When we finally pull away, he rests his forehead against mine, breathing harder. He closes his eyes for a second, just taking it in, and I watch his face. He’s the most laid back of the three men. Rory is easygoing and fun-loving, but he’s also the most energetic. Levi is usually just very chill. Seeing him in a rage at Paul was different, and it’s nice to have him back to being calm and open again.
“You know,” he murmurs, opening his eyes to look at me. “We’re all fucked up over you, too. Me and Rory, and Sloan most of all.”
That’s no secret, not really. But even now, I can’t decide if it’s a good thing or not.
11
On Saturday night, we end up going back to the warehouse where all the Black Roses like to hang out and drink and fight. Going there is really a blast from the past, since I haven’t been back since the first time we were here, where I ended up pissing off Sloan by getting into a fight with one of the Black Rose members who didn’t like my taunting.
I glance at Sloan as we walk in, trying to see if there’s any indicator that he remembers what happened that night or is thinking about it too, but he’s unreadable, in true Sloan fashion.
It feels weird to be walking in with them, knowing I’m a Black Rose too, but I don’t let that show on my face, trying to look like I belong there as much as any of the rest of them.
The guys are here because they need to meet up with some people who are doing recon on the Jackals, so they can exchange information and whatever else. I’m here because I’m trying not to be intimidated by the rest of the gang who clearly don’t like me for my part in getting their money stolen.
It’s just like the last time, really. Most of the guys are hanging out, sprawled on couches and chairs, drinking and shooting the shit. Some are playing darts in one corner, and there’s a loud poker game happening off to the side. The vibe is different, though.
Back then, everyone was chill and relaxed, watching the fights or taking part in their own activities. Now it’s easy to tell that everyone’s on edge. Every time the door opens, every eye in the room darts toward it, like they’re half expecting the Jackals to come storming in, guns blazing.
The ones who aren’t playing games are in little groups of twos and threes, talking in hushed voices with serious faces. No one’s in the ring fighting, and that’s maybe the biggest giveaway that this isn’t the relaxed scene that it looks like from the outside.
There’s anger boiling beneath the surface, and me walking in doesn’t really help. I get all kinds of glances, some dismissive, some outright angry, but no one says anything as we head for an empty section of couches and chairs and move to settle in.
Rory sits next to me, tucking tight against my side, and it’s funny how uncomfortable I was with him and Levi being so close the last time. Every touch made me want to jump out of my skin or lean in closer, and I was fighting it every step of the way. This time I’m more than happy for the comfort Rory’s closeness provides, and when Levi sits on my other side, it feels even better.
Sloan is all business, though. He glances around like he’s looking for someone specific, and then waves him over when he finds him. A tall, dark-skinned man with long dreads comes over, nodding respectfully to Sloan.
“Anything?” Sloan asks.
The man shakes his head. “Nothing solid. We keep getting people who say they saw something, but then by the time we get there, there’s nothing to see.”
“Dammit.” Sloan curses, curling one hand into a fist.
“I hate to say it, but by now, the trail might’ve gone cold. Who knows what they did with that money in this time? Moved it somewhere out of the city or spent it all, maybe.”
“They didn’t spend that much money in a week,” Sloan snaps.
“To spite us? They could have.”
Sloan grits his teeth, and I can tell he’s pissed off. Getting the money back is kind of a pipe dream at this point, but being able to get one step ahead of the Jackals would be nice, it seems.
From what I can tell, everyone’s got their ears to the ground, waiting to see how the Jackals are going to retaliate. Some seem to think that them stealing the money and us stealing Alex back cancel each other out, and we’re back on neutral ground again, but that seems to be the minority.
Most of the group clearly think that something will happen, and it won’t be good.
I listen closely while they talk, just like I did the first time we were here. Whatever I can pick up from this conversation will be useful, but it’s not so I can use it against them like it always has been before. That’s not even close to the plan anymore. Now I just want to be as prepared as possible for this gang war that seems to be looming on the horizon. I want to be able to protect the guys if I have to.
“They aren’t stupid,” one of the men we’re meeting with says loudly, cutting into what Rory had been about to say.
Rory just rolls his eyes and takes it in stride. “They’re either stupid or they’re planning something big. Why else have they been so ready for a fight these days? It’s getting bad again, and they wouldn’t let that happen if they didn’t have a reason.”
There’s a murmur of assent at that, and I swallow hard. I remember Levi telling me that this reminded him of when his brother got killed, and all I can think about is how much danger people I care about could be in.
They talk more, spinning theories and ideas for what the Jackals could possibly be planning to do, and I sit there, taking it all in.
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see someone staring at me, and after a second or two, the force of that stare makes me turn my head to see who it is.
It takes me a second to recognize Baldy, the man I fought the last time I was here. He’s glaring at me like he wishes he could come over here and fight me again, and I don’t need to try it to know that would send Sloan into another rage.
So I try to ignore him, focusing on the conversation at hand while the guy keeps glaring at me, rage simmering in his eyes. I can feel it heating my skin, impossible to ignore.
“What does Gavin say?” someone asks Sloan, who shrugs.
“He wants to wait and see what happens. He doesn’t want to be the one to make the first move because then it’s on us.”
They all nod at that, clearly understanding the motivation, and I can see the sense in it. If the Jackals start something and the Black Roses finish it, then they were just defending themselves. Technically the Jackals did start it by raiding Alex’s place and taking him and the money, but that’s maybe a different thing since they were handed the information.
According to Sloan, Gavin seems to want to wait and see if things go back to normal before doing anything rash, even though Sloan and everyone else seem to believe that won’t happen.
Not having that money puts us at a disadvantage—one that the Jackals could easily decide to press.
With a start, I realize I just used the word “us” in my head, lumping myself in with the rest of them as a Black Rose.
I’m on their side now, for better or worse, no matter how any of the others feel about it.
Actually, I’ve got a very good idea of how they feel about it, considering Baldy can’t take his eyes off me the whole time I sit here. And when we get up a bit later, ready to head out, he finally seems to get tired of just staring.