"Then make an exception." She pulls on underwear and jeans, then one of my shirts that hangs off her shoulder. "You said yourself I'm not really a civilian anymore. I've earned the right to be in that room."
She's right, but that doesn't make it easier. Bringing a woman who's not an ol' lady into church breaks tradition, challenges the structure we've built. But Ava's not a normal civilian, and this situation's anything but standard.
"I'll talk to Vulture," I concede. "But if he says no, you stay out. No arguments."
"Fair enough."
We head downstairs where brothers are already gathering, some nursing coffee, others eating breakfast that Harrior's put together. He might be the newest full patch, but the man can cook, and the smell of bacon and eggs fills the common room.
Sarah's at one of the tables with Condor, who's showing her something on his laptop. She looks better than yesterday, there’ssome color back in her face, though she still jumps every time someone walks past.
"How's she doing?" I ask Ava quietly.
"As well as can be expected. She's scared but trying to hide it." Ava watches her friend with concern. "She doesn't understand this world, doesn't know the rules. I need to make sure she's protected."
"She is. Sterling's got eyes on her, and Condor's keeping her occupied. She's safe here."
Vulture appears from the hallway leading to his office, spotting me and jerking his head toward the chapel. I follow, Ava trailing behind me, and his eyebrows rise when he sees her.
"She wants in on church," I say before he can object. "It's about her investigation. She should hear it directly."
Vulture’s quiet for a moment, weighing the request against club rules and precedent. Then he nods. "Fine, but this doesn't become a habit. Understand?"
"Understood," Ava says, relief flashing across her face.
We head down to the chapel where brothers are already taking their seats. The surprise on their faces when Ava walks in is universal, but Vulture’s presence keeps anyone from voicing objections. I pull out a chair for her, positioning it beside mine but slightly back from the table. Close enough to hear, far enough to respect the hierarchy.
When everyone's settled, Vulture calls the meeting to order with his gavel.
"We've got developments on the corporate structure behind the trafficking operation," he starts, nodding to Condor. "Tell them what you found."
Condor pulls up files on his laptop, projecting them onto the wall. "I've been digging into those shell companies, following the money like Ava suggested. Turns out several of them connect to a single holding company based in the Cayman Islands.That company, Apex International Holdings, owns pieces of legitimate businesses all over the country."
"How legitimate?" Sterling asks.
"Real estate development, logistics companies, a few restaurants and nightclubs." Condor pulls up another screen showing a web of connections. "But here's where it gets interesting. Apex International Holdings is majority owned by a trust. And that trust's primary beneficiary is listed as a man named Victor Castellano."
The name doesn't mean anything to most of the brothers, but I catch the way Ava goes rigid beside me.
"You know that name?" I ask her.
"Victor Castellano. Real estate mogul, political donor, sits on half a dozen charity boards." Her voice is tight. "I looked into him six months ago when I was investigating corruption in city contracts. He's connected to everyone who matters in this city, untouchable because of his wealth and influence."
"Not anymore," Vulture says. "Robert has been coordinating with the FBI. They're building a RICO case, using the evidence from the warehouse raid combined with the financial records Condor's pulled. If we can prove Castellano's directly involved in the trafficking operation, we can bring him down."
"That's a big if," Falcon points out. "Men like Castellano don't get their hands dirty. They pay people to pay people. Layers of insulation."
"Which is where the Reapers come in." Ava leans forward, her mind clearly racing. "They're the direct connection. If we can prove the Reapers were being paid through companies owned by Apex, and those payments coincide with trafficking shipments, that establishes the link."
"The feds are already working that angle," Condor confirms. "Several Reapers flipped after the arrests. They're testifying thatthey received payments from shell companies they now know were connected to Castellano."
"How solid is the testimony?" I ask.
"Solid enough for warrants. The FBI raided three of Castellano's properties yesterday. Offices, a private residence, and a warehouse in the industrial district." Condor's expression is grim. "They found records. Ledgers detailing payments to the Reapers, transportation schedules, even a list of buyers."
The room's quiet as this sinks in. We've got him. After everything, all the violence and danger and close calls, we've got the man at the top.
"When do they arrest him?" Rook asks.
