Suits and Successors

Chapter Nine: Father Chats

Matt's Point of View

"He asked for the fucking shipping yard!" I growled as I paced the outside of the café.

Chris flopped in a chair while Declan went in and found us something to drink. We had all been quiet for hours since leaving the front gate of Ronan's hideaway. Now we were at a small café by the house so we could figure out where we were going to stay.

I was shocked that Ronan was standing at his own gate waiting for us, but I was even more surprised that he let us get all the way to the gate. We thanked John and Donna and waited for them to drive away before we approached the gate.

Ronan slow-clapped as we walked up, "Congratulations on finding me, fellas. I'm surprised it didn't take longer for you to find me, and yet I'm even more surprised it took as long as it did."

"Where is she?" Chris asked with no emotion in his voice.

"I'm sure she's still around."

The sly smile on his face made me want to punch him, but it wasn't the time. I needed to make sure that not only was she alive, but that she was also here. I would hate myself even more if I found out I had wasted so much time in the country if she wasn't even with him.

"Is she alive?" I asked quietly, almost afraid of what his answer would be.

I only saw the hurt flash across his face for a second, but it was in fact there. It wasn't the kind of hurt someone like him would feel because of her death. It looked more like the kind of hurt someone would feel for being accused of something horrible.

He shoved his hands into his pockets, "Of course she's alive."

"I want proof," Declan stepped in front of me, "Bring her out here and show us she's alive and well."

Ronan laughed, "You only asked if she was alive."

"You mother fucker!" Declan snapped and lunged forward.

I put my arm out stopping Declan in his tracks, "Ronan, let's talk man to man, leader to leader."

"Almost leader," He corrected, "Last I heard you're still daddy's little bitch boy."

I gulped down my anger, "Fine, leader to future leader. What is it going to take for me to get Taylor back from you alive and well? How much do you want?"

He shoved his hands into his pockets, "I don't want your money."

"You don't?" I raised an eyebrow at him. There was no way he didn't want money. He used to want money.

"No. I want the shipping yard."

"The shipping yard? Seriously? What for?"

"Doesn't matter what for and I don't want it for very long. Every three months for the next five years I want control of the shipping yard for a week."

"That's it?" I was skeptical. There had to be more to what he was saying.

"You want the shipping yard in exchange for Taylor?" Chris reiterated.

Ronan wet his lips and nodded his head, "Yes. One hundred and forty days of the shipping yard in exchange for just your little Taylor."

I couldn't make the deal right now because it wasn't a property I had control of. If he had asked for any of the clubs it would have been a done deal, but Dad still owned the yard. I took a deep breath in preparation to answer, but he beat me to it.

"No worries. I figured you'd have to ask dear ol' Dad first."

"Not at all," I back peddled knowing damn well I didn't have a leg to stand on right now, "but before I can agree to anything, we are going to need proof of life," I turned to start walking down the street, "I'm sure you still have my number. I'll be waiting."