Iced (VII Knights MC), page 10
She opened her eyes and smiled. “Thank you.”
I shrugged. “I should be the one thanking God for having you barrel into me in the men’s room. Life has been damn good since then.”
“I would say more interesting than good.”
“That, too,” I laughed.
“Are you coming?” Nessa called.
Hannah cringed and waved at Nessa. “I swear she really does have a sweet side. She just doesn’t show it.”
Nessa shouted something at Mercury and flipped him off.
“Yeah, real sweet,” I laughed.
Hannah opened her door and pasted a smile on her face. I hopped out and skirted around the back of the car.
I grabbed Hannah’s hand and threaded my fingers through hers. She tipped her head back, and I pressed a kiss to her lips.
“Well, as shitty as this is, at least you two found each other.” Nessa shielded her eyes from the sun and smiled.
That right there was the most surprising thing.
Nessa was good with Hannah and me being together.
Hell, she was more than good with it. She didn’t even question it.
“Let’s go,” Mercury called. “I do have other shit that needs to be done today.”
Nessa rolled her eyes and smoothed her hands down her black slacks. “Yes, I’m sure there are many biker things you need to do. Like shining the chrome on your bike.”
Mercury looked at Hannah. “Three years of free fabrication,” he grunted.
“What?” Nessa shouted. “What are you talking about?”
Hannah’s shoulders sagged. “You got it.”
Mercury opened the door and held it open for us. “It goes up every time she opens her mouth at me.”
Nessa stalked over to Hannah. “What have you agreed to?” she asked.
“Did you really think the VII Knights were helping us out of the kindness of their hearts?”
Nessa glanced at Mercury. “Well, I suppose not, but three years of free fabrication is a lot, Hannah.”
“The company can handle it.”
Nessa looked doubtful.
“I promise. Remember, every single penny I am counting,” Hannah reassured her.
Nessa stomped her heel clad foot but nodded her head. “Fine, but we are not doing more than three years,” she insisted.
“Then keep your mouth shut with me,” Mercury called.
“I do not like that man,” Nessa whispered.
Hannah patted Nessa’s shoulder. “I know. Just ignore him.”
Nessa turned on her heel and marched into the building. She glared at Mercury but didn’t say anything to him.
Here we go.
*
Chapter Seventeen
Hannah
Ice led me through the door, and I was surprised when I stepped into a bright and cheery reception area.
“Are you sure we’re in the right place?” Nessa asked.
Mercury stepped behind Nessa and pushed his sunglasses on top of his head. “What did you expect?” he asked.
“Not this,” I whispered. I guess I had watched too many movies and figured we were going to walk into some dingy room with dim lighting and filthy floors.
Mercury shook his head and nodded to the neon sign on the wall. “Brightman Pudding.”
Nessa glanced at Mercury. “I love that stuff.”
“As does most of the country. It’s also the business Blanche owns that she laundries her drug money through,” he explained.
Nessa’s eyes bugged out of her head, and my jaw about hit the floor.
A woman appeared from the doorway to the left and smiled at us. “Can I help you?”
“We’re here for a meeting with Blanche,” Mercury grunted.
“Of course, Mr. Dryer.” The woman held the door open and motioned for us to follow her.
“Dryer?” Nessa mumbled. “File that one away.”
“Four years,” Mercury warned.
Nessa held up her hands. “Forget I said anything. You shall be known by one name for the rest of your life. Mercury, the asshole.”
Mercury grabbed her arm and gently pushed her toward the door. “Ladies first.”
Nessa laughed and walked through the doorway. I followed behind her with the guys on my heels.
We walked along a long hallway that had huge windows on one side. There were huge conveyor belts and machines on the other side of the window. Small pudding containers moved through the machines and conveyors like delicious little soldiers.
“Do you think we could get a case or two of pudding before we leave?” Nessa asked.
The receptionist glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “I’ll have it ready for you after your meeting.”
“Jesus Christ,” Mercury grunted.
The receptionist turned to the right and then opened a lone door at the end of the hallway. We stepped into the room, and a beautiful woman was sitting behind a large desk. The walls were a right green, and four chairs were in front of her desk.
Her eyes instantly moved to Mercury when he stepped into the room.
Her sleek black hair was swept off her face and pinned at her nape. Her skin was like porcelain, and her makeup was expertly applied. She was wearing an expensive white silk blouse, and she had a ring on each beautifully manicured finger.
She looked like a mythical goddess.
Nessa reached for my hand and pulled me next to her.
This woman was intimidating without even saying a word.
If Ice and the club thought Nessa was the Ice Princess, this woman had to be the Ice Queen.
“Are you going to sit or just stare at me?” Blanche called. Her voice was smooth and entrancing. Not at all what I expected.
Mercury stepped around Ness and me. “I see you’re still a bitch,” he called.
My eyes bugged out, and Nessa gasped.
“And you’re still an asshole. It’s nice to know that not everything changes.” Blanche motioned for us to sit. “I have twenty minutes before I need to be on a plane to Boston. Sit.”
