“Okay. I’ll bring the suggestion to Sam and Mallory when I see them. In the meantime, I want you guys to be vigilant. Evan have you found out anything new?”
“Only a few things,” he said. “One, the Shadow pack slash Shadow cartel is stalking Sam and Mallory. They’ve been running drugs through their club for almost four months now.”
“Using who?” Delgado asked curiously. “I can’t imagine they didn’t know.”
“They have been a little busy,” Dylan said.
“A dancer. No name yet,” he said. “Someone connected with Jericho. The other thing I found out is that a holding company called Radical has taken over Holcombe’s hotel, and the company is associated with the Russo cartel.”
“And from the little I’ve dug up, everything Russo wants, he gets,” Evan informed them.
“So, at least one cartel is operating in the area,” Dylan said. “I don’t think Jenner will buy it let alone do anything about it.”
“But something will have to be done,” Claudia said. “We can’t allow them to take our town right from under us.”
****
“Did I just hear you right?” Kyra asked Cordelia as she painted her toenails. The phone was on speaker on the coffee table in her home.
“Yeah. Mallory wants you here at six. Only half the girls are working tonight,” Cordelia answered.
“I heard someone was going to set the club on fire or blow it up, so why are they opening? Lives will be at risk.”
“The club is being swept for bombs thanks to a tip from Claudia,” Cordelia told her. “So far nothing has been found.”
“They could do it last minute,” Kyra snapped. She could survive many things, but an explosion? She wasn’t a goddess despite being pretty tough.
“You don’t have to come in, but that will only cast suspicion on you,” Cordelia told her. “I mean, what are we supposed to think? You could very well be part of the problem.”
“I guess that’s true.”
“Mallory and Sam could protect you if you just come clean with them,” Cordelia said in a cajoling tone. “Tell them the truth about what’s going on and your involvement in it.”
Kyra made a face. She’d worked for some bad guys in her life, and would never be accused of being an angel, like Cordelia. “I have to go. I’m getting a call on the other line.” Kyra hit a button on her phone and shook her head.
They were crazy to open the club at all tonight, but any deviation from the usual plan would alert the cartel. The fact that she had to be there made her a little antsy.
She picked up the polish, thoughts swirling in her mind. This wasn’t about Mallory and Sam so to speak, but about getting at Shadow for moving the drugs through—shit!
She grabbed her phone and input Claudia’s number. It rang several times, and Kyra expected it to go to voicemail.
“Hello?”
The unfamiliar voice demanded. “May I speak to Claudia?”
“Who are you?”
“Tell her it’s Kyra,” she said with a frown wondering who the crabby pants was.
“Are you that dancer? She’s busy.”
“That’s obvious, but is it with you? Or are you afraid I’m better in bed than you? Is that why you’re being a bitch?” Kyra demanded.
“You little slut,” she ground out. “You could never compare to me. Don’t call Claudia again. She has more important things to do than you.”
The line went dead, and Kyra pushed out a harsh breath, the coyote growling. She dialed the number again and it went straight to voicemail.
She tapped her fingers on the phone. She could call Sam or Mallory. They had to close the club. They couldn’t allow innocent people to die.
She tried both, and they too went to voicemail.
****
“Is the search over?” Lena asked the woman on the other end.
“Yeah, but they’re being extra careful. Security has been tightened, but I think we can still make this happen.”
“Do it,” she ordered. “Keep it low-key and remember, be careful. The evidence needs to be in place by nine.”
“Mallory won’t be here tonight,” she said. “She’s going to the Coalition meeting with Sam.”
“Good. That should ensure success,” Lena said. “After it’s done, go to the back door and let in the cop.”
“I can do that,” the dancer said. “But getting him up to the offices might be a challenge. Jordan and Mica are both here tonight.”
“What about that wolf you told me about? The one who would love to see Mallory in jail?”
“She’s here, too.”
