“Can’t say I disagree. I’ve been waiting for that bomb to explode. She means well, but she doesn’t understand how this world works. It’s nothing like it is in those books she writes,” Tiny said.
“That’s for damn sure,” Hawk said.
“You know she’s your responsibility until all this is done, right?” Tiny said.
“I figured as much,” Hawk said.
“Good luck with that. Most of the guys would wring her neck before the night was up.” Tiny smiled. The evil grin that always came before Tiny forced Hawk into situation he wasn’t going to like.
“You’re about to be a dick aren’t you?” Hawk shook his head.
“I already have a front. She’s your house mouse.”
“What?” Hawk’s jaw dropped. Tiny knew he couldn’t stand Hilary.
“We’re going to make them think they’ve got the best of us. Call off the lockdown and put our plan into motion.”
“What plan?”
“The one we’ll come up with as soon as we get all the information we can. We need this shit settled. Things are popping off with serious threats. These boys are rich men who think they own the world. Pfft, child’s play for us once they’re smoked out of their hidey holes.”
“Agreed. But shit man. Living with Harpy is going to be a bitch.”
“We all sacrifice for Mayhem, my friend,” Tiny said. He patted Hawk on the back, smirking.
“Asshole.”
“Are you going to tell her, or should I?” Tiny said.
“I will. You want to call a meeting?”
“No, no church until we know exactly what we’re dealing with. Everyone deserves a
few days of rest after the move and the cleanup… Damn still can’t believe Firecracker had it in her to kill a man.”
“Never know what you’re capable of until you’re pushed to that breaking point,” Hawk said.
“True enough. Let’s go see if the boys have anything for us.”
They opened the door to the room where Hawk had left Hilary. He watched as she spoke with a voice full of authority and confidence. This wasn’t the same woman he’d left minutes earlier. She’d shaken off her slump and gotten back to business. He had to give her props for her swift recovery. Tiny closed the door behind them, and the three at the table looked up.
“You got something you want to tell me, Hilary?” Tiny said.
“I’m sure Hawk filled you in, but I’ll own up to my mistakes. I did some digging and went too deep, and they caught me, and now I have a massive target on my back. I took all the precautions I could. If I had thought this was unsafe, I never would’ve tried it.”
“At least you’re honest about it. I’m not mad. I’m sure they’ve been watching all of you girls for a long time. It’s luck that nothing happened until tonight,” Tiny said. Her shoulders relaxed. Her relief was an unspoken but palpable thing. Did she think we’d actually put her out?
“Specs, Gadget, tell me you got something for us to use,” Tiny said as he walked over to the small station they had set up at the end of the table.
“Notes and my thoughts on the best way to approach these girls. I wanted to ask Juliette. She would go a long way toward convincing them,” said Gadget.
Tiny nodded. “I promise you soon Milo Prescott a.k.a. Emmit Rice and Quinn Tideswell a.k.a. Linden Lewis won’t be people any of you need to worry about. This has gone on too long, and the casualties are rising,” Tiny said.
“W-what are you planning on doing with them? If they all die it’s going to look damn suspicious,” Hilary said quietly.
Tiny arched an eyebrow. “Normally I wouldn’t answer this question, but you’ve done too much of the legwork to be shut out. We’re going to handle this more civilly. That’s all you need to know,” Tiny said. His voice took on a hard edge Hawk knew all too well. Hilary’s eyes grew round. Yeah, he’s not fucking with you. Don’t make him put you in your place. She gave a curt nod
“Find everything you can. Tonight we’ll call church and get this shit going. Hawk, make your explanations.” Tiny turned to Hawk, who shook his head.