1. Dax #2
Letting out a sigh, I rested against the van’s door as we drove around far longer than we needed to ensure we didn’t have a tail.
When we did stop, it was a few blocks down, and we had to walk our happy asses the rest of the way to the building.
Harper and her guys went in one elevator while my guys and I took another.
Slamming my head against the elevator wall, I groaned. “How bad did I fuck up, guys?”
“With us or Harper?” Cam asked.
Cracking an eye, I looked at him. “Both. It will tell me how much groveling I need to do. I promised to be more honest, and I still couldn’t do it.”
“That’s not totally true,” Wes said. “You asked us to trust you with this part of the night, telling us everything else. We agreed to let you handle things so, personally, I don’t feel like you’re to blame.
None of us are. There was no way we could leave that place without a fight on our hands.
It was either going to be you and Void locked in that cage facing off God knows who or what ended up happening. ”
Sprocket pulled down his hair and started to massage his head like it hurt.
When he looked up, he sighed and dropped his hands.
“Wes is right… this night was always going to end up going sideways, no matter how we planned for it. Would a heads-up have been nice so we could deal with the fallout? Yeah. Still, how things turned out was the best of a shit situation.”
The doors opened, and we headed to the apartment.
Once inside, everyone poured themselves a drink and found a spot on the couch, all looking rumpled and tired.
This had to end soon. There was no way we could keep pushing like this, running from one fire to another, trying to put them all out once they were burning too hot.
The eight of us were only human, even though I hated to own up to that fact.
“Look, I hate to do this now, but I think we need to have a glimpse of a plan before we go to bed,” I pointed out as I sipped my whiskey.
Eagle raised his glass to roll it over a darkening bruise on his cheek as he answered, “We should stay in the area for a day or two at least to make sure things settle for Tommaso. I know he said he had people in place for when this went down, but it doesn’t say much about our friendship if we just cut and run.
We created this shitstorm, so we should make sure he’s got it handled. ”
“You make a good point, pres,” Cam agreed. “I think, for all our sakes, I need to check in with the FBI. I got a call earlier about rumors Tricks was looking to take over New York, and that’s why we were here.”
That had me thinking as I tapped my finger on my glass. “Cam, be honest with me. Can you stay in the FBI and help us take down Marco?”
My dark knight leaned his head back on the couch and groaned.
“You know, in theory, this was all so much easier than it turned out to be. Granted, I never thought we’d be taking out a whole biker gang the way we did or putting a new person in power of the De León Cartel.
Honestly, this might be the best way to make a break.
If we can go to the FBI or even CIA headquarters in Washington DC and tell them we have a way to take out Marco, they might back us up.
The other thing they could say is no, the US can’t have any part of this, and if I go, it will be as a private citizen. ”
“You’re talking about making them ask you to quit so they don’t think you’re switching sides,” Sprocket reiterated. “Do you think they’ll do it?”
Cam shrugged as he looked up at the ceiling.
“The deeper I get into this without an exit plan, the closer I am to being arrested and charged with treason against the government. Then you’d have to spring me from jail, and I’d be a wanted fugitive for the rest of my life.
So if there’s a way to avoid that, I’m gonna find it. ”
“Is that possible in the next two or three days?” Picasso questioned. “I mean, obviously, we’ll help in any way we can, but we don’t know the laws and rules the way you do.”
With a smirk on his face, Cam lifted his head to look at Picasso. “I’m sorry, but was that a mild concern for me?”
The VP opened his mouth then shut it again and drained his drink, slamming it on the coffee table.
“Look, we might not be the best of friends, but we’re brothers in this together.
We love the same woman and are committed to her for life.
So the way I see it is that I’m obligated to give a shit about you. ”
“Well, if that isn’t the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me,” Cam said, pretending to sob and clutch his heart. “I just feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”
“Oh, fuck off,” Picasso muttered.
Cam pushed to his feet and refilled his glass, bringing the bottle over and topping everyone else’s.
“The reality is that we are taking this fight to Mexico, and that’s where this gets tricky.
International law is one area where no government employee with any acronym is going to be protected there.
If anyone gets caught with their hand in the cookie jar, the US will cover their asses first.”
“Great, so the plan is to find a way to get them to let you go from your service obligation or make an offer they can’t resist. What does it take to switch agencies?” I inquired. “I really feel like this is more CIA shit than FBI.”
“This should really be a joint operation, and maybe that’s how we swing it. Then we can make a deal with the CIA to say I’m dead or something for my protection,” Cam suggested before draining his glass. “I can’t think that clearly right now, but after some sleep and a shower, I’ll get on it.”
“I think that goes for us all,” Wes agreed. “Magnus just texted me to be ready to leave at seven which gives us about five hours of sleep after we clean up.”
I groaned and fell over on the open space of the couch next to me. “It’s official, he hates me so much right now. He knows making me get up that early is cruel and unusual punishment.”
“Or we need to get the hell out of dodge before the mob of angry evil villains comes after us,” Cognac teased as he grabbed my ankle and dragged me toward him. “Come, loba, let’s get you cleaned up and to bed.”
Lifting my head, I narrowed my eyes at him. “We’re just showering, right? I know you love me in the blood of our enemies, but I’m gonna be a limp fish if you want more.”
Cognac chuckled. “No, I believe our tryst last night will hold me over from ravaging you for now.”
“God, do you think the security saved that to masturbate to?” I wondered aloud as Cognac hauled me to my feet.
“Let’s hope they never leak it, or they’re going to have seven angry men showing up when they least expect it,” Void muttered.
I grinned at my deadly soul mate. “Something tells me that the video is long gone, and they never got the chance to do anything with it since they were too busy tugging on their dicks.”
“Goddamn right it’s been dealt with,” Wes said under his breath as we all headed back to the bedroom. “There isn’t a fucking chance I’d allow something like that to be seen by anyone who isn’t us.”
“Aww, it’s like you guys really love me or some shit,” I gushed as I stripped out of my clothes.
A hard swat on my ass made me whip around and glare at Eagle who just smiled. “Sorry, little hellcat, it was just out there and bare. Couldn’t help myself.”
“You’re fucking lucky I’m tired and think it’s oddly adorable you can’t keep your hands off me. Next time, go for a grope instead. It makes me less stabby,” I shared before slamming the bathroom door in his face and leaving me to shower alone in peace.