Traitor (Southern Rebels MC Book 3)

by Kristin Coley

  Tears sparkled in her eyes as she backed away. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled. “I wanted to get the man who killed my brother and fiancée.”

  “Monty killed them,” I told her, watching in satisfaction as her face blanched. “At Martinez’s request. So good job, Drea. You let their killer walk.” The door creaked open and her devastated face was the last thing I saw as she slipped out of a window.

  “Crew!” Sloan raced over as blood soaked the bandage. “What happened?”

  I fell back on the table, shaking my head as she shouted for Micah. “Nothing,” I murmured. “Nothing happened.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Drea

  Three months later

  “I’m not hungry,” I snapped, pushing the plate he set in front of me away. “Can’t you give me some space?”

  “I’ve been giving you space,” he argued, sitting across the table from me. “Three months I’ve watched you mope around and wondered what you had to go through at that motorcycle club. I thought catching Martinez would help you heal from Nick and Donny’s death but it’s almost like you’re worse.” He shook his head, his hand covering mine. “You’re all I have left, Drea. I don’t want to lose you too.”

  “You let me go,” I accused, striking out as fear and hurt surged inside of me. “You agreed I should go undercover and when I come home, you want me to be all better.” My voice steadily grew louder until I was shouting, my entire body shaking, and he looked at me, his expression relieved.

  “I was starting to think you were gone,” he admitted, swallowing hard as I sank back in the chair, my energy spent. “My little spitfire.”

  I shook my head. “She’s gone, Dad. She did things, caused things to happen,” I stopped, and glanced at him pleadingly. “I did things, and I can’t take them back now.”

  He patted my hand. “No, but you can make them right, Drea.” His forehead wrinkled. “But only if you let yourself. You can’t hide from it. You have to face it.”

  “I don’t….I don’t want to,” I whispered, my hands trembling under his. “I don’t want to face the truth. I don’t want to face him.”

  “Who?” His voice pleaded with me to let him in and I stared down at the table, my voice barely audible as I murmured his name.

  “Crew.” I inhaled deeply through my nose, lifting my head as I admitted, “My actions cost him someone he cared about.”

  “Would you change your actions if you could?”

  I traced a scratch on the table as I said hollowly, “No, I wouldn’t and he knew it.” I pressed my lips together. “We managed to get Martinez.”

  “So the end justified the means.”

  My eyes darted to Dad’s. “He told me Monty was the one who killed them, Dad.” I shook my head. “I let their murderer out of jail and set in motion a chain of events…..and I can’t take it back.”

  “Then you need to try and fix it.”

  “How?” I burst out. “How do I fix this? He hates me and I don’t blame him. I hate me.”

  “Start by telling him the truth,” Dad advised. “He deserves to know.”

  I shook my head slightly. “You didn’t see his face, Dad. He’s never going to give me a chance to explain.”

  “Then make him listen,” Dad declared and when I gave him a doubtful stare, he started to cluck like a chicken.

  “Dad,” I groaned and he stopped.

  “I know I didn’t raise a coward.”

  “You didn’t,” I said moodily. “But I can’t just show up and expect him to hear me out.”

  “Then give him a reason to listen.” I arched an eyebrow inquiringly and he smiled. “You said he was looking for a woman, right?”

  I nodded, chewing on my lip. “Yeah, a woman named Norah and her son.”

  “Did he find them?”

  I picked at the scrambled eggs on the plate Dad had brought me. “Not that I know of.”

  “Well, if you find them….” Dad trailed off, eyeing me meaningfully.

  I sighed, “He might not hate me as much.”

  Dad lifted the coffee mug to his lips, not bothering to reply. “I’m not in the DEA anymore,” I reminded Dad. “Kind of hard to find someone without those resources.”

  “I’m sure you can do it,” he replied confidently.

  “Maybe I should just leave him alone.”

  “He has a right to know,” Dad chided and I popped a piece of bacon in my mouth, chewing slowly. “I love you, baby girl, but I’m not going to agree with you on this.”

