“I can appreciate the amount of money Lee has offered you. I don’t know how, but I’ll make it up to the club. I’ll do the runs no one wants to do, the hard yards. I’ll—”
“Enough,” declares Dane. “The club is in the best shape financially that’s it’s ever been in. We’re taking the deal. Kade will get his money, and the club will take the ten percent.”
“Ten percent?” I ask.
“Yeah, man, ten percent. We don’t like men like Lee trying to buy us.”
I stare at Jonas, letting his words sink in then back to Dane.
“There’s more?”
Dane nods. “We don’t believe Lee when he says he’ll let it go. I’m pretty sure he was convinced that we’d take the twenty percent. He alluded to more money, but he could tell by my voice, I wasn’t taking it. You need to have a sit down with him, and we believe this should happen here at this table with the leaders of the MC by your side. Gerald Lee is a man used to getting what he wants, and we need to make it clear to him what will happen if a hair on your head is mussed up or you’re missing. His money is going to go a long way in keeping us at bay, but we can’t be bought, and we will not fucking lay down for the likes of him.”
I nod, expel a breath I was holding. “When?”
“Today. I’ve put out the call to the others. They’ll be here at three. It’s your job to get Lee here and to make him understand that we will not be fucked with,” replies Jonas solemnly.
“Right.” I stand and scrub a hand over my face. “I’ll get onto it, now.”
Dane stands and holds out his hand. “I don’t envy you. And I never thought in a million years that Gerald Lee would have connections to the mob.”
I grasp his hand in mine and shake it. “Yeah, that’s a story we need to know.”
I walk into Lee’s store and am greeted by Mavis.
“I’ve got a bone to pick with you!”
Her tone is brusque and business-like, but she does have a smile on her face.
“How’s that?”
“You bring our girl back to town, set up in a new house, but I don’t get an invite for dinner or even lunch?”
I smile at the old bird. “Apologies, Miss Mavis. You’re welcome at our home any time. You don’t need an invite.”
“Good to know, son.”
“Is Mr. Lee around?”
“Yeah, I’ll go get him.” Mavis stops near me and places a hand on my upper arm. “You make her happy, and that’s all that matters.” She smiles big at me and goes looking for Lee.
I’m looking at a stack of shirts on sale when Jeremiah comes into the store. His face twists into a grimace at the sight of me.
“Jeremiah, how you feeling this afternoon?”
“What the fuck do you want?”
“World peace and for you to—,” I pause and square my shoulders and lock eyes with him. “Watch your fucking tone with me.”
Jeremiah rocks back in surprise. “Wow, did you find your balls?”
“Do you not get I beat you earlier? My balls are just fine. You know what you don’t understand, Jeremiah? I love Cassia. I’ll protect her till my dying breath, and you know what else?” I ask, walking toward him. “Cassia feels the same way about me. She’s chosen me. You need to get that through your thick skull. Cass is prepared never to see you or your father again. Is that what you want?”
Jeremiah looks at me with rage in his eyes. It’s like the lights are on, but nobody’s home. I can tell he’s just not getting it.
“Jeremiah, you get to the back room,” says Gerald Lee from behind me.
Jeremiah glances at his father then at me. “Gladly.”
He does the tough-guy thing and tries to bump me with his shoulder on the way past, but I’m prepared for it. All he succeeds in doing is nearly tripping over himself. I count to ten and slowly turn around to face Gerald Lee.
“You’re wanted at the clubhouse at three o’clock today.”
“Is that so you can extort me for money?” asks Lee.
I shake my head. “No. It’s so you can pay what you owe and make peace with the club and me if you ever want to see your daughter again.”
“Threatening me, boy?”
“No, stating a fact, old man.” I sigh in frustration and take a step toward him. “It’s simple. Do you want a relationship with Cassia?” He nods and sneers at me. “Then you pay up, and you be civil to me at family gatherings, or Gerald, Dad, when we do tie the knot and eventually have kids, you’ll never see any of them… ever. As God is my fucking witness.”
