Page 47 of Merciless

Younger versions of him.

Our lives were always going to revolve around the Hawks. It’s in our blood. I’m pretty sure if we turned our backs on it then we’d have found a bullet lodged in said back as we tried to flee.

It’s a relief that we all chose this life, to embrace our heritage, our birthrights. Although it doesn’t mean that the four of us aren’t always looking over our shoulders, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

While we might have followed in our father’s footsteps, we’re not exactly singing from the same song sheet with how he runs his territory.

As usual, cars and bikes are everywhere when we pull up into the old warehouse. Back in the day it used to be some old clothing factory. But that was before the Hawks turned this up-and-coming town into the down-and-out place it currently is.

Now the biggest warehouse is our clubhouse, consisting of a massive bar and lounge area, along with apartments for the members to crash in and offices where the higher-ranking members make all the fucked-up decisions.And not forgetting the playground out the back where we take our enemies to ‘play.’

“Game face on, man,” I command.

“I appreciate the warning, but I’m more than competent at lying through my teeth when required.”

I glance over at him, feeling like the shittiest friend in the world. For all intents and purposes, JD is my brother. We’re as close, if not closer, than me and Dev.

He appeared in Harrow Creek Elementary one day and was told to come and sit next to me, and that was it. We’ve been inseparable ever since.

For a long time, I didn’t really know him. He wanted to hang out and be friends, that was more than obvious, but he was also terrified of letting anyone close.

I get it now; I know his story and where he came from. But back then I didn’t understand it. Why he never spoke about his parents or any siblings, when my family was such a huge part of my life.

“Shit. I know, man. Sorry.” JD is probably one of the only people in the world who will ever hear me apologize for being an asshole. I don’t give a shit about many others to bother making the effort.

“S’all good. Shall we do this?”

I nod and push my door open.

With my mask firmly in place, we walk into the clubhouse side by side.

Almost every set of eyes in the main communal area turn our way as we enter, but I don’t look at a single one of them.

Most of them are our junior members, who prefer hanging out here pretending to be gangsters than living whatever bullshit lives they’re trying to drown out with booze, drugs, pussy, and violence.

Some are young and naïve—many still in high school—but others are just assholes who’ve never initiated but can’t give up the life or the status of being even loosely affiliated with us.

Music booms, and in only a few seconds, the chatter and laughter that filled the air before we walked in returns as we head toward the stairs.

Silently, we make our way up. We don’t need words; I already know exactly what JD is thinking.

“This better be quick,” he mutters as we approach Victor’s office door. “Got something pretty waiting for me at home.”

“You’re an asshole,” I hiss.

“That’s why you love me.”

“Irritating motherfucker,” I mumble.

Knocking once, I shove the door open. He isn’t getting any more warning or pleasantries from us.

12

MAVERICK

Beneath the table, my hands curl into fists as Reid and JD walk into Victor’s office as if they own the place.

Reid might be the heir to all this, but Victor is still very much living and breathing. And from what I can figure out, it’s going to take some serious work to change that, unless luck is on our side and he suddenly drops dead.

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