“We need eyes on all of the BSMC compounds and warehouses. They’re spread wide on purpose which means we need to be smart,” Grim advised. “Don’t forget we took out Hector, or El Maestro with Acid’s men. His cousin probably joined the Scorpions and is out for vengeance.”
We rescued Bodie’s ol’ lady Sasha and Grim’s ex Trish the same night all that shit went down.
“We’ll take care of it,” Wraith promised.
“Between us and the prospects, we got the Crossroads covered.” Hannibal didn’t seem worried. He never did, to be honest.
“I’m leaving you in charge, Mammoth.”
“You got it, pres.”
Finally, I was heading back to NOLA. A part of me was anxious but that was only because it had been so long since I’d seen my best friend. If Jameson was back, I needed to know. The RBMC had shit to square away and Papa was right.
A shitstorm was certainly brewing.
Chapter 25 – Azrael
Patriot stopped me outside his room before we entered. “I want to keep the girls here while you’re gone.”
Nodding my head slowly, I could see the logic in that. “You think Trixie will stay in your room?”
“She’s not ready to leave.” His tone betrayed a hint of emotion I wasn’t used to seeing from Patriot, at least not until he found Trixie. Patriot was a badass Marine, hard as granite, and nothing usually fazed him. Sure, he was still going through some shit. PTSD was a bitch. But the brother was always like a rock, loyal, and dependable.
This was a side of him I hadn’t seen before and I didn’t know what to make of it. “You can’t keep her against her will. If Nylah wants to take her sister home, you’ll have to let them leave. You want to protect them from there, I’d appreciate it. Take Wraith or Ex with you. Either way, I’ll let Nylah know the choice is up to them.”
Patriot nodded, but his expression was grim.
“I’d feel better if they stayed here at the Crossroads. There’re too many unknowns right now with the Russians and the Scorpions.”
“They should be on lockdown. Doesn’t make sense to let any ol’ ladies or cookies leave right now without an escort.”
“Agreed, but Grim didn’t give the order to lockdown. No one goes anywhere alone though. He’s the pres. We follow his lead.”
“Yeah, I know that.” Patriot ran a hand through his dark hair and over the bandana he almost always had wrapped around his head. “I’m not sayin’ otherwise. Just don’t want to see anything else happen to Mimi.”
Mimi? Wasn’t that Nylah’s childhood nickname for her sister? “It won’t. Not as long as you’re watchin’ over her.”
“Right.” Patriot sighed and opened the door, walking in as the two girls huddled together on the bed.
I held out my hand and Nylah was on her feet in an instant, walking right into my arms. “I have to leave for a few days.”
She lifted that pretty blue gaze upward and frowned. “Can you tell me where you’re going?”
“Unfinished business with the club. I’ll be leaving with Grim.” I pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “We’re heading out as soon as we pack. It’s urgent.”
“You’ll watch your back, right? And Grim? I don’t want a call that you’re hurt or worse.”
“That concern is sweet, kitten, but we’ll be fine. There’s gonna be a lot of Royal Bastards around.” I couldn’t tell her more. Club business didn’t extend to ol’ ladies. It’s how we protected them from the worry and stress. “I’m gonna miss you.”
“I’ll miss you more.” She slipped her arms around my waist as her cheek rested over my heart. “Naomi needs me anyway. If she’ll come home, I want to take her back to my place.”
“About that,” I began. “Would you consider staying here? Patriot will take care of you both. Wraith and Ex will be around as well as a few others.”
She opened her mouth to protest but closed it.
“I’d feel better.”
She sighed. “Alright. I need to go home for a few things. We both need clothes. There’s nothing here for us to use.”