16. Bishop
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
BISHOP
H aving this many of the country’s most dangerous men in one room is even making me nervous, and I’m known for my nerves of steel.
There’s so much that can go wrong with having them all here like this, but without them we may not be able to win the war that gets closer to our doorstep by the day.
Camilla is holding her own considering how thick the tension is in the room, but I can see how stiff she is. She knows what could happen having these men here, and she knows how easily they could betray us.
“Let me get this straight,” Bryant starts. “Your brother faked his own death and started fucking with your business, only to come back and try to kill all of you and your girl?”
“That about sums it up.” Crew nods. “He’s recruited his own army of men, but we haven’t been able to track where they’ve come from or what he’s got on them. He’s been a ghost since he disappeared, and even with Everett’s help, Wyatt hasn’t been able to track his movements before he rose from the dead.”
Storm nods. “We’ve had Ace working on tracking some financial movements that seem to align with the dates you gave us, but so far he’s coming up empty as well.”
“What do you want from us?” Bennett asks, his face as impassive as always. I suppose when you come from a family of hitmen, you’re not exactly going to wear your emotions on your sleeve. I’ve only met him a handful of times, but as the oldest of seven brothers, he naturally stepped into the role of leader when his father stepped back to enjoy retirement with their mother.
“Right now, nothing. But we want to be able to call on you and some of your men if and when we need it. We’re waiting for them to make their next move to assess when we’re best to hit them, but for right now, it’s a waiting game,” I explain. “They think we’re in mourning because they’re still under the impression that Kovu is dead, so we can only assume they’ll be looking to make their move soon.”
Bryant runs his hand down his face. “And how can we be assured that we won’t be caught up in this mess if things go wrong? There’s a lot of beef in this room, and I don’t want my brothers or I taking the fall for anything that isn’t our fault.”
“If we call on you, we need you all to put your differences aside,” Crew admits.
“Those assholes broke into our compound and stole our women a few months ago, I don’t have a whole lot of trust in them not taking the chance to take us out.” Damon glares across the table at Storm and Elijah.
“To be fair, your father did kidnap one of them and buy the other from years of trafficking. It’s not exactly like they were willing houseguests,” Elijah adds, and I sigh. We’re already getting off track.
“Like you’re one to talk,” Beckham rumbles. “Your father has been working with the Jensen Cartel to move in on our territory.”
“Because you won’t give us access to your docks,” he retorts.
“We don’t need your shit coming through our city. We’re already on shaky ground with the cops because of the Jensens.”
“Enough,” Camilla snaps, and all eyes fall on her. “We understand you all have your own history, but we need your help. If you’re not willing to give us that, there’s no hard feelings, but the Syndicate will remember that the next time you call on them.” Her voice is clear and even despite the nerves that are likely only noticeable to the four of us that spend our every waking hour studying her.
“We’ll help anyway we can,” Storm says. “Ace is at your disposal anytime you need, and we can be here with a few hours’ notice. Since we joined forces with the Russos, we have more manpower freed up and are willing to loan as many men as you require.”
Elijah nods. “Anything you need, we’re happy to help.”
Damon glares at the two men sitting across from him before letting out a frustrated breath. “We can spare some men, and Ronan and I can mobilize whenever you need. Things are quiet down in the south right now.”
Bryant taps his fingers on the table a few times as he considers what he can offer. “Things are shaky in Boston with the fall of two crime bosses. We can’t offer any men, but my brothers and I can be here within a few hours when you need us.”
“Thank you,” I say calmly. Even if everyone else in the room says no, what has already been offered should give us the manpower we need, provided what little intel we have is accurate.
“Much like Hayes, my brother, enforcer, and I can be here when you need us, but we’re a little thin at the moment,” Gabriel offers, his voice gruff with irritation.
“It’s just my brothers and me, but it’s rare we’re all on assignments at the same time. When you need us, we’ll send whoever is free, but we don’t want any part in active fighting. We can kill who you want, but I won’t risk fucking up our operation by getting in a fight that isn’t ours.” Bennett nods at Crew.
“Understandable.”
Beckham sighs as he takes in each of the men in the room. He’s the wildcard at the table. While he is our ally and we have helped him a time or two, we weren’t holding our breath on him helping us, especially with how tense things are in San Francisco at the moment. “Fine. If things are okay in my city when you call, I’ll mobilize with a few of my men.”
Camilla’s shoulders drop ever so slightly as relief washes over her. “Thank you. We appreciate everything you’re doing for our family.”
A smile tugs at the corners of my lips as I allow my mask to drop. It’s the first time she’s acknowledging us as a family, even if the rest of us have known it for longer than we’re willing to admit.
I glance at my father who looks just as pleased with Camilla’s slipup.
For the first time since Caleb rose from the dead and started trying to take us out, I feel like I can breathe.
We’re going to be okay.
I know it.