Chapter 23
Alessa
No sooner than I pull back from Ryder’s arms, his phone rings, making me jump out of my damn skin.
“It’s Ghost,” he says softly, squeezing my thigh.
I know what I need to do to draw out Jay, but hearing his voice is much worse than I anticipated.
Glancing back at Zane, I can see the worry lining his face and the anger.
“What’s up?” Ryder answers, pushing the button on the steering wheel and pulling back onto the main road.
“We got that device planted that Holden gave us,” Ghost announces. “If Jay calls, we’ll know.”
“Do you think he knows anything?” I ask.
“He would only let Alexey and Dmitri up. I guess he doesn’t like gangbangers,” Ghost chuckles. “They said they were positive he did.”
I glance at Ryder. “Meet us back at the house.”
“You want us at your house?” Ghost asks in surprise. I usually have meetings with them in Concrete Row, so I can see why he’s shocked.
“I happen to like gangbangers.”
“Fair enough,” Ghost laughs.
“We’ll stop and get some food. Meet you back at the house,” Ryder says, then disconnects the call.
I shoot a message to Micah to let him know the plan while Ryder pulls through the closest drive-thru, picking up a bunch of pizzas before heading home. When we pull in, Ghost and the guys are already there with Micah, Evander, and Mateo.
While the guys get set up on the back patio, I run upstairs to change into something more comfortable. I’m just pulling a shirt on when my door opens, and Dex walks in.
“How are you doing, Baby girl?”
I bury myself in his arms, soaking up his strength. “I’m fine now.” He tightens his arms around me, kissing the top of my head. I feel all the nerves and tension ebb away just from his hug.
“We’ll get him,” Dex promises. I know at some point, Jay will try to grab me again; this time, I’ll be ready.
Dex squeezes me one last time before leading me downstairs, his hand tucked into mine.
The guys are already plating up the pizza when we step outside; Gage hands me a plate with a smile.
I take it gratefully and sit in the empty seat between Ryder and Zane.
Once I’m done eating, I fill everyone else in on what went down at Viktor’s and the phone call with Jay.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get a trace from him, Bright eyes,” Holden says from his place in front of me.
“It’s not your fault,” I assure him. “He knows how long to stay on before we can pin him down.”
“Do you think you should be poking at him?” Micah asks from Holden’s left. “He’s unpredictable.”
“That’s what I’m counting on,” I say evenly. “He won’t get the drop on me this time.”
“You can’t know that,” Micah says harshly. “You didn’t think he would before. Look what happened.”
“I’m well aware of what happened,” I say between clenched teeth.
Micah and I have never argued like this, and it’s starting to wear on my nerves.
“I’m playing it smarter this time.” Zane and Ryder each squeeze a thigh under the table at the same time, sensing what I’m feeling.
Grateful for them, I take a breath. “What happened at Whispers in Russian?”
“I caused a scene,” Mateo laughs. “We got kicked out.”
Micah shakes his head. “This motherfucker is worse than Gage.”
Gage snorts. “I doubt that.”
I somehow doubted that too. I’ve seen the scenes Gage has caused over the years, but something in Mateo’s eyes tells me he might give him a run for his money.
“It’s enough to get his attention,” I say, with a plan forming in my head. “We need to mix it up. This is a daily thing now. The more we piss him off, the more he’ll want to come after me.”
“I got an interesting voicemail earlier,” Alexey informs us, pulling it up on his phone. Viktor’s voice booms through the speaker in a slew of Russian. I lift a brow in question. “Loosely translated, we’re fucking dead if we don’t realign with him.”
Alexey and Dmitri splitting from their father was the biggest insult to Viktor. He took it very personally that they were aligning themselves with the Italians now and won’t tell him where Nina is.
“You guys need anything; let us know,” I tell them. They stuck their necks out for me more than once; I owe them a lot.
Dmitri snorts. “He won’t kill us until he finds out where Mama is.”
“How is she?” I ask with a smile. I’ve talked to her several times, and she seems happy.
“Good. Thanks to you,” Alexey replies with a nod. “Aldo’s been spoiling her.”
I choke back a laugh. I’m sure he is. “She’s in good hands there.”
“Aldo’s going to be your new dad,” Gage laughs, saying exactly what I’m thinking.
Alexey and Dmitri turn matching black eyes on him, not at all amused.
“Welcome to the new stepdad club,” Leo grumbles. “Fucking Italians.”
Everyone cracks up at that, not offended by the Italian’s diss. Leo and Ryder are still adjusting to the fact their parents are in a relationship.
