Page 76 of All That Glitters

“I know. It still pisses me off, though.”

Havoc leans forward. “With visible protection, Lil hasn’t had any other issues lately. Until yesterday when she found a note on her windshield.”

“What’d it say?” Capone questions.

“Lose the dog or we’ll blow up the pound. Gotta assume Kruger is the dog in this scenario as he’s the one with her the most.”

“Shit. You think that’s something said to spook her, or should we be on alert?”

“I don’t know, but I’m not taking any chances. Does anyone know what Powers’s former employment was for Uncle Sam?”

I frown at the change of subject and shake my head along with the others.

“He was part of the bomb disposal unit. Him and his K9 partner.”

“Damn, that’s a handy motherfucker to have around,” Crane mutters.

“Even more than you realize, Crane. His K9 partner was retired after he got caught in an explosion. How he kept him, I don’t know because usually that shit doesn’t happen. But I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. As Powers has collected Lil a few times, he knows there is a credible threat to her safety. He was with her yesterday when the note was found, and it was his idea for his dog to come sniff around and see if he finds anything. As a prospect, he wouldn’t normally be privy to any of this shit, but it’s his dog, and the man is far from stupid. I’m putting it to the vote—first that we have the dog in here to sniff shit out and second that we bring Powers in on this.”

“I say bring them all in. We’ve lucked out with this bunch of prospects. All of them will easily get patched in, and if they are on Lil’s watch half the time, they should be clued into the threat.”

G looks at me before looking up at Havoc. They seem to be having a silent conversation before Havoc sighs and looks to the rest of the guys.

“Alright, all those in favor of cluing the prospects in?”

Everyone raises their hands. If this had been eighteen months ago, it would be a different story. But these guys all see the potential I see, even if we do give them all crap.

“Motion passed. All in favor of bringing in the K9 to do a sweep?”

Again, everyone agrees.

“Looks like we have a plan then?—”

A knock at the door cuts Havoc off. I frown. Motherfuckers know better than to disturb us while we’re in church. It’s why we have our phones off. Before Havoc can say anything, they knock again. G gets up and stomps over to the door, yanking it open.

“I know the rules,” Dice starts before G can lay into him. “But Hannibal says it’s an emergency and to, I quote, answer your motherfucking phone.”

G looks to Havoc, who nods to Dice for him to leave. He pulls out his cell as G closes the door and frowns at it.

“Nine missed calls. This better be good,” he mutters as he dials Hannibal. We all watch on curiously, some with amusement, some with wariness—like me and G—because I know Hannibal wouldn’t break up church for shits and giggles.

“What the fuck, Hannibal? We’re in chur—” He shuts up with a snap of his mouth, his eyes going wide. He’s quiet while Hannibal talks, his face paling a little.

“Fuck. Is she okay? The kids?” I lean forward, knowing something bad has happened.

Havoc hangs his head and nods along. “Yeah, I’ll fill the brothers in and call you back afterward. Thanks for the heads up. Call if you need anything.”

He hangs up and looks across the room at nothing as he swallows. “In the early hours of this morning, Driller and another brother broke into Hannibal’s place while he was meeting the Death Serpents.”

“Oh, shit.” I hear someone curse, but I keep my eyes on Havoc.

“Lola hid the kids and took out the other brother before Driller beat her black and fucking blue. She’s in the hospital right now. The kids are fine, before you ask.”

“I’m guessing Driller’s dead. No fucking way Hannibal would let him take another breath of the same air Lola’s breathing.”

“I didn’t get to ask because I could hear his daughter calling him in the background. But I suspect if he’s not dead already, he would be by the time I got down there.”

“You could order him to hold back. He hurt Tink, and you served time for him. You have as much right to finish him off as Hannibal does,” Circus tells him, but Havoc shakes his head.