plans for the future. “We’ll turn a problem into an income source.”
“But first, we kill Marks and his supporters,” Lowell says, eyeing me.
“Last night, I set off more fireworks and watched their reactions,” Conor explains. “The idiots sent those same dumbasses to walk the perimeter. If the Killing Joes are still around, they’re likely in the Village. The good news is the rest of the Volkshalberd hid in their tents when the fireworks went off. If we start shooting, they ought to stay out of the way.”
“Based on the map created by Pixie and Fairuza,” Bronco says, “our main target is an old warehouse at the center of the Village. That’s where the Marks family is likely shacked up.”
On a few whiteboards, we go over how to raid the Village—access points, hiding spots, and team leaders.
“If we have the manpower to spare,” I suggest despite normally keeping my mouth shut, “we could park a large truck near the front gates. Turn on the lights real bright and rev the engine. If Marks thinks we’re coming in hot from the front, he might be more likely to bail out the back rather than digging in.”
Conor studies Bronco. “We could put Wyatt in the truck. He’ll act as our last line of defense between the Volkshalberd rushing into town. Plus, if the Killing Joes do show up, he’ll be there to take them on.”
Bronco fights a grin. We all know Conor just wants to keep his hotheaded cousin from going wannabe Rambo inside the Village. Best-case scenario, Wyatt kills an innocent Volkshalberd. Worst case, he tries to take down the president with a little friendly fire.
Bronco eyes the whiteboard. “Rooster planned to keep an eye on him. If we leave Wyatt loaded up in the truck and Rooster nearby with backup weapons, the front should be safe.”
“If those Volkshalberd dipshits come out to take on the truck, you know he’ll shoot them, right?” Lowell asks.
“Honestly, I don’t give a crap,” Bronco mutters. “They’re armed, and I have no doubt they’ll shoot us if they get the chance.”
“Yeah, but four dead bodies out on the street isn’t a good look.”
“The cops will be busy somewhere else. The Volkshalberd don’t bury their dead in town. If this goes well, not a single civilian will be the wiser.”
For the next two hours, we roll through various strategies and imagine every possible bad outcome.
I’ve never seen Bronco plan this thoroughly. Of course, he has a new wife and kid to worry about. I know the feeling. That’s why, before the rest of my club brothers show up to go over the final plans before sunset, I speak up.
“If something happens to me,” I say, and the three men all give me weird frowns as if I’m not allowed to feel fear, “I want your word that you’ll take care of Pixie and her family like you would if they were the family of any other member. I know she’s only been my honey for less than a week. Like technically, anyway. I also know the Yabo family is weird, and people here aren’t sure about them. I still need to know they’ll be safe if I don’t come back.”
Bronco gives me that look again—his “I forget you’re human” expression. In the past, I didn’t give it any mind. Today, though, that look pisses me off.
“She’s your old lady,” Bronco says, holding my gaze. “That makes her part of this community. No one gets cut loose, whether they’re around for a week or a decade. The Executioners will do right by Pixie and your people.”
Nodding, I rub the back of my neck. “I felt weird asking.”
“You are weird, Titan,” Lowell says, and the other men chuckle. “But we’re not blind. We see what you’ve got now, and we understand what you have to lose. No one will weasel out of what you’re owed.”
I nod again, feeling more comfortable. Maybe Bronco isn’t really at fault for thinking I’m not human. For the last few years, I haven’t shown him much heart. I arrived at the Woodlands with a duffle bag full of heads belonging to men I once called brothers. I went through almost-fatal withdrawal. I used his house’s blueprint to build my own. I never got hung up on one bunny or any woman. Finally, I lied and sneaked around with a woman he assumed was trash. I’m not someone that probably makes sense to him.
But right now, Bronco gets it. He was alone for a long