Page 32 of Nevada

I get a tight feeling in my gut. We had the Cartel — who operate in New Orleans — on our side some time ago when we first had problems with Forger. He was the Prez of the Devils Ink, not that his reign lasted long. The Cartel wanted any threats to their business taken out, and agreed that no human trafficking would take place under their reign. They’d also keep drugs and guns away from our territory and the French Quarter; the Irish’s claim. It’s a win-win, not that peace ever lasts long anywhere. Being in this life means there are often problems to deal with, but if it makes my city a safer place, then it’s all worthwhile.

We can’t beat all the bad guys over the heads with clubs, and looking the other way is a way of life around here if you want to survive. If the Cartel or the Irish cross the line, the Rebels will fight back. We will always fight for what’s right regardless of alliances.

Of course, the Cartel aren’t the same organization as the Gulf Cartel, and we sure as shit ain’t moving to Texas. But I want to help Star. Seeing her face that night she fessed up about her sister, it made something inside me sit up and take notice.

This was never just about getting into her pants. Okay, maybe at first, and I’m not saying I don’t want to, but I wouldn’t mind being the one to put a smile on her face.

Star looks like she hasn’t smiled in a long while. And now, after being around her and seeing her with others present, I can sense that she’s a woman of principal; she’s doing all of this to get her sister back. It can’t be easy coming into a biker clubhouse, or a bar like Whiskey Straight, trying to get information. Especially from people who really don’t wanna talk. My girl is tough, and she’s gonna need every ounce of that spirit to keep surging forward, because in my gut, I know that the likelihood of finding her sister alive is slim. And I don’t know if Star is ready for that kind of fall.

6

ESTELLE

The men don’t intimidate me. They may think they do, but they don’t.

For one, I know they’re not the real monsters here. The assholes that drugged my sister and kidnapped her are. They’re also not saying anything about the likelihood of finding my sister alive; another thing I’ve considered but not accepted.

I will fight to the bitter end to find Tilly. I have no one else in my life except her.

I can’t go on in this life without her so it isn’t an option.

One time, Halo tried to talk to me gently about the possibility of never finding her, or worse, finding her remains. It’s on the news almost daily; the trafficking situation in America. Bodies being found in unmarked graves. I can’t even go there.

Like I’ve said over and over, if Tilly wasn’t here anymore, I’d feel it.

Hearing about the Carusos and their recent move back to Louisiana sent chills down my spine. Of course, I knew most of what Cash said, but it was the first time I’d heard the Rebels have an alliance with the Cartel here in Louisiana. That could come in very handy for me. I trust the Cartel about as much as I could throw them, but it’s another avenue. The Cartel may make out they have a moral compass just to appease Cash, but I find the likeliness of that highly doubtful. Where drugs and guns are concerned, nothing is off limits. And people are worth a lot; more than gold and diamonds. More than oil. And gangs are willing to kill and do whatever it takes to get it.

“And if I need to speak to the Cartel?” I ask. I may be a PI but it’s not like I know where their operations are. They change locations all the time. They have street gangs all over Louisiana. “How do I go about that?”

Brew and Haze both snap their gazes to me simultaneously with a look of disbelief on their faces. Haze’s mouth even hangs open slightly.

“Is she serious?” He thumbs to me but talks to the other men in the room.

“Deadly,” Halo answers for me. “I don’t know if you gentlemen really understand the lengths we will go to in order to get Tilly back. There is nothing we won’t do, even if it means walking into the lion’s den; we’re quite prepared to do that.”

Gentlemen? I almost laugh out loud.

“Even put yourself in that kind of danger?” Cash throws back. “That’s incredibly naive as well as stupid. The two of you wouldn’t stand a chance against the Cartel, or anyone else for that matter who decided they didn’t like the look of you. You think the Irish are pretty boys who won’t think twice about ending a life if their territory is threatened? This game you’re playin’ is dangerous.”

“It isn’t just me,” I say. “I have a team, they can be assembled if and when I tell them to. I’m not afraid of danger, and I’ve no intention of upsetting the order of things, but if I have to then I will.” While I don’t have an army, I know people in low places. People I’ve done plenty of shady shit for. Men who I’ve caught cheating on their wives who now own multi-million dollar portfolios. Men who I’ve helped get out of a similar situation where the wife was doing shady shit. I’ve done a lot of morally grey recon and surveillance for my clients, and I know that I didn’t do that just to be Mary Poppins. I’ve gone above and beyond for a reason, and that’s why my business is so highly regarded in this city.

They owe me, and I will come to collect.

“She talks tough.” Brew stares at me. “But all of that talk don’t mean shit in a real life situation.”

Halo raises her hands and everyone, including me, looks at her. “Actually, she’s a complete badass. A fully accomplished kickboxer, and she’s done karate since she was eight.” She gives them a wink. “Oops, I forgot, she’s also a champion pistol shooter and has a knife collection that would rival Paula Deen, not that my bestie can cook, but you get my drift.”

I internally facepalm myself. Paula Deen? That’s a new one.

“You think you boys are the only ones allowed to be tough because you have a penis?” I shoot back.

Brew shrugs. “It helps.”

Sexist asshole.

“I gave up relying on men for anything sometime back and took matters into my own hands. So pardon my fucking French if I don’t roll over and drool just because you showed up.”

Brew’s eyes go wide and Haze chuckles.

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