easily, and I haven’t survived this long without checking people out.”
“Well, Mr.Sunderland, I’m also a suspicious man by nature, and I’ve never heard of you before.However, Logan is a longtime colleague of mine, and I will give you the benefit of the doubt and allow you two questions.I don’t have time for games, and I certainly don’t need your business,” Reno responds.
“Fine,” Bronson snaps, then asks, “Where did you and Logan first meet?”
Decker immediately writes out his answer, and Reno says it aloud with his own flair and personality.“Corner of Duncan and Silver.In a back alley.Not the best first impression, but Logan saved my life that night.Next.”
“How many men has Logan murdered?”Bronson asks.
Decker writes zero.Then underneath that, he adds forty-seven enemy soldiers during his stint in the army, and he hates guns.
“If you ask Logan, he’d say he hasn’t murdered anyone, but if you count the enemy soldiers he took out when in the army, it would be forty-seven.And since then, he has a dislike for firearms,” Reno answers smoothly.“Now, are we done talking about our past?”
“I’d like to buy product from you.It seems that my original suppliers are having trouble with shipments, and I need an alternative source.Logan says you’re the man to call and you can offer a decent price,” Bronson says.
“First, I want to see Logan.If you want to do business, then I suggest we meet in person.It’s dangerous and stupid to discuss such matters over the phone,” Reno says, priming Bronson for an in-person meeting.
“Agreed.But I need immediate results,” Bronson insists.
“Out of good faith, I’ll bring a sample, but payment is required up front.Logan better be there, because I don’t know you, but I trust him.Is that understood?”Reno demands.
“Understood,” Bronson replies, adding, “I’ll text you the location tomorrow, an hour before the meeting.”Bronson’s smart, and he’s anticipating that if this is a setup, we won’t be able to prepare an ambush in time.
“Hey, Reno, we’ve come a long way from that alley years ago, but I still remember the smell of fish from that damn restaurant.I remember you wanting to hurl every time we went by the place,” Logan says with a chuckle.
“Damn, to this day I hate the smell of fish,” Reno jokes.“Tomorrow night, Logan.”
“Thanks, man.Bronson is going to be a great client for us.We’ll all make a ton of money,” Logan says, continuing to play the game.
“We’ll toast to new business partners, then,” Reno answers.
“I’ll bring the scotch,” Bronson chimes in.“See you tomorrow.”
The call is disconnected.Hawk looks at Reno, then Guard, and finally around the room at the men standing with us.“It’s time to set a trap for a rat,” he says with a twist of his lips.
Chapter19
Standing Together
Tessa
My sleep is restless, at best.I can’t help but think of the other business owners being bullied by Bronson.I have Motown and the Redemption Riders taking care of me and the Cozy Corner, but who is there to protect the others?
I hear Motown come to bed and slide in next to me.Immediately, as he always does when we’re in bed, he cradles my body, spooning me.His heavy arm comes around my middle, and his lips brush my cheek.
“It’s going to be all right, baby,” he whispers in my ear.
“It’s not fair,” I murmur back.
“No, baby, it isn’t.”
“What makes a man do such horrible things to good people?Don’s a feisty old man, but he’s no match for Bronson.The others must be scared out of their minds.”I exhale a heavy breath.
“Bronson has been terrorizing this town long enough.I’d like to tell you more, Tess, but club business is on a need-to-know basis for our women.It’s as much for your protection as it is for our peace of mind that we keep the bad shit out of your lives as much as we can.I can tell you there’s a plan in place and we’re going to tear Bronson’s operation apart piece by piece,” Motown says, giving me a little squeeze.“Do you believe me?”
“I know you’ll do everything you can to make it okay.I can’t help being scared, though.You mean more to me than the Cozy Corner, and I fall apart if anything happens to you or your brothers.This all started with me, and I can’t shake the feeling that I brought this to your door,” I admit, telling him my deepest fear.
“Bronson had a plan going back years ago.You were an added bonus.If he could have you and use your business, he would be the king on his throne, sitting on a satin pillow, with you to warm his bed.His ego was bruised, so he’s attempting another tactic, but it’s going to blow up in his face.”He comes up on an elbow and turns me onto my back so our eyes meet.“In a way, I have to thank that fucker.If it weren’t for his audacity to make a move on you, it might have taken me longer to ‘pull my finger out of my ass,’ as Ruth would say.”He chuckles, and I can’t help but smile.
