Page 49 of Falcon

“Hey,” I said as I planted a kiss on her temple, “why don’t you grab a drink and catch up with Lacy. I’ll be back in a few.”

She glared at me, the blue in her eyes popping more than normal. “Okay,” she said with a sigh.

I squeezed her arm and pulled her closer, then wrapped her in a bear hug. “We’re going to talk soon. Just wait a few minutes.”

She relaxed against me, then tipped her head up. “Okay. But I expect groveling for the extra wait.”

I couldn’t contain my chuckle, though I wasn’t sure if I was more amused at her demand or the fact that I immediately thought of ways to successfully fulfill her wish.

Leaning down, I took her mouth in a ravenous kiss. I hoped to leave her wanting more but only ended up teasing myself. Still, I had to leave her with something to think about so I said, “I’ll make it up to you so much you won’t be able to walk tomorrow.”

“I don’t think you understand what grovel means, but we’ll talk later.” She smirked as she patted my chest and walked away. But I could tell with the sway in her hips, she wanted my kind of groveling, even if she planned to make me work for it.

I tried to wipe the grin off my face before I stepped inside and took a seat. Apparently, I didn’t do a great job with all the looks I got. But Hawk was all business and Butch had come in behind me, so everyone was there a few minutes ahead of schedule.

“We have some intel. There’s no new clubs that appear to be a threat but there is a crime ring.”

I spoke up. “Do we think this could be who took out Raven?”

Eagle had been relaxed in his chair but sat up. “Anyone we would’ve done business with?”

Hawk shook his head. His jaw was tight, and his piercing blue eyes scanned the room. I did so as well, trying to gauge reactions.

Red asked, “What do we know about ‘em?”

Hawk leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped. “From what little we have to go on, they seem to be running a trafficking operation. They have their hands into some guns, but I don’t think they’re moving them. I think it’s to keep their players armed. Seems like mostly human trafficking.” Hawk rubbed his hand over his hair, leaving it mussed up. “This is the first real lead we’ve gotten, even though it’s not much to go on. There haven’t been any crime rings we didn’t supply for years.”

“Except we don’t supply people,” Eagle said.

I asked, “Drugs?”

“Nothing to speak of,” Hawk replied.

Butch asked, “Do we have any leads on headquarters or holding areas? If they’re moving bodies, they’ll need somewhere to hold them until they can move ‘em. They wouldn’t move one at a time.”

Hawk answered, “Not yet. Just a lot of whispers. This is a long shot but it’s the most logical. We’re going to dig deeper. Keys is already searching around on the dark web.”

“Why come after us? You think they’re worried we’ll decide to get in on that trade?” I asked.

Hawk said, “We control a lot, but Pops wouldn’t entertain that option.”

“We all know that, but do they?” Red asked.

Rooster sat quietly, though it looked like his wheels were spinning. Butch rubbed his short mohawk and Eagle watched Hawk carefully.

“He’d been pretty clear. I’m not entirely sure what their motivation was if they are to blame, but I like the lead.”

Butch asked, “Where’d you get the tip?”

“Jackal,” Hawk answered.

“You think his sources are good?” Butch asked.

“Jackal’s been a member of the Enforcers for years and was one of Pops’ oldest friends. Plus, it was corroborated by Squatch and Treads,” Hawk said. Squatch was a member, and Treads was a nomad like Jackal, but he’d been in town a while this stretch.

“Jackal’s good fucking people, he just hasn’t been here for a while. Gotta explore all options, man,” Butch said. “Especially when we can’t eliminate the possibility of an insider.”

Hawk nodded. “True. But Jackal hadn’t come back around until he heard the news from me. And again, he’s one of Pops’ oldest friends. Hell, he was in their wedding.”

---