protection, to get the crates off the boat without anyone looking inside. Most of the time, we do the job without any questions, take the money and run… The few we have to pull off for the NSA, or homeland security, or whoever, those are just acceptable losses. If we have to bust up a few noses int he process, we do it.”
“And?”
“Something went wrong. The Kings tried to do an end-around, ship through some shit without us. We found out about it, tipped off the man. They were bringing in some heavy items, drugs, guns, women. This went way above The Kings but they aren’t talking about their new masters, and we had no right to ask. Thought we could get them busted on the dock and kill two birds with one stone. Solidify our control of shipping, and deal with a thorn.”
“What happened?” I asked, holding my breath.
“One of the Kings realized shit was going down, saw an undercover truck scouting out the dock. They threw a box off the side of an inbound ship. Fifty six women inside.”
“Oh my God…”
“If the Kings made the call to ditch them in the water, we can’t let them live it down. Blood is on our hands here. That’s why we’re having the meeting. They say they want us to start helping with shipping. We won’t work with a bunch of lady killers.”
Every muscle tensed in my body, disgust coursing through my veins at what the Kings had done. Disgust at how they had held me, attacked us…
“Finish your breakfast. We ride out soon.”
I tried to stomach more of the food, letting it settle like a lead brick inside me. Soon, I might be facing down the man that attacked us in the parking lot. I needed to be ready, my wits about me. I cringed, biting down on more bacon, breathing hard.
And then the phone rang.
Chapter 6:
The Calling
THE PHONE sat on the table between us. Mark reached out and hit the speakerphone button, and we sat there waiting to break the silence. When the voice finally rose from the table a cold shiver ran up my spine.
“It’s time Mark. I need you up here sooner than expected. Meeting is tonight.”
“I wasn’t expecting your call so soon Conquest. I’m still a few hours from there.”
“Then get your ass on the bike. Southwest of Vegas, dirt pull off around mile marker 220. You’ll see the men.”
Nothing about the Conquest’s tone was friendly or familiar. It was measured and calculating in its malice. I looked at Mark and he met my eyes, peering through them I could see something there. Surprise?
“What’s going on Conquest,” Mark said. “You’re sounding pretty impatient.”
A laugh filled the room from the phone’s little speakers, echoing off the walls. “Famine, it’s not your place to ask questions. The woman is still with you, right?”
I didn’t reply, but I didn’t have to. The sound of silence was damning. A shiver went up my spine.
“It’s Kayla,” Mark responded firmly.
“Make sure you bring her.”
“I intended to.”
My head swam just thinking of last night, this morning, the way I felt at this very moment. Even now, I gazed across the table at Famine, his fist balled tightly on the table. His anger was evident, but there was something else there. Confusion? Sadness?
Regret?
“We’ll be there,” Mark responded cooly. “If it turns out the Kings attacked us though…”
“We’ll kill them together,” Conquest replied, not a hint of compassion in his voice. “And if they didn’t, you’ll play nice until we meet the boss.”
“Play nice with those fucking murderers?”
Mark’s arm rippled as his fist slammed down on the table.
“Only as long as we have to Famine. Relax, you’ll have your chance to bust some heads. Vegas, as fast as your wheels will carry you.”
The voice was gone, the call ended.
“Something stinks, Kayla.”
“Are you…. Sure?” I asked, regretting the question immediately. His eyes flashed red.
“Bust some heads. Code word. He’s out there waiting, but he thinks