Page 35 of Waging War
Message received:shut the fuck up, Ben.
“Let’s wrap this up. I don’t want to risk being seen.” Jackie peers around the chief. “Do you have the women with you?”
“Yes. I didn’t think it’d be wise to be without them when I arrive at the rally. I don’t want to raise suspicions for Bruce.” He turns to me. “I’ll have a quick chat with him and my family, then I’ll give the girls directions to meet you both at Moe’s.”
Jackie shakes his head. “I won’t be there, but Ben can handle it. Bruce will expect him to be hidden, making sure things are running smoothly while I play nice and mingle with the snakes.”
“What are we doing about Hazel?” I ask.
The memory of taking her body as she took mine is fresh enough to heat my blood.
The sensation is fleeting as trepidation swiftly cools me down. The death Jackie and I may experience if Bruce finds out she’s gone missing will be a slow and torturous one.
The chief’s brows pinch. “Who’s Hazel.”
“She’s the daughter of Kenneth Lombardi, and more importantly, our bargaining chip for your family’s safety.”
“The president of the Wolves? Have you lost your goddamn mind, Williams?”
Jackie waves him off. “It’ll all be water under the bridge once we make the exchange.”
We walk with Barron to his SUV. He gives a shake of his head before opening the door. “I knew you were crazy, but I wasn’t sure the extent of it. Now, I know you’re certifiably insane.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m flattered,” Jackie deadpans, but before the chief has a chance to sit, Jackie stops him. “Look, I’d appreciate it if we could come to some sort of understanding.”
Barron stuffs one hand in his blue uniform pocket and grabs the top of the doorframe with the other.
“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry,” Jackie finishes.
Barron studies him a moment. Apparently, a curt nod is as much forgiveness as he’s willing to give. “Once my family is out of town, what’s the move?”
Jackie boasts that classic smirk. “Bruce is about to start noticing some changes in his staffing.”
The chief takes a seat as I step up beside him. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Once we get Barron’s family taken care of, I plan to slowly start taking out his men. There are a few things that I need to take care of first, so neither of you make a move until I give you an order.”
Chief looks to me for answers I wish I had. Jackie’s secrecy makes it hard to trust him, but at this point, I believe his purpose is in line with mine. We won’t stop until Bruce is begging for his life.
“Wait, the precinct. Will they turn against you if you make a move against Diablo?” I ask.
“My deputy, Michael, and I have spent years building and earning the trust of our officers. They only abide by Diablo’s rules because they think that’s whatIwant. This will be no different. They’re loyal to me.”
“Alright then. Time to move,” Jackie says.
Barron nods, and Jackie shuts the door, watching as he peels out of the parking lot.
Our shoes scuff against the pavement as we walk toward our vehicles. “Care to tell me what that was about?”
For a moment, I’m sure he won’t tell me the history between the two of them, but eventually, he sighs. “Have I ever told you how I ended up under Bruce to begin with?”
I shake my head.
“I came to him at the lowest point of my life. A time when, after rekindling our friendship, I began giving in to pressures of the environment around me.” We come to a stop beside my truck. “Much like you, I dipped my hands into Bruce’s business. I came out with money, but I lost everything else.”
I don’t like being compared to Jackie, but I’ve got to give him a little credit. I’m not sure how much his change of heart has to do with Juliana, but I know she’s somehow motivated him to choose a different path.
“What does any of that have to do with the chief?”
