Good. I liked these prospects.
I gave the file back to him and nodded toward West’s mother- and brother-in-law. “Take them.”
His head jerked up, taking me in for a moment before looking back at the window. Jess West’s mother and brother were now getting inside a car. Two other men were tailing them at a decent distance. Security.
We could always get around security. I had enough men to literally swarm the guards, stalling them, and the mother and brother could get snatched up.
“Who?” Lassiter clipped out.
I nodded toward the car that was now passing us. Both occupants didn’t look at us. They were oblivious. Their guards followed in a second car, and they saw us, both of their eyes widening.
Lassiter cursed but pulled out from our parking spot. He gunned the engine as three more guards came running from the house. They jumped into two trucks.
I had my gun out, but I didn’t think it was needed. I held it against my leg, ready. Just in case.
Lassiter was on his phone, relaying information to my tech team, who would then find my closest men. They would intersect anyonecoming after us. We traveled three more blocks. The two trucks were getting closer, but more vehicles suddenly appeared. They swerved to get between us and them. Those were my men. Lassiter raised a hand to one of the drivers.
Three more blocks and West’s men turned back. We were too close to my territory.
We went to Nightclub 2.
Levi was at the back door. When he saw us, he broke into a wide grin. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he began heading our way.
“I’ll organize the kidnapping,” Lassiter said, reaching for his door handle.
“I want all of them.”
His hand pulled back. “All of them?” His face went slack. “Easter’s two close friends and Jess Montell’s mother and brother?”
“I believe she goes by Jess West now.”
“I don’t care. All of them? An older woman who’s fighting cancer and two coworkers.”
“They took Blake.” I was in his face in a second.
He went still. “They took Blake?”
“The fun is over. Blake’s fine, butI’mnot. Take them. All four of them.”
“They saw us. They’re going to ramp up their protection.”
“So get creative.”
He clamped his mouth shut tight, turning away from me. He didn’t like my orders.
Lassiter didn’t usually care.
His eyes darted to mine. The tightness in his face softened. “I don’t want to take the Pialto guy. He’s gay.”
I understood. He was like Lassiter. “I don’t care. Take him, take the girl, and take the mother and brother. Thentake care of them.” I smiled, letting him see my real smile, the one where there was no question if I had a soul or not. I didn’t. “It’s a precursor for what life will be likeif anything happens to Blake. If she’s gone, nothing will tether me in place. Do you understand?”
Levi was waiting, watching us through the window, chewing on his lip.
Lassiter clipped out, “Why? Why them?”
“Is this because of Pialto—”
“She has cancer. They’re innocent. Blake wouldn’t want you to hurt them. Why not go for Blake’s counterpart? Go after their women themselves?”
