Page 121 of Magic or Madness

“I do, but Max will kill us if we don’t get in there.” I remind him, pointing to the door I’m currently pressed against.

He rolls his eyes, but leads the way, taking my hand in his and lacing our fingers together.

Our tattoos touch, and he squeezes a little tighter, letting me know he’s thinking the same thing.

My skin feels even hotter when the place we got matching ink touches, almost like we’re reuniting the other half of a superhero ring. Rather than saying our vow out loud, it’s felt between us, a silent connection we share. I take comfort in feeling close to him again, but of course, in true Ozzy fashion, he steals the moment.

“Makeup sex tonight?” He whispers in my ear, just as we round the corner and all eyes are on us. I steal a glance at him, rolling my eyes, but a soft smile crosses my lips and he catches it just in time.

“Nice of you guys to join us,” Max says with an agitated tone, clearly fed up with our private sidebar.

“Sorry, Max. But Fallon has brought up concerns that I think deserve consideration. We shouldn’t do this job, and I think everyone in this room knows it,” Ozzy states matter-of-factly, glancing at each of the guys, waiting for someone to speak up in support.

Everyone’s poker faces are in place, but I know he’s struck a nerve, and Max’s weakness is that he wears his emotions on his face. He’s easily read, and right now, he’s pissed off.

“Oh, really? So we’re lettingyourgirlfrienddictate how we make a living? I wasn’t aware of the change in leadership. Maybe Cami and Pepper have a fucking vote now, too?” Max argues, his eyes darting between Oliver and Lex.

“We’re going to prison, or our graves if we do this. That’s the bottom line. We need to focus on a way to get the best of this client, rather than doing his dirty work. Once he’s got us on the hook with a real crime, we’ll be his bitches. I know it, and so do you. It’s how we all ended up together in the first fucking place.” Ozzy stands, ripping everything off the whiteboard in one swift motion.

We all watch in awe as he takes a marker, and scribbles on the board, not stepping back until he’s finished.

In place of the plans, ideas, and question marks now sits Ozzy’s handwriting, and his new proposal.

How to blackmail the blackmailer - new job

Everyone is silent,waiting for one of the two guys to speak, and Max is first.

“I fucking warned you guys this was dangerous, but you all wanted to take it. Now, we face an even bigger threat than having no money. Losingeverything. Nobody will want to hire us, and let me remind you, Doc’s name is why we get hired. It carries fucking weight!” He yells, throwing his marker across the room and everyone jumps at his outburst, the sound of his voice echoing around the dealership.

“You should’ve thought of that before you called a mutiny and killed the man.”

My eyes widen as the face-off has just leveled all the way up, and even Oliver’s jaw drops at Ozzy’s words.

Whatever is behind this mutiny is boiling to the surface, coming back to life and threatening to destroy everything these guys have built in Doc’s absence.

“Alright, we need to take a break. Let’s not have this get ugly.” Journey tries to be the voice of reason, resting his hand on Max’s shoulder, but he shrugs him off, taking another step closer to Ozzy with his hands balled into fists.

“Really, that’s how you feel? So, let me get this straight … you think I shouldn’t have killed him? And then what, we should’ve stood by and watched as he broke a new member in, torturing him just like he did to us, and continuing the vicious cycle? After we’d already lost Masha, and nearly lost Oliver? That’s what I should’ve done, Ozzy? Allow more people into this fucked up circle, just for them to end up dead? You all voted yes that day, so if this is your way of taking your voice back, and blaming me for the situation we’re in, you can go fuck yourselves!” Max storms out, not allowing a rebuttal from anyone as the front door slams shut.

Finally some more of the story is being unveiled, and I rub my eyes, unsure how to process this new information. Originally, my working theory was that the mutiny had to do with Masha, but her death and Doc’s don’t line up if what Ozzy said about it having only been a year was true.

Now, I’m learning that Oliver was also nearly killed, and a recruit was the reason for the decision.

It’s like I’ve been peeling the layers of an onion back, and I’m finally getting to the center, where all that I’ve been seeking lies.

“If you want to do this job, follow Max. If not, let’s figure out how to find this client and take his boots off our necks.” Ozzy stands tall and commands the attention of the whole room.

I wait and watch, seeing who is going to follow Max out the door, but nobody budges. All eyes are on him, and he nods, folding his arms.

I think, in a twisted way, another mutiny vote was just had, and Ozzy is now at the head of the table, so to speak. It makes my stomach turn, but also, is the right choice. If anyone can figure this out, on this short of a timeline, it’s him.

I get comfortable on the couch, pulling out a notebook I’ve dedicated to this job, flipping to a blank page, and using a purple pen to take notes.

My eyes lock into his and he gives me a slight nod of affirmation, ensuring I’m okay with this.

I repeat the gesture, touching the Athena pendant around my neck, and he clears his throat, turning his attention to the guys and getting into business mode.

We’re looking to our new leader, and he looks damn good up there, running over scenarios like he’s been doing this for years. Instead of the power trip we’re usually treated to with Max, Ozzy offers everyone a turn to speak, asks questions, and ensures everyone's ideas are heard, rather than outlining how it’s going to be.

---