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“The same compound as the others. There’s more than enough room, and it’s been protected throughout the rest of the bullshit. So far, Cash hasn’t found it.”
“You think it will stay that way?” I could feel everyone’s eyes move to Nate. He wasn’t just a risk to us but to their families, and that made my people as much of a threat as they thought he was. One wrong move and they’d string him up to keep their kids alive. Fuck.
“We do,” Dominic answered. He’d been spearheading the situation, so I let him talk. He had a better understanding of things than I did. “We understand if it makes you nervous, but we’ve worked hard to ensure the compound is safe for your families. Nate isn’t now, nor has he ever been, aware of the location. So if that’s your concern, it’s a moot point. He doesn’t know where everyone is, and he won’t.”
Nate nodded next to me, perfectly comfortable with Dominic cutting him out for our people’s comfort.
“What about us?” someone else asked. “Are we just supposed to let them go off alone?”
“You’re welcome to go with them if you want.” The shocked gasps spurred me on, and I pushed forward. “I don’t intend to hold you here. It’s obvious that the situation is life or death, so if you stay, be prepared for both. But I understand wanting to stay close to the people you love. The decision is yours.”
There was some low mumbling as people talked among themselves.
“I want to be with my family,” the first man said. “But I want to be useful. Can I help safeguard the compound while I’m there?”
Checking with Dominic, I agreed. “Of course. We could use every hand to keep the families safe.”
“I can check the security system,” one of Tennessee’s men said. “Some of my crew will come too since their kids are already there. We’ll update what you’ve got and set up shifts so we’re monitored twenty-four seven.”
More people spoke, making plans to relocate to safe houses near the compound in case of emergency, some mentioning additional houses on the way so those who were planning to stay in the city could visit, while still minimizing our movements to anyone watching. Anything to avoid the possibility of discovery. Even not knowing where they were headed, they kept trying to figure out security issues that could arise.
As more concrete solutions were created, the prouder I was of them. Of us.
Dominic slipped to my side, fingers brushing against mine. “You did good, mariposa.”
“I did, didn’t I?”
When my father had been in charge, the syndicate was nothing more than his punishing hand, but under my tutelage, we’d become a true family. It was more than I’d ever expected, and despite all we’d been through to get here, I was grateful. I’d built something strong, long-lasting. We’d make it through this together because we’d earned it.
“What about the people who want to stay?” Shara asked once the others quieted down.
“For those who stay, businesses are on lockdown. Each one will need to figure out additional security. As for future plans? I’m not sure. Nate will be working with Tennessee and Moore to figure out where Cash will likely strike and fortify those locations. Right now, we’re still the most prominent targets, but if that changes and civilians start getting hit, we’ll need to consider clearing out the city to protect ourselves from federal and government oversight.”
Because a bloodbath in the city was a surefire way to bring down the strong arm of the government on us. I didn’t mention Two-Bit and his deal because I still wasn’t sure what to think of it or how to use it to our advantage, because there had to be strings involved. There always were. Until I figured everything out, it was staying between us.
Dominic stepped forward. “Managers, run through safe house procedures with your employees. No one goes out alone or unarmed, and no one lives alone. Move to the apartments if you’re out of the territory right now. We’ve got plenty available.”
He turned and motioned to Nate, who cleared his throat and took his turn. “I’m aware no one is my biggest fan right now, but take it from me: Cash is unhinged. Nothing he does is rational, and even if he seems steady, he’s not. Don’t end up in his grasp. Don’t get caught unawares. Don’t become a target any more than you already are. The only way to win this is together.”
“This is a war. Things will get worse before they get better, so make sure that you’re prepared for every outcome,” I said, when the whispering started up again. I stepped up so all three of us were a united front before them. “I want you to know, I appreciate everything you’re doing and will do. We’re stronger together as a family, and we will make it through this. Now get home and get yourselves sorted. I want anyone leaving the city to be gone by this time tomorrow. You’re dismissed.”
With a deferential nod, people started filing for the door. In the middle of the mayhem, Dominic slipped through the crowd, and I frowned.
“Where’s he going?” I murmured. Nate’s only response was a noncommittal hum, and I found him looking into the sea of people too. “What are you looking at now?”
He stared at me, deep and probing, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. The mole was here. I’d never been more thankful I’d only told a few people where the safe houses were located. Knowing that the families we’d sent out of the city to protect could be targeted made me anxious, and I knew I had to ask Nate who the mole was. I couldn’t afford to ignore it anymore.
The problem was, I knew it was going to hurt. It was why he hadn’t told me before. He was protecting me the only way he could. But would it really count as protection if it resulted in the death of some of my people? No. I had to ask. I had to know. Even if it killed me to find out.
Thankfully, Dominic came back with his hand planted firmly on the shoulder of a younger guy, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Mari, Nate. This is the kid I told you about, Montgomery, but he goes by Killer. He was one of Antoni’s boys.”
I had a faint memory of the discussion, but it had faded with the stress of Greyson’s recovery. But I knew my brother’s pet project well enough. “You were one of the last of his boys and the youngest, is that right?”
“Yes, Ms. Marcosa. Ma’am.”
Dominic laughed, and I had to smile when the kid’s cheeks went pink. Already a killer, yet he blushed when he fumbled his words. Adorable. “Mari is fine.”
“Yes, ma’am. I mean—shit.”
