Page 115 of Brick's Retribution

"What's up?"

"Got intel on Diego," he says quietly. "Fresh, from one of Alejandro's guys."

My entire body goes still. "Where?"

"Compound near Ciudad Juárez. Heavily guarded, but not impossible. Your father-in-law is definitely there—they've got recent photos."

"Show me."

We head to the meeting room where Rooster pulls up satellite images on his laptop.

The compound is a fortress—high walls, guard towers, single access road.

But I've breached worse.

"When do we move?" I ask.

"That's the thing," Rooster says. "Amara wants to wait, gather more intel. But..."

"But Imani's losing her mind with worry," I finish. "And every day we wait, Diego gets more power."

"Exactly."

We're interrupted by Doom joining us, closing the door behind him. "If you're planning what I think you're planning, I want in."

I study him. "This isn't something Amara’s given the green light to. If we do this, it's just us."

"I know," he says simply. "But that girl in there? Imani? She reminds me of my sister. The not knowing is killing her slowly. I've been there."

Rooster nods. "So we do this quietly.."

"When?" I ask.

"Give it a week," Doom suggests. "Let Amara think we're being good little prospects, following orders, then we go get him. We can deal with our angry mama bird when we get back, with Imani’s dad safe and sound."

We spend the next hour going over the satellite images, planning routes, discussing what sort of equipment to bring.

It feels good to be taking action instead of waiting for permission.

By the time we break up, we have the bones of a plan.

I'm heading back to find Imani when my phone buzzes—reminder that it's time to pick up Nova from the airport.

I find Doom and we take one of the club SUVs.

"You ever meet her before?" Doom asks as I drive.

"Nova? Once, briefly. I don’t know her, but I know Roxy's good people, so I'm sure her daughter is too."

"Hmm."

I glance at him. "You okay, brother? You've been off lately."

"Just thinking about shit," he says, which for Doom is practically a full confession.

The airport is busy, but we spot Nova easily—she looks like a younger version of her mother, with long dark hair and eyes that miss nothing.

She's pulling two suitcases and has a backpack that looks like it weighs as much as she does.

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