At least she was giving more than five minutes, like Mercury had. Nessa and I sat in the two middle chairs, and Ice and Mercury flanked us.
“Do I need to do introductions, or do you know who everyone is?” Mercury asked.
Blanche tipped her head to the side and smiled. “You know I always do my homework, Mercury. Nessa and Hannah Mitcham and one of your lackeys, Ice.” She nodded to each of us. “What can I do for you?”
I glanced at Nessa, who seemed frozen. We had decided that she would be the one to do most of the talking, but it didn’t seem like that would happen.
I cleared my throat and scooted to the edge of my seat. “It’s nice to meet you, Miss Blanche Halo. Nessa and I can’t tell you how much we appreciate you giving us a sliver of your time.”
“I didn’t expect you to be the one doing the talking,” Blanche replied. “And you can drop the Halo. I hate when people call me by my full name.”
I held up my hands and nodded. “Yes, of course. Sorry about that.” I had been referring to her as Blanche Halo so much that my brain forgot to drop her last name when actually talking to her. “My sister and I are here because we would like to talk about the arrangement you have with Mitcham Metals.”
“I figured as much. Marcus was arguing for a higher cut, so I figured it was only time until you two came asking for more. Though I will say that I am surprised you have the VII Knights with you.” Blanche tapped her long nails on her desk. “I can’t do more than five percent.”
Nessa seemed to finally thaw out. “We don’t want five percent.”
“We don’t want any percent,” I added.
“Marcus misled me into believing that Mitcham Metals was in some dire straits.” Nessa motioned to me. “I put my trust in the wrong people when I took over Mitcham Metals, and thankfully my sister has offered to step in and show me the error in my ways.”
“One should always turn to family first,” Blanche advised.
I held back a scoff. That advice would have been great for Nessa to hear four months ago.
“You are right. Once I’m done here today, Hannah and I will be restructuring the company to give her half ownership, and Marcus will no longer be an employee of Mitcham Metals.”
My heart stopped at Nessa’s words. Half owner? We hadn’t discussed any of that—none, except for the firing of Marcus. I cleared my throat and tried not to look shocked.
Blanche tipped her head to the side. “I applaud your ability to recognize when you need help and not be ashamed. Most business owners aren’t able to ever do that. They’d much rather run their company into the ground before saying they have made a mistake.”
Blanche liked that Nessa could admit her mistakes? Well, she was about to hear about another mistake she had made.
“Um, thank you,” Nessa muttered.
Blanche sat back. “And I know what you are about to ask me next. No one in this room is going to like my answer.”
Mercury slumped down in his chair and kicked his feet out. Ice reached for my hand and weaved his fingers with mine.
“I would like to know how I could get out of the agreement we have. My sister and I understand that you will lose money with Mitcham Metals backing out. We are willing to pay well above that loss, so we don’t have any hurt feelings between us.”
Blanche smiled. “You have to know that money is not going to be able to fix this. I take my business seriously. I don’t make quick decisions.” She looked at Nessa. “Another solid piece of advice you should take to heart, Miss Mitcham.”
Jesus. Direct shot.
“Thank you. That has been noted.” Nessa gritted out.
“Just cut the shit, Blanche,” Mercury interrupted. “You’ve intimidated them and taken your shots. Get to the point.”
“You’re not going to like my point, Mercury,” Blanche warned.
Mercury shrugged. “That never stopped you before.”
Blanche glared at Mercury and turned her attention back to Nessa and me. “How much are you willing to pay?”
Nessa looked and me, and I nodded.
I took a deep breath. “We can have a check to you tomorrow for two point three million.”
Blanche steepled her hands in front of her and tapped her fingers together. “Two. You can keep the point three for your groceries.”
“Oh, um, whatever you want, Miss Blanche,” Nessa replied.
“That’s not all she wants,” Mercury grunted.
Oh god. She wanted something else. Nessa and I didn’t have anything else. Not that we wanted to give to her.
Blanche smiled. “You are correct, Mercury. You’re compensating me for the loss you cause me, but now I need to be able to fill the void I have from terminating my agreement with Mitcham Metals.”
What was she talking about? She wanted us to find someone to take over the muling Marcus had agreed to?
“How long?” Mercury asked.
Nessa and I turned to Mercury. It seemed we were out of the conversation, and Mercury was in.
“Ten years,” Blanche replied.
Mercury shook his head. “Two.”
Blanche laughed flatly. “Five or Mitcham Metals stays muling for me.”
Mercury looked at Ice.
Something was happening that I didn’t understand.
Ice nodded.
Mercury took a deep breath and gripped the armrest of his chair. “Five, and there is no renegotiating or changing the terms. Five years, and that is it.”
Blanche reached her arm out toward Mercury. “Two million and five years.”
Mercury shook her hand and stood. “We’re done here.”
Nessa and I scrambled to stand.
“I, uh, will have the check couriered over by the afternoon tomorrow,” Nessa muttered.
“I’ll be waiting for it,” Blanche replied demurely. “And do enjoy your pudding.”
Mercury grabbed Nessa by the arm and pulled her out the door and down the hallway. Ice and I followed closely behind them as I tried to wrap my head around what had just happened.
