Gunner held his head high. “I ride for the South Side. Always.”
A smile curled the edges of my lips. “That’s good to hear. I need ears to the street about a certain someone whose looking for me. If you still got me, I got you.”
“Tori, you don’t even have to ask. Gunner and I always got you.” Valdez jutted his chin.
I nodded. “Good.”
Asia placed burner phones in their hands. “Nice to know you still ride for the Southside.”
“Until we die,” Gunner affirmed.
“My father is back in charge of the streets,” I glanced between the brothers for a reaction.
Silence.
It seemed they weren’t bothered by who was in charge. These two were all about their money. I took care of them before. I’d certainly take care of them now. As long as they were really on our side.
“My phone number is programmed into your phones,” I said. “We’ll talk soon.”
Ezra held the rear door open. “Brock, we’re on the move,” he stated into the earpiece.
My husband wasn’t playing when it came to my safety. I climbed across the back seat. Asia slid in beside me.
“It’s good to know we have two strong soldiers out of the original camp,” she sighed.
I nodded. “Sure is.” Twisting my wedding ring on my finger, I stared out the window, taking in the view of the city. “We should just ensure they are really down for us.”
She burst into laughter. “Oh, what kind of fun are you thinking of?”
“Have them each drop a body in Lake Michigan to cement their commitment to the South Side.”
“Fuck yeah, bitch, that will do.” She tapped Ezra’s seat. “Press number one on the radio. That should be WGCI.”
“Started from the bottom now we here,” boomed through the speakers.
We raised our hands over our heads, singing, “Started from the bottom now we’re here.”
“Tori, we literally started from the bottom.” Asia smiled.
“Girl, we did.”
My cell buzzed.
Ritchie: Mrs. Toscana, are you giving your bodyguard trouble?
Me: Mr. Toscana, Asia and I took Ezra on a scenic route through the South Side.
Ritchie: His job is to keep you safe. Let him.
Me: You’re right. I will. Ritchie, I miss you.
Ritchie: I miss you too. I’ll call you later tonight.
Me: Love you too. Talk to you soon.
Thirty minutes later, I strolled into the hotel lobby at work. The demons crept up my spine. They wanted my undivided attention. They’d been in my ear since early this morning.
I remembered Ritchie holding me tight on the tarmac at the private airport. “Don’t give into them, Tori,” he whispered against my ear.