I turn, take two steps toward the door and yell, “Bye, Mavis! You’re welcome at the house anytime!” She waves at me. I look at Gerald, and in a softer tone, “You, on the other hand, will need to ring first. Three o’clock. Don’t be late.”
I turn and walk out of the store and run straight into Rush.
“Hey, Zeke! How are you?”
“Rush! Good, good. I heard you and Doc had come to town.”
“Yeah, it’s all right, isn’t it? It seemed like the right thing to do. I couldn’t stay in that town anymore, and well, it’s not good for Doc just to be existing. He needed a purpose.”
“It’s fine. I’m glad you’re both here.” I rub the back of my neck. “But you’ve got to stop asking Jonas for rides. I can hook you up with a car or a prospect can drive you around.’
Rush laughs and waves his hands in the air. “No need, no need. I bought a car. All we need now is a place big enough for the two of us. And I need some clients, got to keep my hand in, you know?”
“So, you’re staying permanently?”
“So long as it’s not too weird for you, son.”
Son, so much meaning in that one word.
“No, no, it’s fine. What are you doing right now?”
“Looking for you.”
“Well, you found me. Come on, let’s go to the clubhouse, and I can introduce you around.”
Rush slaps me on the back, and we begin to walk through town. He smiles and nods to just about everyone. We must make an interesting sight, me in my jeans, black tee and cut, and Rush in his linen suit, blue shirt, and vest. We chat easily as we walk down Main Street. I see Kat walking toward us, deep in conversation with the town mayor, Justice Leaverton.
When she is three feet from us, I say, “Hey, Kat, Justice, how’s it going?”
Kat stops talking and throws her arms around me. “Zeke! It’s good to see you!”
Awkwardly, I pat her on the back and step back. She is, after all, the president’s wife, and although Kat can be friendly, she doesn’t normally hug me.
“And who’s this handsome man?” asks Kat, gesturing to Rush.
“Kat Saunders this is Devon Rushard, Rush for short, he’s my,” I pause and look Rush in the eye. “He’s my father.”
“Really?”
“Yes, ma’am. We only recently found out,” replies Rush as he shakes Kat’s hand.
“Oh, excuse my manners! This is Justice Leaverton, town mayor, and my very close friend.”
“Nice to meet you, Mayor Leaverton and Ms. Saunders,” says Rush formally.
“Call me, Kat, Rush. Are you two headed to the clubhouse?”
“Yeah,” I say.
“Can you tell Dane I’m going to be late? I’d tell him myself, but my phone is dead.”
“You can charge it at my office.”
“Thanks, Justice. It’s just he worries if he can’t find me.” Kat casts me a look. “You know how he can be. Justice and I have a bunch of forms to get through. We’re launching stage five of the development, and we need to get this right.”
“Legal issues?” asks Rush.
“Oh my Lord, are there!” replies Kat.
“Perhaps, I could help? I’m a lawyer.”
“Really? That’d be great!” Kat links her arm through Rush’s and winks at me.
Which means Kat meant to run into us, and she already knew Rush was a lawyer. That explains the hug I received earlier.
> “Are you okay with that, son?”
“We can catch up another time. The clubhouse isn’t going anywhere and maybe talk to Kat about a house. Her and Justice here sell beautiful homes up on the ridge.”
“Are you in the market, Rush?” asks Justice.
“I am. Needs to be big. Big enough for two men, so we don’t run into each other.”
“Two men?” asks Justice.
“Oh, no! Not like that. I like women. He’s my friend, childhood friend,” replies Rush quickly.
“You know, I know a guy who continually tells people he likes vaginas, sounds like you and him have a lot to talk about.”
Rush goes red, Kat smiles at me cheekily, and Justice ushers them on their way.
“See you later,” I say to their retreating forms.
“Don’t forget to tell Dane!” Kat says happily over her shoulder. “Oh, and Izzy is staying with us out at the house. She’s amazing. I like her.” With that, Kat walks quickly away with the two men.
