It didn't take long for Maurice's brothers to find out about Maurice's side deal with Charles. How did they find out? It seems Charles kept his word and visited Mason, explaining about the meeting, leaving out the deal with Greg Hartley.
Hearing this information didn't make Mason happy.
"Sonofabitch!" Mason yelled after Charles told him everything. Mason cussed a lot more, and the word fuck tossed around several times. Yeah, Mason's pissed off.
Charles let our brother rant and rave like the lunatic he is, sitting in a chair for Mason to finish. Mason finally finished his ranting and sat down in his desk chair.
"Mason, I came to you because I don't trust Maurice. If he is willing to cross double his brothers, who're to say he won't double-cross me," Charles reason.
Oh, I know Maurice will double-cross you, setting up a war. I quit doing business with Marty and his family because of their bullshit. I have an agreement with the Morgan's and Santiago's, but I don't trust the Santiago's," Mason said.
"It doesn't help Frank allied himself with Maurice's family," Charles mentioned.
"Does this surprise you? The Shaw brothers are worse. I heard the rumors about them and it sickens me," Mason spat. "Frank is the least of our concerns at the moment. I will deal with the Frazier family first."
Over the years, Mason became powerful, aligning himself with the Morgan family. Our name became synonymous in the underground world, making people terrified of us. Mason spent years building an empire that made us ruthless and powerful. Did I mention we took matters in our hands with people? I must have left that piece of information out.
While Mason figures out what his next move was, Joseph and I were taking care of a business deal that went wrong.
"I promise I'll get you the money!" A guy begged on his knees as Joseph and I stood there, looking at him.
"Why does Mason send us on these business trips where people can plead with us?" I asked Joseph.
"Mason's tired of whiny people," Joseph reasoned.
"That sounds reasonable," I replied, shrugging. I lifted my gun, shot the guy twice, killing him. The guy fell to the floor, dead.
"That was quick," Joseph remarked.
"The guy bored me with his whining. Oh, please, I promise, blah, blah, blah," I said, making a raspberry.
Joseph chuckled as we left. The cleaners will arrive to clean up the mess. Mason hired men to dispose of bodies and clean up, leaving no traces behind, including the person's identity. It's if the person never existed.
Joseph and I are tasked with dealing with people domestically whereas Elliot traveled abroad. Mason's reasoning was Elliot isn't married or has kids. Joseph and I are married. My sisters stayed out of the family business, helping when we need it.
We went to grab a bite since Nikita is stuck working late tonight at the hospital. Before we went to eat, I brought Nikita dinner. I walked into the hospital and found her at the nurse's station. I strolled over to her.
Nikita turned to me and smiled. I kissed her, then held up the bag. "I figure you'd be hungry," I said as Nikita took the bag.
"I'm starved. The hospital was so busy, I didn't get a chance to eat," Nikita mentioned.
Joesph and I finished working and going to grab a bite to eat. I wanted to bring you dinner first," I reasoned.
"You're so thoughtful. Thank you," Nikita replied. She kissed me, then went to check on a patient. I went to meet Joseph at a restaurant.
I learned that Nikita's loyalty earned my respect. I never worried about her cheating on me. I got lucky, considering my past. All it takes is meeting the right person to be faithful.
I walked into the restaurant and joined Joseph at a table. I ordered and we talked.
"How's Nikita?" Joseph asked.
"Starved. The hospital is busy and Nikita doesn't get a chance to eat," I answered.
"You surprise me, Carri," Joseph mentioned.
"How so?" I asked.
"You grew up and stop disregarding people," Joseph replied. I knew he is referring to Gloria.
"Because everyone was right. I didn't want to see it," I said. I hated discussing the past. I wasn't proud of it or my reckless behavior.
"We all learn from the past or we're doomed to repeat it," Joseph reasoned.
"Well, it's over and I moved on in my life," I added, wanting to drop the subject.
The problem is my past will smack me in the face when I least expected it as I came face to face with it, literally.
*******
While Joseph and I enjoyed dinner, Mason paid a visit to Marty Frazier. Two armed men accompanied Mason. He didn't take chances when it came to anyone, including the Frazier boys.
