“No and that’s the problem. Why haven’t I seen this Jones guy yet? Not a word on the streets from any of our contacts either. Scorpions are laying low too. It’s making my nerves crawl,” I admitted. “My Reaper is getting hard to handle.”
Fuck. I was an impatient motherfucker.
“That’s because you hate waiting,” he replied with a chuckle, knowing me well enough to see right through me and the cause of my agitation. “Sit tight. Probably not gonna see much until it’s time. We’re getting close. Won’t be long now so calm your tits.”
“I don’t like it,” I complained, huffing out a breath. “Anything could happen or go wrong. We’re banking a lot on what we learned from that Scorpion prospect.”
“And you think it could be a trap or they could be settin’ us up. Already thought of that. Put a couple of calls into the other chapters. Spoke to Venom, Capone, Demon, and Ghoul. Even gave Jameson a call. We’ve got backup coming. Each of the Enforcers should be here by the weekend.”
“Fuck. We’re gonna have to welcome them right.”
“Already talked to Snooki. Club girls are workin’ on it. Ol’ ladies are overseeing it all. Gonna be a party to remember. Might as well let off a little steam before the shit hits the fan.”
He wasn’t wrong. Our plan was dangerous as fuck and once we confronted Jones and Resnikov none of our Reapers were holding back.
“And security?” Rael asked, poking his head through the door. “Don’t need any surprises.”
“We’re gonna add some extra security from the Denali brothers. They owe us after all that shit with Acid. Promised ten guys to watch the gates and help secure the perimeter.”
Rael shut the door behind him as he entered. “Are you fucking serious? Those idiots?”
“Think of it as help. No, they aren’t Royal Bastards but they are extra manpower. Besides, we all know we’re being watched. It’s not a surprise. Hoping it makes the Crossroads a little safer and more secure to have them here. They’re a deviation from our norm and that’s intentional. Keeps our enemies guessing. Besides, I can’t take any risks right now with Trish and her pregnancy. I need this place locked up tight. Xenon has eyes everywhere and he’s been keeping tabs on Vince and Antonio.”
“So, we think they can be trusted?” That was doubtful.
“I’m testing them.” Grim shrugged. “Just in case, there’s gonna be a lot of Bastards around to make sure they don’t fuck up.”
Rael was staring Grim down, clearly not happy. “They haven’t messed up a single invoice or shipment since that mess last Christmas but that doesn’t mean they’re clean.”
“I don’t see a reason to rock the boat with all the other shit we’ve got going on. Salazar is happy with shipments and we’re making decent income. The Guererro Cartel isn’t breathing down our necks and Jameson in NOLA says shit is good on his end too. Until Resnikov is handled everything else is waiting.”
Fair enough. “You got it, pres.”
“All the renovations and upgrades should be in place and finished by the weekend. We’ll be ready for anything.”
Rael stuck his hands in his pockets and agreed. “I see your point. Can’t argue when I want my Nylah safe too. Still don’t trust the Denali brothers.”
“You don’t trust anyone because that’s your job as the SAA of this club. Keep sharp but don’t fucking lose your shit, Rael.”
“Yeah, pres, I hear you.”
“I’ll be bringing up the fact that we could use another prospect soon in church. There’s a certain kid that’s paid his dues and I’d like to see him wear a full patch once his year is up.”
Rael cracked a smile, ticking his head toward Grim. “He’s a good kid. Takes his punches and keeps going. Never complains and is always ready to help a brother. Couldn’t ask for more than that.”
“He became a prospect right after Thanksgiving last year,” Grim remembered, “That right, Rael?”
“Yep. Just a few months away.”
“We’ll bring it to vote when you’re ready.”
Rising to my feet, I noticed the late hour. Mimi would wonder where I’d been all day. I only saw her once today and I missed her, as sappy as that sounded. “Gonna head out. Need to track down Mimi.”
Rael made lip smacking noises as I walked to the door and paused, flipping him off. Like he was any better. The guy was scary as fuck and still managed to look like a pansy when it came to his woman.
Halfway down the hall I stopped when a movement caught me off guard. Shadow literally stepped right from the shadows, almost as if he floated right through the damn wall. It was creepy as fuck. Kid never seemed bothered by that fact, like he preferred to remain in the dark and enjoyed it.
He was gonna make one hell of a Reaper.