Chapter 51

Eric.

The next morning, I got ready bright and early. I needed to make sure I left plenty of time for this meeting. Who knew how long it could go?

“Aren't you worried there will be some kickback?” Emily asked as I grabbed my shoes.

“I'm hoping Dylon was enough of a madman, and the battle was bloody enough, that they'll all agree this is for the best,” I said with a shrug. “My reputation precedes me, and I'd like to think my own flourishing pack is reassuring enough to the Enforcers that they'll fall in line.”

“Hopefully,” Emily replied, not completely convinced. “Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?”

I shook my head. There was a large chance the men I was about to meet with were old-school misogynistic gangsters. So, not only did I not want Emily's presence to jeopardize my meeting, but I knew how they'd likely treat her and I didn't want to subject her to that.

“No, thank you though.”

“Okay.”

I gave her a peck on the cheek before heading out of the house. Instead of having Roger drive me today, sitting around for who knows how long, I opted to drive myself in the favorite of my collection - a midnight blue Ferrari with an electric-boys lightning bolt across each side. I absently tossed the keys repeatedly, their jangling filling the air.

I hopped in and started it right up, the roar of the engine naturally filling me with a surge of dopamine. I grinned and revved the engine. It had been too long since I took my baby out.

I slowly drove it to the gate and onto the road. But as soon as I was free from the residential area, I pushed on the gas, letting the speedometer raise higher and higher, getting to sixty miles per hour within only a few seconds. Adrenaline coursed through me as I continued to accelerate.

The meeting place was out of town - a neutral spot for both packs, and a bit out of the way. But with my speedy car, I would get there in no time. I expected to be the first one - no better way to assert my dominance.

Just as I suspected, I was the first to arrive. I parked my car and walked inside. The building itself was the oldest I knew of, built specifically for the meeting of multiple pack Alpha's. Sometimes for treaties, sometimes to band against a common enemy, sometimes simply for parties.

It had been kept up over the years, but as far as I knew it hadn't been used for over a decade. I wiped my finger along a dusty shelf. The place could use some sprucing up. I made a note to have it cleaned. I wasn't entirely sure who had been in charge of the upkeep, but I knew he was old and had been around the area for quite some time.

Before I could think much more about it, I heard a car pull up. I casually took a seat at the head of the table and rotated the chair to face the door. A man stepped in that I didn't recognize. *Must be one of the Enforcers.*

“Welcome. Have a seat,” I said, gesturing with my hand around the table to the many chairs.

He grunted and sat down.

“While we wait for others, why don't you introduce yourself? What's your name? Your occupation and specialty?”

“Name’s Bruce,” he grunted. “Weapons dealer for the Enforcers.”

“Got any family, Bruce?”

“A wife and a baby on the way.”

“That's exciting. Do you know the gender yet?”

He smirked. “No. It's supposed to be a surprise.”

I laughed. “Well, good luck with that.”

The door opened and two more men stepped through. The first was Remy, and behind him was Kurt. I nodded to them and gestured for them to take a seat. I was about to have them introduce themselves when the door opened again.

I sat up in my chair to get a better view of the man walking in. He stood no more than three feet tall and was pudgy. How he got anywhere astounded me. His tiny legs waddled him over to the table and he climbed into a chair.

“You can quit staring,” he said gruffly, his voice lower than I expected.

But I didn't move my gaze. “And you are?”

“Tony. Enforcer Kingpin.”

“Wow. He and Lorenzo are like complete opposites,” Remy laughed not so quietly.

I gave him a look and he apologized.

In walked Lorenzo.

“Speak of the devil,” Kurt laughed.

“Who, me?” Lorenzo asked, placing his hand over his chest, his face a look of mock offense.

“Who else?”

Lorenzo scoffed. “You are just jealous of my good looks.”

A chuckle spread across the room as Lorenzo took his seat.

The final three men finally walked through the door and took their seats.

“Now that you're all here, I would like each of you to introduce yourselves. If we're going to be working together, we ought to know a bit about each other first, learn to trust one another.”

They took turns introducing themselves. The final Enforcers introduced themselves as Ricky and Robert.

When they had finished, I cleared my throat and interlaced my fingers. “Now, I don't see why we can't all just keep our jobs. You will work together with your counterpart from the opposite pack. Lorenzo and Tony, Remy and Bruce, Kurt and Ricky, and Lenny and Robert. Each of you has a unique perspective to bring to the table and I want you to collaborate and find the best way to do your job within the new merged pack.”

I looked around the room to gauge their reactions. I was surprised to see all of them nodding.

“Any questions? Concerns?”

“Just one,” Kurt said. “Do we have the accommodations for Tiny Tony over here?” He pointed at the small man with his thumb, his face completely serious.

But I could see smiles trying to be hidden across the table.

“You wanna say that to my face, you big ape?”

“Not sure I can bend that low, but I can try,” Kurt said back with a smirk.

“I know so many people, and so many things, you could wake up tomorrow wishing you were dead!”

“Enough!” I growled. “We came here to make peace. To join our commonalities for the greater good of this pack. Enough squabbling.”

The room fell silent. I didn't expect that to work so well.

“Let's get together this weekend and have drinks, on me,” I continued. “Loosen up, get to know each other better. There's no better way to learn who you can trust than after a few drinks.” I winked, earning myself a chuckle.

The men nodded. “Agreed.”

I smiled. “Then, meeting adjourned.. unless any of you have legitimate questions.”

“I got one,” Bruce piped in. “Ain't you gonna go broke buying us all drinks?” He laughed and the rest of the men did too.

I chuckled and rolled my eyes. “See you all on Saturday. How does eight o'clock sound? At Jimmy's pub on 7th.”

I made a mental note to dig a little more into each of their personal lives since the only one I knew anything about was Bruce, and that was because he was early. I also made a note to have a welcome baby basket sent to Bruce's wife. I wanted to show these guys I care about them like I care about my own pack.