“The cult? The one that disappeared but word on the street is someone went in and took out their whole leadership?”
Tav grins so wide we can see all his teeth. “Allow me to introduce you to the woman who did that. My Ol Lady Blanche.”
Blanche’s grin matches Tav’s and Gallows’ eyes grow wide. “We were bred to fight government officials wanting to shut usdown. Now we’re protecting our babies. Trust me, you don’t want us downstairs.”
“Well, OK then.”
Marx slaps Gallows on the shoulder, hard. “Best thing to do around our women is to bite your tongue, brother. It’s easier than way.”
“Yes, it is, isn't it, Johnny?” Lovely asks, eyes narrowed. “Now,” she says sweetly, “one of us has to be downstairs with our baby. I suggest it's the man who was shot. Two. Days. Ago. And. Almost. Died,” she says through gritted teeth.
Marx smiles indulgently, stepping up to his Ol Lady and smacking a kiss on her lips. “Claws away, baby. I’m just up here to help with logistics before I head downstairs and run the screens with Remy and Chewy. Wire is taking my place.”
“Good,” Lovely replies with a decisive nod. “Now, let's get this show on the road. I’m missing home.
Mad Dog
My shoulders relax as soon as I know that my boy is sitting this one out. I know that it’ll be causing his ass to tighten, he’s a fucking control freak that one, but shit. I almost lost him a few days ago. It damn near tore my fucking heart out sitting in the waiting room watching the clock tick, waiting for news. If Roman hadn’t been there I wouldn't have my boy today. As much as I cant stand Marx’s mother, I’m fucking glad she had another kid who carries her same blood.
“Be careful out there, Mad Dog.” Willa’s husky voice invades my brain and I close my eyes. Now is not the time for me to losemy head, and if I have to look at the woman beside me, it just might happen.
She’s become tied up in this whole shit show and instead of huffing and puffing and blaming me for everything, she’s gone with the flow. Well, kinda. I did have to throw her over my shoulder to get her to the clubhouse and all that, but since then she’s been pretty good. Well, apart from the small tiff we had about my bossiness but then she threw some knives and rode my cock and we seem to be on even footing since then. Jesus. I’m too old to be messing around like this but for some damn reason this woman makes me lose my head and feel alive again.
Looking down at her I raise my brow. “You going to stay here with the women and be a good girl?”
She laughs hard at that, husky and throaty before resting a shotgun on her shoulder. “Not a chance, lover boy.”
“Didn’t think so,” I answer drily. “Just, stick with me, yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Roman
“Do you think this will work?” I ask. My stomach knots and I think I may be nervous. Curious as I have never had a problem with nerves.
Dima tips his head side to side. “You know that I don’t see the future as such, Pakhan. More like scenes that could take place, and they change all the time.”
“But, we won't lose anyone, will we?” I’m sure he hears the desperation in my voice but is polite enough to ignore it.
“No one close to you.” He nods and I want to throttle him. That is not an answer I appreciate.
No one close to me doesn't mean anything. They may not be close to me, but they will be close to people that I admire. Trust. I can’t have anyone from the DRMC or their allies fall in this fight. That is unacceptable to me.
“The people here are very well trained. They will win.”
That relaxes me somewhat. Perhaps the men we lose tonight will be my men, from my ranks. That makes me feel better. I do not mind losing men from the Bartashev bratva. Few mean a lot to me, the rest are soldiers hoping to bring honor to their families. Their deaths will give them that.
“Thank you, Dima.”
He nods once before stepping back into the shadows. With his new curse I’m sure he’s waiting on the dead men's stories so he can continue his work.
“Men, gather around, I have instructions…”
Pops
It’s go time.
Chapter 20