I shake my head and keep walking. That woman is one of the best manipulators I know but in a good way. For a rich, famous person, she’s always trying to find a way to lighten the load of those around her.
When I get to the end of the street, waiting outside the compound is Doc Green.
“Hey, Doc, what’s up?”
“I think the correct thing to say is ‘What’s up, Doc?’” he replies, laughing.
“Right. You want to come in? Meet the guys?”
“Is it all right?”
“Yeah, you’ll be with me, and the guys are cool.” We start walking. “How are you settling in?”
“Everyone is so nice here. And your town doctor is a real good guy. Mind you, he’s had me working, but I think I needed that.”
I push open the doors to the clubhouse, and Jonas yells out a greeting, “Hey, Doc!”
Doc Green waves and walks toward him. “Hey, Jonas. I’ll have what you’re having.”
“Rebel, beer for the Doc here,” yells Jonas.
All three of us sit at the bar, and Rebel lines us all up with a beer.
“You talk to Lee?” asks Jonas.
“Yeah, I passed on the message. Fuck if I know if he’ll turn up, but I made things as crystal fucking clear as I could.”
“If he doesn’t show, you need to be the one to go get him,” states Rebel.
I nod and look at Doc. “Tell me about Doc Jordan. What has that old guy had you doing?”
Doc Green takes a sip of his beer. “Aww, just working at the clinic and helping him with house calls. I think I’d like a tour if that’s okay?” asks Doc, staring at Jonas.
“Sure, old man. Zeke, show Doc around.”
I grab my beer and walk toward the meeting room with Doc following me.
Zeke
We all sit around the table, waiting.
Dane keeps flicking his eyes toward me, disapproval at being made to wait evident in every glance and movement.
It’s three fifteen.
I look across the table to Kade, who has an I-told-you-so look on his face. I feel like all eyes are on me, sweat beads on my brow. My hands are clasped together on the table to prevent myself from fidgeting. I cast a look to the MC’s Enforcer and Sergeant at Arms, Dirt, and he raises his eyebrows and shrugs.
Slowly, I stand, and my chair makes a loud noise as it scrapes across the wooden floors. All the leaders of the MC are here—President, Vice President, Road Captain, Sergeant at Arms, and Treasurer. Then there are patched-in members like Rebel and Kade. I lean forward, hands bent, knuckles supporting my frame. Nervously, I run a hand down my beard.
“There’s only one thing left to do,” I pause and suck in a breath of air. “I’ll do it.” I glance at Kade and then give Dane my full attention. “I’ll get him to The Barn.”
Dane nods once. The Barn is where we go to sort out our problems. The place where the ground is soaked in blood, not that you would know—it’s scrubbed clean. For here, the dead tell no tales and angels fear to tread lest they incur the wrath of Dane, who will deal with all betrayers with deadly force.
As I move around the table, all eyes watch me. They all know what this will mean to Cassia and me. I open the doors to the room, and Gerald Lee is on the other side, hand raised as if he’s about to knock. I am flooded with relief that I don’t have to kill him. Yet.
“You’re late,” I ground out.
“I had a fussy customer, he’s new in town. You were with him earlier. He wanted to order some new linen suits.”
Rush.
Rush felt him out. I’ve no doubt he knew who Gerald is, and a part of me is touched that Rush was trying to be the father I’ve never had. My lips turn down as I step to the side and usher Gerald into the room. I look at Dane whose lips are pursed together in a firm line, his gaze deadly.
“Sit,” orders Dane as he points to an empty seat.
I go back to my chair and ignore Gerald. My focus is on Dane, my president, and I will abide by any decision he makes.
“Gentlemen… ahh… fellas,” says Gerald, by way of a greeting.
No one speaks, and Dane stares at him like he’s nothing. Gerald sits quickly and looks around the table at the somber faces. None of us give any signs of emotion. The room feels clinical except for Gerald’s presence. He doesn’t realize it, but he’s the bug under the microscope, the specimen that we are thinking of dismembering.
