Page 109 of Creed

“I don’t know if I’m insulted, Creed,” Ash says in his gravelly voice. “You chased your sweet little thing out before I got a chance to get more than a brief introduction.”

Bane rubs his stubbled jaw, glancing at the door. “Sophieisa sweet little thing, innocent. Reminds me of Leeva.”

Army’s usually cool, aloof face darkens, and his top lip pulls back.

Bane holds up his hands. “Shit, brother. I didn’t mean to pour salt into that wound.”

I don’t know the history here.Papáshakes his head, warning that I shouldn’t press for an answer, which I’m fine with because I’m only here to talk about my woman.

I walk over to the beverage cart. Massimo joins me, side-eying me. “A bit early in the day for you.”

I pour myself a bourbon and toss it back before I refill my glass. He pours himself a vodka, then, as the gracious host, he offers the Havoc Guardians a drink. After Ash and Bane have a Jack Daniels, and Army has a scotch, I take Vito a bourbon and then stand by my father, who sits behind his desk.

“Do you need anything,Papá?”

He coughs a painful phlegmy sound and shakes his head.

“After this, you’ll go rest, yeah?” I hike my brow at him.

He gives me a hard look. Even sitting down and looking wan today, he still exudes power and demands respect. “I will rest when I deem it time to rest,mio figlio.” His face softens. “That girl’s safety comes first.”

I nod because talking isn’t possible right now. The fact that my family, especially my father, has so quickly and readily accepted Sophie as one of our own means the world to me.

Vito sits in the chair before the desk, his long legs extended out in front of him. “Jesús got me pictures of some of the Garcia Cartel members so we can get names of who we're dealing with,” he shares this update with our allies. “Sophie ID’d two—Federico Perez who's a sicario and he was one of the men who chased her on the campus. The other one she ID's is Pastor Salome; a lieutenant that her father wanted her 'to meet' after her mother died. We're assuming Salome is with Ortez and Perez, which is bad fucking news, because he's ass-deep into human trafficking.”

“Paco Garcia allows that?” Ash asks about the head of the Garcia Cartel. “The skin trade isn’t something he’s gotten involved in. I actually heard he’s dead set against it.”

Vito drums his fingers on his glass. “Jesús said it’s an on-the-very-down-low side gig for Salome. Garcia isn’t aware.”

From what Vito said, Jesús is an info collector who uses the intel when it suits him. This explains how he knows about Salome’s no-no extracurricular activities but hasn’t ratted him out to the cartel boss. That type of man isn’t someone I’d like to get my hands dirty dealing with, but I’m grateful for his intel and willingness to share it with Vito in this case.

“The fact that Salome is getting involved in something his boss would boil him in oil over is telling,” Vito continues. “He has tobe getting one helluva perk for being involved in the trafficking, plus he must have a rock-solid, escape plan if Garcia gets wind.”

“Sounds like he could be well connected with higher-ups in the human trafficking ring,” Ash surmises. “And they might be offering protection.”

“That’s my read,” Vito agrees.

“Assuming Ortez, Salome, and Perez are all in San Diego, do we know if this has something to do with human trafficking?” Bane asks with a frown. “Were they trying to grab Sophie for that purpose?”

“Christ, her father wins cunt of the year.” Army tosses back his scotch, and his fingers are white as he grips the glass.

“Their intention for Sophie is still unclear,” Massimo says.

“I shared with Jesús we have confirmed sightings of Ortez and Perez here; he said Salome is MIA as well and agrees he's likely with them.“ Vito smirks. “He also shared with Paco Garcia that they're here, in Lopez territory, and they're marked them for death.”

None of this is news to me because I’ve been there for every step of Vito’s search for this information, but I rake a hand through my hair, wondering for the hundredth time why Ortez and the others would risk coming into Lopez territory. All we know is that the gain is worth more than the risk to them and they likely have protection in case Garcia comes for them. But having only some of the puzzle pieces is driving me insane.

Ash spins the silver ring on his thumb. “What’s the link with Manuel Morales?”

“We’re still digging into that,” Massimo says.

Papáturns to Ash. “I appreciate your interest and support in helping with Sophie. However, I feel there’s more to the MC’s presence here. Care to enlighten us?”

Ash pushes away from the wall and sits in the other chair opposite the desk. “Could never pull a fast one on you, Tommaso.” My father grunts, and Ash turns to Army. “Maybe you should explain.”

Vito, Massimo, and I exchange a quick look, then turn to Army.

He sighs, rubbing his jaw. “We could have a problem.”

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