He gave Spade a nod.
The lights dimmed.The monitor flared to life with Diaz’s network sprawling across it.
Spade walked us through the same three options he’d shown me earlier: hit the money, call in the Feds, or use Victor.He laid out the plan -- first we cripple Diaz’s finances, assemble our package, gauge his reaction, then bring in law enforcement.Victor would serve as a later wedge.
“This is Jade’s choice.”Spade zoomed in on the bar I’d circled.
Questions flew: logistics, timelines, which teams watched which roads, which men had contacts at gas stations, who’d join the first quiet sabotage run.Atilla kept things moving -- letting everyone speak but cutting off tangents we couldn’t tackle yet.
Then General asked, “What about Elena and the kid?”
Murmurs rippled around the table.Some surprise.Some resignation.
“We do what we can to keep them out of the splash zone,” Atilla said.“Spade’s got their addresses.We’re not dragging a nine-year-old into a firefight.They never chose Diaz.They don’t answer his calls.”
“Diaz won’t hesitate to use the wife, but apparently his daughter is a different story,” one of the older men said.
“We’ll make sure they have an exit if we can.We do not put them in harm’s way on purpose.Clear?”
Everyone nodded.
Somebody looked back at me.“Jade?”
My stomach clenched.“Yeah?”
“You ever meet Diaz?”
“No,” I said.“Only his men.”
“Are you afraid of him?”the man asked.
“Yes,” I admitted.“But I’m done letting that fear make my decisions.”
Atilla watched me.So did Kane.
Silence settled for a beat.
Atilla nodded once.“Any other questions for Jade?”
No one spoke.
“Good,” he said.“Spade, you start poking the money as soon as we’re done.I want to hear from our contacts if anything shakes loose.Falcon, General, you pull the teams for local runs.Nothing flashy.Nothing that’s going to put a spotlight on us from day one.We’re ghosts until we decide we’re not.”
He looked at me again.“You and Casey keep the kids ready.Use whatever drills you need.Nobody panics.Nobody freezes.”
“Yes, sir,” I said.
He tapped the table.“Church dismissed.Eat.Sleep.Be ready.”
Chairs scraped back.Voices rose.
Kane turned to me.“You did good.”
“I didn’t throw up or cry,” I said.“So… win.”
He laughed.“High bar you set yourself.”
“I’m an overachiever.”
