But as my gaze lands on the Hernandez bastard in our midst and I watch him silently fume in his seat as our men enjoy a few lap dances from The Pit’s finest talent, I’m inclined to think Tiernan only gave the thumbs up to this bachelor party just to get on Alejandro’s last nerve.
Still, I would have preferred he’d come up with a different approach to fuck with his new brother-in-law than come to this crowded cesspool of a strip club. Anyone could easily come in undetected and hide a few well-placed bombs to blow us all to smithereens. At least that’s what I would have done to my enemies if given the chance.
Thankfully, I had ample time to come to The Pit earlier and scope the place out while Tiernan and Alejandro were conducting business back at his office downtown. One can’t be too careful, even if the consensus is that the Mafia Wars will be a thing of the past after tomorrow.
Wars don’t usually end with wedding receptions.
At least I’ve never seen it happen in my lifetime.
From the second-story balcony, I continue to stand guard as I watch most of our soldiers have a grand old time throwing dollar bills onto the stage, while the strippers shake their asses at them like they are in a bad rap video. Shay is making his rounds downstairs, ensuring that everyone is enjoying themselves, while Tiernan, Alejandro, and I sit in our VIP section, watching it all go down. The music is loud and obnoxious to my ears, as the half-naked girls continue to do their job at getting as much money out of our men’s pockets as they can. I guess I should be thankful that the girls handpicked to entertain us upstairs are keeping their dancing to the pole at the corner of the room, not brave enough to come to our table unless called upon.
All but one, that is.
From my peripheral, I watch one of the dancers swing her hips our way. I hold in a sardonic chuckle when she decides to plop her ass onto Alejandro’s lap of all people, thinking she will win brownie points with Tiernan if she does a good job in seducing his out-of-town guest. She has barely even touched him when Alejandro pushes her away, resulting in the striper’s ass hitting the grimy floor with a loud thud while the cartel prince looks down at her with a disgusted expression on his face at her audacity to come near him.
“Excuse me. I’m going outside to make a call,” he utters before getting up from his seat, not even bothering to help the girl up from her knees, leaving her to crawl back to her pole as fast as she can, if she knows what’s good for her.
“You want me to follow him?” I ask, feeling uneasy that one of our greatest enemies is making a quick getaway.
“The men outside have eyes on him, so no need,” Tiernan retorts, nursing his whiskey, his facial features finally showing signs of his reluctance at being here.
We both stay silent, watching our surroundings, but I can tell that tonight he’s uncharacteristically agitated.
And if I’m honest, so am I.
“Little odd Alejandro didn’t bring his entourage with him,” I state, pointing out what has been plaguing my mind since we picked him and his sister up at the airport.
“He’s testing me,” Tiernan explains evenly.
“By making himself vulnerable?” I counter in confusion.
“That’s the thing. He shouldn’t be vulnerable in Boston. By leaving his goons back in Mexico and coming alone, he’s making a statement. That this town is now as much his as it is mine.”
My hands ball into fists at the remark.
“Don’t let him see you look so angry, Colin. It will only amuse him,” Tiernan adds before taking a sip of his drink. “Besides, he didn’t do anything that I wouldn’t have done if the roles were reversed. This treaty is meant to protect us all, so swallow your pride and let the asshole think whatever he wants. We know better.”
“If you say so, boss.”
“I do.”
I square my shoulders and look straight ahead, trying my best to relax my features so I don’t show how much I hate the fact we have to play host to this asshole. It’s a travesty we have to endure his presence and play nice with his family in the first place.
“You know that if you wanted, you could enjoy yourself tonight. I wouldn’t mind,” Tiernan says, trying to get my mind off the desire to kill the Hernandez prick on the spot.
“I’d rather stand guard if it’s all the same to you, boss.”
“Are you sure? The Pit went all out tonight. Might as well take advantage of it and pick a girl or two to entertain yourself with.”
“Don’t need any entertaining, boss. I’m fine right here.”
He lets out a strained chuckle under his breath.
“Shay is sure of a different mindset. I’d swear he was the one getting married tomorrow. Trying to sow as many oats as he can before the clock runs out on him.”
My eyes land on my younger cousin, and I see him laughing away with some of our soldiers, drinking his fill while two dancers rub themselves up against his sides. Sometimes I envy his carefree nature. When people look at Shay, they don’t see the marks of a killer. The same can’t be said about me, though. One look at me, and everyone knows what kind of evil lies underneath. It’s marked all over my face as a reminder.
“Shay was never one to turn down a party. I’m not as inclined.”
“No. Neither am I, I’m afraid. Those days are over for me.”
My forehead wrinkles at the melancholy in his voice. But then again, I wasn’t the one who just shipped my baby sister on a plane to be married to Bratva pigs, so I sympathize with his turmoil.
“Iris is tougher than she looks. The Russians are no match for her,” I announce, knowing that’s where his mind is tonight.
“I hope you’re right. I’ve got this bad feeling that won’t go away,” he says, rubbing at his chest to drive the point home.
“Maybe what you’re feeling is just wedding jitters.”
He turns to me with his brows arched up high to his forehead.
“Did you just make a joke, Col?” He smiles, amused.
“Humor was never my forte, boss.”
“It sure sounded that way to me just now.” He laughs, his broad frame relaxing a tad, his gaze falling once again downstairs where the action is.
There is a pregnant pause between us until Tiernan decides to break it with his own curiosity.