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ChapterSeventeen
NYX
If I couldn’t countonanythingelse, I knew how to provoke a reaction when I wanted one.
It was why I’d had the enforcers who’d ridden out with me hang back while I pulled up to the dispensary alone and parked out front, waiting.
I didn’t have to wait long.
Jake Lincoln came speeding up to where I was parked. He wasn’t alone, but from the way he immediately dismounted to greet me, he didn’t seem to be on any shit-starting energy.
When he offered a handshake, I accepted the gesture.
“Haven’t seen Tatiana come through in a while,” he said, stepping back to leave a good amount of distance between us. “Everything alright?”
“Nothing to tellyou,” I answered. “Why you wanna know?”
He scratched his head. “Well, we ain’tbestiesexactly, but I’ve known her a long time, went to high school with her, all that. I’d like to think we’re somewhat friends.”
“She doesn’t,” I told him, bursting whatever bubble of belief he’d built up about his supposed relationship with Tati. “Talk to me about your beef with thePredators.”
“We don’t have one,” Jake immediately denied. “I’ve been trying to say that this whole time. I’m not saying there wasn’t tension, or a rivalry, in the past. But not anymore. We just want to coexist.”
“Easy to say whenyourfather is still alive.”
Jake dropped his shoulders. “We didn’t have anything to do with that.”
“So you keep saying.”
“So I’ll say until my last fucking breath,” he countered. “What can I say that will convince you? We do not want this war.”
I shook my head. “There ain’t muchtosay, Jake. We’re gonna raze your territory to the fucking ground, unless you give me something I can use.”
“Like what?”
“Like what the fuck is Rojas up to?” I asked, prompting Jake to glance nervously back at his guys. They were at a distance where they wouldn’t likely hear us with lowered voices, so I wasn’t surprised when Jake got closer so he could keep his tone low.
“I can’t cross Rojas. He’s got us by the balls, him and his nephew.”
“What nephew?”
“Ivan,crazymotherfucker. He just got back to the states from wherever the family had shipped him off to so he’d stay outta trouble.”
I sighed. “Let me guess, he didn’t stay out of trouble?”
“Not hardly.” Jake chuckled. “Trouble goes where he does, and well… he’s here.”
I didn’t have to be a mind reader to tell that even with all the bravado Jake was putting on, this Ivan dude had him concerned.
Which meant we probably should be, too.
“What do you know about the Santiago Cartel?” I asked. “They were your suppliers before Rojas took over, right?”
Jake nodded. “Yeah. I don’t know much except where the pickups and drop-offs were though. And Rojas switched everything up, so I don’t know how helpful that would be.”
“You’re right,” I agreed. “It’s starting to sound like weshouldjust wipe you motherfuckers off the map. You’re of no use to us.”
“Hold on now,” Jake insisted, lifting his hands. “I think Rojas is planning to take on a new partner.”
