Page 24 of Alfie: Part One
I’d been around a minute, so I wasn’t too worried to begin with. I knew what our cops were busy doing, I knew the Sons’ local enemies, and I knew I’d barely be on any radar. That wasn’tnaïve; it was a fact. I’d still be a background worker, for lack of a better term. Because as Kellan had pointed out, they tried to keep the management squeaky-clean.
“You get your fingers dirty, not the brain. You’ll be close to us, and we don’t belong in prison.”
Evidently, I was riding the nepotism train all the way up to management.
I’d felt the shift immediately on Tuesday when Kellan had told me everything I’d said had checked out.
I was gonna be a Son one day.
“Welcome to the brotherhood, mate.”
It filled me with both elation and trepidation. I didn’t know if I was making the right move, but I couldn’t imagine going back either.Backmeant rotting away at home and obsessing over West fucking his new man.
I knew they were fucking. He’d hit it off with that guy. I just knew it.
On Friday, Kellan and Finn showed up at my house with three other dudes and a lot of security equipment.
In the meantime, we had work to do, so we headed over to Mick’s for lunch, where we discussed new warehouses and the shipments coming in next week and the one after.
A guy could get used to this. Irish stew, an empty pub, a pint or two, and shop talk I could finally be a part of.
“It depends if you want them in Camden or on this side of the river,” I said.
“Which, in turn, depends on the merchandise and the amount,” Kellan replied. “Not to mention the laws. We go where the laws aren’t as strict.”
That made sense, although for what the Sons had coming into the city on a weekly basis, we weren’t talking minor felonies, regardless of the state.
“With that said, we have more people on the inside in Pennsylvania,” Finn said. “Both beat cops and detectives.”
“DA and lawyers too,” Kellan added.
I nodded and made a vague note in my phone. I’d ask Red Mikey to look into more locations, seeing as we didn’t wanna use the same warehouses frequently enough to create a pattern.
Mick came over with more bread for the table, and he even set an ashtray in the center.
He knew these guys.
Once Mick had left, Finn cleared his throat and gathered up more stew on his spoon. “One thing, Alfie. Trusting you and letting you in so quickly means we’re taking a risk. I hope I don’t have to tell you that if you fuck us over, it’s not just you we’re coming for. Am I making myself clear?”
Clearer than crystal.
Fucking hell.
But I got it. They had a lot on the line and their own families to protect.
“I hear you.” I nodded with a dip of my chin.
“Good,” he said. “I’m not planning on ever reminding you, because truth be told, I’m happy to have you on board. Since Liam’s flying down tonight, I told Emilia what’s goin’ on, and she’s excited to meet you. You can never have too much family.”
First a threat, then a welcome to the family.
I had to grin.
He was a straight shooter. Those kinds of people could hurt you with a single word, but you always knew where you had them. I preferred that. No bullshit.
“I’m starting to agree with you,” I admitted. “I know I’ve said I wasn’t looking to expand my family or whatever, but it’s beena good week. I hope Liam won’t go apeshit. Tell him I have no expectations.”
I truly fucking didn’t. Partly because I felt like I’d lucked out with Finn—and Kellan—already. Kellan had mentioned that Shan wanted to see more of me too. And my kids.