Chapter 64: Third horse

About one year ago

He left Eleanor crying in the room. Damon assumed she was just being dramatic, they weren’t in love that much at least not her. A part of him thought she was crying because she had lost a cash cow. Anyways, he wished he could tell her the kind of mess he was in. He wished he could tell her it was not her fault, but he had his own things to worry about. His own brother was part of a powerful group of men who wanted to get rid of all gangs and privatize crime. And that gang wanted his younger brother and his friends dead.

As promised, Damon went to see his brother. He was hoping he could talk to him and save his own skin. His plans to get out of his shadow hit a dead end even before he extorted anyone. The reception at the headquarters was lukewarm. He expected that, word had gone round that he was leaving, that he was not loyal anymore some had even accused him of jumping ship bad joining the iron serpents which was unbearable to the gang culture.

“Dude, you came?” Axel was genuinely surprised to see him and he met him halfway with his hands spread wide.

The brotherly hug didn’t feel the same anymore not after Damon found out his brother was a traitor, eating on the same table with their enemies and even helping them with their agenda.

“What’s up? You cold”

“I’ve just divorced my wife” Damon walked to the mini bar and fixed himself a drink, Axel fought so hard to hide his joy.

“Man, I’m so sorry…”

“Cut the bullshit dawg” he collapsed on the chair taking a sip of fine Scotch, Axel sat beside him and he realized even after detaching himself from him He was still afraid of his big brother. The confidence was merely in his head and he doubted if he could really confront him about that picture that had sent all his plans to hell.

“Okay, I mean I didn’t like the bitch she was using you for money….”

“You mean no one can love me for who I am?”

“That’s not what I said bruh don’t put words in my mouth, I’m sorry okay. You cared a great deal about her but everything happens for a reason maybe you weren’t just meant to be”

A moment of silence passed, apart from the loud music downstairs and alcohol gushing down their throats none of them said anything. Axel wanted to tell his little brother about that offer he had received from the rich and powerful clique of criminals who were running everything from the shadows and Damon wanted to confront his brother about a picture with the enemy.

“Man. I wanted to talk to you” Axel finally broke the deadlock.

“Me too bro”

“You can go first”

“No, you go first you’re eldest”

Axel was preparing to tell his brother about his betrayal and he was hoping he was going to join him like he had always done. Fall in line and support his elder brother, believe he had the best interest of their family at heart. But before he could say a word a phone call came in that would ruin things for both of them. A phone call that ended their brotherly bond although he always thought a woman would be involved but he had divorced her. It was also that phone call from his silent partners that Damon overhead and when Axel came back he was gone. A manhunt for Damon started and they were keeping a close eye on Emily too.

present Day

Eleanor’s return to the criminal underworld of Fort canon city shook the very foundations on which crime was built. It was a clear message, there was a new crime family in town and it was open to the willing and ready to battle the unwilling.

As expected their Modus operandi shook the gang leaders and other experienced Don’s like Axel and Jax. She completely cut them out of the supply chain by first bringing a cleaner and cheaper product. The first few days were thought to be hype, a new dealer trying to lure customers but after a week their accounts started screaming and they decided they had to do something about it.

First they attacked all of the windows foot soldiers, to their surprise they weren’t even new in town they were members of existing gangs that had merged to support this new widow. Jax was the first one to run into them and into the woman who was part of a plot that embarrassed him. That’s how he connected the dots. They were all rounded up and kept in a warehouse where he was awaiting the arrival of Axel who had received a call from his silent partners who were feeling the pinch of Eleanor’s introduction to the market in losses amounting to millions.

“You again. I know you, not looking like her anymore I thought you’re her double”

“I don’t know what you are talking about” Anita kept a straight face.

Jax had tried to make them talk. His genius plan was to use them to find the source of cheap and quality product then wipe his competitor out of existence before they spread like a cancer, this third horse seemed like a strong one. Yet none of them seemed willing to speak even at gunpoint, whoever they were they had put the fear of God in them or…

“You are extremely loyal to this widow character. Who the fuck is she?”

Yes that one. They were loyal not because they knew her but because they understood why she was doing what she was doing. They could relate to her struggle and also the pay was good. She didn’t yell or threaten and coerce them into dealing with her. Each dealer picked the product, sold took their cut and cashed in the rest. It was a transaction that was based on trust. Which was hard to come by in their line of work.

“We don’t want trouble. Can you just give us our product and we will get out of your hair”

“What if I want you in my hair?” Jax leaned closer waving his gun.

“Trust me, you don’t want the smoke”

“Axel is about to get here unlike me he is not so welcoming”

“You take orders from him?”

“Hell no” Jax was a bit frustrated and he looked hesitant, “I’m my own man. A Don of my own mafia family”

“Then I can expect you to free me and I’ll set up a meeting”

The others looked at her. She winked trust back in them and they nodded. Jax was caught at crossroads. The truth was he was taking orders from Axel, with no Knox or his body he was not a legitimate Don and the only way to stay in power was with the support of the silent partners but their help came with conditions and one was he answered to Axel. He was their man, the only one they trusted. It was a bitter pill to swallow, he was in too deep and he didn’t know who he was without that title so Jax agreed.

“Do I have your word?”

“You do. Give me your phone I’ll call you when we are ready. Be part of the new revolution Jax you’ve always survived it’s time to do it again”

After much deliberation Jax decided to test the limits of their new agreement with Axel by making a deal of his own. His men let them go after they exchanged phone numbers with nothing to bank on but trust that Anita was indeed telling the truth and she was going to call him. When Axel arrived he was furious. Poor Jax, he didn’t even know whether or not the iron serpents existed or it was just muscle for the Blood reapers.

“Dude, all you had to do was hold them long enough for me to get here. One simple job and you couldn’t do!”

“They won’t escape again”

“What makes you think you’ll have another shot at them?”

“Trust me” Jax assured looking like he had a plan.

Axel did trust him and let it go. But we both know Axel trusts no one but himself. He had him followed and now the ball was in

Anita’s court to make the meeting happen.