Vega ended the call without ceremony.
"Congratulations, Vega Pendleton." The voice oozed false warmth. "I never imagined you'd actually annihilate the Shelbys. It seems Nacro's underworld will bow to you now."
Vega's smirk didn't reach his eyes. "Spare me the flattery. If you want a cut, meet me at Pendleton HQ." A pause. "Unless you'd prefer tomorrow's headlines to read 'Councilor Jack's Ties to Underground Massacre'?"
Laughter crackled through the receiver. "Ah, straight to business! Let's discuss... cooperation."
The line went dead.
Vega immediately dialed another number. "Kevin. Still alive?"
"Young Master!" The man's voice trembled. Kevin—a mid-ranking Pendleton officer, cowardly but competent—had been Vega's frequent fixer in the past. Now, he was likely the highest-ranking survivor.
"Rally whoever's left. Secure HQ." Vega's tone brooked no argument. Obedient pawns were useful; dissenters, expendable. By dawn, when news spread of the Shelby massacre, every power-hungry rat in Nacro would scramble to pledge allegiance.
"But the Shelbys are still hunting us—"
"Gone." Vega's single word carried finality. "Move. Now."
Kevin's gulp was audible. "Y-Yes, Young Master!"
Pendleton Headquarters – 23 Minutes Later
Kevin barely had time to assemble twenty men before shouts erupted outside.
"Sir! The Jackals and Hellhounds are here—armed!"
Teeth gritted, Kevin drew his pistol. These scavenger gangs thought the Pendletons were easy prey?
Then tires screeched. Three black sedans slid to a halt, their doors emblazoned with Nacro City Council seals.
Councilor Jack emerged, cane tapping like a judge's gavel. His gaze swept over the gangs like they were stray dogs. "Put those guns away before I have you all arrested for disturbing the peace."
Kevin's men lowered their weapons instantly.
Jack's lip curled. "Let them in. Vega will deal with their... ambitions shortly."
The gang leaders grinned. To them, this was permission to pick the carcass clean.
But Jack's whisper to Kevin carried ice:
"Hyenas only feast until the lion returns."