“Then make sure she’s the one guarding that office,” Lena said. She couldn’t afford to fail in getting rid of the two owners. She needed that land and the club in case Russo played hardball with the Mystic Snow territory.
She didn’t want to get into a pissing contest with him because he’d probably win at this point. If she just got rid of Mallory and Sam, she’d be in the clear with the club at least, and she’d be able to expand her personal territory, leaving New York to her brother.
Chapter Eleven
Claudia walked into the meeting room in Mystic where the Coalition met. She glanced around, spying a few new faces. She had expected replacements to make an appearance at this meeting since they hadn’t at the last.
The same topics were open for discussion since no real agreement had been reached. Astor hadn’t been able to tip the vote against Sam without the replacements, despite how hard he and Jenner had tried.
So, it was the same ball game with a few new players. She didn’t trust Pike’s pack nor Bradley’s. Ambition as dark and dirty as they’d displayed could run in the pack.
“Claudia.”
“Dunbar.” She gave the brown-eyed man a nod. He was the vice-chairman.
“I’m hoping the replacements will see reason, but I’m not counting on it,” he commented, glancing around. “The good thing is we’ll have the opportunity to pick a new panel to look into things. They’ll have to agree.”
That had been his idea, and she wondered if Dunbar had some end game of his own he was running, but it was hard to tell.
“It was a good idea,” Claudia said. Maybe she could somehow use those people to look into this cartel business.
“With eight people, we should get something we can work with,” he told her. “I’m not for taking Mystic Snow just to have to divide part of my time between running it and running my own.”
“I hear you,” she said softly as Sam and Mallory entered the room. They were together as usual. She would have thought they were lovers if she didn’t know they weren’t each other’s type.
“Astor is going to suggest we widen the Coalition to include two jackal packs—one from Stonington and the other has settled in Mystic.”
“Jackal?”
“My thoughts exactly,” he murmured. “There are some wolves in the pack, but what bothers me, I’ve seen him around with a jackal named Carpenter, the alpha of one of those packs. I’ve got someone digging up as much intel on him as can be had, and so far, I’m not liking what I’ve seen.”
“What reason does he want to do this and what have you found?” she asked, moving her gaze from Sam and Mallory to his face to find concern.
“The Stonington pack has some coyotes as well, and it used to belong to a mercenary, but he’s dead and this new guy, took it over,” he told her and lifted his brows. “Don’t you think it’s rather a coincidence considering coyotes attacked Jenner?”
“Jenner won’t be thinking of vetoing them,” she said with a frown.
“No. All he’ll see is wolves. Threats to you, Sam and Mallory. He’s not worried too much about the Stonington coyotes since they’ve been taken over by jackals. Their new rep should be here tonight as well.”
“That could be a problem if these newbies vote on a situation they know nothing about,” Claudia murmured, concern rising in her. It would be easy for them to decide to go after
her once they were done with Sam and Mallory.
Astor breezed in with some newcomers on his heels. Claudia watched the three new faces, two of which were male, as they made their way to the table. The determined glint in Astor’s brown eyes had her on edge, and she had to wonder if he’d been working with Bradley to get the Mystic Snow pack for a joint purpose or for one of his own.
This wasn’t going to be a good meeting.
Jenner was the last to enter and closed the door behind him before going to the table. He took a seat across from Sam. Claudia took the vacant seat next to him while Dunbar took his seat next to Astor at the head of the long table.
“Evening, all,” Astor said. “I’m sure you all know by now that I’d like to expand the Coalition’s main panel to twelve. I don’t think eight and the alternate ninth isn’t getting the job done anymore.”
“Why the proposal?” Mallory asked.
“As I just said, I don’t think we have enough leadership,” Astor told her. “Pike and Bradley’s replacements, Glory and Forbes, are here for this meeting, as is the new rep for the old coyote pack which is now jackal and wolf majority and called Russ Mountain.”
