Page 26 of Jake's Angel

All transactions were completed weeks before Caleb went to jail. He was planning his revenge even before Maggie and the baby’s deaths. He set things in motion because he knew he might not make it back.Though no one will ever own up to that fact.

Pride wells up in me knowing Caleb made sure to get retribution for the deaths the Devil’s Order caused.It wouldn’t be the last Devil who died at the hands of a King.

Other pictures line the walls of members throughout the years, in front of their businesses on opening day. It’s one of the few things Caleb and Pres have always pushed us toward at a young age, to own our own business.

I still remember Caleb’s words of encouragement the day I told him I got the keys to my tattoo shop. He slung his arm over my shoulder, pulling me close and said, “You’ll make a fine tattoo artist. I have no doubt you’ll make a fine business owner too. But if you’re counting on the brothers here to be your bread and butter, you’re shit out of luck. These assholes are always looking to get shit for free.” He wasn’t wrong.

Declan closes the door with a slam as Gabe bangs the gavel, calling the meeting to order, pullingme out of my reminiscence.

The noise doesn’t settle right away, forcing Gabe to slam the gavel. Again, calling everyone’s attention to him, turning his stern glare to us.

“Gentlemen, we have a situation.” The room goes nearly silent at Gabe’s announcement. He has our full attention. “Technically, Garrison has a situation, but it has fallen to us to help get it figured out.”

“What’s up, Pres?” Jameson asks. The VP is casually rolling his blade over his knuckles. Gabe leans back in his seat, steepling his hands on his chin.

“Recently, West International Freight was under attack. Some drivers were car jacked and beaten. And of course, we lost one of our own, George Sinclair, in the mix.” Gabe looks at eachone of us as he continues. “It seems the Devil’s Order aren’t the only ones who are interested in taking over the company. A man by the name of Marco Cusenza has been actively pursuing Russell West to sell his freight company for an exorbitant amount of money.”

“What’s his interest in it?” Declan asks. “What kind of business is Mr. Cusenza in?”

“That’s what Mack needs our help to find out. Hawk?”

Hawk’s fingers skillfully fly across his laptop. Within less than two minutes, the TV screen on the wall displays information about one, Marco Cusenza.

“He apparently has his hand in several things. His FBI file is a mile long. He is the head of an organized crime family known for dealing in drugs and skin. However, he’s never done time. He’s had several cases thrown out on the account of insufficient evidence or a witness mysteriously goes missing before the trial.”

“He owns several nightclubs, hotels, and restaurants all over the East Coast. His most recent purchases were made in Baron’s Edge and Devil’s Canyon. A fish market, seafood restaurant, an eighteen and over dance club, and a new five-star hotel are among his business ventures in Baron’s Edge. In Devil’s Canyon, he owns a gentlemen’s club and two casinos with hotels.

“What were the charges brought against him? Can you find how the evidence went missing? I’m sure they keep logs for that kind of shit, right?” Ethan asks from across the table.

“Let’s see. Bribery of an officer. Extortion. Possession with intent to sell. He’s got a laundry list.” Hawk continues to scroll down the screen. “Oh, and one murder charge.”

“And none of these charges have stuck?” I ask. “That doesn’t make sense.”

“Well, according to the files, the officer he allegedly bribed was found dead of an overdose in his home. A hooker was theone who called it in. According to her statement, he picked her up and brought her back to his place for a night of coke and sex. She claims he supplied everything. She woke up naked in his bed the next morning and found him, dead in the bathroom.

“So, this Cusenza person snuffed out the person accusing him of bribery and extortion. He’s resourceful.” Jameson concludes, now cleaning his nails with the edge of his blade. Playing with sharp objects sometimes helps him concentrate.

Hawk clicks a few more keys, and another report pops up on the screen.

“The drug charges were dropped due to evidence having gone missing from the evidence room. It’s still unclear how the evidence left the building. The report claims issues with the power and security system during the evening shift the same day the drugs were brought in. Everything hadn’t even been logged in properly before shit went missing.”

“The officer in charge of the evidence room reportedly left his post when the power went out. His report says there was a female attorney who began to have some sort of chest pain just prior to the power outage. The office left to get her help.”

“Who was the attorney?” Gabe asks. “Maybe she staged the whole thing?”

“Felicity Harris.” Hawk answers. “It says they transported her via ambulance to the hospital, but I have no record of her being admitted.”

“So, she was a plant?” Ethan asks. “Who the fuck is this guy?”

“And why does he want West International Freight? Out of curiosity, what was his offer?” Declan chimes in from his seat along the wall.

“He offered five million the first time.”

“That doesn’t sound so aggressive to me. Not for a guy with money and apparently higher up resources.” Jameson scoffs. “That’s probably chump change for him.

“The second offer was for double the amount, but that’s not the aggressiveness Mack is concerned with.” Gabe leans back, folding his arms over his chest. After releasing a long, deep breath, he says, “When Russell West declined both offers, Cusenza began making threats to not only Russell and his family, but to some of his employees and theirs as well.”

“Is Pop one of thoseemployeesyou’re referring to?” A pit has suddenly formed in my stomach. Something tells I’m not going to like his next words.

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