Page 25 of Mischief Mayhem
Shouts and claps of approval came from around me, especially from Castor. I couldn’t imagine what it must be like to have a twin, to know someone else out there shared the same DNA, the same face, the same everything. Admittedly, the world could only handle one Hollywood at a time, and that was a good thing.
“Which leads me right into updates on Gabriella Caputi,” Crow continued, pushing his hands through his long salt-and-pepper hair. “Saint, what do we hear from the inside?”
“Gabriella is losing support from Caputi loyalists,” Saint said from his spot next to me. “The carnage in Buffalo was a mess, and even her closest supporters are skeptical she can replace Benito.”
“How so?” Thor asked.
“The Canadians have backed out of their deal,” Saint continued. “We’ll likely hear from them again soon.”
“Good,” Aris added. “Our bargain with the cartel is coming in handy.”
Last year, Aris had gone to Mexico to make an arms deal with the controlling political group, suspecting Gabriella had tried to swipe our legs out from under us. Now, we waited for those that sided with her to come crawling back because she couldn’t deliver on her promises. She had all of the demand, but no supply.
“What about Leo?” Crow asked, shifting his gaze to me.
“He’s considering your proposal,” I explained. “He wants to talk to his sister, Julia.”
Crow’s dark gaze shot to Saint for a moment, only a second, before coming back to me. But I’d seen it, and I suddenly wondered about the true identity of Saint’s informant. Could the Caputi princess have been working with us this entire time? Could she have been the one to give up important intel for years?
“He said they’ll make that decision together.” I stuffed my hands in my pockets. “He seems grateful to have been spared, considering how they’ve treated our people they’ve taken.” I glanced at my brother, Lore, who sat in one of the other corners with the eye patch over the evidence of my claim.
“Any objections?” Crow looked around at the group while they mumbled among themselves.
“It’s a good idea,” I continued. “I’ve gotten to know him over the last few months.” At least as much as he’d let any of us get close enough. “There’s always the chance he’s playing us, but if he’s not, he could be a good partner.”
“I say let the two meet,” Bear added. “I can be there to interpret, just in case they decide to switch to Italian midway through.”
Crow looked around at the rest of the brothers, waiting for anyone else to add their opinion.
“What’s the plan for Gabriella?” Doc asked, leaning forward on his elbows while he inhaled a cigarette. “We get Julia and Leo on our side, and then what? Lure her out? Make a trade?”
“That’s a fair question.” Crow nodded. “Thor?”
“We’ll want to know how many allies we have on the inside,” Thor said. “How many people would agree to a ceasefire should Leo take over.”
“Are you thinking we stage a coup?” Slip asked.
Murmurs of agreement echoed around me, some liking that, some demanding more blood.
“If her support is dwindling and Leo is willing, now might be the time to strike.” Doc pursed his lips, seeming to agree.
“They’ll probably want a show of truce,” Bear added, running a hand through his soft, curly locks. “Like a member exchange.”
“Member exchange?” Slip asked, his blue eyes narrowing. “Is that what I think it is?”
“We’ll send one of our guys there,” Crow explained, “and they send one of their guys here.”
Doc let out a sardonic laugh. “Who volunteers as tribute?”
I’d do it if they didn’t find anyone else. Leo wasn’t so bad, and if my time in the viper’s den yielded good results for the club, it wouldn’t be that much of a hardship.
“Let’s see where this goes,” Crow said, looking at me and Bear. “Arrange the visit with Julia Caputi. Saint knows how to get in touch with her.” Then, he glanced at Slip, Doc, and Thor. “I smell a siege. How can we choke her out with minimum damage? I’ve seen enough Caputi and Rose blood to last a lifetime.”
Thor nodded. “I’ve got some ideas. I’ll hash them out and report back.”
“Good,” Crow said. “We’ll meet again in a week.”
“Any other topics anyone wants to discuss?” Aris asked, glancing around with his ice-cold eyes. When no one said anything, he tapped his rings on the wooden table and announced the end of the session. “You better get your asses back here next week for the check-in. This shit with the Caputis is getting serious.”