Page 20 of Heart of Stone

“We need more eyes on the ground,” I say. “Regular patrols, especially at night. Document everything.”

“Agreed.” Stone looks around the table. “Lee, get your crew together. I want to know every move Summit makes. Duck, push that paperwork through—we need to start buying properties before they can.”

“What about the construction site?” Axel asks.

A slow smile spreads across Stone’s face. “Amazing how unreliable heavy equipment can be. All those mechanical problems…”

“Shame,” Duck says with a shake of his head.

“Hawk.” Stone’s attention lands on me. “You need backup?”

I shake my head. “The prospects are enough for now. I’ll let you know if that changes.”

“Sounds good. Meeting adjourned,” Stone announces. “Lee, Tank—stay back, I need a word. Rest of you, you know what to do.”

I stand, my mind already racing with plans. Patrols to arrange, prospects to position, a neighbor to...

To what? Protect? Investigate? Seduce?

“Hawk.” Duck’s voice is low as we leave the chapel. “Andi? She’s not just another complication. She’s smart, she’ll clue in if we’re too obvious. But she’s also vulnerable. If they’re targeting this street, Summit might try to push her out to get the landlord to sell.”

“I know.”

“Do you?” He studies me.

“I’ll handle it.”

Duck sighs. “Fine. But try to leave her in one piece, if you can. It’s hard to find decent employees these days.”

I step aside, following him through the door, wondering what the hell I’ve done to deserve this.

6

ANDI

The knock comes just as I finish changing Adam's diaper.

"Coming!" I call, juggling the baby while trying to zip up my cutoffs. The power is still out, and the August heat is already making the house stuffy.

I open the door to find the barely dressed woman from last night—Ginger—standing on my porch. She’s wearing tiny shorts and what appears to be a man's button-down shirt.

"Get dressed, honey,” she says, beaming at me with far too much pep for this early in the morning. “You're coming with me."

I blink. "Excuse me?"

"Your power's out, the contents of your fridge are likely about to expire, and you've got three kids to feed." She peeks around me into the house. "Where are the twins?”

"Um, playing in their room, but how did you?—"

"Perfect. Steel!" she calls over her shoulder. A mountain of a young guy appears at the bottom of my steps. "Get some prospects over here. We're moving her essentials to the clubhouse."

"We'rewhat?" I squeak.

"Did I stutter?" She plucks Adam from my arms with practiced ease. "Duck filled me in. You need power, we have power. You need help, we have prospects who need something to do besides nurse their hangovers."

"I can't just?—"

"You can and you will. Now, where's your go-bag?"