Jax (Titan #9)(80)

"Senor Hernán Suarez does not approve of the changes to the distribution."

"They have nothing to do with Mayhem. I have nothing to do with it, either."

"Se?ora Suarez cannot have children," the woman added.

Seven licked her bottom lip, sucking it into her mouth to hide the tremble that ran through her at the revelation. Esmeralda Suarez had a reputation for erratic behavior.

"Se?or Suarez is more interested in business but has never left her wanting for anything. She wants a family, and if you know much about the Suarez cartel…"

"They teach lessons," Seven answered. Did Deacon know all this? That it was Mayhem's fault? About Esmeralda wanting kids?

The other woman moved toward the living room area. "Come with me, and you can be with your children. You can care for them."

"What?" Seven jerked, trying to understand.

"They always win." A small flash of compassion waved across the woman's face before it went neutral again. "If you want to see the children again, this is your only option. She'll have a caretaker for them. Would you rather do it, or someone else?"

Seven gasped. "They're coming home."

"They aren't, but you can go with me." She reached into the other pocket of her uniform and extracted a notepad and pen that matched the hotel's. "Write a note." The woman tossed them onto the bed. Seven's eyes followed them, then she turned back to the woman and faced the barrel of a gun. "Your only option."

"What is it supposed to say?" Seven asked incredulously, totally confused.

"That you don't need help. But you're with your kids. That Mayhem is not changing the distribution. And that you'll be in touch." The woman cocked the weapon.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Start writing." She raised the weapon, clearly having no idea how to hold a loaded gun, and that was more dangerous than if she did. "They have my kid. If you don't come with me, I'm going to shoot you."





CHAPTER FORTY


Titan Group powwowed privately with headquarters. After one update from Parker, Jared decided that Titan was working this job whether anyone liked it or not and that Deacon was intentionally keeping them in the dark. No one had to convince Jax that Deacon could do such a thing, but Mayhem might be another story.

"Time to go show that CIA pig who's in charge around here." Jared didn't bother knocking as they returned to the conference room where they'd been earlier.

The intense discussions between Deacon, Hawke, Tex, Ethan, and Johnny paused as Tex snapped his mouth shut.

"Time's up," Jared said. "We have a plan, and it involves using your best men not afraid to die."

Hawke's gaze swept to Deacon before he stood. "We haven't decided to work with you on this."

"We aren't working with Titan." Deacon pushed out of his chair also, a united front with Mayhem.

Jesus fucking Christ. Jax would kill Deacon. Those kids weren't pawns in his drug lord game. Whatever power trip he got, courtesy of the crown put on his head by Uncle Sam, needed to be set aside. There was no way Deacon would be responsible for destroying the second… personal connection of Jax's because of his sole focus on gangs.

"I have had enough of your shit." Jax strode past Boss Man. "Whatever Deacon's told you, compare it to our list, then do what the hell you should do."

Hawke nodded as if that was going to matter. Jax would say what they knew. "The kids touched down in Phoenix, Arizona seventeen minutes ago. A woman referred to as Glammah was ditched off the I-10, and she's refusing to talk to authorities. They won't release her. The only thing of note about her is the Mayhem gang insignia tattooed on her. Parker has info from Ryder. The children's personal items were taken from Seven's house. Teddy bears, blankets, pictures. Some clothing. Mostly comfort items. Johnny's apartment was tossed. Nothing looks to be stolen."

The corners of Deacon's eyes twitched.

"What?" Hawke snapped. The MC president wasn't a fool.

Jared growled at Deacon. "We have intel sources that say Esmeralda Suarez can't have kids. Anything to dispute?"

Deacon didn't, and shock tidal waves crossed Mayhem's collective faces.

"If that bitch thinks she has them now…" Hawke's jaw ticked. "What were you saying about Gennita?"

"That Glammah?" Jared asked. "Who is that?"

Johnny shook his head, fists balled. "Deacon, I'm gonna kill you."

Jared's voice boomed louder. "Who is Glammah?"

"Not who. What," Tex said. "Glamma. It's the kids' grandma. Sort of. Not by blood, and hell if you tell that old lady she's of age. She calls herself their fucking glam-ma. Mack's old lady, not that you know him."

"They took the kids and ditched the grandma" Jared asked.

"The glamma. A babysitter in leathers, lipstick, and attitude. But, ya know, good with kids and lives across the street from Seven."

Jax turned to Jared. "She wasn't with Victoria when they snatched the kids?" They both turned to Deacon. "Right?"

Deacon nodded. "Just Victoria."

"Why would they grab the grandma and ditch her at the last minute?" Jared asked.