Chapter 36
SAVANNAH
Hunter, Rory, and Luke agreed to let me come with them, but I had to agree to a few conditions to make them happy. One of which is that they got to load me down with knives.
Like I’d have it any other way.
The second is that I don’t speak to Gabriel directly. Apparently, the guy is vicious. I told them I’d go along with it to keep the peace, but I can’t guarantee I’ll actually be able to hold my tongue.
To hide my knives, I put on an oversized fur coat. The guys all wear their usual suit and warm jackets. They’re all strapped down with guns as well.
Hollis drove us north to a building. He wasn’t okay with waiting in the car, but in the end, he listened to the boss.
We stroll together, my hand on Hunter’s arm like he’s escorting me. Sawdust sticks to the bottom of my heeled boots. “Do you guys always meet clients in construction zones?”
Rory snorts. “No. Why?”
I nod my head and look around, taking in the drywall and piles of lumber. “It’s giving mob vibes.”
We move through another hallway and enter a large, open space. As we enter, Hunter, Rory, and Luke empty their expressions, so I do the same.
Three men wait in the middle. Two of them flank the one in the middle. I’m guessing he’s the one in charge.
Gabriel Castillo.
“Took you long enough, Reed,” the man in the middle says by way of greeting. “You said you have some information for me.”
“Gabriel,” Hunter acknowledges, but his tone is flat, devoid of emotion. “We patched up the glitch in our system.”
Gabriel nods. “And?”
Luke covers one hand with the other in a relaxed posture. “We found out who took down the security for your stash house.”
“Who?” One of the men behind Gabriel speaks up.
“Someone named Javier Ortega in El Salvador,” Luke replies.
Yesterday, before the FBI picked up Shawn, Luke and Rory cloned Shawn’s laptop and wiped all the information about their other client list from the hardware. Then we all did some digging, taking note of all the clients Shawn sold out and who hired him.
Gabriel’s eye twitches. “Good to know.”
“You know him,” I claim, breaking one of the strict rules I was given.
Hunter places his hand over mine and lightly squeezes in warning.
Gabriel’s jaw works back and forth. “Sí.”
“He’s the leader of the whole MS13,” I add.
Hunter squeezes again.
“He’s, as you would call him, El Hefe. The boss,” Gabriel responds.
“Why is your boss stealing from his own gang?” Rory questions, turning Gabriel’s attention toward himself.
“That’s for me to worry about,” Gabriel responds, ending any further inquiry. He clears his throat, and his mood shifts. “Another thing, we need to discuss payment.”
Rory snorts. “We’re not paying you.”
The other man behind Gabriel chimes in. “Then the regular fee needs to be negotiated.”
Luke shakes his head. “Not going to happen.”
Gabriel’s hands curl into fists. “I lost product—a lot of it—because of your failure.”
“It was your own boss,” Hunter argues back. “Whatever issue you have with him doesn’t involve RHL.”
“Your system was faulty.” Gabriel takes a single measured breath.
“Back. Off.” Shooting each word at Gabriel like a perfectly aimed knife, I drop my hold on Hunter’s arm and step forward.
I shouldn’t negotiate on their behalf, but I’m not going to stand by while the men I care about are spoken to like this.
“RHL is not going to compensate you for the little quarrels occurring in your own house. Get your shit together, and RHL will still cover your properties. If you need system changes while you have your power struggle, that’s a different discussion. ”
The air in the room is charged yet still. Everyone waits for Gabriel’s response.
He barks a laugh and claps his hands together.
“I see you, Ma.” His smile fades, and he sighs.
“Mi mamá raised me to listen to a woman. She said they have a power that they wield with accuracy. The power to speak the truth. She warned me never to cross a woman, especially a brave, strong-headed one like yourself, Miss…I didn’t catch your name. ”
“I didn’t give it,” I return.
“That you didn’t.” Gabriel nods. “Fine. Same rate, same services. If anything changes, we’ll let you know.”
Hunter grasps my arm and pulls me toward the exit, Rory and Luke shielding me.
“I will warn you,” Gabriel calls out, causing us to pause. “A war is coming. New York MS13 is no more.”
I jerk out of Hunter’s hold and turn back. “What do we call you then?”
“Los Sagrados.”