The car hummed through the streets of Southside, the city lights blurring past the tinted windows.
Jack sat in the back seat, his jaw tight, his mind focused on the meeting ahead.
Chip and Dip sat on either side of him.
Chip was flipping a coin, catching it with one hand, then flipping it again. Over and over. The metallic clink filled the silence.
Dip was playing with his knife, spinning it between his fingers like a baton twirler.
"You think Cage is gonna try something?" Chip asked, not looking up from his coin.
"Maybe," Jack said.
"Cool," Dip said, grinning. "I hope he does."
Chip caught the coin mid-flip and turned to his brother. "You always hope someone tries something."
"Because it's boring when they don't," Dip shot back.
"You know what's not boring?" Chip said. "Getting paid without getting shot at."
"That's exactly what's boring," Dip said.
Jack tuned them out, his eyes on the road ahead.
The twins were idiots. Dangerous idiots, but idiots nonetheless.
But they were his idiots.
And right now, he needed them.
The car slowed.
Jack frowned.
Red and blue lights flashed in the rearview mirror.
"What the hell?" Chip muttered, twisting in his seat to look back.
A police cruiser was pulling up behind them, its siren wailing.
Jack's driver glanced at him in the mirror. "Boss?"
"Pull over," Jack said.
The driver hesitated. "You sure?"
"Pull over," Jack repeated.
The car eased to the side of the road.
Jack's mind was already racing.
The cruiser stopped behind them, its lights still flashing.
Chip and Dip exchanged a glance.
"This doesn't feel right," Chip said quietly.
"No," Jack agreed. "It doesn't."
The driver's door of the cruiser opened.
A uniformed officer stepped out—young, maybe mid-twenties, with a nervous energy that Jack could see even from a distance.
The officer approached the car slowly, his hand resting on his holster.
Jack rolled down the window.
The officer leaned down, his face pale, his eyes darting between Jack and the twins.
"Sir," the officer said, his voice tight. "I need you to step out of the vehicle."
Jack stared at him.
"What's this about?" Jack asked, his tone calm.
The officer swallowed. "Sir, please step out of the vehicle."
Jack's eyes narrowed.
The officer was nervous. Too nervous.
This wasn't a routine stop.
Chip leaned forward, his hand sliding toward his waistband. "Boss—"
"Stay calm," Jack said quietly.
He opened the door and stepped out.
The officer took a step back, his hand tightening on his holster.
"Turn around," the officer said. "Hands behind your back."
Jack didn't move. "What's going on?"
The officer's jaw tightened. "Sir, I need you to comply."
Jack turned slowly, placing his hands behind his back.
The officer pulled out a pair of handcuffs, his hands shaking slightly as he snapped them around Jack's wrists.
"This is a mistake," Jack said, his voice low.
"I'm just following orders," the officer muttered.
Jack glanced back at the car.
Chip and Dip were both tense, their hands hovering near their weapons.
"Follow me to the station," Jack called out. "Don't do anything stupid."
Chip nodded slowly.
The officer led Jack to the cruiser and opened the back door.
Jack slid inside, the cuffs biting into his wrists.
The officer got in the front seat and pulled away from the curb.
The drive was silent.
Jack stared out the window, his mind turning.
This doesn't make sense.
I own half the cops in Southside.
Who the hell ordered this?
Finally, Jack spoke. "You know who I am?"
The officer didn't respond.
"You know what happens to cops who fuck with me?" Jack continued, his voice cold.
The officer's hands tightened on the steering wheel.
"I'll have your badge by the end of the day," Jack said.
The officer glanced at him in the rearview mirror, his face pale.
"It was the chief," the officer said quietly.
Jack froze.
"What?"
"The chief," the officer repeated. "She's the one who wanted to see you."
Jack's mind went blank.
The chief?
Why the hell would she—
The cruiser pulled into the station parking lot.
The officer parked and got out, opening Jack's door.
Jack stepped out, his jaw tight.
The officer led him through the back entrance of the station, past rows of desks and uniformed officers who stared as they passed.
Jack kept his head up, his expression unreadable.
They stopped in front of a door at the end of a long hallway.
The officer knocked.
"Come in," a woman's voice called from inside.
The officer opened the door and gestured for Jack to enter.
Jack stepped inside.
The office was small but well-furnished. A desk sat in the center, covered in files and paperwork. Behind it, a woman stood with her back to the door, looking out the window.
She was tall, with dark hair pulled back into a tight bun. Her uniform was crisp, the badge on her chest gleaming under the fluorescent lights.
Chief Marlene Cross.
"Leave us," she said without turning around.
The officer hesitated. "Ma'am—"
"I said leave," Marlene repeated, her tone sharp.
The officer nodded and stepped out, closing the door behind him.
The lock clicked.
