Venom's Secret (Iron Vex MC Book 4) by Elizabeth Knox (guided reading books .txt) 📕

and the fact he has to hand over his weapons is obviously annoying him. I’m sure he’s internally sayin’ somethin’ about bein’ invited here and we shouldn’t have to do shit. However, the O’Deas are a prominent mafia family, so of course they’re going to operate on the side of caution.

I walk up to the guys next and hand them over everything I have, and then they pat me down like they did with Omen and Cowboy, and the only person left they have to clear is Boss. She steps up to them and hands everything over, including her brass knuckles she usually carries in the pockets of her jeans and then holds her arms out, and then legs.

The guys look at each other like they’re not sure who’s gonna clear her, but the man who brought us in ends up walkin’ up to her and rolls his eyes at the other two idiots on his team. He brings his hands close to Boss and Cowboy clears his throat. “You’d better watch where those hands go.” His tone comes out like a warnin’, like the dude is itchin’ to fuck someone up for even layin’ a finger on her.

“Iann, what’s the meaning of this?” An older Irish man opens a set of double doors and looks out at Iann, the man who let us in. His accent is thick, almost so thick I can barely make out what he’s saying.

Iann draws his brows together. “Don’t you want them cleared?”

The man scoffs and shakes his head, comes right over and grabs Iann by the collar of his shirt. “The Iron Vex MC are allies to our club. What in the bloody hell do you think you’re doing? Give them back their property this instant.”

The men hand us back our property and the old man motions for us to follow him into what looks like an elaborate conference room. “Thank you for coming here so quickly. I was hoping for a meeting in the next week or so, but as Liam said, you’re good people.”

“I appreciate you saying that. It’s great to meet you in the flesh, Mr. O’Dea. I’m Boss, the national charter Prez for the Iron Vex MC.” Boss extends a hand and they shake, and while they do I shut the door so all words spoken here are private. “This is Cowboy, who will be the Prez of the Boston charter. He’s currently the Prez for our Calgary charter, but I’ve made the decision to transfer everyone out here since this deal has been struck.”

“It’s great to meet you, Cowboy, your ink an ode to your soul?” Colin nods toward Cowboy’s neck which gives him a chuckle. He has a good chuckle and gives Colin a nod.

“Likewise, Sir. I’ll be happy to assist you however I can.” Cowboy puts on his charm and the old man makes introductions with Omen as well before heading around behind his desk and having a seat.

We all start a conversation about what’s to be expected once the Boston charter gets up and running. But our conversation quickly comes to an end as there’s a light rap on the door. Colin furrows his brows and clears his throat. “Who is it? I’m in a meeting.”

“It’s me, Father.” A man who appears to look in his late-twenties opens the door and comes in, shutting it behind him.

“I’m in a meeting, Cian.” Colin seems a bit frustrated, obviously wanting to know what’s going on.

“Yes, I’m sorry . . . I think there’s a situation you need to know about,” Cian states clearly, looking directly into his father’s eyes.

“Okay, so tell me. I have business to tend to,” Colin grits out.

“I . . .” Cian looks around the room, “I think it’s something we best discuss in private, Father.”

“I don’t care what you think, son. Speak.”

With a huff, Cian tells his father there’s a woman in Ireland spreading word that she’s a bastard child of the Mackenzies. She’s the half-sister to Desmond Mackenzie, and she has children, she’s saying that her children deserve a piece of the pie.

“What’s her name?” Colin questions.

“Orla Gallagher is her name, and the children she’s had are all out of wedlock, she’s saying—”

Colin puts a hand up and shakes his head. “We’ll talk about this later, son, when we can call Liam and get his thoughts on the situation. Until then, I’m not concerned with what she’s saying, not until we have proof.”

“Yes, Father.” Cian quickly does what his father says and leaves us. Boss waits a few moments before suggesting we come back another time if he has other things to tend to, but Colin tells her today is perfect and they’ll iron out the wrinkles so they’re working together effectively.

I sit back in my chair, knowing we’re about to have one hell of a successful meeting. I’m the type of man who trusts my gut and Colin O’Dea doesn’t strike me as a snake in the grass. I only hope I’m right.

Chapter Sixteen

Venom

Being up since the ass crack of dawn isn’t exactly something I’d prefer to do, but I’m not going to complain because Beretta texted me late last night and said we needed to chat. Now my ass is in Manhattan, tucked in an alley where there’s a small coffee shop. I’m sitting at a small two-seater table, waiting for the legend herself to come strutting up with her designer sunglasses and massive purse in hand.

I’m sipping on a plain cappuccino and ordered her a black coffee. She’s not a picky woman and after numerous times meeting with her, I know she prefers black coffee when she’s working, which is most of the time these days. I don’t think she takes any time off.

I glance down at my phone and look for the time, wondering if she’s a few minutes late, but just as I do the seat is filled across from me. “Sorry, traffic’s a hell of a bitch this morning.” Beretta wastes no