And yet, somehow, tonight feels more stifling than usual.
Jax’s scarred throat bobs as he swallows, his body language casual. That cockiness isn’t fooling anyone. It’s armor, a thin shield against four men who’d be happy to see him dead—one of whom thought he’d already killed him.
Broadway hangs back, his back against the door like a human barricade, arms crossed, glare sharp enough to cut.
Carter takes his seat behind the desk, while I grab the closest chair, and Koby stops by the monitor-covered wall, his attention on the screens. On Leilani.
Jax, back straight, chin high, settles into the seat across from Carter. He looks confident... on the surface. Beneath he’s nervous, his emotions betrayed by how hard his fingers gouge into the leather armrests.
“You asked for this meeting,” Carter says. “If you expected a glass of whiskey and a cigar, think again. Nowtalk.”
“I’m not here to make friends.”
“You’re off to a stellar start,” Broadway scoffs, the venom in his tone palpable.
Jax rests both elbows on his knees, his face cast in shadow by the dim desk lamp. “I’m merely here to pass on a message: Noretto’s in trouble.”
Broadway scoffs from the door, fingers tapping against his holster. “How’s that any of our concern?”
Carter raises a hand, silencing Broadway, his cold gaze locked on Jax. “Go on.”
“Grey has had enough of Noretto’s failures. He’s power hungry, and every setback delays his plans. Blaze lost Hailey, sold Violet, let Bianca go without a tracker.” He rubs a hand down his face. “Grey wants your spot, and he’s given Noretto an ultimatum: deliver your girls or die trying.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. My stomach ties into knots, blood pounds in my ears, bile climbs up my throat.
Marshaling the onslaught of emotions takes a heap of control. The only way I manage the feat is by checking the monitor. Bianca’s still in the booth with Hailey and Violet, all three girls safe. All three smiling.
“He’ll die trying,” Carter denotes, his tone flat.
“Relax, he won’t try. He knows it’s a suicide mission, but Grey doesn’t care. He gave Noretto a deadline, and when it passes, he’ll make an example out of him.”
Broadway scoffs, stepping away from the door. “So? Let him. Why the hell do we care if Grey guts Noretto?”
“Because Noretto’s the devil you know,” Jax snaps, his gaze swinging to Broadway. “Grey’s the real threat, and if he takes Noretto out, someone worse will fill his shoes.”
“That’s how this game works,” Koby speaks up in a stilted tone. “One replaces another. There’s always someone worse available. Business as usual.”
“It’s not business as usual.” Jax’s frustration mounts, evidenced by his rising voice. “Grey’s done playing puppet master. He wants Carter gone. He wants Ohio.”
Carter leans back in his chair. “You’re not telling me anything new. Grey’s been after me since day one. Threats follow threats. It’s how he operates. What makes this one different?”
“The time for threats is over. You pissed off a lot of men by indulging Broadway’s vendetta. They’re all behind Grey’s clear-cut plan: grab your girls, flush out Vaughn, force you to bow out. He’s moving, Willard. If you don’t act first, you’ll lose.”
Carter’s gaze scans the monitor, checking in on Hailey. It’s a habit I’m starting to understand.
Jax leans further over the desk, leveling Carter with a pointed look. “Noretto thinks this has gone too far. He’s done taking orders from Grey. He wants out but he’s too small to do it alone.”
“He hopes I’ll help him take Grey down,” Carter muses. “What’s in it for me?”
Jax straightens in his chair. “We both know you want his business shut down. Kill Grey, and the auctions stop.”
Fuck. That’s a bold move. One none of us expected. One that might work. Carter promised Hailey he’d find a way to kill Noretto’s human-trafficking venture... and the opportunity has presented itself, wrapped up with a blood-soaked bow around it.
The tension in the room stretches taut, no one moving, no one speaking. I glance at the monitor again, my eyes landing on Bianca. She’s safe, smiling faintly at some joke from Violet, but the knot in my chest tightens all the same.
Finally, Carter stands, his movements slow and deliberate. “I’ll think about it.”
Jax’s jaw tightens as he nods, rising from his seat. “That’s all I ask. There’s not much time. Grey gave Noretto a month, so think fast.” He makes his way toward the door, stopping before he exits. “And don’t let your girls out of your sight.”