Marlene turned around, her eyes locking onto Jack's.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Marlene smiled.
"It's been a while," she said, her voice soft.
Jack stared at her. "What the hell is this, Marlene?"
She walked toward him slowly, her boots clicking against the floor.
"I just wanted to see you," she said. "You haven't come by in months."
Jack's jaw tightened. "I've been busy."
"Too busy for me?" Marlene asked, stopping in front of him.
She reached out, her fingers brushing against his chest.
Jack pulled back. "Marlene—"
"Relax," she said, her smile widening. "I'm not going to bite."
She moved behind him, her hands sliding over his shoulders.
Jack felt her fingers brush against the cuffs.
"You could take these off," Jack said.
Marlene laughed softly. "I could."
But she didn't.
Instead, she moved back in front of him, her eyes trailing down his body.
"You look good," she said. "Stressed, but good."
Jack's eyes narrowed. "Marlene, I don't have time for this."
"Make time," she said.
Before Jack could respond, Marlene shoved him backward.
He stumbled, his legs hitting the edge of the couch behind him.
He fell onto it, his hands still cuffed behind his back.
Marlene dropped to her knees in front of him, her hands moving to his belt.
"Marlene—" Jack started.
"Shut up," she said, unbuckling his belt and pulling down his pants.
Jack's cock was already half-hard, the adrenaline and tension mixing with something else.
Marlene wrapped her hand around him, stroking slowly.
"You've been neglecting me," she said, her voice low. "That's not very nice."
Jack gritted his teeth. "I said I'm busy."
"And I said shut up," Marlene replied.
She leaned forward, her tongue flicking over the tip of his cock.
Jack's breath hitched.
Marlene smiled, then took him into her mouth.
She started slow, her lips sliding down his length, her tongue swirling around him.
Jack's head fell back against the couch, his hands straining against the cuffs.
Fuck.
Marlene worked him with practiced ease, her mouth hot and wet, her hand stroking what she couldn't fit.
She pulled back, her lips glistening. "You like that, don't you?"
Jack didn't respond.
Marlene stood, unbuttoning her uniform pants and sliding them down her legs.
She wasn't wearing anything underneath.
Jack's eyes darkened.
Marlene climbed onto the couch, straddling him.
She positioned herself over his cock, her hand guiding him to her entrance.
She sank down onto him in one smooth motion, cutting off his words.
Jack groaned, his hips jerking involuntarily.
Marlene moaned, her hands gripping his shoulders.
"God, I missed this," she breathed.
She started to move, her hips rolling, her body rising and falling on his cock.
Jack's hands strained against the cuffs, his frustration mounting.
I can't touch her.
I can't do anything.
Marlene leaned forward, her breasts pressing against his chest.
"You're mine right now," she whispered in his ear. "Completely mine."
She started to move faster, her moans growing louder.
Jack gave up fighting it.
He thrust up into her, matching her rhythm, driving deeper.
Marlene cried out, her nails digging into his shoulders.
She reached down, unbuttoning her shirt, exposing her breasts.
"Suck them," she demanded, pressing them against his face.
Jack took a nipple into his mouth, biting down gently.
Marlene gasped, her body shuddering.
"Fuck—yes—"
Her movements became erratic, her body tensing.
She came with a sharp cry, her pussy clenching around him.
But she didn't stop.
She turned around, still impaled on his cock, facing away from him.
Reverse cowgirl.
Jack watched as she started to ride him again, her ass bouncing with each movement.
His own release was building, the pressure mounting.
"Marlene—" he groaned. "I'm close."
"Not yet," she panted. "If you cum before me, I'll throw you in a cell."
Jack gritted his teeth, trying to hold back.
Marlene's hand moved between her legs, her fingers working her clit as she rode him.
"Fuck—Jack—fill me up—"
"Marlene—"
"Cum inside me," she moaned. "Fill my pussy—"
Jack couldn't hold back anymore.
He thrust up hard, his cock pulsing as he came, spilling inside her.
Marlene cried out, her second orgasm crashing over her.
She collapsed forward, panting, her body trembling.
For a long moment, neither of them moved.
Then Marlene pulled off him, reaching for her pants.
She pulled them back on, then moved behind Jack, unlocking the cuffs.
Jack rubbed his wrists, his jaw tight.
Marlene slumped onto the couch beside him, her chest still heaving.
"Satisfied?" Jack asked, his tone flat.
Marlene laughed breathlessly. "Very."
Jack stood, pulling up his pants. "I'm leaving."
"Wait," Marlene said, her voice suddenly serious.
Jack turned to look at her.
The playful expression was gone. Her face was hard now, all business.
"That's not why I brought you here," she said.
Jack frowned. "Then why?"
Marlene leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees.
"A detective came by yesterday," she said. "From the uptown police department. Detective Borne."
