Chapter 1 #2
He always thought he knew better, which he most likely did, but I didn’t want him to know that. Besides, he didn’t show doubt often, and when he did, it meant he’d already played out ten different scenarios in his head and didn’t like a single one of them.
I leaned back into my chair, my fingers steepled in front of me as I watched him from across the desk, considering what he was telling me.
“This is a bad move and you know it,” he finished, shaking his head.
“Why do you think that is?” I asked, tilting my head just enough to let him know I was listening, even if I didn’t agree.
Tick Tock shifted forward in his seat, elbows resting on his knees now, his hands clasped tight. “You lose a Harlot’s trust, you may not get that back. Ever. Not with women like that. They don’t forget. Better yet, they don’t forgive.”
“And they’ll hold a grudge you wouldn’t believe,” Powertrain added.
I glanced at my Treasurer and he quieted instantly. But Tick Tock’s words lingered, settling into the room, but they still weren’t going to make me change my mind.
“I’m not looking to win a popularity contest,” I said, my voice calm, controlled. “This is business, and I’m a partner. Which means I have the right to know what the fuck they’re doing with the Violent Delights. And if they’re taking out our guys, I especially wanna know why.”
Legion stood near the door, his attention bouncing back and forth between us, his posture seemed loose but he was fully aware of what was going on.
He had a restless energy about him that I knew only settled down long enough to keep him functional.
Whether it was anxiety or ADHD, it helped him get the job done, so I tolerated it.
“So what,” he cut in, brow lifting slightly, “How exactly am I supposed to go in? Incognito or guns blazing?”
I let my gaze slide over to him, studying him for a moment, taking in the clean-cut look he carried, the way he could pass for damn near anything depending on how he played it.
“You’re a city kid, right?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he answered, cautious now. “Why?”
“Then you already know how to blend in,” I said, leaning forward, my palms pressing into the desk.
“You walk in as a friendly. No bullshit. Introduce yourself, tell them you’re a Bastard.
Don’t hide that, cause if they find out you’re lying to them, they’ll cut your balls off.
Let them think you’re there to play nice. ”
I paused, letting it sink in. “Then you start watching. Follow them. Listen in one whatever conversation you can. I want to know what they’re doing, who they’re talking to, and where their information is going.”
Legion’s jaw tightened just a fraction. “And the computer side of things?”
“Get with Hoax,” I said, my tone sharpening slightly. “If anyone can get you access without setting off alarms, it’s him. I need eyes on their systems. I need names. Buyers. Middlemen. Anyone touching their intel.”
Legion let out a quiet breath, running a hand through his hair, the gears in his head turning fast. “This sounds a hell of a lot more elaborate than ‘just look into them,’ Prez.”
“Just do it,” I snapped. It was late and I was feeling short-fused.
The room went still and Legion straightened immediately, his expression locking into place, all traces of hesitation wiped clean. “You got it, Prez,” he said, nodding once. Then his eyes held mine a second longer. “But no bullshit?”
I leaned back again, giving him the space to speak.
“If they figure out what I’m doing,” he continued, his voice quieter now but steady, “you better be ready to call my momma, because she’s gonna be planning a funeral.”
A corner of my mouth twitched, though there was no humor behind it.
“Then be smart,” I said. “And don’t get caught.”
“Easier said than done,” he muttered, turning toward the door, his hand already reaching for the handle.
“And Legion.”
He paused, glancing back over his shoulder. “Yeah, Prez.”
“While you’re in New York,” I added, my gaze dropping briefly to the velvet card still sitting on my desk before lifting back to him, “you find out who’s behind Sal Lovino’s death.”
His brows pulled together. “The bookie died?”
“Murdered.”
He nodded. “Well, fuck,” he said under his breath.
“Exactly.”
There was nothing else to say after that. Legion gave a short nod, then pushed the door open and stepped out, letting it shut behind him with a muted click that echoed louder than it should have.
Silence settled in the room again as Powertrain and Tick Tock both turned their attention back to me, their expressions mirroring each other more than either of them would admit.
“You sure about this?” Tick Tock asked first, his voice quieter now, stripped of the earlier edge.
Powertrain crossed his arms over his chest, leaning against the wall, his eyes narrowed. “Because if this goes sideways, we’re not just dealing with fallout. We’re dealing with the Harlots. And they don’t play fair.”
I let out a slow breath, my gaze drifting around the office for a moment.
“Never thought I’d see my men cowering over a woman.” I narrowed my eyes on them.
Powertrain grunted. “Have you seen what that woman does to men like us? Listen Prez, I’ve gone after the meanest sons of bitches, but after meeting Duchess and being tormented by Whisper. Trust me, it’s better to stay on their good side.”
“I never said I wasn’t. And there’s one thing you both seem to have forgotten,” I said finally, my voice low, certain.
Tick Tock’s brow lifted. “And what’s that?”
“They need us more than we need them.”
Powertrain huffed under his breath, not convinced. Tick Tock leaned back in his seat, studying me.
“You sure about that, Prez?” he asked. “Legion’s not wrong. Duchess isn’t just some girl runnin’ a crew anymore.” His gaze sharpened. “She’s a queen now.”
My eyes darkened, something colder settling into my chest.
“Yeah,” I said, my voice steady, carrying the weight of everything that came with that word. “A queen who still has to fight to keep her crown.”
“Damn,” Powertrain nodded in approval.
“Besides, she’s the one who’s not talking. That girl, as you call her, is keeping secrets. And that doesn’t sit well with me, ad she damn well knows that.
I leaned forward again, my hands resting flat against the desk, the wood solid beneath my palms.
“She may be head of the Turkish mafia, but she still needs the Bastards' backing for that. And in order to have that, you respect the code. Loyalty, honesty…”
“And respect,” Tick Tock added.
“Exactly.”
Powertrain raise a brow. “I’m with the Prez on this one.”
Tick Tock gave him a look that told him to shut the hell up. “Well, since you’re so keen on, as you just put it, getting your balls cut off, don’t come to me when shit hits the fan.”
I waved him off as he walked out, followed by Powertrain. Silence penetrated the office space and I took a deep breath. I wasn’t afraid of a Harlot, especially one whose brother’s patch was on the line. Leverage was a funny thing, even when it came to family.