“Why is your boss stealing from his own gang?” Rory questions, turning Gabriel’s attention toward himself.
“That’s for me to worry about,” Gabriel responds, ending any further inquiry. He clears his throat, and his mood shifts. “Another thing, we need to discuss payment.”
Rory snorts. “We’re not paying you.”
The other man behind Gabriel chimes in. “Then the regular fee needs to be negotiated.”
Luke shakes his head. “Not going to happen.”
Gabriel’s hands curl into fists. “I lost product—a lot of it—because of your failure.”
“It was yourownboss,” Hunter argues back. “Whatever issue you have with him doesn’t involve RHL.”
“Your system was faulty.” Gabriel takes a single measured breath.
“Back. Off.” Shooting each word at Gabriel like a perfectly aimed knife, I drop my hold on Hunter’s arm and step forward. I shouldn’t negotiate on their behalf, but I’m not going to stand by while the men I care about are spoken to like this. “RHL is not going to compensate you for the little quarrels occurring in your own house. Get your shit together, and RHL will still cover your properties. If you need system changes while you have your power struggle, that’s a different discussion.”
The air in the room is charged yet still. Everyone waits for Gabriel’s response.
He barks a laugh and claps his hands together. “I see you, Ma.” His smile fades, and he sighs. “Mi mamáraised me to listen to a woman. She said they have a power that they wield with accuracy. The power to speak the truth. She warned me never to cross a woman, especially a brave, strong-headed one like yourself, Miss…I didn’t catch your name.”
“I didn’t give it,” I return.
“That you didn’t.” Gabriel nods. “Fine. Same rate, same services. If anything changes, we’ll let you know.”
Hunter grasps my arm and pulls me toward the exit, Rory and Luke shielding me.
“I will warn you,” Gabriel calls out, causing us to pause. “A war is coming. New York MS13 is no more.”
I jerk out of Hunter’s hold and turn back. “What do we call you then?”
“Los Sagrados.”
CHAPTER 37
SAVANNAH
The four of us jostle in one of the security team’s SUVs as we drive over another pothole. Hunter insisted on driving, and the rest of us just settled in without argument—Luke in the passenger seat, and Rory and me in the back. Rory decided that we didn’t need space between us and moved me to the middle seat.
The drive up north has been quieter than a monastery. They’ve made it clear that they’re not happy about this impromptu trip.
“You don’t have to do this,” Luke grumbles.
“I know,” I sigh, resting my head on Rory’s shoulder.
“We can get answers another way,” Hunter adds.
“He may not play along,” Rory states.
Rolling my eyes, I sit up. “Iknow.” Making eye contact with each of them, I make sure they’re listening. “Look, this is my choice. I know what I’m doing, and I know the risks.”
Luke rubs a hand on his face. “I don’t like this.”
“You don’t have to like it,” I snap then wince, feeling guilty. My voice turns soft. “I need your support.”
Luke sighs, turning in his seat to look back at me. “You have it. Always.”
We make it to Green Haven and go through security quickly. Rio Flores and Special Agent Asher Dawson are already there, sitting in the waiting room.
