Page 2 of Brick's Retribution

None of them sees the rage simmering beneath the surface, the helplessness that's been eating me alive since Lashes disappeared.

Inside the club, it’s not as loud as the pounding music outside. Honestly, I’m grateful for the quiet.

Amara leads me to her office and closes the door, indicating the chair across from her massive oak desk.

I remain standing, arms crossed.

"You need rest, but I also need you for a run," she says, settling into her chair. "Tomorrow, you're heading to El Paso."

"El Paso? That's the wrong fuckin’ direction. If Lashes?—"

"This isn't about Lashes," she interrupts. "It's about our alliance with my uncle—the Ramirez cartel."

Yeah, her uncle, so why would this be more important than Lashes?

It’s not like we’re going to suddenly lose the alliance.

Her uncle, Alejandro Ramirez, is the most powerful cartel leader in Mexico.

The man whose protection allows our charter to operate in cartel territory, and our greatest ally.

"What about it?"

"Alejandro's goddaughter needs safe transport from El Paso to here. There's been an attempt on her life."

I blink. "And I'm what, a glorified Uber driver now?"

Amara's eyes flash dangerously. "You're a prospect who follows the fucking orders I give him. And right now, your president is telling you this is important."

I press my palms against my eyes, exhaustion washing over me in waves. "Why me? Boulder or one of the patched members?—"

"Boulder has been through enough lately, we all have. More importantly, I need someone with medical training for this assignment, just in case things go awry." She leans forward. "Imani Torres isn't just Alejandro's goddaughter. She's the daughter of Mateo Torres."

That gets my attention.

Everyone knows the Torres cartel controls distribution across the southwestern United States. "So, cartel royalty, then."

"The highest around besides my cousins. Which means the threat against her is serious. Not to mention, she’s a good friend of mine. Someone's making a power play, and I need my most level-headed prospect handling this."

The compliment doesn’t make it better for me. "For how long?"

"You'll escort her here, where she'll remain under our protection until her father sends for her." Amara studies me. "You leave tomorrow at dawn. Get some sleep. Eat something that isn't gas station trash. And Brick..." Her voice softens a fraction. "Wewillfind Lashes. But right now, I need you here, focused on this."

I want to argue, to remind her that every day Lashes remains missing is another day she could be suffering, another day we might never get her back.

"Fine," I mutter. "I'll do it."

She nods. "Ruby cleaned up your room the other day. Washed your dirty clothes, said the room stunk worse than a dead skunk. She made sure to get you sorted. Take a breather while you can, prospect."

I recognize the silent dismissal and turn to leave, but her voice stops me at the door.

"And Brick? No heroics. Get the girl here safely. That's it."

Something in her tone makes me pause. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

Amara's face gives nothing away. "Just do your job."

I head up to my room and unlock the door.

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