Page 122 of Renascence

“What are we going to do with them?”

“That’s up to Venom,” Gage answers Crow’s question.

There were four men in the van, and now we have them gagged and tied up in the backyard. We haven’t been able to move them yet, so everyone’s been warned to stay inside the clubhouse. I’m sitting in front of them, my bandaged leg resting on a chair. Emily is still asleep, Marisol watching over her and changing her compress.

“They give you anything?” I ask Prez.

“Nothing… yet. Haven’t really asked properly.” The men squirm. They’re all in one piece, but that won’t last long. “I sent for the girl. If she can’t give us anything, I’ll do a more thorough interrogation.” He smirks, folding his arms over his chest.

When the driver got shot last night, he crashed the van into a pole by our gates. That’s when our guys swooped in. Rico and Tyler were tied up in the back, and we still have no idea what was going to happen to them. The van, broken glass, and spent shells were quickly cleaned up, the bent pole the only indication that something happened.

“Where’s your boss?” I ask. “He’s got to know by now that we have you. I don’t hear a cavalry coming.”

They all shrug. These situations all start out the same way. They think they’ll keep their mouths shut and we’ll either give up or just kill them. Me? I’ll keep them alive if only to continuously inflict pain. Some people like to think of themselves as walls—solid and unmovable. What they fail to recognize is that people like me are motherfucking wrecking balls.

Gage checks his phone, then jerks his head toward the clubhouse. I follow him inside, favoring my leg. It hurts like a bitch, but there’s no way I’m sitting this out. Razor’s returned with the girl, leading her to a window that looks out into the backyard.

“You know those men?” Gage asks.

“I’ve seen them at the restaurant. They work for Mr. Vitalli.”

“You know where he does business?”

“The loans? People normally come to the restaurant. I always assumed he had a safe there or something.”

“You ever see him moving money around?” I ask.

“Sometimes his men come and go with duffel bags, but I don’t know where they go.”

“You’re doing good,” Gage tells her. “You keep talking and you’ll be outta here in no time.”

“Thank you.”

Razor takes her away and Gage turns to me. “How’s the leg?”

“It’s fine.”

“Emily?”

“I’m going to check on her now. What did Tek find?”

“A few accounts. Seems some charities received sizeable anonymous donations last night.” He chuckles, shaking his head. “The men who are protecting Junior will also find their commissaries empty.”

“Good.” I turn to walk away, but his voice stops me.

“You give any thought to contacting your old man?”

“Not really. I don’t see why I need to.”

“I know your history with them isn’t good, but people change.”

“Not those two. Didn’t need ’em before, sure as fuck don’t need ’em now.”

“Okay, brother. Your call. Emily’s bag was still in the van. Gave it to Marisol.”

He backs away and I hobble to my room. Raven and Ellen are lounging on the bed, but Emily is missing.

“Where’s Emily?”