“Let’s call the vote,” Forbes said. He was a tall male with dark brown hair and cool brown eyes.
“I agree,” Glory spoke up. The woman had ice blue eyes and black hair. “Let’s not waste time.”
“All in favor?” Astor said.
Claudia was torn. “I think this is too sudden and, given the issues before us, I don’t think this is the right time, Astor,” she said coolly.
“There will be no better time,” he told her. “A show of hands for those for.”
Claudia watched as five of the members raised their hands.
“It appears we’re moving forward,” Astor said. “Forbes, Glory, and Almens, take your places at the table. You’ve been briefed on the items before the panel.”
“I’d like some information on these new panel members,” Claudia said.
“You’ll have it soon,” he said giving her a grudging look. “Also, I’m proposing each pack select an alternate to attend the meetings if they have to be absent to avoid postponing votes and decisions in the future.”
“Fine,” Dunbar said.
“Jenner has a resolution he’d like to propose, so let’s move onto it before revisiting the issue of Gray Tail,” Astor told them.
Gray Tail’s leader had joined with hyenas and Jericho to take out Snow Fur. They’d lost, and Sam had taken over the pack, renaming it Mystic Snow.
“In our last meeting we were unable to come to a decision about Gray Tail,” Jenner said. “I propose we sanction Summerfield for Jericho’s murder as well as engineering the murder of the former alpha of Gray Tail, unless she agrees to step down pending investigation of that, as well as the true heir of those lands.”
“What?” Dunbar demanded. “That’s just plain ridiculous. Even if Jericho is dead, he went up against Summerfield and lost, not our problem and the same can be said for Gray’s dead ex-alpha.”
“I don’t agree,” Astor said coolly. “In fact, I think it makes perfect sense.”
“I also insist on Cambrie being presented along with proof she owns the land,” Jenner said.
“You know she’s pregnant, Jen,” Sam said angrily. “I won’t allow her outside of pack lands and neither will her mate.”
“We can come to her,” Jenner insisted, his gaze unrelenting. “But those papers are faked. We all know it. We know you cooked up this scheme just to get your hands on that pack.”
“You’ve gone from foolish to insane,” Sam snarled.
“Just produce the papers,” Glory said quietly.
“I could do that, but what will be next?” Sam asked, getting to her feet. “No matter what I say, I’ll face sanction.”
“You will,” Astor agreed. “Because you can’t prove you didn’t kill Jericho any more than you can produce evidence that you aren’t behind the murders of other Snow Dog pack members.”
Sam laughed, and Claudia wondered if she was losing it.
“And what sanctions will she face?” Mallory asked quietly.
“For the murders of the Snow Dogs, she, along with Sydney, will face the survivors of their victims in a duel.”
Sam laughed again, the sound bitter. “I’m not a gladiator,” she said coldly. “I won’t be put into a ring for your enjoyment.”
“And you speak for Sydney?” Astor asked.
“I do.”
“Then, you’re both sentenced to death. Get your affairs in order. You have fourteen days.”
“No,” Sam replied. “I reject your judgment. Jerry was a killer, and you all have proof of that. As for Connie, Jerry had her killed, and we have proof of that as well, but I suspect that will be in dispute.”
“I’d like to see this proof,” Glory said with a frown. “If Jericho did have his own people executed for his own gains, then any action against you would be moot as far as I’m concerned.”
“I’m done playing games,” Sam snapped. “I’m not going into hiding, and I will fight to my death to protect my pack.”
“Are you withdrawing then?” Forbes asked, a hint of excitement in his tone.
“I am.”
“Then, there will be a price on your head,” Astor told her calmly, his lips tilting into a smile.
“I’m right here, you little wimp,” Sam growled. “I dare you to get off your ass and come down here and show your buddies how easy it is to hurt a woman.”
Claudia smirked, but the room was quiet as Astor stared her down.
“Mallory, what is your position?” Astor demanded.
