Page 36 of Conquering Oz

“Inez,” Oz said.

The door widened, and she grabbed the doorframe, eyeing him suspiciously. “Well, isn’t this a fucking surprise.”

Oz arched his brow. “Is it?”

He was well aware Ace had called Inez before the MC had even exited the parking lot after their meeting. The Killcreek Drifters had been connected to Inez for years. And she was very territorial over them.

Inez grinned and ignored the question.

“What do you got for me?”

Oz held up the box, and she lunged for it, swiping it out of his hand. She walked back into the apartment leaving the door wide open. He usually took security with him everywhere he went. It wasn’t necessary with Inez. There was no threat. And…

“Just you!” she shouted. “I ain’t entertaining you all. And tell your goddamn goon squad not to block the hallway. I got paying tenants in this place.”

Oz glanced back at Nash, who settled in against the wall along with Caine, Ridge, and Cyrus. None of them said a word and kept their composure. Except Cyrus, who appeared seconds away from laughing.

Oz walked in, closing the door behind him. He steeled his features, combatting the stench of stale cigarettes. How this woman had survived this long was a miracle.

“This about the shipment?”

Oz stood at the edge of her kitchen counter, tucked his hands in his pockets, and narrowed his gaze. “You admit you knew about it?”

Inez smirked. “Gave them safe passage throughmyterritory. Now what they chose to do once they got to yours…” —she paused— “That’s on them.”

Not exactly. It may have been her territory, but anything traveling through the state was the Underground’s business. A fact Inez knew all too well.

“Actually, it is on you. You seem to forget that your territory is inmystate.”

“Sal never had a problem with me making side deals.” Inez arched her brow. “Been doing it long before you were in charge, baby.”

Baby.Some used it as a term of endearment. Inez used it to serve as a reminder of her time and position in the Underground.

“And the sales?”

“We’re all out here hustling, Oz. No one knows that better than you.”

Oz eyed her suspiciously, “I take it you’ve gotten your cut from those sales?”

Her lips twitched as she grabbed her box of cigarettes. “I don’t allow anything for free, baby. Ace collected.”

He clenched his jaw, scanning the room. Oz was known for his control. It was something he’d struggled with early on. Coming from a hard childhood would make anyone angry. For Oz, it was deep rooted. It took effort and mentoring from Sal for him to see beyond the anger and rage, and use his mind as his sharpest weapon.

There was a precise balance he used when dealing with Inez. She’d built an empire and had the scars to prove it. The organization was too much for most men, but Inez had carvedout her position, and was one of the most feared leaders in their organization. She’d earned respect a long time ago. But there could only be one King. And that was Oz. Though, sometimes Inez forgot.

“You tell that brother of yours to stop dicking around with my boys. Ace gave me the rundown, and you know bringing that much heat around Killcreek puts their home on high alert. That’s Killcreek territory. That makes it Ace’s. And mine.”

“And it’s inmystate,” Oz warned.

Inez clamped her lips and sent him a scathing glare. That was undisputed, and she knew it.

“And you just love fucking reminding us all, don’t ya?” Inez sighed dramatically, waving her hands over her head. “Why you gotta bust my balls? I’m a frail old lady.”

Oz scoffed, shaking his head. Inez was just as smart, quick-witted, and calculating as she’d been when they first met decades ago.

“Who asked for passage through my state?”

Inez peered across the room. Oz already had the answer, but it gave him extra leverage if she gave it up.

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