Page 63 of Brick's Retribution

I open the door to find not just Amara behind her desk, but Ruby organizing medical supplies in the corner.

"Brick," Amara says, rising from her chair.

Relief flashes across her face before being replaced by her usual stoic expression. "Imani."

"Amara," Imani replies, and I'm surprised by the warmth in her voice. "It's been too long."

"Too long and under shitty circumstances," Amara agrees, moving around her desk to embrace Imani briefly.

The gesture tells me their friendship goes deeper than just some political shit between their families.

"Ruby." I nod to the club's unofficial medic. "Thanks for having supplies ready."

"Always do," she replies, her eyes taking in my visible injuries. "You need looking at?"

"I'm fine," I say automatically, though the bullet graze on my shoulder is throbbing and my ribs ache where the previous wound reopened.

"Bullshit," Imani says firmly. "He's been shot three times and is too damn stubborn to admit he needs medical attention."

Ruby's eyebrows rise. "Three times? Sit your ass down, prospect. I don't care how tough you think you are."

"Later," I say, though I can see from Ruby's expression that 'later' isn't going to fly. "Right now we need to talk about the trip."

Amara gestures for us to sit as she gets up and closes the door, then returns to her chair.

"Report," she says simply.

I tell her everything I can.

How Diego betrayed Imani, how there were professionals hunting us the entire fucking time.

There isn’t one detail I leave out.

As I speak, I watch Amara's expression grow increasingly grim.

"Professional military contractors," she repeats when I finish. "Not localsicarios."

"Definitely not," Imani confirms. "These were trained operatives. Coordinated, well-equipped, disciplined."

"Which means this goes beyond Diego," Amara says, leaning back in her chair. "Someone with serious money is orchestrating this."

"The trafficking angle makes the most sense," I say. "Imani's investigation threatens their operation, so they're trying to eliminate the threat."

"Or acquire it," Amara points out darkly. "A cartel princess with business training would be valuable merchandise to the right buyers."

The casual way she says it makes my blood boil, even though I know she's just thinking about everything.

The thought of anyone viewing Imani as 'merchandise' triggers something inside me.

"Over my dead body," I growl.

"That might be exactly what they're planning," Amara replies. "If they can't take her alive, eliminating her removes the threat to their operation."

"So what's the plan?" Imani asks.

Amara is quiet for a few moments, "Short term, you stay here under club protection. Long term..." She shrugs. "We need more intel. Who's behind this, what their capabilities are, what their end game looks like."

"I might be able to help with that," Imani says carefully. "My investigation turned up financial connections, shell companies, money trails. If I can access my research..."

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