Page 40 of Jagger's Remorse
"What if I have a better offer?"
Silence.
Eventually, he speaks. "I'm listening."
"Iron Veins MC just hit a Sinaloa stash house. Los Lobos thinks Iron Veins did it, but what if I could prove it was actually the Three Devils MC? What if I could deliver them to the family—every member, every connection, every route they run? Let Iron Veins and the Three Devils destroy each other while we take everything?"
"In exchange for?"
"Time. Let me work. Let me turn them against each other until there's nothing left but ashes and opportunities."
"And thependejowho killed your father?"
I look at Jagger again.
Still as stone but his breathing's changed.
He's awake.
Listening.
Good.
"He dies last. After he watches everything burn. After he begs."
Diego considers.
I can picture him—silk shirt, gold cross, knife always within reach.
Beautiful in that cruel way that makes smart girls stupid.
"One week," he finally says. "You have one week to show progress, or I come personally."
"Deal."
"Andprincesa? Don't make me remind you what happens to girls who disappoint the family."
The line goes dead.
I slide the phone back into hiding, then stretch like I'm just waking.
"Nightmare?" Jagger asks from his chair.
"Reality." I sit up, letting the sheet fall. "You?"
"Thinking."
"Dangerous habit for a man in your position."
He stands, crosses to the bed.
Looms over me like judgment day.
"Who were you talking to?"
"Ghosts." I reach up, trace the St. Michael pendant through his shirt. "We all have them, don't we?"
His hand catches mine, squeezes until bones protest.