“Sorry I’m late,” offers Gerald.
Dane nods once seemingly appeased.
“Do you agree to our terms?” asks Dane.
“Yes,” replies Gerald with a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Before we continue, we have some questions,” states Dane.
Gerald looks surprised, and eyes Dane cautiously, the smile falling off his face.
“How do you know the Russians?”
Gerald scoffs. “Well, they weren’t the ‘Russians’ when I met Ivan. He was just a man known for lending people money… a loan shark. So long as you paid your debt, with interest, he was fine to do business with. Ivan helped me out a few times over the years with various deals, and then five maybe seven years ago, I heard about a business deal going down near him, construction, and it wasn’t right for me, so I passed it onto Ivan. He made a lot of money and said he owed me one. I never paid it much mind until this one here began to date my daughter.”
A nerve in my jaw begins to tick. I want so badly to reach across the table and squeeze the life out of him. My knuckles are white as I keep my hands gripped together, preventing myself from doing something I might regret.
Dane turns his head toward me. “Your call.”
Gerald lets out a surprised gasp, and it’s only then do I allow myself to look at him. His mouth is hanging open, shock written across his features. Gerald’s gaze comes to me, and whatever he sees in my eyes, makes him blanch. My instincts tell me to kill him, but my heart tells me to remember Cassia.
“The original debt plus fifteen percent. You will give your oath that you will not pursue any more hitmen,” I pause, locking eyes with him. “And who was in my back yard a few nights ago?”
“Fifteen?”
I nod.
“Fine. And yes, you have my oath. As for who was in your backyard, I have no idea.”
“Your daughter was sleeping beside me, Gerald. Who was it?”
He leans back in the chair, arm slung over the top and eyes me. Gerald seems like he’s thinking about it. Eventually, he shrugs and says, “The Russians?”
“Don’t fucking lie to us,” I state with venom in my voice.
“I’ve only approached the Russians. It’s not like I know these kinds of people. I know Ivan, that’s all.”
I glance at Dane, who nods once. Gerald stands, anger flushing his features.
“Are you saying my daughter is in some sort of danger? Because of you? Because as God and every man in here is my witness, if she’s hurt because of you, deal or no deal, I’ll kill you myself.”
“We’re done here.” I throw an envelope at him. “Inside are bank account numbers. You have forty-eight hours to make the transfers. Now, get the fuck out.”
Gerald snatches the envelope off the table and glares at me, then at all the men in around it. “You mark my words,” he snarls.
Kade laughs, and Dirt joins in. Gerald looks confused but hurries from the room. I watch him go until Rebel shuts the doors.
The laughter dies, and Dane says, “Who the fuck was in your backyard?”
I stare at him, that very thought running through my mind. If it wasn’t organized by Gerald, then who? Shaking my head, I look at Kade.
“Whoever it was only did reconnaissance. Maybe it really was a lost driver or… I don’t know. Maybe they weren’t a threat?” offers Kade.
“Not buying it. Middle of the night, from the back of the house? If it was a lost driver or whatever, they would’ve gone to the front door not snooped around in the dark,” Dane looks at me. “We can’t protect you out there. I know why you picked that spot, but you need to stay closer to home. You’re more than welcome to stay out at my place in one of the cottages until you can get something a little closer to us.” Dane stands and walks toward me. “Or you two could stay here, but I think the club’s whores will give Cassia a hard time.”
I nod. “There’s something else. It’s probably nothing, but I found some dead birds near the back door.”
“Dead birds? You think the intruder left them for you?” asks Dane, frowning.
“I don’t know. All I know is they weren’t there when we moved in. Like I said, it’s probably nothing.”
Dane shrugs and looks at Kade then me. “It’s weird, but I think you’re right. It’s probably nothing.”
Zeke
Savage Lies: Savage Angels MC #7 Page 20
