Rawlings doesn’t wait to dive in. “As we’re all aware, the Falcons have overstepped and somehow claimed our city as their own. We knew they were back but we now have a clearer picture. Thanks the intel gathered by Bjorn, we understand that they’re murdering the homeless population in an attempt to ‘clean’ the streets, and the ones they’re not murdering, they’re using for trafficking, transporting drugs, and other exploits.” Everyone nods in agreement. The looks in their eyes are thirsty for what’s to come.
“Unfortunately, it is creeping closer and closer to the club in the way of threats to Bjorn’s Foundation and the death of young Lucie. We thought that taking care of Sheldon was a step in the right direction, but I think we were wrong.” I look at Rawlings, confused.
“What do you mean we’re wrong? I thought he was behind all this,” I snarl out, staring at Alexander.Why didn’t you tell me about this?
“Joaquin will explain.” Rawlings sits down, allowing Joaquin to speak as he rounds the table towards me.
“There seems to be another person. The night you were at the Nest, I was able to tap into their network and look into their server. I found emails and some coded messages, hinting at someone called theSiren. Whoever this person is, we think they’re another link inside the Foundation or someone with access to your network.” I look at the email copies he has and thumb through them, glancing at the language they’re using.
“Are there any indications of who it might be?” Coda asks from across the table.
I have a hunch. Only one person is enough of a snake to play the innocent act and call herself the Siren. My gut feeling has led me here.
“Carla Martinez.”
All eyes turn to look at me. “Who?” Rawlings asks for confirmation.
“Carla, as in bottle red head in your office?” Alexander says in disbelief.
“Are you serious? How can it not be?” I stand, showing them their printouts compared to one of the emails on my phone. Her writing style stands out like herself in life.
“Tessa, that is a very big assumption,” Memphis pipes up in the back.
“When you’ve worked with this bitch for years, you’ll feel the same. I have no doubt she has input on this. Think about it. Alexander, Joaquin you were there that night at the masquerade. How calm was she? Enough for her to put people at ease,” I point out. Joaquin, a man of few words, nods but shrugs.
“I don’t know. Other than your comparison of emails, it’s a coincidence. What if someone set her up?” Alexander considers the other side.
He may have a point. I might detest Carla with a passion, but what leveragedoesshe have?
“We can put a tail on her if you have a hunch,” Rawlings suggests, dismissing the rest of the notion. “We understand that there are key players, but we need to cut off their meeting point: the shipping yard.”
I raise my hand, like an idiot. “Bjorn, did you fucking raising your hand?” He cocks an eyebrow at me.
I put it down and speak up. “If you know who the key players are, why don’t you take them out first?”
“Because we don’t know who’s all involved,” Rawlings sneers. I feel heated, like I’m going to explode. If the man would justlistento me.
“So what? You’re going to blow up a shipping hanger? Claim the shipping yard as your own? What’s the point? Risking the lives of your club members for what? Look, I know who this other key player is and instead of trusting me..”
“Watch what you say next, Bjorn,” Rawlings warns. He stands, getting closer to me. “You may be the old lady of the VP and I said you could be a part of this, but I will not entertain your impulses.” He points a finger at me and I smack it out of my face.
Oh, he’s going to get it. “I told you to trust me and you have. Have I steered you all wrong at all?”
Rawlings has an answer ready. “This is business, dear. We take back what’s ours and keep your streets clear of trouble.”
“I don’t have fucking time for a bigger wolf to take over something because they feel threatened,” I growl out in frustration, and I feel Alexander pulling my arm to get me to sit back down.
“This big bad wolf is taking back what’s ours in revenue, businesses, property, and yes, our streets. So sit down and shut up before you piss me off.” Rawlings backs me into my seat.Fucker. “That emblem on your skin means you’re loyal to the club. What we say goes. You’d do well to remember that.” He sits back down and waves at Doc. “DR, continue explaining the plan.”
Alexander shoots me a look to mind my mouth. Instead of having my back, he sits there quietly, reviewing the plan. There is a twinge of pain with it.
“Their meetup is next week, loading up and shipping out. From what Jackson and Greer have explained, we have the access points and weak spots covered. We’ll have our vans at the entry point to rescue the individuals they wrangle up. We’ll have them outnumbered, send a message to the Falcons, and reclaim the shipping yard.” Doc points to the mockup of the shipping yard and docks.
While the Falcons are going to be ten steps ahead of you.I get a few eyes over to me. I snap my eyes back. I’m keeping my mouth shut.
“If we kill a few birds in the process, then no harm, no foul,” Keola pipes in. He’s been silent all night.
Memphis punches his arm. “Ha, another bird joke.” He starts to laugh from his belly.Never lose that sunshine, Memphis.