Page 66 of Dylan
“The audacity,” I grunt then toss the burning card over my shoulder.
I grin at the hiss the flames make as they come to life. I don’t even bother to look back. There will probably be consequences for this. So be it.
“What do you think this all means?” Aidan asks as we stand across the street watching the Scorpion’s headquarters burn.
I go to answer him when an SUV speeds up and stops before us. I put my hand on my piece at my back until the front passenger side door opens and Czar hops out. I can’t help wondering what he’s doing here.
He gives me a nod and moves to open the back door. I sigh and signal for Booker and Aidan to put their pieces away. They do as told.
“You guys take off. Make sure the cameras in the area are taken care of,” I say as I move for the SUV.
I climb in and sigh. I don’t know why I thought I was going to head straight home to shower and relax. However, my curiosity is piqued as I look at the man waiting in the back of the vehicle for me.
“What’s up, LaSalle? What can I do for you?”
“Nice work,” he says and nods at the burning building as the SUV pulls off. “Your brother wasn’t sure you would take the initiative.”
“They threatened my sister. I’m sure Brooklyn will understand.”
“I’m not talking about Brooklyn. Logan thinks it’s time you understood the Alliance a little clearer,” he replies.
“Logan? You’ve been in touch with him? When is he coming home?”
“We’re doing all we can to get him out, but the red tape we have to cut through is thick. That little situation has been brewing because murmurs are getting out that we’re working to bring him home.
“I like that you didn’t call Brooklyn for permission to settle the problem. You handled it your way. What Logan and I intend to do will take many hands.
“There’s no place for egos, jealousy, or greed. We need to know we have people we can trust to keep everyone in line. We’ll have enough enemies out there.
“We don’t need them within the camp as well. New York is huge. There will need to be more than one captain here. You have proved you’re ready.
“I’ve been hearing about you and how you’ve stepped up since Logan’s been gone. He’s proud of you and wants to give you a crown among the ranks.”
“Even if I just started a war?”
He chuckles. “You haven’t started anything we didn’t want. Don’t worry about it. It’s all a part of the plan.”
I sit in silence for a moment, allowing his words to sink in. I had no idea Logan had plans for me. I hadn’t planned to be here.
I thought I would be in Ireland waiting for Ciara to return to me, but she’s here and my grandda is gone. So much has changed.
“What if I don’t want it?”
“You’re already in deeper than you know. This didn’t start with me and Logan. Heck, it didn’t start with Dougie. Sure, your dad has played his hand, but your grandpa Ian saw something no one else did and he placed us all on the board one by one.
“Make no mistake, you were a rook from the day you were born. Your place on the board was cemented a long time ago. As roles are being assigned and reassigned, you have been given a purpose.
“The rules have gone out the window, kid. Forward is the only motion you have, Dylan. You will rise to be a king among kings in New York.
“Your grandfather Oland knew what he was stacked up against. It’s why he tried so hard to stop it. Trust me, when the time comes and you understand it all, you won’t want to trade places.”
***
As I dragmy exhausted ass into my apartment, LaSalle’s words are still ringing in my head. I spent another two hours in the back of that SUV as he explained to me how the Alliance will work and what my role will be.
My head is still spinning with it all. God, if they can pull this off … nothing will be the same. The kind of power they’re talking about is … I have no words for it.
However, if there’s anyone who can do it, it’s Logan and LaSalle. There was something LaSalle said when he dropped me off at the train station to get home that stuck with me. I’m not sure what he meant by it. I guess that’s why it’s rattling around in my head.
