He flips open a folder — a symbol printed on the inside flap.
A raven perched on a sickle.
My blood goes ice-cold.
Shaft whistles.“Shit.”
I grind my teeth.“That’s Bratok’s mark.”
Kelly’s accident wasn’t gang noise.It wasn’t a message.It wasn’t a coincidence.
It was Russian business.Old business.Business that Chux ended last year.
“Bratok’s done,” I share what my brother’s already know.“Thought we made it clear before.They make any moves anywhere in Alabama the truce was over and they would cease to exist.”
“Yeah,” Looney says.“But apparently he wants to cross the line.”
“So if someone’s flashing it,” Nitro starts.
“They know what it means,” I finish.“And they want us to see it.”
A quiet falls over the room.
“This is connected to us,” Chux says.“And to Kelly either because of you or Ally.”
A violent rage courses through my body.“They come for her again, I’ll end their whole fucking bloodlines.”
“They won’t,” Chux cuts in.
“They already did,” I snap.
Shaft glances at me.“She okay?Looks better.”
“She’s alive,” I say.“That’s the only reason I’m not tossing bodies in the gulf already.”
Mellow steps into the doorway, wiping grease off his hands after eating a chicken wing, one of the boneless ones.“We got a problem.”
I turn.“What now?”
He jerks his thumb toward the main room.“Your girl’s gettin’ attention.”
My heart stops.
I’m out of the room before anyone can blink.
Kelly is still on the couch, but now one of the prospects is too close.Not touching her, not talking to her, just standing there like he thinks proximity is some kind of invitation.
Kelly looks uncomfortable.Eyes darting.Shoulders tight.
I’m across the room in three strides.
“Move, dipshit.”I growl.
The guy blinks.“Riot, I wasn’t?—”
“I said move.”
He moves.
