His eyes, still bright, roll to meet mine. “Ace.”
Carefully, I lean over him, keeping from touching his sensitive body. Sean has been a runner longer than I’ve been one. We did a few meets together, him as my muscle when Inegotiated deals. Probably a decade older than me, I’ve never had to worry about his loyalty. “What happened?”
“Bomb,” he rasps. I knew as much—I know the Board’s sloppy work. They tend to use the clans for these hits, but since we’re the only one in the area, they’re relying on old tactics. I wouldn’t be surprised if Doyle set it up.
The question ishow.
“Was it at the meet?” Collins moves on my side, gathering supplies. I’m running out of time—once she takes him, the pain will be too much. He’ll lose consciousness, and I need information. “Sean, tell me. Was it at the meet?”
He tries to swallow, but can’t. His burned throat is dried out, and his lips are chapped, flesh pulling at the edges. His eyes flutter closed, strain exhausting him.
Not yet.
“Sean.”
“Yes,” he hisses, mouth slackened. “They’re coming, Ace. For all of us.”
My blood runs cold, and my nails scratch the metal above his head.The Board.The assassins. No longer coming for me, they’re going after everyone around me. Just to pressure me.
They want my family—my power. And they’ll do anything to make me break.
Likefuckwill I give anything to them.
Placing his hand gently back on his chest, I nod at Collins as she starts to roll him to the sink. Debridement is gruesome, even for me, and I have to fight the gag on my tongue. “You take care of them. Understand?”
She bites the inside of her cheek. “I’ll do my best.”
“Do better.”
Stalking from the med lab, I slip out my phone, cold fury causing my fingers to shake. My heels drive into the basement floor, punctuating every swipe of my finger against a key.
Someone knew about the meet. Someonein my clangave information to the Board and let them hurt us. It’s not exactly hidden knowledge among my men when we have meets, but I change the personnel. Never the same guys together to avoid detection.
Yet my men talk. They exchange nightly plans, routines, and orders at the Wharf. That means anyone could’ve gotten the information and sold it to the Board.
Maybe they even work for them. A mole in my organization.
I want to know who.
A woman could never lead this clan. Too soft. Too incompetent.
I need backgrounds.
Briar: Hello, dearest oldest sister. I’m wonderful, thank you for asking.
Rolling my eyes, I stab the elevator button. I’m not in the mood for my fucking smartass of a baby brother.
I know you’re fine. I know what you’re doing in California.
Backgrounds. Now.
Briar: On whom?
The doors slide open, and I step inside, sending one word.
Everyone.
There’s a brief pause, and I can see his devious grin as he responds. We share the same smile.
