Page 96 of Down & Dirty: Rage

“Thinkin’ those motherfuckers are scopin’ out our businesses in hopes of takin’ over our territory. Then they’d be able to run drugs north without any friction from us.”

All of the Shadows’ heads snapped up at that. Even Reaper shifted sharply next to him.

“Of course we can’t let that happen,” Vi said more calmly than Rage felt.

“No fuckin’ shit,” Zeke responded. “Damn right that ain’t gonna happen.”

Rage seconded that.

“Okay, so how we startin’ this war ‘tween the Chinese and the Sicilians?” Chill asked.

“Saw them movin’ product north late at night,” Rage shared.

“You saw the drugs?” Vi asked.

“No. But it was a group of four with an empty sidecar.”

“So, it was an assumption.”

“Yeah, a pretty fuckin’ good one,” Rage told her. “Why can’t we ambush one of the drug runs and leave clues that it’s the Chinese?”

“That’s the plan,” Vi said. “But documenting their patterns will help us plan the attacks.”

“Who the fuck’s gonna pull all this off?” Zeke asked.

“We’ll get it done,” Vi assured him.

Rage wasn’t sure about letting the Shadows handle shit without him involved. Of course they were capable, but that didn’t mean he wanted to be left in the fucking dark.

“We want the Russos thinking the Chen family wants to expand east to the Pittsburgh market,” Indie added. “We want to cause tension. A little here. A little there. Until it all explodes.”

It was a damn good plan. He just hated they had to do it at all.

“Wanna be kept informed of everythin’ the Shadows are doin’ when it comes to this.”

Vi simply told Rage, “No.”

A muscle popped in his cheek. “Yeah, Vi. Need to know what the fuck’s goin’ on and when.” He glanced over at Zeke to see if the prez had an opinion.

No surprise, he did. “Agreed. At least one, if not all three of us, need to know what the fuck’s goin’ on. We can’t be left in the goddamn dark.”

She sat back and placed both palms flat on the table. “You want us to handle this or not?”

They’d be stupid fucks to say no, but that didn’t mean they shouldn’t have a say or have the ability to prepare. “Get you might not wanna share certain shit with us, but we at least gotta know the basics of the operation. As the fuckin’ sergeant at arms, it’s on my fuckin’ shoulders to keep everyone in the DAMC safe.” His gaze locked with Vi’s. “Ultimately, even you, cousin.”

He shut up and waited for Vi’s pushback on that. Since her father had held the sergeant at arms position before Rage took over, she knew better than most what his position entailed. She also knew how seriously a good enforcer took their responsibilities.

“Just curious, would you keep Piper in the dark when it came to somethin’ that might affect the Angels of Fury?” Chill asked like the level-headed man he was. Using her own MC against her was genius.

Hopefully.

He always figured that the older Zeke got, the more he would end up like Chill or their father Zak. Except it tookZeke’s ol’ lady showing back up with his son in tow for that to start happening.

Better late than never.

Zeke was now more present than ever when it came to the club. A club he wanted his son involved in when he was old enough.

“Remember,” Chill began, “lettin’ the Souls get away with whatever the fuck they want’s only gonna weaken our hold on our territory. Bein’ seen as weak will bite usallin the ass. Includin’ you and this club-owned business.”