Chapter Three #2
She ripped off her helmet. Mint green, of course.
Sloane shook her hair, swiping a few strands from her face in a frantic motion.
“I’m so sorry. I had an interview that lasted longer than I originally expected.
I thought I had my phone charging, but then realized I hadn’t had the charger plugged into the outlet.
” Sloane took a breath. “And since I don’t know your number off the top of my head, I had to look into your file, but then I couldn’t find it, which is so weird because I’m usually really good at keeping everything organized, but it’s not there.
And Killian wasn’t working, and Jared is off the premises so I had no way of reaching you. ”
Damn, she barely took a breath.
Sloane’s shoulders slumped, frowning slightly. “I’m so sorry.”
Keely laughed. “It’s fine, girl. It happens.”
Sloane sucked in a breath, pouting. “And now I have to get back because I didn’t get a chance to do the schedule yet for next week.”
“Any chance I’m on that schedule?”
Sloane flattened her lips, and she seemingly forced an awkward smile. There was her answer. Shit! A few days of no income was survivable. Another week was not. Keely had hoped it was the reason Sloane had asked her to lunch. From the expression on her manager’s face, she was wrong.
Keely waved off her initial question. It wasn’t Sloane’s fault she found herself in this position.
“What did you want to talk to me about?”
Sloane’s mood shifted, and she reached behind her, pulling off her backpack.
It was also mint green, matching her helmet and scooter.
Can this woman be any cuter? She dug inside her bag and took out a business card.
Keely widened her eyes at the familiar plastic square.
She’d never been in possession of one, but she’d seen it.
And coveted it! She knew exactly what it was.
Sloane offered her the pass, but Keely simply stared down at it. A pass to the X-Lounge was part of the incentive program at the Bowery. VIP access and comped drinks for the night.
“I got suspended, and I get a pass?”
“Well—” Sloane sighed. “You’ve been working at the Bowery for over eighteen months, and you’ve earned it.”
And…I just got suspended!
“Sloane.” Keely chuckled.
“Okay, so you didn’t earn it per Bowery standards. But you put in your time, and well, just take it. The girls are going tonight. You can meet them there.”
Keely stared down at the pass. It was a tempting offer. But…
“Can’t you get in trouble for this?”
Sloane shrugged. “I’m always in trouble for something. And this is a good cause. Take it, Keely. Go have fun.”
Keely grabbed the pass, smiling. It would certainly lift her spirits.
“Alright, I’ve got to get back. But I’ll talk to you soon.”
Keely would probably regret this, but she had to ask. The last three days had given her a lot of time to self-reflect on things that Killian and Jared had said to her. Admittedly, she wasn’t the best employee, but she was looking for a third honest opinion.
“Wait, Sloane.” Keely stepped closer to the scooter.
“Yeah?”
“Can I ask you something? And you have to be honest.”
Sloane nodded. “Of course.”
“If I wasn’t Killian’s sister. Would you fire me?”
Sloane jerked back as if she’d been struck, gasping. “I would never fire you.”
Because we’re friends.
“If we weren’t friends?”
Sloane’s brows dipped, and she didn’t answer immediately.
She knew exactly what Keely was asking. If she’d been anyone else without a personal relationship to Sloane, Dahlia, Killian and Jared, would she still have a job?
It was a fair inquiry, and would shed some light on Keely’s standing at the Bowery. And how others view my work ethic.
“I don’t fire people. Trey does that.”
Cop-out answer, Sloane.
“But if you did. Given my work history at the Bowery for the last eighteen months. Would you let me go?”
Sloane averted her eyes and pursed her lips. “Well, I mean…”
Keely cut her off, pointing her finger. “Be honest.”
“I would probably, you know, um…” She was stalling, glancing up at the sky, mumbling. “Um, I would, um. Hmmm…what would I do?”
“Sloane.”
“Yes,” Sloane blurted, then widened her eyes and waved her hand. “But only based off performance, write-ups, and customer service.”
What? Sloane had just detailed her entire job description.
Keely laughed. “What else is there?”
“You’re fun, you make the work environment entertaining. Everyone loves you. You’re so good with the new hires. You get along with everybody, even the not so friendly girls.”
Keely snorted. “I don’t get along with Rogue.”
