Page 37 of Conquering Oz

“Inez.” His stern tone did nothing to rock her composure.

“I know you tookcareof the guys doing the transport. Nothing else you need.”

The Underground had handled them, but they weren’t the people in charge or calling the shots. It was an order handed down from someone in power. That was the real threat to the Underground. It wouldn’t be ignored or given a pass.

The corner of his mouth curled, and he stalked toward her. With only the breakfast bar separating them, Oz pressed his hands against the counter.

“The name.”

“Jesus fucking Christ, Oz, you don’t come here—”

He cut her off with a growl and slowly leaned forward. “If I don’t get a name, then I’ll have to assume it was Ace who bargained this entire deal. Whether that be the case or not, someone will pay for it.”

“You’re a son of a bitch, you know that?” Inez glared. It was telling. “You touch my boys and you and me are gonna have a problem.”

“We already have a problem that’s not going away unless I get a name.” Oz scowled. “I’m not asking again.”

“Such a fucking little prick!” she snapped.

Little prick.It was Inez’s favorite slanderous phrase. She’d been saying it for years. On several occasions it had been aimed at him. She’d used it so much with Rogue, Oz was amazed she even remembered his brother’s name.

He smirked. “You can only protect one.”

She walked over to her cabinet, popped up on her toes, and grabbed a bottle of vodka. Inez was a tiny woman. Incontestable. Had he passed her on the street, he wouldn’t have had any cause for concern. She slammed the cabinet closed and grabbed a glass from the counter. Just one. Inez would only be sharing one thing with him, and it wouldn’t be a drink. She twisted off the cap, poured the vodka, and shot it back.

“The name.”

Inez slammed her glass on the table, her lips twisting in a sneer. “I fucking backed you.” She pointed to her chest. “Me. When Sal was talking predecessor and shit, it was me who said he should get rid of Jimmy and have you take over when he was ready to step down. You think any of those fuckers wanted to report to a little prick half their age? The answer is fucking no, and everyone was vying to stand next to Sal to someday takeover. And I told him you were the right fucking choice.” Inez scoffed, “And this is the fucking thanks I get? You can’t give an old woman some peace?”

Whenever she was backed in a corner, Inez always played theold womancard. It was comical to anyone who knew the real Inez. She’d go to her grave screaming and berating all those around her.

Everything she’d said was true. Oz suspected Sal would bestow the Underground to him, Rogue, and Trey. They’d been the most loyal and never wavered on doing whatever Sal asked of them. But he knew Inez’s voice counted more than any other, and she’d backed the decision.

“All right.” Oz straightened and folded his arms. “In this position, what would Sal do?”

She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and scowled.She knows.

“Inez.”

“Garner asked for a favor, and I gave it. Then the kid came to Ace asking to sell along the way, and I thought, ‘why the fuck not?’”

Aside from Inez, Garner was the biggest distributor in the area. Oz had been aware of their affiliation considering their line of work but hadn’t been worried. Inez only had loyalties to a select few. Though she wasn’t above cutting a side deal on occasion. That wasn’t the issue. The Underground didn’t work directly with Garner’s operation, but they required permission and compensation. Neither of which had happened.

“Where was it headed?”

Inez smirked. “Polinski.”

He swallowed a smile. Oz worked with a vast network of people who ran other states. But he was especially close to those who bordered their territory. It was imperative to keep the peace. Polinski ran his state a little differently than Oz. He never prepaid any shipment of product, which meant he’d take no issue with Oz hijacking the haul. This would fall solely on Garner’s shoulders for the lost transport and money.

“Thisdoesn’t happen again, Inez,” Oz said.

She grabbed her lit cigarette from the ashtray, ignoring him.

“Not again, Inez.”

She waved her hand, dismissing him.

“Next time you come by, be a real fucking gentleman and bring me some of those expensive fancy-ass cigars of yours.”

---