Delgado and Whitman glared at the third one, who, even after Leon Clavon invited Tristan to the meeting, spoke against the boss's authority.
"I thought your father taught you better manners, Martinez, than to speak in such a tone in your boss's presence!" Delgado said.
"If he was invited, then Mr. Clavon needs Hayes's skill. Which he had proved more than once, as we all know," added Whitman.
Leon slammed his palms on the table, making all three freeze.
"Enough. We are here to make plans, not to waste time on your squabbles. Tristan is here, because I believe he will be useful, just like he was already. He brought in the information, without which we'd have nothing to make plans about!"
Everybody watched intently as Leon spread a large map on the table.
"After the challenge I sent, the Mexicans are gathering forces for a decisive strike. But we will strike faster, and to the place it will hurt the most. Here."
He pointed at a pencil circle on the map. It outlined an average apartment building block.
"This is the safehouse where Angulos' stashed their last haul of drugs from the other side of the border. I'm talking about at least ten million dollars in drugs! We must raid the place while we can. Give them the taste of what they wanted to do to us."
The mention of so much money made gangsters' eyes flared with greed.
This was about a year's worth of the gang's combined income.
"The place will be guarded, of course, but we won't be afraid. Now. Any suggestions on how to strike?"
Pierce fixed the glasses on his nose.
"Although we don't have definite information about this yet, I have a feeling that the reinforcements sent from Mexico are in this place, too. They could've even arrived together. Perhaps we should destroy the stash instead of capturing it..."
Tristan narrowed his eyes.
"Mr. Pierce, you can't seriously say this, right? It's ten million dollars versus some more Mexican thugs!"
Although he wasn't underestimating the danger of the reinforcements—who knew, they could've been actual elites like the assassin Quixada hired to kill him back in the days—Tristan couldn't miss a chance to undermine Pierce's authority in front of others.
Pierce, however, looked like a stationery knife. Unassuming at first, but extremely sharp and, in some ways, deadlier than a normal knife.
Leon looked at Pierce, too.
Pierce grimaced like he licked a lemon.
It wasn't a secret that for all his sadism, Pierce didn't like fighting opponents who could fight back. This was something Leon always disliked about him.
"Well said, Hayes. Pierce should have the honor of leading the strike team, then! He's more dangerous than a puma. I'm sure he will return with the haul of drugs and hunting trophies!"
Delgado nodded.
"Mr. Pierce has a lot of experience fighting in tight spaces, too. I'm sure he didn't lose his knack for it. And since Hayes is used to working under him, there will be good communication between the main and the support team."
Tristan smiled.
"This sounds incredible. Although in the best-case scenario, the support team won't be necessary, I hope to see you act in a fight, Mr. Pierce!"
Although his words were flattering, Tristan's thoughts were full of smugness.
'Victory and trophies? You? Even gangsters should have a bit of standards, Pierce. I think I deserve all that much more. I don't have enough respect to take over Leon's place yet, but after the Mexicans kill you on this operation, I will definitely have yours!'
Of course, Pierce couldn't refuse the honor given by Leon if he wanted to keep his skull bullet-free.
***
Next day.
The day of preparations.
[Criminal Points: 4490]
Tristan looked at his points and thought about what to spend it on, knowing that on the raid, every point might end up vital.