“What, you think you can push Mallory up to taking me down?” Sam asked in a dangerously soft tone that made Claudia uneasy.
“I’m not talking to you, Summerfield,” he snarled.
“She asked you a question,” Mallory snapped. “Do you really think I’ll turn on Sam? I’m not withdrawing either.”
“You’ll be subject to the rules of sanction against Summerfield,” Astor said.
“I’m not killing her, and I refuse to participate in any attack against Mystic Snow.”
“You’ll do it, or you’ll be sanctioned.”
“You can’t make her support you,” Dunbar said icily. “If she disagrees, it’s her right not to participate in any action against Summerfield, free of retaliation.”
“Besides this matter has to go to the security panel before anything is finalized,” Claudia said. “Your edict could be overturned.”
“It won’t be,” Astor assured her coldly.
“There is also the matter of sanctions against Kamari and Mica for attacking an alpha,” Jenner said acerbically. “They haven’t been dealt with for their attack against me and the disturbance they created in town.”
“That’s true,” Glory said carefully. “However, I did hear that was a human police matter.”
“It would have been had she not come at me animal to animal,” Jenner said. “The behavior of those under Summerfield’s guidance is atrocious and Blacklaw isn’t much better. She should be dealt with harshly for supporting such lawlessness.”
“As Summerfield is wishing to withdraw, then Mica and Kamari will face death as well,” Astor said. “And Blacklaw will face heavy sanctions to be determined later.”
“I move Blacklaw be removed,” Jenner said. “She’ll merely tell Summerfield everything that goes on at the meetings and when an attack is coming. On top of that, she and Summerfield masterminded an attack against me as new alpha of Snow Dogs.”
Shit. She hadn’t seen that coming.
What the hell was Jenner playing at?
“Can you prove that attack was them?” Dunbar asked quietly, and his gaze slid to Claudia.
“Yes.”
“Jenner you two-faced dog,” Mallory cried. “What the hell are you talking about? You know that wasn’t us.”
“I also know they orchestrated Bradley and Pike’s deaths because
they had proof Cambrie was an imposter as well as the fact they’ve committed murders in the name of peddling drugs.”
Whoa.
“In light of the revelation—”
“I want some form of proof,” Glory interjected. “I’m not willing to vote to excommunicate both women without it.”
“Check your inboxes,” Jenner said smugly, and Sam snarled at him while Mallory got to her feet, rage in her eyes.
Claudia did as everyone else did and the very little that she did watch of the video file she found was indeed damning. She stopped the footage to glance across the table at them. Sam was stoic while Mallory, who was studying her phone, wore a horrified mask.
“This discussion is pointless,” Dunbar thundered. “We’ve already decided to select a panel to investigate Summerfield.”
“I think that would be pointless, considering the fact she’s been linked with drug trafficking along with Blacklaw,” Forbes said.
“This video should be authenticated before we pass judgment,” Claudia said evenly.
“Then, Summerfield’s resignation should be accepted,” Forbes said.
“I agree,” Glory said. “We can’t have that kind of criminal element in our ranks.”
“Summerfield, you can leave,” Astor said.
Sam didn’t argue, she merely strode from the room.
“We’ll continue with the plans for investigation,” Dunbar said.
“No investigation,” Forbes snapped.
“I agree,” Almens said. “We can’t waste time rehashing the same old. We need to move on. We’ll eliminate Summerfield and her pack will be confiscated. All opposition will be—”
“You aren’t the voice of the Coalition,” Dunbar told him. “We’ll vote on the issue before moving forward.”
They voted by a show of hands and the decision to call a subpanel was shot down which didn’t surprise Claudia.
“Now onto the matter of drugs,” Astor said. “Blacklaw, we can suspend you from the Coalition pending investigation, and if found guilty you will be banned from returning, but that video said enough.”
“This is outrageous,” Claudia growled “You’ve all turned this into a mockery of what the organization stood for.”
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