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“So what if – and I know this sounds loco – we join forces with the Bloody Claws and the Starry Banes?” Gabriel put two fingers up in the air. “The people of the two sleuths, especially the Alphas, hate Victor just as much as we do.”
Esteban shook his head. “That’s impossible. The ex-convicts will never want to work together with the ex-wardens.”
The history between the two factions made for a lot of bad blood but maybe, just maybe, the other sleuths could be convinced to fight against a common enemy.
“Their lifestyle is threatened just as much as ours is by Victor’s thirst for having power over the whole island. Also, if they wanted to live under Victor’s rule, they would have joined him long ago.” Esteban put a hand on his chin. “Though I doubt they will want to help us attack him for free.”
“They don’t have to help us out of the goodness of their hearts. We just have to make a proposal that will entice them. Bribe them with something they might want.” Gabriel’s expression turned thoughtful. “But what?”
“Money?” That answer was the most obvious one but money wasn’t everything on Isla Paraiso. Supplies could be bought with it, but much of the lifestyle on the island was self-sustained.
“Maybe. I hope it will be money. We’ve got plenty of it from trading but I have a feeling that bribing the other sleuths won’t be that simple.” Gabriel sighed.
“It’s worth a try. Perhaps we can get them to agree to join us. Or not. We won’t know until we talk to them,” Esteban said.
The next morning the Alphas sent a messenger to the Bloody Claws, asking to meet on a summit. The location was to be the crossroads between the road to our village and theirs. The meeting time – noon the same day.
An hour later the messenger returned with a reply: the leader of the Bloody Claws, the Alpha Oswaldo, had agreed to meet with us.
Gabriel and Esteban gathered twenty of our men, in case a fight broke out, and we made our way to the meeting place.
***
We didn’t have to wait long after our arrival for a large, burly man with numerous tattoos all over his body to appear on the road. As he came closer I saw that he was rather handsome, though I found him too intimidating to admire. He had a harsh look on his face, and he curled his fists as if he expected to punch someone any minute.
Gabriel stood to my right, and Esteban to my left. The rest of our people remained a few steps behind us, unhidden.
I counted the people that followed after the Alpha of the rival clan. He too had brought twenty of his men with him, and they all looked like rough, bloodthirsty criminals. Were those the people we were hoping would join us?
I swallowed hard. I was glad I wouldn’t have to speak during this summit. I wouldn’t have been able to show the backbone needed for negotiating with ex-convicts.
“Torres,” Oswaldo nodded at Esteban, then at Gabriel. “We meet again.”
“We’ve got a matter to discuss with you–” Gabriel started explaining, but the other Alpha interrupted him.
“Of course you do. You wouldn’t have any reason to talk to the bad, bad criminals otherwise.” Oswaldo chuckled.
Gabriel didn’t look bothered and continued speaking. “It’s about Victor. He has been attacking our territory repeatedly. At one point he even attacked our village.”
“And I should care because?”
“Victor wants to take over the whole of Isla Paraiso. That should concern you too.”
“Should it? If he wants to come after us, we’ll just beat him to a pulp.” Oswaldo laughed. “We’re not afraid of Victor, are we, men?”
The bear shifters behind him shouted that Victor could kiss their asses. I stared at the exchange, bewildered. Didn’t they see what was happening on the island? Would they just stand by until Victor came right to their doors?
Esteban took two steps towards Oswaldo, closing the distance between himself and the burly man. Before Gabriel and I could do anything to stop Esteban, he grabbed the other Alpha by the front of his shirt and raised a fist in the air.
“I don’t want to see you come to us crying when Victor murders half of your sleuth,” he spit out the words.
Oswaldo stared back at him, not intimidated at all. He didn’t even look bothered by Esteban touching him and raising his fist like he was ready to throw the first punch in a fight.
“So you’re back to the days where you just push us around, Esteban?” Oswaldo laughed in my mate’s face. “No amount of years could change who you are and you’re a bloodthirsty man who only knows how to speak through violence.”
“It’s not like you're anything other than a foolhardy criminal yourself,” Esteban said. He swung his fist and punched Oswaldo in the face. “Violence is the only language you know.”
Gabriel ran up to Esteban and pulled at him. “Esteban, stop this! We’re not here to fight.”
