Page 27 of Ashes

While my brothers are off doing God knows what, I’m left home doing damage control, trying to prevent anything else from burning, and getting rivals out of our city.

When people hear about the Triad, it no longer places fear in their veins. Instead, they’re laughing, thinking they can do whatever they want. They fucking can’t. My brothers and I once controlled this city. We own over half the businesses here and used to control the main drug supply.

Now all we control are the legal businesses, which isn’t good enough for me.

I’m not giving up control over our drug business to random low-life dealers, which is why I willingly came here to the Westside Disciples territory. I’m willing to form an alliance with the new leader of one of the biggest gangs to team up and eliminate the competition.

Usually, I’d consult my brothers and let them in on my plan, but since they decided to keep secrets from me, I decided to make this decision myself.

A few months ago, the leader of the Westside Disciples was killed in an ambush that also got Rowen shot. They’d been making their way into our city, and we made a deal. For them to stay out of our territory, we’d give them Tate.

That plan blew up in our faces quickly.

We’d thought that with their leader dead, it would take a while for them to restructure their organization, but two months ago, we learned that they’re bigger and better than ever.

Leadership was turned over to Malakai’s nephew, Jaden, and the little bastard has nearly tripled their profit and supply.

Whatever he’s doing, it’s working.

He honored his late uncle’s deal and agreed to stay out of our city, and they have. They’ve been keeping their business to their side of town, but they’re getting dangerously close to the border of Triad territory.

They’ve eliminated their competition, and I know if we come together, we’ll both be able to get what we want.

Besides, I’ve got something they need. Something they’ve been trying to get their hands on but have been unsuccessful.

With a smirk, I enter the dimly bit bar where I was meeting with Malakai only months earlier.

I spot Jaden across the room instantly, surrounded by half-naked women and his right-hand man, Pony.

What a stupid fucking name.

“Well, well, well. Look who’s here.” Pony spots me first, nudging Jaden, whose dark eyes land on mine next. Straightening up, he pushes a few of the women away from him.

When he snaps his fingers, they quickly scurry away. “Eli Hale.” He claps his hands together. “What can I do for you?”

I pull out a chair in front of the table he’s sitting at and unbutton my suit jacket before I sit down. “I’m here because I have a proposition for you.” His eyebrow raises in interest.

“The Triad has something I want? Doubt it. I heard you and your brothers seem to be having trouble keeping your city clean,” he says, smirking. I don’t argue because he’s right. Smaller gangs have been stepping in and setting up shops.

I get to the point. “I know you lost your gun supplier.” We may be losing control of drugs, but we still have the main supply of firearms. Thanks to our thriving new business overseas, we now have international suppliers.

“What is it you want?” Jaden asks.

“Let’s work together. I’ll supply the guns, and the Westside Disciples help to keep Triad territory clean.”

He thinks for a moment, then begins laughing. “Basically, what you’re saying is that we’d be doing your dirty work. You can’t control your city, so you want to give us guns in exchange for us eliminating your competition. Your problem.”

“You’d be paying for the guns at a better price than what you’ve been paying. I have anything you want and any quantity you want.” I stare at him with a stoic expression, making it seem as if he’s the one who needs me and not the other way around. “In return for discounted guns, you will have some of your men patrolling my city, keeping it free from small-time gangs setting up and any dealers.”

“You have the resources to hire your men to do that. Why us?”

“Because the Disciples have become just as big as the Triad. If we come together, we’d both be invincible and could eliminate everyone who dares to step out of line.” I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “Truth is, the Triad is getting out of the drug game, which means new potential clients for you. Except, if some low-level dealers get to those potential clients first, you’re out of luck.”

“Why would you care if you’re not dealing drugs anymore?”

“I’d much rather have our clients go to a friend who has pure products rather than some chemical bullshit someone made at home,” I explain. “There’s a new dealer in the city that began selling last month. Since he’s been selling, there’s been twenty-one overdoses, all resulting in death. He’s lacing his product with some bad shit, and it’s not a good look for the city. Especially since we’re trying to get away from drugs and focus on firearms.”

He thinks for a moment, looking to his left to make eye contact with Pony. “We get rid of the scum, and you give us your drug business and discounted guns. Is that what you’re saying?”

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