“It’s not a secret that the Familia and the cartel have a war going on. What we didn’t realize is that the Familia is also having issues within its own ranks. A coup of sorts, and it’s landing at our doorstep.”
Everyone in the room shifts at the news. While we’ve kept out of the war, we have also become allies with a certain Mafia family. They keep their distance, provide us with information we need, and in return, we provide weapons and intel.
“Bianchi’s heir has reached out, requesting our help to protect an asset.”
Jester’s head swivels to look at Prez. “His heir contacted you? Not the man himself?”
Prez shakes his head slowly. “I followed up with Bianchi on this. He seems to know about his son’s business, and he isn’t in agreement. I was going to let this go, but, Doc, I'll let you take it from here.”
My head swivels to Lyric, who refuses to keep her eyes on anyone but our prez. My guess is she doesn’t want to let her emotions show, while also giving the man her utmost respect.
“There’s reason to believe that Marco Bianchi’s asset is a woman,” she announces. The room is quiet while we process. Confusion swirls in my mind. This isn’t a usual case for us.
“No offense, Doc,” Snake says, “I get it, we don’t want a woman hurt, but why is this a deal where we need to be involved?”
“Isn’t the heir married? I swear we were invited to the wedding like three summers ago,” Badger throws in. The memory sounds familiar to me, too. None of us really wanted to ride to New York for the shindig, but we agreed to send a very expensive bottle of liquor to the man and his father, as well as take off a percentage of their next shipment order.
Lyric’s lips purse, and she looks ready to argue. In the next second, we watch as she swallows it down, and her face goesback to its normal coloring. “He does have a wife. As well as two small children. This is delicate, as there is speculation around this asset. I have sources claiming she’s his mistress willingly. I also have a source saying she’s being held captive. If she is his mistress, her life is in danger from both the Familia as well as from the Bianchis. It won’t go over well with any of them that he’s requesting a mistress to have special protection. If she’s a captive, then I think that's self-explanatory. Either way, her life is in danger. My sources both claim that she is his entire focus, he’s obsessed with her to the point of madness, whether she is a captive or his mistress.”
Prez looks around the table at us, his eyes mirroring what we’re already thinking. The minute there was speculation about this woman being a captive, we would have to figure it out. If she is, we need to give her the opportunity to escape, which could potentially be disastrous for our alliance and us. If she’s his mistress and with him willingly, then she should still be offered the chance to stay or escape. If she stays, that's on them; should they continue their affair. We’ll still protect her as part of the alliance.
“Bianchi doesn’t approve, but with the current coup, he’s letting Marco call the shots. He seems to think that our protection of this woman will keep Marco’s head clear while they clean up and focus on the war,” Prez adds. “I’m not forcing anyone to do anything, but if anyone wants to volunteer…”
“Volunteer for what exactly? Just to hide her?” Bullet asks, and I second that question.
“We’ll recover her from Bianchi’s men. Then I think it's best if Doc talks to her and finds out more about her situation. Then from there we’ll decide if we’re just hiding her or helping her escape,” Prez answers him.
“Escape, as in that secret other silent member?” I ask, my brow raised. Karma turns to me and frowns. I know he doesn’tlike thinking of his old lady and the mysterious connections she has.
Lyric, on the other hand, enjoys it. She turns her mischievous smile in my direction. “That would be correct, Dodger.”
“All in favor?” Prez asks, glancing around the room. There’s a beat of hesitancy before everyone gives their resounding “Aye.”
Prez nods and runs his hand through his hair, sighing. “And anyone interested in volunteering to collect the asset?”
Crickets would have been louder than the silence that follows his question. Jester glares at all of us one by one. “Speak up.”
“Lottie is close to her delivery date. I can’t leave,” Snake replies.
“Yeah, sorry.” Badger throws up his hands. “The boys have basketball camps this week, and Hope is trying to get the holiday decorations all put away. I said I’d help her.”
Viper groans and runs his hand over the back of his neck. “I have counseling with the witch this week about our new parenting schedule before court on Thursday.”
Karma raises his finger in a salute. "I'll go.”
Knowing the rest of the guys have obligations or families or are newly married, I raise my hand too. “I’ll assist.”
“Well, since you all are slim pickings for strapping, young, single men, I guess I’ll go too,” my cousin throws out. “We can take the prospects in the cage. That will give us more cover.”
Prez nods and glances at Inspector. “Can you get them some live feed and surveillance of the area?”
“No problem, Prez,” he fires back.
“All right.” Prez lifts his gavel. “Tomorrow. Church adjourned."
We all file out of the room and pick up our cell phones from the safe. I power mine on and put it in my pocket before getting ready to leave. Bullet nods toward the bar.
“One drink?”
