Page 4

Story: Tyson

"This isn't random violence." I set down the pointer, let my hands rest flat on the table. "This is professional intelligence work. Entry and exit routes documented, security gaps identified, response times calculated. Someone with training is running this operation."

Duke picked up one of the photos, studied it with the intensity of a man memorizing his enemy's face.

Thor growled, "Show me Mandy."

I'd known this was coming. Slid the photos across. "Her office has been under surveillance for two weeks. They've documented her arrival times, your pickup schedule, building security protocols."

Thor went still. That particular stillness that meant someone was about to bleed.

"Speaking of security gaps." I pulled out the worst one. "Riverside Gardens. Mandy's chosen venue."

The aerial shot showed everything. Chapel, reception area, parking, surrounding hills. Red marks indicated positions, angles, vulnerabilities. Someone had done their homework with surveying equipment and military precision.

"Eight weeks to the wedding." My voice stayed clinical even as Thor's breathing changed, became something dangerous. "They've mapped every approach, every vantage point. The northwestern hill provides clear sight lines to the chapel entrance. Eastern approach allows vehicle access without passing security. The—"

Thor's fist hit the table hard enough to jump coffee cups. "Those fuckers are photographing Mandy? During our wedding planning?"

"It's not the first time," Duke reminded him, voice cutting through Thor's rage.

The temperature dropped further. Four months ago, the Serpents had used photos to blackmail Mandy. It had almost torn them—and the club—apart.

"They're escalating." I brought us back to facts before Thor's rage derailed the briefing. "Previous surveillance was opportunistic. This is systematic. Professional. Someone's providing tactical guidance."

"The cartel." Duke set down the photo, decision crystallizing in his eyes. "Military deserters would have this training."

"That's my assessment." I pulled out the countermeasure proposals. "We need immediate upgrades. Security systems, varied routines, protection details for vulnerable targets. The wedding venue needs complete reassessment."

Thor's voice came out low, controlled, infinitely more dangerous than his rage. "They think they can touch her again?"

"They think they can touch all of us." I spread out the full collection. "This isn't about Mandy specifically. It's about leverage. They hit our families, we react emotionally, make mistakes. Classic destabilization tactics."

"Fuck their tactics." Thor stood, energy crackling off him like static. "We hit them first. Tonight. End this before—"

"Sit down." Duke's command voice, the one that had held this club together through wars and worse. Thor sat, but his hands clenched and unclenched, looking for something to destroy.

"Tyson's right." Duke studied the materials with the focus of a general planning battle. "This is professional. We go in hot, we're playing their game. They want us reactive, emotional. We need to be smarter."

I felt something ease in my chest. He believed me. More importantly, he understood.

"Venue security." I clicked to my recommendations. "Primary and alternate routes, positioned security, background checkson all vendors. The Gardens is exposed, but we can minimize vulnerabilities."

"Or choose somewhere else." Duke glanced at Thor. "Somewhere we control completely."

Thor shook his head. "Mandy's got her heart set on the Gardens. Her parents got married there." His voice softened fractionally. "I'm not letting those fucks take that from her too."

I understood. The Serpents had taken enough from Mandy. Thor would burn the world before he let them steal her wedding day.

"Then we secure it." I showed the tactical overlay. "Four-man teams here and here. Spotters on the northwestern hill. Electronic surveillance on all approaches. We turn their reconnaissance against them."

Duke nodded slowly. "Do it. Whatever resources you need." He looked at Thor. "But we do this smart. No cowboy shit until we know their full plan."

Thor's jaw worked, fighting instinct. Finally, he nodded. "But when we move?"

"We end them." Duke's voice carried finality. "Every last one."

I gathered my materials, mind already working through implementation. Eight weeks to turn a wedding into a fortress without the bride knowing. Eight weeks to dismantle a professional operation without starting a war we weren't ready for.

But first, one more piece of business.