Page 82 of Brick's Retribution

He seals it with a kiss that makes me believe anything is possible.

When we finally break apart, I feel steadier, ready to face whatever comes next.

"Okay," I say. "Let's go tell Amara. We have a rescue to plan."

We head back to Amara's office, where she's now joined by Boulder and Doom.

"Good timing," she says as we enter. "Brick, these two have volunteered for backup duty."

"Wouldn't let you go in without proper support," Boulder says firmly.

"Appreciate it, brothers," Brick responds, genuine gratitude in his voice.

"So we have confirmation?" Amara asks.

"One week," I confirm. "Marcus is sending the buy-in information. We'll get location details seventy-two hours before."

"That doesn't give us much time to scout," Doom observes.

"It's designed that way," I explain. "Keeps law enforcement from setting up stings, prevents rivals from organizing hits. We'll be going in relatively blind."

"Then we prepare for everything," Amara says decisively. "Multiple extraction routes, communication protocols, backup plans for the backup plans."

We spend the next hour planning everything out.

Boulder and Doom will shadow us to the location, staying outside as our extraction team.

"What about weapons?" Brick asks. "They'll check us at the door."

"Ceramic blades," Doom suggests. "Small enough to conceal, won't trigger metal detectors."

"I can arrange that," Amara confirms. "What else?"

"Money," I say. "We need to look like serious buyers. That means actually being prepared to bid."

"How much?"

I think about the markets I've studied, the prices these monsters charge for human lives.

"Minimum five million liquid. More if we want to be taken seriously."

Amara doesn't even blink. "I'll make the arrangements. Alejandro will understand the necessity."

The Ramirez cartel connection runs deep within the club, deeper than most realize.

"There's something else," I say carefully. "If Lashes is there... she might not recognize us. Might not trust us. These operations, they break people. Use drugs, conditioning, torture."

The room goes silent at that, the weight of what we might find settling over everyone.

"We bring her home regardless," Brick says firmly. "Whatever state she's in, whoever she's become. She's still our family."

"Agreed," Amara says. "Ruby's already prepared medical supplies for that possibility. Detox protocols, trauma medications, everything we might need."

My phone buzzes with an encrypted email—the buy-in instructions from Marcus.

"Swiss account," I read. "One million deposit to secure invitation, refundable against purchases. Non-refundable if we don't show or don't buy."

"Transfer it," Amara instructs. "Make it look eager but not desperate."

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