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“What’re you doing with Jez?” Loki asks, confused. “Do you live close by?”
“You could say that,” he teases.
I glare at him. “We’ll see about that.”
“I thought you lived somewhere on the East Coast,” Bela contemplates.
“I did,” he confirms. “Circumstances have changed.”
Diabla narrows her eyes. “Does someone want to fucking explain what the hell is going on?”
“Pull your tampon out, Diabla,” Jinx jokes.
“I’m not wearing a tampon,” Diabla seethes.
Loki chuckles. “Then explain how you’ve been on your period for the last six months.”
Diabla sits back and crosses her arms. “For your fucking information, I’ve just been in a really bad mood.”
“No shit,” Jinx deadpans. “We can tell.”
Diabla gestures toward her screen. “Seriously, look at Jez’s face. Something’s going on, and I want to know what.”
I clear my throat, getting their attention. “That’s why I’m calling you all in.”
“Whadda ya meancalling us in?” Bela asks.
“I need you to come to Nevada,” I answer earnestly.
Loki cocks her brow. “We’ve been working together for years, but we’ve never met in person.”
“This is important,” Phantom stresses. “We need you here.”
“Who put you in charge, Phantom?” Diabla snarls. “Last time I checked, we’re a team with Jez at the helm, not you. Seems to me like you and Jez are keeping secrets.” Diabla focuses her cold gaze on me. “I told you when I joined Hellfire, I don’t do secrets and lies, Jez.”
Phantom tenses beside me. I place my hand on his arm before he can open his mouth again, and his body relaxes slightly.
“She’s got a point,” Bela says softly. “We deserve to know what’s going on before we decide to leave our homes. We’re loyal to Hellfire and you, Jez, but you have to admit that calling us while covered in bruises and with Phantom inside your house is odd on its own. Then you add in that you want us to pack up and come to Nevada… it’s a lot to take in without any warning.”
Each team member nods in agreement. Everything Bela says is true. Over the years, we’ve worked together on some of the worst cases, but I’ve never demanded or asked for us to meet in person. Of course, that’s because I handled a lot of the situations with brutality and death versus destroying our targets digitally, without their knowledge.
What went down with McCormick changes things. Phantom knows what I’ve been up to, so the rest of the team has a right to know, too. They can decide to stay with me or go their separate ways.
“It’s complicated.” I fidget in my seat. Phantom squeezes my shoulder in silent solidarity.
“Uncomplicate it,” Diabla demands.
I blow out a breath and explain what happened with McCormick and how I’d be dead without Phantom’s help.
“I can’t believe you did something so incredibly stupid and reckless,” Loki chides.
“She didn’t even think about inviting the rest of us,” Diabla grumbles as she flicks her retractable knife.
“According to you, McCormick is dead,” Jinx ponders. “So, this doesn’t explain why you need us there.”
“You all know my twin is the president of the local MC where I live,” I remind them. “There’s more at stake here than I initially thought. I need your help, and it's time I finally introducedHellfire Hackers to Saints Purgatory. I told my brother about the team, but I didn’t disclose any personal details about any of you. I’d never betray you like that.” I take a deep breath. “I’m asking you all to come here because the rest of the discussion we need to have can’t take place online no matter how good our security is.”
“How do we know it’ll be safe at your brother’s club?” Bela asks.