“Power suits you,” I say. “You’re not as scrawny as I remember.”
Jennifer rolls her eyes and unzips her jacket, revealing the skin-tight sweater underneath. “We last saw each other seven years ago. A lot has changed since then.”
I reach behind me for a glass and pour her a generous amount. “Where’s your lesser half?”
“Jeremiah is… around.”
I snort as I watch her reach for the glass and sniff it. “Lost your twin already? That doesn’t bode well for the alliance.”
Jennifer sits in the chair opposite my desk and holds the glass with both hands. “Word on the street is you’re desperate and can’t afford to be picky. The Everetts and Fitzpatricks are issuing all sorts of threats to anyone who comes within ten feet of you.”
I cross my legs and place them on the desk. “A Payne is never desperate. This is only a temporary hiccup.”
Jennifer lifts the glass to her lips and studies me. “We both know that if that were true, you wouldn’t be coming to us.”
I shrug. “Times have changed.”
Jennifer sips her drink, and her posture relaxes. She leans back against the leather armchair, and her bright, hazel eyes move over me slowly, as if she’s looking for something. Then she crosses her ankles and takes a few more sips. She clears her throat and sets the glass back down.
“Some things don’t change that much.”
I swirl my drink around the glass and say nothing.
As much as I hate to admit it, she’s right.
The Harrisons are notorious for being difficult to work with and easy to anger. It’s one of the reasons why they only have a smattering of alliances among some of the lesser families, but now that I’ve extended the hand of friendship, it’s time for them to play with the big dogs. I hate having to scrape from the bottom of the barrel, but I don’t have a lot of other offers.
Or any.
Word about the attempt on my life has spread, and the image I’ve spent years cultivating as someone indestructible and untouchable has been shaken. Many of our old alliances remain, but not a single family has stepped forward to help spearheadthe crusade against the Fitzpatricks and Everetts. Not directly, at least.
Without more boots on the ground, we have no hope of surviving, much less winning.
Someone raps on the office door, and before I can say anything else, the door swings open to reveal Jeremiah Harrison and a furious-looking Katia behind him. She glances between the Harrison twins before she flicks her gaze over to me. I nod, and she slips into position behind me, displeasure rolling off her in waves.
“I hope you haven’t started any of the fun without me.”
“Jeremiah.” I pour him a glass and slide it over. “I see you’ve already made yourself at home.”
Jeremiah reaches for the glass and chuckles. “I couldn’t resist. You’ve got some of the hottest women around working for you. Any chance you want to spare one?”
I lower my feet to the ground. “I’m sure you know that isn’t how this club works.”
Jeremiah waves away my comment and takes a long sip before he smacks his lips together. “In light of our imminent alliance, I’m sure an agreement can be reached.”
Smug little shit.
I’ve always disliked Jeremiah Harrison, and on the rare occasions our paths have crossed, I’ve had great difficulty restraining myself from slamming his head against the wall, repeatedly.
Unfortunately, the past few years have only made him more entitled.
I half-listen as he spouts off a few ideas to modernize the club and bring in clientele. After half an hour, I’m ready to drag him to the basement, alliance be damned. Thankfully, Jennifer leans forward to place a hand on his arm, and he trails off. She clears her throat, and I fix my gaze on her and wait.
“We want shares in every major Payne business,” Jennifer begins, “including the club.”
“I expect nothing less.”
“Twenty-five percent.”