Page 113 of Lost Lyrebird

Antonio calls out, “Thought it necessary to show you we mean business since from what I’d heard, you’re not keepin’ up your end of the deal.”

Cap huffs.“Neither are you, though, if we’re splittin’ hairs.”

Antonio’s mouth pulls into a taunting smile.His dark eyes crinkling at the sides.“Looks like we have things to work out then, boundaries to reset.”

Cap’s never one for small talk, nods.“That we do.”

Antonio chuckles and glances at his men.He says something in Spanish, and whatever it is sparks a round of humor from his men.Stone translates.It’s just taunts to rile us up.Septic raises an eyebrow and fires back in rapid Spanish, his words sharp and cutting.

Antonio saunters forward.His men raise their guns.But he motions for them to lower them with a wave of his hand.His gaze lands squarely on me.“You like taking what belongs to us,cabrón.”

I give Cap a quick glance to see if I should respond.He nods.

“That’s not the way I see it.”

“No?How do you see it, then?Please enlighten me.”

I shrug, because the question is fucking rhetorical.“They’re not yours, plain and simple.”

Antonio rubs his knuckles.His dark eyes travel over me.His mouth quirks.“Says who?You?”

I don’t justify that with a response.

“I don’t like people fuckin’ with my business.You’re takin’ what doesn’t belong to you, is exactly that.So let me be clear.It happens again, I not only take my anger out on your man on the inside, but I begin to fuck with your people.That clear enough for you?”

I go stone-still so I don’t do something stupid and shoot him.He studies my reaction and smiles.

“Do we understand each other?”

Heat creeps up the back of my neck, but I keep my face blank.

For a moment, the desert is deathly quiet.Everyone’s tense, hands twitching near their guns, waiting for the first move.It wouldn’t take much to set this off.

Cap steps in, voice steady as a rock.“The only reason we’re goin’ to tow the line on this now is because of our man on the inside.But letmebe clear.We don’t see eye to eye on this.We’ll continue to clean your money; you’ll pay us for this service.We’re payin’ you to protect our man.But the minute that stops—if harm comes to him in any way again—that’s when this deal between us ends and we reevaluate what we’ll allow to be runnin’ through our territory and who we do business with.”

Antonio’s smile returns.“That, right,cabrón?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”Cap turns and reaches to take the large duffle bag from Grinder.He drops it at Antonio’s feet.

“For Edge’s protection.Plus, enough for your losses to smooth shit over.”

The fact that we have to eat shit right now, hollows out my stomach.I want nothing more than to see every one of these motherfuckers in the ground.They don’t know it, but their time is coming.For now though, we’re going to let them think they have the upper hand.

Because massive carnage would have its drawbacks too.The Feds.Prison.We have to be patient.We have to be smart.We have a plan.This is what keeps me and all of my brothers from slaughtering the 13Ds right here and now.

Antonio waves over two men.One of them lifts the bag and unzips it.He shows Antonio the contents, which Antonio appears pleased by, but there’s no fucking knowing with this guy.

Veno continues to stare me the fuck down, and for just a blink of time, I mentally picture how I’d bury this piece of shit.First, I’d pump him full of all the drugs he’s so fond of, then I’d let the girls fuck him up to their hearts’ content.A slow death would follow.There are so many bones you can break in the human body.Hearing his snap would bring me immense pleasure.I’d draw it out as long as possible until he’s begging with his last breath for death.

It would end with his brain matter splattered across the floor and his dead eyes staring back at me.I’d take a picture of it too, because that’s a memory I’d never want to part with.

Antonio says, “This’ll do for now, but the price goes up from here on out.If you want your boy whole when he gets out, you pay us double.”

“That’s bullshit,” Taz spits.“After you rocked his shit, you expect us to pay double and believe you’ll keep your word.”

Guns come up as Taz charges at Antonio.Mav grabs hold of Taz at the last minute and wrestles him back as Taz runs his mouth.Dozer jumps in to help.They force Taz back until he’s a safe distance away, then talk him down in low, harsh whispers.

It takes a while before everyone settles down.When they do, Antonio calls out to Cap as he walks back towards his SUV, “If you can’t keep your dog on a leash, don’t bring him next time.”