Page 18 of Dutch

"I'm coming."

We crashed on separate sofas far enough to maintain some control but close enough to hear each other's breath. I couldn't help but be reminded of how fucked up this situation was as I drifted off to sleep. Still, right now, I didn't want to be anywhere else.

A few hours later, the ping of my cell jerked me awake. The room was bright, causing me to squint. Makari was still asleep, curled up in a tight ball like she was protecting herself.

"Knight." I growled into the phone.

"Prez, it's Saint. Jahlil wants to sit down and negotiate."

"Bastard, when and where?" I questioned.

Saint filled me in, and I was more awake by the time he was finished. "I'll be there soon. Get the crew ready."

I hung up, and this time, Makari was awake when I looked her way.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"We need to get moving. Jahlil finally wants to talk."

Makari was up instantly. "Give me a few minutes."

While she cleaned up, I brewed coffee, and I got cleaned up while she sipped. Shortly after, we headed out into the bright late morning light, ready to get this shit over with.

After a drive, we were back at the club, and the crew was in full war mode with burner phones and maps laid out on the table.

"Yo, Kane, is anything on the scanner about last night?" I asked our tech guy.

He shook his head. "Nothing. They were quiet."

I was suspicious but nodded. You never knew with Jahlil. Makari was looking over some old files, determined to figure out something.

"Listen up. We have to be smart because Jahlil's crew doesn't play fair. If something is off, bail. We don't need any heroes."

Though everyone agreed the tension was thick enough to trip over, my crew was good, and they knew it.

Saint slid up to me. His worry lines deep. "I don't know if you should bring the girl. We can't afford to have any slip-ups right now."

My jaw clenched. "Makari has some dirt on Jahlil. We need her."

Saint didn't want to drop the issue. "I hear you, but after that shit with her brother?—"

I threw a look at him, cutting his words short. "All you need to know is I trust her with my life."

The room went quiet, and again, I knew I had to nip this shit in the bud.

"I know y'all are worried about this, but Makari is not some civilian we're gunning over. She's been in this life longer than a few of you, and she's smarter than half of you combined."

The ripple of laughs let me know I eased some of the tension. “Plus, she has a mean right hook."

That got them laughing, even Saint, and there was a small quirk on Makari's lips.

"She's in, and anyone with a problem can take it up with me after we handle Jahlil. Got it?"

The room was quiet, so I nodded, satisfied. "Let's get to work. We have a war to win."

Our meeting moved back into planning mode, and I prayed I was doing the right thing.

"What's the play against the scorpions if things don't go as planned?" Rico asked.

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