“On that note,” Dmitri says, standing up. “We have some things to take care of.”
“Call us if you need us,” Alexey adds, standing up behind him.
I say my thanks and goodbyes, then turn to Ghost and Squid. “Ryder has an offer for you guys.” Ryder turns shocked eyes on me, surprised I’m giving him the lead. “This was your idea, and you’ve been running them. Not me.” Ryder nods once, then turns to them.
“We want to move you guys up the ranks. Work closer with us.”
Squid’s eyebrows hit his blue hairline. “For real?” I can’t get over how much better he looks now.
Once I got him clean, he started taking better care of himself.
He started working out to get his muscle back, and his eyes aren’t a dull brown anymore; they’re bright.
He looks damn good. Not that I’ll say that out loud.
“What about our guys?” Ghost asks, relaxing back in his chair.
“They’ll still be yours to run. You can work some jobs with us to see how you do, and then you can pull someone else in to lead.
” Ryder shrugs. “We could use someone to run all the gangs.” What Ryder is saying without actually saying the words; we don’t have time for the gangs right now.
By pulling Ghost and Squid to higher ranks, they will benefit from what we can offer and still control Concrete Row.
I cross my arms on the table. “In all honesty, you guys deserve it. I know what you did for Zane and me. I’ll be forever grateful for that.” I clear my throat from the emotion clogging it. “We won’t be offended if you say no. Think about it. Talk it out. Then give us your decision.”
Squid looks at me. “You saved my fucking life. It’s the least I can do.”
“Can we talk about the name Squid, though?” Gage jokes, breaking the tension around the table. “It doesn’t exactly instill fear in me.”
Ghost laughs. “I thought the same thing.”
“And Ghost does?” Squid argues.
“Ghost sounds badass,” Ryder defends. “Squid sounds ridiculous.”
Squid throws his hands up. “What do you want me to be called?”
“What’s your real name?” I ask with a laugh. I have to agree with Gage on this one. The Squid name has to go, but it’s the only name I’ve ever known him by.
“Caden.”
“Your name is Caden, and you chose to go by Squid?” Micah asks with a chuckle.
“I didn’t choose shit. It’s what they started calling me from the beginning. It stuck.”
“Can we please call you Caden?” I ask with a grin. I know some guys in gangs like the anonymity of a nickname, but I can’t do it with a straight face anymore.
He rolls his eyes. “Yes.”
“Thank fuck,” Ryder mutters. “I hated that name.”
Caden flips Ryder the bird good-naturedly. I look at Ghost with a smile. I don’t know his real name either.
Ghost narrows his eyes. “I don’t tell anyone my real name.”
“She’s the boss, though,” Zane chuckles.
“If you don’t tell me, I’ll just guess.” I tap my chin thoughtfully, trying to think of the most ridiculous name. “Alfred.”
“Do I look like an Alfred to you?” Ghost asks dryly.
“Peter,” Gage throws in. “Nah. I bet it’s even more embarrassing than that.”
“It has nothing to do with it being fucking embarrassing.” Ghost gestures toward himself. “The whole Ghost name is because I can do what I want, and you can never find me.” That makes sense, but it still makes me curious as hell.
Gage and I throw out more ridiculous names, one right after the other, until Ghost finally rolls his eyes, lips still sealed shut.
“Such a letdown.” Gage shakes his head sadly. “I was hoping for something I can give him shit for.”
“Just give him a stupid fucking name like you gave me,” Zane throws at Gage.
“You know you like being called big daddy,” Gage says, making kissy noises at Zane.
Their friendship has to be one of the best things I’ve ever seen develop. Even though Gage gives Zane hell, I know they both love it. Plus, Zane can dish it out as well as he can take it. But I hate the big daddy name.
The rest of the conversation flows easily, mostly with guys throwing insults at each other, but I couldn’t be happier.
I keep an eye on Micah and Evander, who are sitting on different sides of the table, but I catch little glances here and there.
I’ve caught Gage’s eye several times when he sees the same thing I do.
When the sun starts to set, Gage brings out several bottles of liquor, declaring we need to celebrate.
Seven shots in, and I’m already beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol.
Micah sticks around for two shots before he disappears into the house.
Evander leaves about ten minutes later to go home and unpack.
The rest of us decide to get drunk as hell with Ghost, Caden, and Mateo.
We need a night when we don’t have to worry about anything.
The house is still heavily guarded, so we can do what we want.
All the other shit can wait until tomorrow.
“Pretty girl,” Gage calls from the pool after he jumps in with nothing but boxer briefs on. “Come join me.”