Page 35 of Finish Line
“What?” I bellow out.
Prospect Pete opens the door. “I’m sorry, Prez. Saint keeps callin’. He says it’s urgent.”
“Let him know I’ll call him from the club phone,” I tell him. He nods and closes the door. Tech hands me the landline. Luckily, the cord is long enough to reach from his little desk to my spot at the table. I put it on speaker and dial his number.
“You’re on speaker,” I say when Saint answers the phone.
“Perfect. So, here’s what’s up. I got a guy who has an in with the cartel out here. He tells me they’re plannin’ somethin’ against all Savage Menaces in Texas and New Orleans. He’s not sure what they’re plannin’ or when it’s gonna happen, but said it’s gonna be big. He suggested we make sure our clubhouses are secure and watch our sixes,” Saint explains.
“Son of a bitch,” I mutter.
“This is why we need to hit them before they hit us!” Shadow shouts. “You know that as much as I do!”
“Shut the fuck up!” I growl. I glare at Shadow. He’s leaning back in his chair, bouncin’ his foot a million miles an hour. He’s lettin’ his anger cloud his judgment right now.
“I’m gonna give the Russians a call for reinforcements. Do you need me to call the Murphys to have them go out there?” I ask Saint.
“Wouldn’t hurt. I’m gonna hit up the guys from the Mad Tatter, too,” he replies.
“That’s a good call,” Sketch says. “They’re good guys to have on our side.”
“Good deal. I’ll have Declan Murphy reach out to you once I talk to him,” I say to Saint. “If you hear anything else, you know what to do.”
“You got it,” he says, then hangs up the phone.
“Since when do we work with the Russians?” Shadow sneers.
“Son, you’ve been away for a very long time,” I say. “Things have changed during that time. The Orlov Bratva are our allies.”
“And practically family,” Buster laughs.
“The fuck is that supposed to mean?” Shadow glares at Buster.
“It means, my Ol’ Lady’s Pops is the Pakhan,” he tells him calmly.
“Are we in bed with the Italians now, too?” Shadow asks sarcastically.
“Nah, not since the Capo’s son kidnapped Wren,” Sketch tells him.
Shadow’s eyes shoot to mine and his eyebrows furrow.
“I told you a lot has changed,” I say. “Now, everyone, but Raze and the officers, y’all are dismissed.”
Shadow stays in his seat while everyone else gets up to leave.
“That’s it? There’s no plan to deal with the cartel?” Shadow asks, his tone irritated.
I swiftly stand, knocking my chair back into the wall. “Keep questionin’ me and you and I are gonna have some real problems.”
I stare him down.
“You got anythin’ else to say?” I ask him.
“No,” he grinds out.
“Then get out,” I demand.
Ratchet is standin’ next to Shadow as he stands. Shadow slowly makes his way out of the room and Ratchet closes the door behind him before coming to sit back down.
