Page 37 of Reign of Hope

“Drake called and said he got word from the Black Hawks telling him where Allegra was staying,” Tony says.

The Black Hawks are a local gang that has never given us any trouble. They’ve always stayed on their own turf, and out of respect, we’ve left them to it. Gauging by the look on Reno’s face, they’re all as good as dead.

“Go on,” Reno mutters, clearly on the edge of fury.

“We got made. The next thing I know, we’re the ones in trouble. I got shot, but we got away. Spike wanted to dump me out of the car, but he didn’t have time. I was in and out of consciousness, but he called Drake and told him what happened. Drake knew that he was in trouble because he said this Wan guy was running out of patience.” Tony pauses, shaking his head. “I’m so sorry, I don’t know anything else.” He turns to me. “That’s how he controls us, you know. He preys on guys with sisters, then threatens to hurt them. I’m glad Vic got away. When he figured it out, he was looking for a way out. He wanted his sister safe.”

“Leo, can Lucia take care of Tony? He’ll have a guard at all times until I decide what to do with him,” Reno says.

“Please don’t hurt Lisa or Lucy,” Tony begs.

“I don’t hurt children,” Reno grits out. “If you’re being honest, you will be free. If you’re leading us into a trap, you will pay dearly.”

“Sir, I might gamble with my own life, but this is a matter of life or death for my sisters. I’m telling you everything I know,” Tony says.

Elio helps him out of the room and into another space where the doc can examine him before Leo puts him on house arrest while we sort out where we go from here.

TWENTY

Creative Cooking

ZANO

With the door closing behind us, our attention moves back to our capo.

“Still there, gentlemen?” Reno asks into the conference room phone. A resounding yes is heard before our capo continues. “We’ve learned the name of the leader of this arm of the Triad. Dante, you need to get all the information you can on this man.” He then turns to Sebastian. “Sebastian is going to rally our best soldiers. We’re going to be paying a visit to the Black Hawks.”

“I want Drake,” Raffaele declares.

“Get in line,” I grit out, unable to stop my temper from rising. “He’s after my woman.”

“He’s in Raffaele’s territory. You will control yourself in my presence,” Reno warns.

“Once we have him, Zano is welcome to join in the fun,” Raffaele invites.

“That still leaves Marco and me hanging,” Alessio states angrily.

There’s a knock on the door and in walks Leo with Orion. “Sorry, Reno, but Orion says it’s urgent.”

Orion directs his gaze to Dante. “Hawk came through. He’s got names, and he’s not too pleased about what’s happening. Guard is now in a hundred percent as well as the Redemption Riders. Nobody uses our club names to hide their own crimes. In Las Vegas, Hermanos de Sangre are gathering intel onIl Destino.In New York, Mayhem Killers MC. I’ve sent everything I can find to your email,” he tells Reno. Guard is ready to assistNostra Casa.Redemption Riders want a piece of the assholes in Las Vegas, since they’re dropping Hawk’s name around and implicating him as part of the plan. Several sister clubs have offered their assistance. They’re ready to ride for our friends inLa FamigliaandUltimo Morte.”

“We need to find the dealer with the big mouth.” Raffaele reminds us of our unanswered questions.

Dante steps up. “Drake will be forthcoming with that information once we have him.”

“The Black Hawks must have fed the address of Zano’s parents to Drake. We need to know who leaked the information,” Sebastian adds.

“I want protection on Dario and Gina,” Reno says. I’m relieved Reno is taking care of my parents. Elio looks relieved too.

After a long session of planning and coordinating, each capo has decided that we’ll all attack at the same time. Crippling the gangs and MCs involved will slow down Wan Kwok, but not eliminate him. Dante and Orion have their work cut out for them. They’ve got the hardest job of all, finding this elusive man who none of us have ever heard of before today.

* * *

Allegra

It’s a good thing that Simona and Samuele are active because keeping up with them has limited my need to run into Reno’s office and beg to know what’s going on. It’s been hours that they’ve been locked in that room. Reno came out only once and asked Anna to have lunch brought into the room, then the door closed again.

Upstairs is a young man I recognize from the Skulls crew. He’s almost the same age as my brother, and I never thought he fit into the gang. Many of the young men didn’t seem to fit into the Skull crew. Leo and the doctor had to help him up the stairs and into a spare bedroom. One of Anna’s guards is standing guard inside the room, with strict orders that he’s not to be left alone. He hardly looks capable of walking on his own, let alone attacking anyone, but as Zano has told me, a caged animal is a desperate animal.

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