Page 9 of Dark Endures

Like he works any less than I do. When Jacko isn’t working on a custom piece, he’s taking care of business on Willow Street. “It’s not my fault everyone wants me to be the godfather of their children.”

“You could be a little less responsible and go out and have fun once in a while.”

What is fun? I haven’t had it in so many years, I’m not even sure it exists. The closest I’ve gotten is knocking Ethan to the ground a couple of years ago. That was the highlight of the last decade. “There’s no time for silliness.”

“Getting a girlfriend isn’t silly.”

“Like you can talk. When was the last time you dated?”

“Tòuchè.” Jacko grimaces. “I’m just particular about the women I see.”

“Somehow, half a dozen models from across the globe weren’t good enough.”

Jacko reaches into Molly’s cage. She’s the sweetest corn snake. Molly winds herself around Jacko's fingers. “They didn’t want to date me. They wanted to date the world-renowned artist to further their careers. Or they see the playboy millionaire that they expect to shower them with gifts and trips around the world. What’s your excuse?”

Pit stalks into my office with the biggest grin on his face, saving me from having to find one. “He’s going to tell us today.”

Jacko turns towards Pit. “You’re right.”

I’m always right.

The rest of our inner circle shows up.

Who knew our little street gang would turn into this…

***

“The first order of business for today’s meeting comes from Ethan.” My mentor still throws business our way.

The guys smile even as Ace asks, “Is he ever going to retire?”

Ethan retire? “Nope.” Matthew does most of the legwork now. “He has a recovery mission for us. In and out in seventy-two hours.”

“Recovery?” Jacko knows these are never quite as simple as they sound.

“A billionaire’s daughter is currently the guest of a cartel. We need to extract her and return her to her father.” Pampered princesses are always the most annoying jobs. “Who wants in?”

Six hands pop up.

Pit’s isn’t one of them, but then he doesn’t go often since he’s been married. My cousin Dyce’s hand also remains down. Not that she couldn’t lead the team if she wanted to. She’s gone on a few missions before. The guys are a little scared of just how brutally lethal and insane she can be. The gang needs a lawyer more than we need another killer at the moment.

“How did she get herself captured?” Ace asks.

Usually, they do something stupid in a foreign country because they’re entitled brats. This one was different. “She rented out a movie theatre for her and her friends.”

“Wait, this happened in the States?” Canyon stands up from where he was leaning against the bar.

“Yeah. The cartel was sending a message to her father.” One that isn’t acceptable. “Jacko will lead the group.” Even though I should be. But Willow Street has to be my first priority. “Unless someone volunteers to take over for a few days.”

Every single guy looks down at their feet. Not one of them wants the responsibility. My brothers will walk into abattle not knowing how outnumbered we are, but they won’t take over Willow Street. Half the time I don’t want to either. But I chose this, and the kids need to be protected. If only they weren’t stupid kids half the time trying to get themselves in trouble or killed.

More often than not, it’s me that wants to kill them. But I’ve accepted that I can’t go do the fun stuff anymore. “It’s the standard pay split, thirty for equipment and planning, fifty for the men who participate, and twenty for Willow Street.”

Ethan started that years ago to help keep the neighborhood afloat. Not that any of my brothers need the money. We’ve had more money than we’ll ever need since before most of us turned thirty. “Any questions?”

Silence is the response I expected. “On to the next issue.”

***

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