“Fine. But you’ll have an escort at all times. For your own protection. Shreveport can be a dangerous place, even during the day.”
The nurse’s grin stretches. “I appreciate it.”
“Is that it?” Kane’s mind is already cycling through more pressing problems, like prepping for Natural Order’s next attack and tracking who from the old crew is aiding them.
His wristlink vibrates. For the third time in ten minutes. One glance at the message, and he has to resist rolling his eyes.
“If nothing else, I have to play judge and jury with my lieutenants…” The confession slips before Kane can stop himself.
“N…no, that’s it.” Rafael shifts in his seat. “Judge and jury?” he asks, then shakes his head. “Sorry. It’s not my place…”
Kane studies him. If Rafael were anyone else, his curiosity would raise flags. But the nurse’s innocence is apparent, and he already knows they were attacked, treated the casualties. A glimpse might keep him cooperative, or maybe Kane’s just trying to ease his guilt.
“My lieutenants—Echo and Viper—they’re arguing over how to handle our counterattack with Natural Order. Viper wants blood for blood. All-out retaliation. Echo suggests hiring a credit chaser instead.”
When Rafael stares, Kane explains, “Information brokers. They track targets—people, data, assets. For a price.”
The nurse nods, and that should be the end of this conversation. He shouldn’t show any uncertainty. However, Kane keeps going. “Unnecessary violence risks escalation. Credit chasers aren’t loyal. Anything we give them becomes leverage if someone marks us. We have to be careful.”
“That sounds like a difficult position to be in,” Rafael offers. His tone is neutral, pulse steady in Kane’s readings. “It must be hard…managing all this alone.”
A snort escapes Kane. “Understatement.”
Rafael frowns. “Do you make all the calls yourself?”
“Of course,” Kane says, voice flat. “I trust my judgment. And no one else has more experience. I earned this role.” His uncle named him the next leader.
Rafael’s hands lift in the air defensively. “That’s not what I meant! I didn’t mean to…tell you how to run anything! I’m sure it’s really hard and—” He pauses for a breath. “Though I don’t agree with…everything here, I think you’re doing your best.”
Kane stiffens. Most would offer empty flattery or stay silent. The nurse does neither. He’s understanding and kind, even when he shouldn’t be. The observation sits somewhere Kane doesn’t want to examine.
He clears his throat. “Right. Well.” Kane rises, planting his hands on the table. “I’ll inform the team about your new arrangement, and you should have wristlink access soon.”
Rafael springs to his feet. “Okay.” He hurries toward the exit. “I’ll just—” The door hisses open, cutting him off. He peers outside at the bar, then glances back at Kane. “I guess I’ll…see you later?”
See him later?These Midtown manners are something. In Shreveport, there’s no such certainty.
“Perhaps,” Kane offers anyway. He waits for Rafael to leave the room before beckoning his lieutenants from the door. “Let’s go.”
Viper gives a sharp nod as he strides over. Coda follows with Wren stumbling on her boots. Echo trails in last, offering a wave to Pixie and Rafael. She stops in the doorway next to Kane, sliding her hands into her pockets with a smirk.
“You know I hate stirring the pot,” she whispers. “But it’s kinda funny. You push the nurse until he spills his guts.” Kane glances at Rafael grinning down at his wristlink at the bar next to Pixie.
“Meanwhile, when any of us try to add our two cents…you practically take our heads off. Even when you asked for it.”
Kane’s fists clench at his sides. He wants to argue, but anything he says will just prove her point.
His uncle used to encourage lieutenants to speak up. Valued their input. Then his aunt got sick, and he stepped back to carefor her himself—and they saw their opening. Started making calls without him. That crack got Kane’s uncle killed.
Rafael isn’t even family. He’s an asset, a medic filling in. Keeping him cooperative means he stays useful. That’s all this is.
“Are you finished?” he snaps back.
She rolls her eyes, then beams. “Actually, one of my Veil press contacts heard some territory might be opening up near Midtown. Prime real estate with direct access to medical supply lines.” Her grin sharpens. “Our stockpile’s been running thin. I was thinking—”
“No.”
Her expression falters. “Come on, boss man…”