Page 8 of Desert Rose

“Watch your women and kids. Wouldn’t want any disappearing by sunrise.”

Tate’s eyes narrow. “I’ll cut him myself if he tries.”

I nod my head. “I’m only drinking one with you tonight. Got to keep my head clear. Something feels off and I can’t place my finger on it.”

The backdoor opens. The night air hits the back of my neck. My hand falls to my hip resting on my gun. “It’s time to start discuss business.” I follow Tate’s lead with Rage at my back. The meeting room is in the back. Windowless with steel reinforced walls. Bullets can’t penetrate in or out. But anyone inside is fair game. I hate it but am careful to keep a poker face. I’m not claustrophobic but it reminds me of being stuck in a tin can. The heavy door swings shut after the Suarez crew saunters in, locking like a vault. The elders are already seated. I nod my head then take a seat, moving my chair against the wall. Steel at my back and my gun inches from my fingers. I keep one eye on Pedro while the meet starts.

“Fuck,” Tate breathes as he checks his texts, firing off a response.

I lean over. “What’s up?”

“My fuckin’ cuz is throwing a party in the canyon for her friend. They are getting lit and high. Teenagers. They already send the word out and people are showing from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. And that fuck Pedro is here. I need eyes and security for the canyon now.”

“Rage and I will stick around. Although we weren’t planning on staying the night. I can call in a few of our guys…it’ll take a few hours…”

“Thanks, bro. I have a feeling we might need that.”

“No sweat.” I take out my cell, texting Rage who already has his eyebrows raised at me. In a few short sentences I let him know what’s going down after we wrap up the meeting.

Pedro takes out a knife, spins the blade on his open palm, his eyes fixated on the sharp tip. “Pencil dick has some major issues,” I hiss under my breath to Tate.

“I can’t stand that fucker either. But the Cartel is a necessary evil. There’s no other way for men like us to make decent pay.”

I lift a hand to the back of my neck. “We need extra eyes on that fucker tonight for sure.”

Pedro is silent as his boss starts the meet. Lucas Suarez is the number two in the entire organization. The fact that he is here in the flesh is either good or bad news.

“We’ve increased production. The Chinese have flooded Vegas with their cheap crap. If we increase our supply, it will force theirs back.”

“Or cause a war.” My brows lift.

“So? It’s kill or be killed,gringo. Scared?” Pedro smirks as he stops spinning his blade.

My nostrils flare. “Only a stupid man looks forward to war. Smart ones find ways to avoid one.”

Pedro throws back his head and laughs. “The meathead thinks he’s fucking Confucius now.”

Sighing, I turn my gaze from him to Lucas and Iron Fist, the elder Navajo in charge of this forced alliance between us all. “The Chinese have been a problem for a while. MC’s in Cali to Seattle have had to deal with them increasing the shit they’ve been able to smuggle in using the ports. They have major people on the inside of our government looking the other way, hell, helping them for a cut. We’ll get squeezed out. They’ll call DEA and US Marshalls on our asses. For now, we’ve been in South Vegas while they take North. They’ve left us the fuck alone. Making a move on their territory will open up a Pandora’s box not just for us, but the entire West Coast operation. We can’t make that decision without having a meet with our other Chapters in Cali, Washington, and Oregon.”

Pedro’s palm smacks down on the table. “We ain’t partnering with them. It’s your chapter who gets the cut from transport.”

My jaw tightens and my fist closes. “I don’t stab brothers in the back. Changing our arrangement affects them. I won’t put a target on my MC’s back without the Vegas chapter knowing about it.”

He curses in Spanish. Knowing I understand what he’s saying about me. Tate senses I’m about to launch over the table and grab him by his skinny ass neck. He puts an arm out to stop me while Iron Fist raises his hand signaling silence.

“I respect you. You have honor. We’ll wait until you clear it with the Vegas Chapter.”

The Suarez men’s faces turn red. “Boss doesn’t like being told no.” Lucas warns.

“It’s not a no, it’s a hold.”

“We have merch we need to move. If you can’t do it. Maybe this partnership will dissolve.”

“Not as wise move,” I warn. “The three outfits being in sync is what makes all of us operable and under the radar of the law. None of us can afford to fuck this up. What you are talking about is a power play. You can’t go in all hot. This needs planning. Military precision. We have men good at both. Patience will pay off.”

“How much time do you need?” Iron Eagle’s steady gaze rests on me.

I shrug, “Three weeks, give or take.”

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