  “I know,” I grumbled, stabbing the eggs. “I feel like a fool.”

  “You’re too hard on yourself, Drea. It’s been a difficult couple of years. For all of us, but especially you. You’ve gone through a lot, losing Nick and Donny, and going after Martinez. Give yourself a break.”

  “Now, who’s making excuses?” I pushed my fork around the plate chasing a congealed lump of eggs. “The only one responsible for your actions is you.”

  “Don’t go throwing my own words back at me,” Dad griped. “Maybe this is a blessing. What we both need to finally heal.”

  “I’m scared,” I finally said and Dad came around the table, bringing me into his big barrel chest and hugging me tightly.

  “Of course you are. It’s a scary thing. I’d be worried if you weren’t scared. But you have to have faith that it’ll all work out like it’s supposed to.”

  I snorted, rubbing my damp cheeks against his plaid button down. “I’m all out of faith, Dad.”

  “You can borrow some of mine.” He squeezed extra hard, making me squeak. “I have a good feeling about this one, Drea.”

  “You’ve never even met him,” I protested and his chest rumbled under my cheek. “How would you know?”

  “You. You’re how I know.” He rocked us back and forth for a minute. “I never doubted your ability to judge a man’s character. Your brother trusted it too.”

  “You do remember the part where I told you he killed multiple men?”

  “I do and then you hid that information from the DEA to protect him.”

  “I owed him that much,” I dismissed.

  “Or you thought his actions were justified,” he argued. “Either way, you didn’t act lightly. So, you must believe he deserves a second chance.”

  “He took a bullet for me,” I commented, resting my head back on his chest. “He convinced me to leave, which probably saved my life.” My lips twisted as I remembered Martinez shouting, “Traitor,” at me. “I still don’t know how Martinez knew.”

  “He isn’t talking,” Dad acknowledged bitterly. “He thinks his silence will get him released.”

  “It won’t,” I swore. “We have witness testimony implicating him in everything.”

  “I know, sweetie, I know. It just worries me that he knew who you were.”

  “Maybe I just looked familiar,” I replied, the words a far cry from confident. I gave a weary chuckle. “I’m a little tired of the word maybe.”

  “You and me both,” He set me away from him. “I think it’s time we started getting rid of the maybes.”

  I nodded. “You’re right.” I rolled my eyes. “Guess it’s time to put on my big girl panties and face the music.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Crew

  “You ever gonna talk about what happened?”

  I cranked the wrench another notch and heard him sigh.

  “Does Sloan know you’re working?”

  I set the wrench down a little harder than necessary and looked over at Clutch. “She’s not my old lady. I don’t need to tell her what I’m doing.”

  “You’re still recovering from being shot. Taking it easy isn’t too much for her to ask,” Clutch chided. “She cares about you. We all do.”

  “I know that,” I snapped, the little bit of calm I’d managed to find in the garage disappearing. “I don’t want to talk about her.” I didn’t bother to specify who her was, I didn’t need to after that one drunken night. “Or the fact that Mon
ty escaped and I still don’t know where Norah is.” I gripped the workbench with both hands as the rolling anger that never seemed to disappear threatened to erupt again. “I don’t want to talk about it!”

  The click of high heels broke the silence after my outburst and I heard Ronnie drawl, “I don’t think he wants to talk about it, Clutch.” She lifted the picnic basket she held a little higher. “I brought extra,” she offered, little Kara holding her other hand. I shook my head, walking off before I said something I regretted.

  I walked, not thinking about where I was going, but unsurprised when I found myself at the gates of the cemetery. I was starting to spend more time here than the dead.

  It had been months since Drea had slipped out the window, her bombshell confession ringing in my ears, and still I saw her face every time I closed my eyes. I hated myself for it, for missing her when she was the one responsible for Monty’s release. Norah wouldn’t have left if it wasn’t for Drea’s actions and I wouldn’t have joined the Vipers looking for answers….answers I’d yet to find.