Mason entered Marty's office and sat down as his men stood by the door. Marty looked at Mason, unenthused.
"What do I owe to this visit?" Marty asked, irritation plausible in his voice.
"It seems your brother is making deals with my family and you have your hand in it," Mason said, getting to the point.
"I don't know what you're talking about Mason," Marty replied, feigning ignorance.
"Cut the bullshit, Marty. I know your family. Your family is planning something against mine. Too bad your brother changes your plans," Mason informed Marty as Marty's expression changed. "Yeah, I figured much that you didn't know."
Marty's expression changed to fury.
"You touch my family and I will put you down like the dog you are. Consider that a warning," Mason said, standing up and leaving the office.
The truth is Mason wanted to rattle Marty enough to do what he planned. He wanted the boy knowing he's blood, but didn't know who the boy belonged to for certain. Mason suspected, but needed confirmation. That set in motion of bringing particular people to Saintwood including Greg Hartley and Frank Shaw.
How do you draw your enemy out? You keep the enemy close to watch them.
Mason left the building and got into the backseat of a car as Charles sat there.
"Well," Charles asked.
"Marty took the bait. Now, we wait," Mason answered.
"What about Frank and Greg?" Charles questioned.
"Frank's careless and will follow. I will take care of Greg," Mason said as Charles looked at him.
Mason is bright and had plans of his own. He knew no matter what you planned, things change. Charles is more concerned about Greg Hartley than Frank Shaw and that made Mason wonder why?
What did our idiot brother do that involved Greg Hartley? We would find out when Greg arrived in town.
Mason and Charles left with Hunter driving.
"Hunter contact my brothers when we return," Mason ordered Hunter.
"Yes, Mr. Mason," Hunter said.
Hunter Michels is a kid that Mason found on the streets. Mason saw potential and took Hunter in thanks to Luci who ordered Mason to take Hunter. You got to love an Italian woman who yells at you in Italian. I think Mason didn't want to get a scolding from Luci.
Mason trained Hunter. Hunter in return trained Cole and Dean and handled things for Mason. Hunter's loyalty was like no other. Someone rescuing you from the streets will earn your loyalty.
While Mason and Charles went back to Mason's house, Marty and Mateo paid Maurice a visit, except Maurice wasn't home. He and Gloria were out, leaving their son home, alone.
*******
Frazier
I came downstairs to see my uncles standing in my living room.
"Where's your dad?" Marty asked.
"Dad and Mom went out," I said, shrugging.
"When will they be back?" Mateo asked.
"Beats me," I answered, passing Mateo off. Yeah, I hated my uncles. They're assholes. I hated their kids, even more, especially Mario.
Mateo walked over to me, pulling a gun and placing it to my forehead.
"Watch your tone, you disrespectful shit. Your dad isn't high on my priority," Mateo threatened.
I looked at Mateo, not flinching.
Mom and Dad came home, finding my uncles standing there. Mateo lowered his gun and put it away.
"What are you doing here?" Dad asked my uncles.
"We came to have a word with you," Marty asked.
"Gloria take the boy into the kitchen," Dad ordered. Mom escorted me out of the room. It didn't matter, my dad never called me by my name. He always called me boy. Yeah, I hated my dad.
"Mason visited me, telling me you made a deal with his brother," Marty mentioned. Dad said nothing.
"Bad move on your part," Mateo added.
"Since you enjoy betraying us, you will bring the boy to me tomorrow or I will kill you," Marty warned.
Marty and Mateo walked past Dad.
"Don't fuck this up Maurice," Mateo warned as he and Marty left.
Mom and I came out of the kitchen as we heard the car leave.
"Get packed. We're leaving," Dad ordered us.
We stood there, confused.
"And go where?" Mom asked.
Dad looked at her. "Saintwood. It's time to cash in on an offer," Dad said, going upstairs.
What offers and why Saintwood? I didn't understand any of it. Great, another school with assholes to deal with again. It's not like I didn't deal with them at my current school along with my sperm donor, fml. Plus, I didn't tell my mom that the school is getting ready to expel me for breaking into my school record. Yeah, I didn't need anymore lies.