“We’ll destroy them.” He says this as if it's a fact, and the other three grunt in approval.
We continued to drink in silence for a few minutes until the food finally arrived. I took it upon myself to take a whole box. Diving into the greasy cheesy goodness. Carbs have a specialform of magic that can wash away all traces of sadness. As I take down another slice Brandon starts the conversation back up.
“So, are we going to talk about the limo thing?”
17
Enrico Fermi
Max
I’m furious. If I would have known what Kahl had been doing all those years when he took us in, I would have killed him before Zoe had to. I’m furious with him, and even more with myself for being so clueless and seeing this man as a father.
We knew he was sick and twisted, but we didn’t have a single idea of the extent of it.
Zoe went to bed about two hours ago. It’s around four in the morning, but I can’t sleep. Now, I need a plan. A plan to destroy the Cambions as soon and as lethally as possible. Dean and Brandon have joined me in my office and Teddy went to watch over Zoe. I’m not sure what is drawing them together so strongly, but I’m relieved to know they aren’t a threat to each other. Maybe Zoe was onto something when she said they have the same darkness within them, and like is drawn to like.
I have to admit, a part of me is jealous that she isn’t drawn to me as strongly, but I would never try to prevent Teddy from getting something he wants. One, because it’s dangerous to get in his way, even for me. Two, he deserves to be happy, regardless of the crazy that lurks underneath.
“So, what the fuck is the plan?” Brandon grumbles as he puts his elbows on his knees.
I huff out a breath, not knowing how to answer his question yet. I don’t have a plan, I’m not even sure where to start. Jax refused to break so we have nothing to go off of. Zoe may have more insight because she watched us for so long, and she saw more of the people involved. We may need to start bringing her on more jobs to see if she recognizes anyone. Zoe might be the key to everything. She sure as hell is the strongest out of all of us.
“We let her lead us, she doesn’t need protection.” I say, leaning onto my desk and unlocking my phone.
“The hell she does, there is a very high possibility the Cambions will still know what she looks like. I bet bringing her to the public with us definitely will raise some flags,” Dean adds.
“I know, but that’s what I’m hoping for. I’m sure whoever is running the Cambions is very aware of her and knows that she murdered Kahl. I don’t doubt they will try to get her back.” I explain, hoping they’ll understand.
“We aren’t going to use her as fucking bait, Max.” Brandon snaps now standing.
I hold my hands up and stand up slowly. “Brandon, that is not what I’m saying.”
“Then what the fuck are saying?”
Sighing, “I’m saying that the Cambions will want her, especially after last night. They may not know that she’s The Sparrow, but someone knows she is Kahl’s daughter. I can almost guarantee whoever this person is, will start making mistakes out of desperation. We won’t put her at risk, but we will draw them out.”
Brandon just shakes his head, but he knows I’m right. I wish I had a better plan, but this is all I have right now.
“I don’t like it, Max.” Dean runs his fingers through his hair and starts to pace the room.
“Here is what we can do for now,” I say looking at the camera footage of Zoe’s room. She is fast asleep. I can see now that Teddy has moved from his place at the door and is now wrapped around her in the bed. “We bring her with us on regular jobs. Brandon can take her to the gambling rooms, I can take her on routine hits, and Teddy and Dean can bring her along on collecting days. When we go to the packaging and delivery warehouses, we all go together. It seems that most of our leaks are coming from the warehouses, so there's a chance we can catch something there.”
Dean finally stops pacing and I have Brandon’s undivided attention, “There needs to be at least one of us with her at all times. Zoe and Dean need to put our guards under extensive training, and Brandon,” I lock eyes with him, “We need to make sure our personnel are secure. Zoe was right when she pointed out some weak points. I need you to make this your top priority. So, look at bank transfers, offshore accounts, family involvement, and trace as much communication as possible.”
“I’ll do it.” Brandon agrees.
“Nobody will try to approach if Teddy is close by, so he needs to be closest to her in divey situations. I’ll need Dean to be our eyes and ears constantly. He’s the best at physical defense other than Zoe herself.”
“Zoe needs to train with all of us at least three times a week,” Dean mentions. “After looking at that footage of her up against Rico, we can all learn something from her.” This meansa lot coming from him, to compliment anyone let alone someone he doesn’t know as well as us, so I agree easily.
We trust each other's judgment, and we’ve been a well-oiled machine together for years now. A unit. Seeing Zoe fit so well with us at the museum this evening only solidifies my thoughts on her. She’s going to be an asset. However, I see a quickly growing emotional attachment forming with the other guys. Dean tries to stay stoic and distanced, but I see the way he looks at her when she isn’t looking at him. Brandon has always been someone who is honest about his thoughts and feelings when it comes to anything, but he’s our sensitive one. He wears his heart on his sleeve, but I hope he guards his heart with Zoe. That was something Kahl was never able to beat out of him. He’s the most human and he balances our group.
It’s Teddy I’m concerned about. He feels so strongly, and he typically wears his crazy and it’s very obvious that Zoe pulls even more of that out of him. It’s obvious with the way he is holding her in bed and stroking her hair; I just know he’s ready to burn the world for her.
“Are we in agreement?” I ask them both, more than prepared to fight on this.
“Yes,” they both say in sync.