"What did he want?" Jack asked.
"Files on you," Marlene said. "Specifically you. He knew things, Jack. Things he shouldn't know."
Jack's jaw tightened. "Like what?"
"Like the fact that I work with you," Marlene said. "Like specific details about your operations. Names. Locations. Nothing major yet, but enough to make me nervous."
Jack's mind raced.
An inside man.
"He's got someone on the inside," Marlene continued. "Someone close to you. Someone who knows enough to be dangerous."
Jack's fists clenched.
"Watch your back," Marlene said quietly. "Whoever it is, they're feeding him information. And if Borne gets enough, he'll come for you."
Jack nodded slowly. "Thanks for the warning."
Marlene stood, buttoning her shirt. "Be careful, Jack."
Jack turned and walked to the door.
He paused, his hand on the handle.
"Marlene," he said without looking back. "Next time, just call."
Marlene smiled faintly. "Where's the fun in that?"
Jack left the office, his mind already turning.
Borne.
An inside man.
Who the hell is it?
***
The restaurant was upscale. Too upscale for Southside.
White tablecloths. Crystal chandeliers. Waiters in pressed uniforms moving silently between tables.
Jack walked through the entrance, Chip and Dip flanking him.
His eyes scanned the room.
Cage sat in a corner booth, alone, a glass of whiskey in front of him.
But he wasn't really alone.
Jack spotted them immediately—four men scattered throughout the restaurant. Sitting at different tables. Pretending to eat. Pretending to read menus.
But their eyes were sharp. Alert.
Guards.
Jack's jaw tightened.
He turned to Chip and Dip. "Sit over there," he said, nodding toward a table near the center of the room. "Stay sharp."
Chip nodded. "Got it, boss."
Jack walked toward Cage's booth.
Cage looked up as he approached, a slow smile spreading across his face.
"Jack," Cage said, his voice smooth. "Glad you could make it."
Jack slid into the seat across from him, his expression cold.
"Cut the shit," Jack said. "What the hell was that attack on my territory about?"
Cage's smile didn't falter. "Straight to business. I like that."
He took a sip of his whiskey, then set the glass down.
"Your time as king of Southside is over," Cage said simply.
Jack stared at him.
"I'm going to be king now," Cage continued.
Jack's jaw tightened. "You already have Crello. Why start a war that'll cripple you just to take another territory?"
Cage leaned back, his smile widening. "Because I have strong backers."
Jack's phone buzzed in his pocket.
He ignored it.
"Answer it," Cage said.
Jack frowned. "What?"
"Your phone," Cage said. "Answer it."
Jack pulled out his phone.
The screen showed an incoming call.
Mr. Moss.
Jack's blood ran cold.
He answered, pressing the phone to his ear.
"Why are you calling me?" Jack asked, his voice tight.
"Jack," Mr. Moss said, his tone calm. "I wanted to let you know personally. The Sterling Partners and I have decided to support Cage."
Jack's heart skipped a beat.
"What?" Jack said, his voice low.
"You've grown too cocky," Mr. Moss continued. "That stunt you pulled—threatening me, betraying the Sterling Partners—it was the last straw."
Jack's grip on the phone tightened. "You're making a mistake."
"No," Mr. Moss said. "You made the mistake. Goodbye, Jack."
The line went dead.
Jack stared at the phone, his mind reeling.
He looked up at Cage.
Cage was smiling.
"This changes nothing," Jack said, his voice hard. "I didn't need them anyway."
Cage chuckled. "Is that so?"
He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming.
"I've already given your cocaine supplier overseas a better deal," Cage said. "He's mine now."
Jack's blood boiled.
"It won't be long until I steal everything you own," Cage continued. "Your suppliers. Your territory. Your men."
Jack's fists clenched under the table.
Cage leaned back, his expression casual.
"I'm offering you a choice," Cage said. "Bend the knee. Give me the keys to the kingdom. You can still rule Southside—just not as king. As my right hand."
Jack's jaw tightened.
"No," Jack said.
Cage smiled. "I expected that."
Jack's phone buzzed again.
Cage gestured toward it. "You're going to want to answer that one too."
Jack pulled out his phone.
Steely.
He answered. "What?"
"Boss," Steely's voice was tight, panicked. "We've been hit. Cage's men—they caught us by surprise. We've got casualties. Too many of them."
Jack's eyes snapped to Cage.
Cage was still smiling.
"You thought I wouldn't notice you forming troops at the border of my territory?" Cage said, his tone amused. "You've gotten rusty, Jack. Maybe it's all those women you've been fucking."
Jack's vision went red.
He stood, his chair scraping against the floor.
"This is war," Jack said, his voice cold.
Cage stood as well, his smile never fading.
"War," Cage agreed.