“So, whatareyou suggesting, Haven?” Dutch asks.
“We shut it down… all of it.” I look around the room, meeting each pair of eyes. “We don’t just rescue Valerie. We expose the whole network, take down the facilities, and make sure Javier canneverrebuild this nightmare.”
“That’s a hell of a tall order,” Loki points out. “We’re talking multiple states, dozens of facilities, and a conspiracy that apparently goes all the way up to the Senate.”
“So… we don’t do it alone,” Alpha suggests, stopping his pacing. “Is there anyone who might be willing to help. What about the federal agents we worked with before? Any of ’em clean?”
“Agent Rivera is solid,” I offer. “She was helpful during the Governor Marshall situation…” I hesitate, glancing at Cassandra. “During the takedown of your father.”
She turns her lip, shaking her head. “He’s not my father. Just a sperm donor,” she states, making everyone in the room relax a little more.
“And there’s Warden Garver,” Montana adds, moving the conversation along. “He’s already inside the system, knows who can be trusted.”
Cassandra nods slowly. “There might be others. Former Nest personnel who went underground instead of joining Javier.Ifwe can find them—”
“That’s a lot of ifs and maybes,” Loki points out. “What we need is concrete intelligence. Locations, timelines, security protocols.”
“I can get some of that,” Cassandra admits. “I still have access to certain communication channels. But using them might expose my location to Javier.”
“And put you right back in his crosshairs,” I finish.
“Not necessarily a bad thing,” she says thoughtfully. “I mean, he’s going to find out I’m here eventually. At least this way, we control the information flow.”
“Absolutely fucking not,” Ink growls from his corner. “You’re not putting yourself at risk like that.”
The vehemence in his voice surprises everyone, including Cassandra, who blinks at him in confusion.
“I’m not suggesting anything reckless,” she clarifies quickly. “Just that we use my knowledge while we can. The longer I stay hidden, the more time he has to solidify these operations.”
“She’s right about the timing,” Alpha says carefully. “But Ink’s got a point about the risk.”
“We’re all at risk,” Cassandra points out. “The question is whether we use that risk strategically or let it control us.”
Ink’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t argue further. There’s something in his expression though, a protectiveness that goes beyond club loyalty.
“Thereissomething else,” Cassandra says hesitantly. “Something I haven’t told you about Senator Wilson’s timeline.” Every head in the room turns toward her. “The legislation he’splanning to introduce? It’s not scheduled for next session or next year. It’s going to be fast-tracked through an emergency vote next month.If it passes…”
“Javier gets legal control over the prison system,” I murmur.
“Not just control.Authority.The ability to operate openly with government backing.” She looks around the room. “We’re not just racing against his expansion anymore. We’re racing against legitimization.”
The implications hit everyone at once.
If Javier gains legal authority over correctional facilities, there will be no stopping him.
No legal recourse.
No federal intervention.
The shadow government he’s building will have official sanction.
Javier can begin his takeover, and once he starts, he won’t stop.
“How long do we have?” Alpha asks.
“Three weeks… maybe four? Depends on how quickly Wilson can push it through committee.”
“Then we need to move fast.” Alpha stands again, his presidential authority settling over him like armor. “Loki, I need you to start coordinating with other Defiance chapters. Find out what resources they can commit and if they can handle operations in their cities. This is bigger than just Los Angeles now.”