“How did she know about the pudding?” Nessa called.
“Shut up,” Mercury grunted.
We walked back into the reception area, and there were two brown cases of pudding sitting by the door.
Mercury stalked outside with his hand still holding Nessa, and I helped Ice grab the pudding.
If things weren’t so serious right now, I totally would have felt like this was an ‘I carried a watermelon’ moment as I struggled to pick up the case of pudding.
“Darlin’,” Ice chuckled.
“It’s heavy,” I whispered. “How many little containers of pudding do they cram in here?” I asked. I managed to use the wall as leverage and lifted the case.
“You good?” he asked.
“Not in the least, but carrying a case of pudding is helping to distract me.” I still had no idea what had just happened. Two million dollars and five years. Five years of what?
Ice opened the door. “I’ll explain in the car.”
“Why did you do that?” Nessa screamed at Mercury.
Mercury opened the back door to the car and didn’t say anything.
Oh god. We did not need to have a screaming match in the parking lot of Brightman Pudding after having a meeting about agreeing to not mule drugs anymore.
“Get in the car, Nessa,” I hollered.
Nessa glared at me. “You have no idea what he just did, Hannah.”
I didn’t, but I knew I would find out what that was once we all got in the car.
Ice popped the trunk, and I dropped the case next to his.
I herded Nessa into the car while Ice and Mercury got in the front.
“How dare you d–.”
Mercury whipped around in his seat and cut a glare through Nessa. “How dare I do what?” he demanded. “I just saved your fucking ass, and all you can do is scream at me like some wild banshee?”
“I didn’t need you saving me like that,” Nessa retorted.
“You didn’t, huh? Then what were you going to offer her? She wanted more than your money,” Mercury spat.
Was I the only one who didn’t understand what had just happened? I raised my hand like a little schoolgirl, and Ice smacked his head with his hand.
“There’s that naivety I love so much,” he muttered.
“What just happened?” I asked.
Mercury took a deep breath and turned back in his seat. He stared out the windshield and slipped his sunglasses over his eyes. “Mitcham Metals owes Blanche Halo two million dollars, and VII Knights owe her the next five years of our lives muling drugs for her.”
*
Chapter Eighteen
Ice
“I want church.”
I shook my head. “Darlin’, your days of being in church are over.” And she never had the power to ever call for church either.
We were loaded up in my truck with Samson hanging his head out the window and Hannah next to me.
The drive back to the clubhouse had been quiet, with Nessa stewing over being told to shut up and Hannah trying to cope with what had just happened.
The Golden, Co chapter of the VII Knights worked for Blanche Halo for the next five years, muling drugs in a four-state radius.
Last night Mercury had called church, and we had all voted that VII Knights would take over the agreement Blanche had with Mitcham Metals if it came down to it. We had all hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but we all knew that it would.
Mercury had lived two years connected to that woman, and he knew how she operated. The only way for Mitcham Metals to be clear of Blanche was for the Knights to step in.
Nessa and Hannah didn’t like it, but they didn’t have a say anymore.
We had helped them get clean of any trouble, and that was it for them.
“I didn’t want Mitcham Metals muling drugs, and I thought that meant it was pretty obvious I didn’t want you and the club to do it either,” she grumbled.
“Darlin’, sometimes you need to pick the lesser of two evils. At least with the club taking over the muling, your hands are clean.”
“But the club’s aren’t. You can’t do this, Ice,” she insisted.
“You’re a smart woman, Hannah. You have to know there is absolutely no amount of money that will get the VII Knights out of this. It’s just best if you forget the name Blanche Halo. She has nothing to do with you anymore.”
“But I want something to do with you,” Hannah cried. “This whole thing could just explode in the club’s face, and then you all go to prison.”
That was a risk we all understood. “It was a unanimous vote last night that the club would take over the muling.”
“I doubt that,” Hannah huffed. “I bet Raff put up a stink about it.”
Raff was one of the first to vote yes to take over the muling. “No one said no, Hannah. That’s all you need to know.”
Hannah folded her arms over her chest. “I don’t like this, Ice. She was just supposed to take our money and be done.”
Women like Blanche Halo never went away that easily.
If you really thought about it, we had played right into her hand. For two years, Mercury had been able to put off working for Blanche, and she finally had the upper hand.
She got what she finally wanted.
“You need just to let it go, darlin’. You got what you wanted, and the VII Knights are fine.” I glanced over at her. “You know when we first met that I could help you, and that is exactly what I did.”
“By sacrificing yourself,” she complained.
I turned into her driveway and shifted the truck into park.
I shifted in the seat and gathered Hannah in my arms. “We are only going to have this conversation one more time, and then I never want to hear you say anything about today ever again.”
She rolled her eyes and pressed her hand to my chest. “I cannot promise that because that’s impossible to do. A lot of things happened that aren’t just going to go away. I mean, two million dollars is easily going away, but you and the club are stuck with Blanche Halo for the next five years.”
“You make that promise, or we’re never leaving this truck. We’ll just sit here until we both die, and Samson manages to claw his way out to freedom.”
