“What are you saying? Quit the war? Ain’t gonna happen. It’s already started and there are too many of Sy’s people who keep moving into areas they don’t belong. That’s why we picked him first.”

“Conflicts happen. That’s life and the bikers know that, but don’t expect much business from my end if you guys keep dragging this out.”

“So what are you saying?” asked Balvinder.

“I work for them,” said Cocktail, while giving a sweep of his hand in Hamburger’s direction. “What I’m saying is if we want the money to keep rolling in, you better end it pretty quick, one way or the other. I’m going to be telling Sy the same thing. He’ll pass on what I tell him to Munch and Mongo. I want you to pass this on to Fateh, Quang, and Rashard.”

“So which is it? Does Satans Wrath want us to make peace or have an all-out war and get it over with?”

“Let’s say they won’t be doing business with people they don’t respect. If they think you are weak, you will soon be cut out of the action.”

“My gang is not fucking weak.”

“I know. Yours isn’t. That is why I’m talking to you. Trust me, my friend. I shouldn’t say this, because Satans Wrath want me to treat everyone equal, but out of all the others, you’re the one I respect the most.”

“Glad to hear that.”

“But I need to know what is going on. If you’re doing something to help bring things to an end, then it would help if I could explain that to the bikers. Even with Fateh and Quang who are your allies today, things change in time.”

“Tell me about it. We formed The Brotherhood in the first place so we could get along. That didn’t last long.”

“If there is an all-out war, there will still be survivors. Satans Wrath will want the survivors to sit down and split up what turf belongs to whom. After that, if someone starts raising shit and brings police attention on everyone, they will have more than the police to deal with.” Cocktail, paused, pointing a finger at Hamburger and adding, “You want to take guys like him on?”

“No … and what you’re saying makes sense. But how do you decide who gets what turf?”

“Eventually there will be a meeting and I’ll be the referee. Besides, what is the worst that could happen? If you all disagree, you end up no different. But it could work. In the meantime, if you have something happening that we need to talk about, go through the regular channels and the bikers will arrange for us to meet. Everything is to come my way. Satans Wrath is looking to do business with someone who is solid and strong. Let’s make sure that person is you and the people who are on your side.”

“I’m all for that.”

“The sooner it is over with, the sooner we can all get back to making money. Real money. Especially if some of the … uh, less respected gangs, are not around to demand pieces of the pie.”

“I understand,” said Balvinder. His white teeth flashed a smile against his dark skin and he said, “I’ll tell Fateh and Quang. They might listen to me. As far as Rashard goes, maybe you should talk to him.”

“I thought you were winning Rashard over to your side?”

“Not yet. That fuckin’ Jamaican is still not claimin’ allegiance with anyone. He’s gonna have to decide pretty quick, but right now, I don’t trust him.”

“I’ll talk with him. As far as what happened two nights ago, you know there will be retaliation. Things could get hot.”

Balvinder’s teeth flashed again as he gave a short burst of laughter.

“What’s so funny?”

“They already tried,” replied Balvinder. “It’s not on the news yet. Weasel was one of my guys who tried to take Sy out two nights ago. Sy recognized him and somehow found out where he was staying. A couple of hours ago Sy and a bunch of his guys snuck over to try and shoot him. Well guess what?”

“What?” asked Cocktail.

Balvinder laughed again and said, “The fuckin’ pigs were on to them. Busted their asses! From what I hear, they damn near got Sy, too. He barely escaped and lost most of his heavy-duty guns and a lot of his top guys.”

“How do you know if it’s not on the news? Did Weasel see it happen?”

“Weasel never even got out of bed. We got someone on the inside. Sy’s not even home yet, but he called what guys he has left and is whimpering like a fuckin’ baby. The pigs did a real number on his outfit. I should send them a thank-you card. Now it’s just Mongo and Munch we gotta take care of. In fact, with what happened, I bet the fuckin’ Jamaican will join up with us.”

“Interesting,” mused Cocktail.

Sy was on his way home after leaving Roach and Bagger’s house when he got a message on his BlackBerry. He recognized the coded message and sighed as he changed direction and drove off to meet his contact from Satans Wrath.

An hour later, Sy entered an office at Wet Willy’s Car Wash while his car was slowly dragged through the wash cycle inside the building. Cocktail was the only other person in the office and sat behind a desk as Sy took a seat in front of him.

“How’s it going?” asked Cocktail. “Heard someone took a shot at you a couple nights ago?”

“Yeah, I figured you would have heard,” mumbled Sy. “Fuckin’ lucky I happened to have a friend with me who knows how to drive.”

“Oh? Who is that?”

“A guy by the name of Jay. He lives in the apartment above mine.”

“You never mentioned him before.”

“He’s Rodine’s cousin and moved here recently from back east. He’s a smart fucker and knows the game real well.”

“Our game?”

“Naw, he’s not interested in dope. Hot property is his thing.”

“What? Boosting items from stores?”

“No, not what you’re thinking. Jay is rich, has class, and is well-connected. Docks … railway … trucking lines. This guy ain’t small-time. Has got a real looker for a lady. Calls her Princess. Jay is rich. I’m thinking of asking him to partner up with me, but I don’t know if he will. He likes to be independent.”

“I have to tell you, Satans Wrath are really getting pissed off with all this chickenshit drive-by shooting crap.”

“It doesn’t seem chickenshit when you’re the one being shot at.”

Cocktail chuckled and said, “No, I guess not. The point is, it is attracting police attention and affecting the profit margin. Satans Wrath want to do business with someone they respect. Someone who knows how to make money. I’ve been hinting that you’re the guy. With all our action, your mattress must be stuffed.”

“I’m doin’ all right.”

“All right?”

Sy couldn’t resist the urge to brag. “Close to a million hidden away.” Sy saw that Cocktail was impressed. So I lied a little. What the fuck, I’m halfway there.

“Got it in a safe spot I trust,” said Cocktail.

“For sure. Some place where the cops won’t find it.”

“Good. Your new friend sounds interesting. Are you serious about asking him to partner up with you?”

“Things haven’t been going well, especially after tonight.”

“So I heard.”

Sy’s face darkened as he glanced out the office door at Hamburger standing in the hallway. “Yeah, I figured you had. Bad news travels fast.”

“That it does. Sorry for how it turned out tonight. I’m also really glad they missed you the other night.”

“Yeah?”

“Keep that to yourself. I’m supposed to be impartial. Satans Wrath want the war to end. In the next couple of days they’re planning to orchestrate a truce. It will be decided then who gets what territory.”

“So I’ll get to sit down with the honchos from Satans Wrath?” asked Sy.

“Not directly,” replied Cocktail. “They still look at you guys as amateurs. Hopefully if things go as planned, that will soon change. They’re looking to see who the smart leaders are and who is best suited to be making money. Certain guys might get selected to run additional enterprises and make more money. For now, I’m to treat everyone equal because they want me to referee the meeting.”