  “I haven’t found her yet, but I’m not giving up,” I said, staring at Deacon’s headstone. “I will make Monty pay. I will find Norah and bring her home for you. I swear.”

  “I’m home, Crew.”

  The words were surreal, but it was her voice that caused me to spin around. I stared at her unable to believe she was standing there.

  “Not even a hug?” She held out her arms and I crossed the ground separating us, crushing her to me. “Omph,” she gasped, laughing as I squeezed the breath out of her. “I missed you too.”

  “What happened? Where have you been? Why did you come back? Are you okay?” The questions tumbled out of me as relief rushed through me. She was safe.

  “Whoa,” she cried, holding up her hand. “That’s a lot of questions.” She eased back, her smile fading as she studied me. “Maybe I should ask you the same thing.”

  “I’m fine,” I dismissed, taking her in. She looked healthy and, I was a little surprised to find, happy.

  “The de facto response of every not fine person everywhere,” she murmured knowingly, stuffing her hands in her pockets as she gazed down at Deacon’s grave. “I haven’t been here since they buried him,” she whispered and my forehead furrowed, but I was quickly distracted by her next words. “After you called that night, telling me about Monty’s release,” she prompted and I nodded, so she continued, “I got another call.” She glanced over at me. “I didn’t recognize them, but they told me to run. They said I wasn’t safe.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” I questioned, unable to hide my hurt and she winced apologetically. “We would have protected you.”

  “I was trying to protect you, Crew,” Norah explained. “You did everything you could to help me after Deacon died, but I couldn’t ask you to abandon your family, not for me.”

  “You wouldn’t have had to ask,” I told her, sinking down onto one of the gravestones. “I –” I paused. “Deacon made the ultimate sacrifice. The least I could do is keep you safe.”

  Norah came over, taking my hand as she sat next to me. “You have to stop blaming yourself for his death,” she insisted. “You. Are. Not. Responsible.”

  “Monty’s still out there,” I informed her, leaving out my suspicion that I thought my mom was with him. She’d answered my call once, telling me she was alive, but I suspected she was helping Monty. “You’re not safe. Whoever told you to run, they were right.”

  Norah nodded. “Yeah, the woman told me as much.”

  “Woman?” I questioned as prickled raced over my skin, leaving goosebumps. “What woman?”

  “She said she knew you.” Norah smiled mischievously. “I tested her and she definitely knew you. Down to the mole on your lower back, I might add,” she teased, elbowing me lightly in the side and I sucked in a sharp breath at the twinge of pain. She cocked her head and then prodded my side, lifting my shirt when I grimaced. “What happened?” She stared at me accusingly. “You got shot?”

  “Clearly, she didn’t tell you everything,” I hissed, easing away from her touch. “You can’t trust her.”

  “She told me she was the one responsible for getting Monty released,” Norah replied matter of fact. “And I understand why she did it.” I stared at her in shock and she shrugged. “I know how she feels. Losing someone….you’d do anything to make the ones responsible pay. She did what she thought was right.”

  “But you, you left.”

  “Not because of her.”

  Because of Monty,” I accused and she dipped her head. “Which makes her responsible.”

  “It’s not that cut and dry, Crew. I left because someone warned me to, and yes, it probably had to do with Monty, but I made the decision. I don’t blame her.”

  “Drea,” I murmured and she nodded, her smile rueful as I said, “She’s the one that found you.”

  “She did.” Norah cocked her head to the side, studying me. “I think I’m supposed to be an apology of some sort.”

  I didn’t answer, staring down at my legs stretched in front of me.

  “Is it working?”

  I shook my head. “She lied.”

  “And you didn’t?” Norah questioned and I clenched my teeth. “What you did was dangerous and foolish, going into the Vipers? What were you thinking? Monty could have made you in a second.”

  “He didn’t,” I said defensively. “Mom vouched for me and I cleaned house for him,” I continued, the faces of the men I’d killed flashing in front of me. “He had no reason to question me.”

