Vic’s eyes flashed with anger. “No way. That’s not the plan and you know it,” Vic said. It was true. The two of them had talked on several occasions about what might happen if the cops discovered their way of life. “If you go to jail, the Tribe falls apart.”

The others murmured their agreement. “We talked about this, Mo. I’m ready. I’ll do what needs to be done,” Vic said confidently. Mo reached out and squeezed his hand. Of course Vic would have her back. Kelsey and Andrea volunteered next. God, she loved these kids. The others followed suit, agreeing they would stand and face the music. She reassured them that she would be with them for as long as possible, and then the next phase of their plan would unfold. Mo offered up hugs, whispering last-minute words of encouragement, reminding each one of them how special and unique they were. She saved Vic and Nate for last.

“No tears,” she warned Vic. She got a hint of a smile. In all the time she knew Vic he never cried, though she could see the sadness in his eyes, mirroring her own. “You were the first to believe in what I was building. You’ve been my most loyal and treasured soul,” Mo said to him. She could hear the sirens growing louder by the second. Vic’s Adam’s apple quivered. Mo gently caressed his ink-covered cheek.

“Mo, I know already. You don’t have to…”

“Let me finish. Meeting you on the beach was the greatest gift I could’ve been given, and I know you will represent this family with dignity and honor until the very end.”

Vic’s eyes were watering ever so slightly. “The Tribe endures.”

Mo gently kissed him. “Yes indeed. This is temporary. One day we will all be reunited.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Mo caught Nate, standing frozen, eyeing the McDonald’s as though he was considering making a run for it.

“Make sure the others are okay,” she told Vic. “I need to counsel with Nate.”

“Mo, you’re sure about him? He could fuck it all up for us.”

She patted Vic’s arm. “He won’t. Trust me.” Vic gave her a curt nod and ambled over to the camper chair he’d set up outside his tent. He sank down and lit another cigarette, his posture carefree. If he was nervous about the way things were unfolding, he didn’t show it. Such a good, sweet boy, she thought.

Mo hurried over to where Nate was standing, his eyes darting toward the restaurant. She grabbed him by the shoulders, watching as the squad cars sped down the street, sirens wailing. She had to talk to fast.