Good.
Fear simplifies men. Fear makes them predictable.
I step out of the office wearing a clean shirt, sleeves rolled to my forearms. Tattoos visible, but not aggressive. A gold watch at my wrist. Fresh haircut. I look respectable. Professional.
People relax around men who look like me.
They think monsters announce themselves.
I sigh softly and look the three of them over.
“So,” I say in my lightly accented English, calm and measured, “you went after the girlfriend.”
Split Lip starts talking immediately. Too fast. Too eager. He didn’t know who she was. Just having fun. Didn’t think it mattered.
“Fun,” I repeat, tasting the word. I nod slowly, as if considering it seriously. “You thought grabbing a woman on the street, in Iron Reapers territory, was fun.”
The one with too much gel in his hair opens his mouth.
I lift a hand.
He closes it.
Good. Learning is possible.
I glance toward Vin, leaning against the wall with a cigarette hanging loosely from his fingers. His face is bored, almost detached. When Vin gets bored, people suffer. He hates inefficiency.
I begin to pace, slow and deliberate, letting my footsteps echo.
“The plan was simple,” I tell them. “We blend in. We observe. We build quiet routes. We move product without attention.” Istop in front of Split Lip and lean closer. “And when the time comes, we strike where it hurts most, without warning.”
He swallows hard.
“Instead,” I continue, “you made noise. You were sloppy. Emotional.” A faint smile curves my mouth. “Very American.”
He tries to explain again. I am already finished listening.
“You didn’t know she mattered,” I say calmly. “But the reaction told us everything.”
I tap my finger against my lower lip, thoughtful.
“She is not disposable,” I continue. “She is leverage.”
Vin finally speaks. “Tail Gunner’s woman.”
I smile properly this time.
“Tail Gunner,” I repeat. “Blade.”
Vin nods once.
I exhale slowly, the pieces settling into place. “Then fate has been generous. The Iron Reapers have handed us a weakness wrapped in soft skin.”
Split Lip’s shoulders relax slightly.
This is his final mistake.
I roll my shoulders once, loosening tension. “Vin.”