  “Except you’re a Hayes,” she reminded me. “Did you do what you set out to do?”

  “Yeah, I killed every bastard that was responsible for Deacon’s death, except Monty.”

  “And Drea?” She prodded and I winced again, this time the pain emotional instead of physical. “She practically gift wrapped me for you, Crew.”

  “Why?” I questioned, glancing over at her. “Why did she find you and convince you to come see me? What’s her motive?”

  “First, she didn’t have to convince me to come see you, and second, I don’t know. You’d have to ask her.” She squeezed my hand and stood up. I grabbed for her, afraid she was going to disappear again and she gave me a soft smile. “I’m going to the clubhouse. I’m not leaving,” she promised quietly. “Give her a chance,” she murmured so only I could hear. I didn’t need to turn around to know she stood behind me. My body practically vibrated at her proximity.

  “If I say I’m sorry again, will that help?” She stepped around the grave, coming into view, and the first thing I noticed was how pale she looked, her face was wan and dark circles surrounded her eyes.

  “You look like shit,” I reported and a smile flickered across her face.

  “I could say the same to you,” she retorted without any heat and my gaze dropped to her hands as she twisted them restlessly. She pulled them apart when she caught me staring, smoothing her palms over her hips. “Will you hear me out?”

  “You found Norah,” I said instead of answering and she nodded. “Why?”

  “Because you were looking for her?” She offered, lifting her shoulders lightly. I had to look up slightly to see her face, my position almost putting us at eye level. “I didn’t know releasing Monty would cause the effect it did. I couldn’t see past my own agenda.”

  “And you think bringing Norah to me excuses that.”

  “No, I don’t. But it’s my attempt to fix what I did,” she replied, a spark coming back into her voice. “I made a mistake. I’m not the only one, but I’m trying to make it right.”

  “That’s not the only reason you’re here,” I accused, seeing the way her eyes slide away from mine. “There’s more to it.”

  She licked her lower lip, then sucked it between her teeth. “It’s not the only reason,” she admitted, pacing in front of me. “I’d tell you to sit but you already are.”

  “Spit it out, Drea.”

  “Deacon’s not dead
.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Drea

  Silence met my statement and I finally got up the nerve to look at him. Mistake. Cold rage met my gaze and I backed up instinctively.

  “You don’t get to come here and say whatever shit suits you to further your agenda,” he stated, his voice so quiet it should have been difficult if not impossible to hear, but every word was clear as a bell. “You didn’t tell Norah.”

  I shook my head, unable to speak from the sheer menace in his voice.

  “You need to leave before I do something I regret.”

  I opened my mouth and he shook his head warningly. I swallowed, my throat tight, and ignored his warning. “It’s the truth.”

  “Drea,” I closed my eyes as his voice cracked on my name. “I saw him. I buried him.”

  “You saw a severely beaten black man,” I corrected. “One who had recently died and made a suitable stand in.” I opened my eyes in time to see him shake his head, as he suddenly loomed over me. “Deacon came to us with evidence against Monty and Domingo Martinez. He feared for his life and he was right.”

  “He wouldn’t have abandoned Norah,” he snarled. “Not Deacon.”

  “I don’t know anything about his relationship with Norah,” I replied quietly. “I never spoke to him about her.”

  “I was there,” he insisted. “Right after the attack. There’s no way you could have set that up. Dick bragged about beating Deacon.”

  I nodded. “He did brag about it because he did beat Deacon. But not to death. We intervened and took Deacon in protective custody to recover, but we could see the benefit in having certain people believe he’d died.”

  Crew shook his head, running his fingers through dark locks as he shot me an accusing stare. “I want to see him. I won’t believe you until I talk to him myself.”

  I crossed my arms across my chest. “I can’t do that.”

  He scoffed, his expression bitterly disappointed as he backed off. “Figures. You’re lying.”

  “You know I’m not lying,” I snapped. “I can’t take you to him because I don’t know where he is.” I inhaled deeply. “I don’t work for the DEA anymore.”