Sloane rolled her eyes. “Well, no one gets along with him. I mean, I don’t even think his split personalities get along.”
True. She may have been singled out by him, but she wasn’t the first. And I won’t be the last. It didn’t change the fact that during his aggressively cruel berating, he hadn’t lied.
“Look, I’m sure in another week you’ll be back on the schedule. I’m going to talk to Trey, and I know Dahlia will put in a good word for you too. You just need to give it a little more time.” Sloane smiled, glancing down at Keely’s hands, holding the pass. “And until then, go have fun.”
That was exactly what she intended to do.
X-Lounge. Round two.
****
Caine was stationed with Cyrus and Ridge on either side of him in Nash’s office.
A few feet away, Jared stood by himself.
A lone soldier. They may hold the same position within the Underground, but there were obvious differences.
Unlike Trey and Rogue’s crew, Oz had double the men under him, which in turn trickled down to Caine, who led the security.
They were also used differently in the organization.
When it came to getting rid of people and bodies, it was usually Oz’s men who stepped up and handled it.
That wasn’t to say Jared didn’t have an equally violent streak.
It just hadn’t been showcased in the same manner as Caine and the others.
Nash rounded his desk, addressing everyone in the room.
“I’ve debriefed Inez and Ace on setting up the deal with Anders.
He’s agreed to our price, and as far as I can tell, he doesn’t suspect anything.
Zeke has confirmed that as well with Ace.
Going forward, I will no longer be a major part of this.
You will report directly to Inez, and for those of you who aren’t aware, when she calls, you answer .
When she sets up a meeting, you show up, on time .
We’ll be using a safe house, and an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city for the initial transport.
Anders will send a crew, and we’ll make the exchange.
” Nash narrowed his gaze over the group. “None of them will leave.”
It was a bold move taking out an entire crew.
“Killcreek will handle most of the clean-up, but for this particular space, we’ll have a crew of our own.
Time is of the essence. You’ll all depart immediately after they are taken care of.
Caine and Ridge will drive the transport truck down.
” Nash shifted his eyes to the opposite side of the room.
“Jared, Cyrus, and Jessie will take two separate cars, escorting Anders and his remaining crew.”
“He agreed to that?” Jared asked, and the question was warranted.
“He wasn’t exactly happy, initially. But I explained that this is our state, and any transport happening across state lines is done our way.
We know the area, the authorities, and have the best possible chance of evading getting caught should that become an issue.
He bought it.” Nash paused. “It’s imperative everyone does their job.
There will be no mention of Inez or the MC.
It will only send up warning flags.” Nash peered over to the only woman in the room.
“Jessie will be introduced as a member of Rogue and Trey’s security.
It’s unlikely, but there is always a chance she’ll be recognized and linked back to Inez.
She’s already been briefed on how to handle that. ”
Jessie nodded. “A falling out, which I’ll refuse to discuss, and we parted ways years ago.”
“A falling out, huh?” Cyrus snorted. “That’s believable.”
Jessie smirked but offered no commentary. Everyone was well-versed with Inez, how she operated and dealt with her people. Inez had made her life in the Underground and collected a lot of enemies along the way.
Caine hadn’t dealt with Inez often. Most of her business was handled directly with Oz and Nash, sometimes Trey and Rogue. But it all went through Killcreek. There wasn’t anything they didn’t know about, play a part in, or had a hand in with regards to Inez. They’re her boys.
“Is there any concern of that story raising suspicions? It isn’t often anyone is permitted to part ways without repercussions,” Jared queried.
It was true. With the exception of a select few, there was only one way out of the Underground.
Nash glanced over at her. “I have faith that Jessie will be convincing should it come to that. And, Inez has always had a soft spot for the women. It’s widely known.”
“And the meeting?” Caine asked.
He’d been given the heads up earlier from Nash. It wasn’t an odd request on Anders’ end. This was a huge deal for him, possibly his biggest. He’d want to know every player.
“Yes, Anders wants to meet with you all. Expect a lot of fanfare and ego.” Nash sighed, and gave a subtle shake of his head. “In his mind, this is his deal, and although we are taking the reins of the transport, he will give orders as if he’s solely in charge. We’re going to let him.”
Caine bowed his head, smirking.
This motherfucker will never see it coming.