Westside

Chapter 20 - A known threat, a battle plan, and an undead brother

Dylan

"Because he's Lennie's second in command."

The room is so silent you could hear a pin drop. Until Dante starts clapping. Somehow. He's still cuffed.

"Bravo Dylan. Bravo. You always were smarter than you got credit for."

"It wasn't smarts, it was basic deductive reasoning. I know Lennie. As much as I hate him, he's good about keeping plans secret. From everyone except his second in command. And I know you can't pick locks or any of that shit, so the only logical explanation is that you're his second," I state and he chuckles.

"Nice work. But seriously I have information that'll save your fucking lives so listen up. Are ya recording? Good. This Friday, Lennie is planning on a surprise attack HERE, at this base. Be ready, he has about 60 men coming."

"60?! Jesus christ. Leo, go tell Zyanna she has until Wednesday to prepare the mafia for war. Then I'm prepping them." He nods and runs to find her. "What about outside sources? Is he threatening anyone outside of the gang?"

"Ahh. About that. The Shivley's seem to have become ... besties, with Lennie," Dante grimaces and my throat closes. Emma and her dad. Those fucking twats.

"Brianna, call Charlie. Tell him, Luke, Reggie, Axel, and Ryder to pack a couple bags. Tell them to inform their parents they're staying at the cabin in the woods and to not be bothered for the next week. Then tell them to drive here," I say and she ducks out of the room, smiling slightly. I knew she'd want to talk to Charlie.

"Maggie, Jake, go round up the recruits and put them in the training room. I guess boot camp is over earlier than expected."

"On it!" They chirp simultaneously.

"TJ, Danny, and Jase, any questions for Dante?"

"Why Lennie?" Danny whispers and my heart breaks.

"I'm sorry kiddo, it was my only option besides dying."

Brianna enters the room again and gives me the okay sign. I just signal for her to be quiet and stealthy and to stand next to me.

"DEATH WOULD'VE BEEN BETTER THAN BETRAYAL!" Danny screams and his voice breaks on the last word. God I seriously want to hurt Dante right now.

"I-I'm so sorry little bro-"

"You lost the ability to call me that when you pretended to be dead," Danny spat and a few tears slip out again. I pull out my phone and step into the kitchen.

"Hey, I think we're done. Can you put him in a holding cell? Padded. 1 meal a day, max. No conversation at all, occasional punch or kick. Thanks Terry!" I hang up my phone, walk back to the dining room and gently take Danny's arm.
"Hey love. Let's go to your room yeah? I'll tuck you in."

"I never wanna see him again Dylan," Danny cries and I nod.

"I can arrange that Danny."

"Danny-" Dante starts.

"If I hear his name come out of your mouth one more time, I will personally rip out your vocal cords with my bare hands and shove them in the garbage disposal," Bri says as she wraps a hand around his throat. "You have no right. If he says he wants nothing to do with you, he fucking means it."

"I-ok. I understand." She releases him and I see finger marks. That's my girl.

"C'mon Danny I'll take you upstairs. Dylan, wait for the boys to arrive. TJ and Jason, maybe you could wait too?" Bri looks at us and we three nod.

It's been 10 minutes and Ryder hasn't texted me back yet. I'm getting worried.

Me - hey Ryder did Charlie tell y'all the plan?

Me - ok maybe ur driving txt me soon tho pls

Me - Ryder r u good?

Me - RY?!

Me - Ry? you should be here by now so where the fuck are you?

Still no answer. 20 minutes now. What if something happened?

what if Lennie got them?

Y'know Bridget you haven't been very helpful today, maybe you should go night night

you're no fun

Bye Bridget

Knock knock knock

"FUCK FINALLY!" I say as I fling the door open to reveal 5 boys with duffel bags and other shit. "Where the bloody hell were you? I was freaking out!"

"Relax DJ, we stopped for food," Ryder walks in and I gape at him.

"I'm sorry, did Brianna tell the full story? WE ARE GOING TO GANG WAR ON FRIDAY! EMMA SHIVLEY AND HER FATHER HAVE TEAMED UP WITH MY ENEMY! YOU GUYS ARE IN SOME SERIOUS FUCKING DANGER SO YOU NEED TO STAY HERE! UNDER MY PROTECTION!" I scream and they gulp.

"Okay so Bri did tell me that but I didn't realize it was that serious," Charlie admits and I muffle a scream.

"TJ! JASON! WHY AREN'T YOU HERE?!" I shout and the two boys sprint into the room. Their hair is disheveled ...

Holy. Fuck.

TJ and Jason were making out. Oh my god. TJ has a hickey on his neck.

"Boys, can you show these 5 to their rooms? They're going to all be in the immediate vicinity of mine, alright?" I give them a knowing look and TJ's face turns crimson. Ha!

"Hey, I'm Jason, that's TJ, let's go shall we?" Jase says awkwardly and they trudge up the stairs. TJ and Jase are so perfect for each other honestly though.

TJ's name is Trevor. Then there's Jason. Ship name...

Trason? Jevor? Tason? Jasor?

Ugh too hard. I'll think later.

"Hey boss, the recruits are ready," Jake appears and I take a deep breath.

"AXEL! LUKE! REGGIE! RYDER! CHARLIE! COME HERE!" I shout.

They materialize next to me.

"You summoned me, princess?" Ryder asks.

"Yeah. You guys are to stay near me or one of the other kids at all times. You will have 3 guards walking with you, but also one outside your room all night every night. Understood? Good. For right now, you're stuck with me so come on and help me get this over with. Jake, is Maggie still there?"

"Yeah."

"Good. You two will guard these 5 while I announce the new members."

"No problem DJ. Let's go!"

We make our way to the training room, Ryder holding my hand the whole time. He's not telling me, but I can tell he's scared. When he gets protective or nervous he always reaches for me to touch me in some way (appropriately of course!)

And of course, it's total fucking chaos.

how was this chapter? also how's the pace of the book? i'm tryna give them more backstory unlike my book The Betrayed. i rushed the character relationship and it ruined the story i think

anyways hope y'all like it!