Page 95 of Chaos

She giggles and I tighten my embrace.

I could stay like this forever.

FORTY-SIX

JAX

Song- Godzilla (feat. Juice WRLD), Eminem

Nikolai lets his wrist hang over his steering wheel as he stares at his phone. “Looks like Enzo has a project for us.” He flips the screen around so I can see the texts. “We’ll pick up Alexei, first.”

Reapers have been spotted with another load of coke. Enzo sent a picture of the truck and license plate.

The cell dings in my hand as Nikolai pulls out in the street. An update from a traffic camera spotted their vehicle heading north through Vegas.

“Didn’t your brother say he wanted more info the next time they got drugs in?” I wasn’t with them the last time they took some from the Reapers, but I was there for the ass chewing that Mikhail dished out for not taking advantage of the information they could have gathered.

Nikolai grunts.

None of us liked getting scolded. But, I see the point. He needs to know who’s pushing the narcotics to the Reapers when we’ve effectively blocked most of their income sources.

I guess it’s why they’ve been acting more bold lately.

Alexei cackles as he crawls in the back seat. “Finally! I can’t wait to slice and dice some of these fuckers.”

Nikolai holds up a finger, pointing towards the ceiling of his Hellcat. “Only after we find out where they are getting their supplies.”

Alexei leans forward, his head jutting between our shoulders. “Okay. But when is the time up? Ten minutes? Twenty? I need to know how long I have to wait before I can cut out their hearts.” The car bounces as he jumps up and down, his back pressing against the roof.

“Knock that shit off,” Nikolai growls. “Or I’ll make you stay in here while Jax and I have a discussion with them.”

“Talking?” Alexei stills. “Is that what it’s called in English?” He leans away, his arms stretching across the backrest. “Then I can’t wait to exchange words.”

I can hear Alexei muttering under his breath. It almost sounds like he’s reciting the dictionary.

“Turn here.” I direct Nikolai while watching the updates from Enzo.

We’re in a section of Vegas most people don’t see. Dilapidated buildings, potholes, and overgrown lawns pass us as Nikolai slows down.

Watching the driveways and alleys, I spot the rear of the truck sticking out of a rundown building that looks like it used to be a mechanic’s shop.

Nikolai parks a block past so we can sneak up on them.

Darting behind worn fences and forgotten, broken down vehicles, we manage to work our way close enough to look in the windows.

Waving to Nikolai, I hold up two fingers. That’s all the men I can see inside.

He nods and disappears around the corner.

A scream rips through the hot afternoon as Alexei barges through the front door, startling the two men bent over the crates.

He leaps onto a box, pointing his pair of pistols in their faces, all while keeping up his deranged keening.

“Alexei,” Nikolai says as he walks in calmly behind him. “You’re going to shatter the windows if you don’t stop.”

“I got them, Niki! Time to talk!” He leaps up and down like a chimpanzee before landing on the dusty floor. “On your knees, motherfuckers!” Alexei screeches, pressing the muzzle of his gun into the forehead of the closest wide-eyed Reaper.

Nikolai shakes his head and steps closer to me. “Jax, make a quick sweep. I’ll get these two tied up before Alexei makes us deaf.” He winces as Alexei makes another hawkish sound from behind him.

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