AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Then brothers will put forward names, and it’ll still fall to a vote.”
“Luca would still keep it in your family, and I reckon the boy would step up.”
I don’t know if it’s because Luca’s with his granddaughter, but Pope is Luca’s biggest advocate lately. I mean, I’m grateful he has someone like Pope backing him, but it also means there’s someone other than me who sees massive potential in my son.
“I’ve got plans for him, brother. Big, big plans,” I assure him.
“Who would’ve thought we’d be sitting here all these years later, our families joined by marriage, both still breathing, and still planning for a future we’re not sure we’ll survive?”
I certainly didn’t, and it reiterates why I need to step down. All these years I’ve taken for granted. I need to make sure I have zero regrets when it comes to my family, before my last day comes for me.
Chapter Twelve
JJ
We arrive in Dog City, and the difference between the city and Willow’s Peak has me feeling grateful for growing up in a small town. It’s early evening, and the traffic is still heavy, whereas back home, most roads would be empty by now.
The Dog’s Blood version of a clubhouse comes into view, and Darius and Jermaine are standing by their gates. As we approach, Darius nods to one of his boys to open up and we ride through, parking up next to their muscle cars. Leo already had a word with Luca about taking the lead while we’re here, so he’s the first to approach Darius and shake his hand. Cas is definitely up to something, and my money is on him setting his sons up for the future to take his place.
Darius tips his head my way. “It’s good to see you.”
“How many have Effie’s men taken out?” Luca asks.
“Thirteen so far this week, all from the 2-Gunz crew. Last week, they worked their way through the Vipers. The ones who got away are now in hiding. Word is, the Dog’s Blood are next, and I have too much to live for to be taken down, you feel me?”
“We understand,” Leo acknowledges. “And that’s why we’re here.”
“It’s time to prove you have our backs as you promised,” Tariq snorts, his smart-ass comment pissing me off.
“We’re here, aren’t we?” I snap.
“The five of you?”
“We’re more than enough,” Luca counters, grinning. “Trust me.”
Darius leads us into the house, and I notice Zachery inhale the scent of weed. The fucker rarely smokes it anymore since his kid was born. Crowding around a table in their rundown kitchen, we’re all handed beers.
“As you know, the mayor issued a citywide crackdown on gang violence and dealings a few years ago. Over the last few weeks, the cops have been crawling all over us because of the killings. The dead are only gangbangers, so most people don’t give a shit. But the mayor’s doing what he can to keep the promise he made before being elected,” Darius explains.
When Zachery looked into him, he found out his old lady spent fifteen months in Bolton Corrections for distribution of a Class A substance. From what we’ve heard, her friend set her up. She had nothing to do with the drugs, but paid the price. They share a kid together, and he splits his time between here and the Gold Mile, which is where she lives. Her daddy is one of the wealthiest in the city, and could come in handy one day. Not that we’d mention that till we have to.
“How far out have you got watchers posted?” Luca inquires, lighting a cigarette.
Zachery has his eye on the guy smoking a joint, and doesn’t hesitate to take it when offered.
“Just two at the gate,” Jermaine tells him.
“Your gate? The one out front of this house?” I ask in disbelief.
Darius and Jermaine nod.
“So that what, gives you ten seconds to prepare for an attack?” Luca snipes.
I can only shake my head.
Luca calmly explains, “You need at least four men posted a few minutes out who know what to look for.”
Darius chooses four of his boys and orders them to certain posts around the area.
