Henny's lips twitched like he was fighting a smile. "Later. Now gear up. We leave in twenty."
The drive to the meeting location was tense. Henny drove the rental SUV while I focused on double checking my weapons. The enforcers in back spoke about what they wanted to eat when this was all done.
Rel and Ricardo had taken a separate private car to the meeting. The boss said he didn’t want anyone seeing us arrive. I think he also hadn’t told Ricardo we were coming. He’d looked tense when I spotted him earlier.
We pulled up a couple blocks away from The Restaurant. Given the location was well known to be a neutral zone, we were in danger of causing tension simply from our proximity. But it was worth it if we could protect our family.
I considered Rel and Henny to be mine. Ricardo was an add-on given how close he and the boss were now. But altogether, they were the closest thing I had to family.
The Bratva meeting was high-stakes. This was the kind of discussion where one wrong word could spark a war.
Which meant being in position to intervene if it came to that.
Our team would have the boss’s back no matter how many men showed up with the Bratva. Those fuckers weren’t going to hurt my friend or his boy toy.
Henny spoke up, pulling me from my thoughts. "Pip, you'll take the best vantage point. Third floor, corner office with the broken window. I’ll be two floors up with Patts. The rest of you will spread out on the roof to make sure all is secure."
I stared at Henny. Different positions meant we'd be separated, unable to watch each other's backs directly. The thought sat wrong in my chest.
He met my gaze and gave a small nod, like he understood. Like he was saying we'll be fine.
Sure, I knew how to keep things in line. I would be good no matter what happened.
But Henny… I didn’t know how he’d handle himself. Didn’t know if he’d be able to get out if things went south.
We split up as we reached the destination. The large, dilapidated office building next to the meeting place was the perfect place to perch and keep watch over everything. It was also great because no one was around to stop us from going inside.
Slipping in was easy enough. We climbed the stairs, the enforcers in front of us since they had to go higher. At my floor, Henny stopped me with a hand on my arm.
“It’ll be fine. Pharrell knows what he’s doing,” he said.
I gave him my best smirk. “Oh, yeah. Boss man has it all figured out. We’re about to be bored out of our minds.”
He leaned forward, as if to kiss me, then stopped himself. I waited a moment to see if he’d actually go for it. Sadly, he didn’t.
But I wasn’t going to let that stop me. I dove forward, taking a quick peck. His cheeks went pink, though he didn’t say anything about the stolen moment.
Leaving him in the hall, I made my way through the rubble of the old office space to position myself at the window ledge. I set up quickly, assembling my rifle with practiced efficiency. Through my scope I could see directly into the restaurant where Pharrell and Ricardo now sat waiting for the Bratva men to show.
Perfect sightlines, good cover, easy exit routes.
My earpiece crackled to life.
"Everyone in position?" Henny’s voice came through, calm and steady. Hearing it eased the tension in my shoulders.
"Yep," I confirmed. "I’ve got a visual on them."
"Good. How are we looking on the roof?"
Patts, one of the enforcers, answered, "In position. No obstructions."
"Sounds like we’re ready. Now we wait."
It was quiet for a few moments, then the sound of cars filled the air.
"Bratva convoy approaching," Henny said. "Stay sharp. No one fires until Pharrell gives the order. Understood?"
A chorus of confirmations echoed through the comms.
