Page 23 of Damascus & The Wildfire
He’d be in the ground by midnight.
“Why haven’t we heard of these guys before?” I asked my brothers.
Linc typed on his keyboard for a moment, then spun the screen to face us. “They’re a spin-off of Los Guerreros. Houston PD only recently tagged them as an organized crew.”
“I asked around. Don saw two guys wearing their colors near the bakery the other day,” Thane gruffed as he rubbed his goatee. “He pulled his piece when he caught them trying to break into a customer’s car. Pussies ran away.”
“Archer saw a few scouting in the Woodlands this week, too,” Hatchet added. “One looked about twelve.”
“Great. Baby gang bangers,” Reaper grumbled. “Just what fucking Houston needs. Why now? Why are they escalating this quickly?”
“Interesting.” Linc hummed at his screen, tapping a line of code.
“What?” I growled.
“Remember Diego Pérez from my high school football team?” he asked, looking at Reaper. “He graduated a few years before me. Damn good hacker. He’s their vice president. Rap sheet says he just got out of prison after hacking the security of a jewelry store. Only got caught because a cop walked by when he was inside.”
“He always was a greedy bastard. One of the best pickpockets I’d ever watched in action,” Reaper acknowledged. “Sounds like he’s escalated. This might bring in a few more clients to Maverick Security.”
I glanced between Reaper and Thane and drummed my fingers on my thigh. “I think we should bring Fuse back into the fold. We could use another enforcer with all this shit going on. And if more of the town’s businesses want Maverick protection, we’ll need extra muscle.”
A grin split on Hatchet’s face as he pounded his fist on the table. “Hell yeah.”
Thane nodded. “Agreed. Call him today and brief him on the situation.”
“Good.” I hesitated before continuing, knowing full well I’d get pushback. “I also want someone on Kenna’s house every night until further notice.”
Everyone’s eyes shifted to me.
Thane’s brow furrowed. “She’s not a part of the club. She’s not an old lady or on track to become one. She’s a consultant.”
I flexed my jaw. “That didn’t stop us from protecting Eva when she was in danger. I’m asking for a prospect to watch her house at night for a week or so, just to make sure the fucker who stole her purse and keys doesn’t come back looking for a second payday. Shedrives a Range Rover, for fuck’s sake. That set of wheels easily costs $100,000.”
Reaper watched me, his expression curious. His sharp eyes assessed me before he responded carefully to Thane. “You’re right. She’s not technically a part of the club. But she’s Eva’s best friend, and her work is important to the club’s reputation. She’s the one who flagged that someone was digging into our business with the Riot. If you hadn’t given Serpent a heads-up, he’d have shown up and put a bullet in your head.”
Thane waved a hand. “Fine. Have Coast watch her house for the next few nights.”
I sipped my coffee, the bitter warmth grounding me as I shifted the subject before Thane could change his mind. “The Jackals have made a lot of enemies across the city. They’re infringing on territories. Our best bet right now is to hope one of the other crews takes them out.”
Hatchet leaned forward. His eyes sparkled, undoubtedly with bad ideas and recklessness. “What if we set them up? Make it seem like they’re fucking with the cartel’s business. They won’t last a month once they have that target on their back.”
I grimaced. “I’d like us to stay as far away from those motherfuckers as we can. Engaging with the cartel in any way is a last fucking resort.”
Thane and Reaper nodded in agreement.
After the meeting broke, I strode out of the clubhouse. The heavy door thudded shut behind me, and I breathed in the humid morning air, the scent of gasoline mixing with damp earth. I rolled my shoulders, trying to release the restless energy coiled in my chest.
“Hold up,” Reaper called from behind me.
I turned to face him. “What?”
Reaper crossed his arms. “The fuck is going on?”
I shrugged. “With what?” I feigned ignorance, though I could already see where this was heading.
“You, motherfucker. What’s up with you and Kenna?”
“Nothing.” I turned to walk away, but Reaper grabbed my arm and yanked me back to face him. I squared off, ready to punch him in the face.
