Jinx concurs. “I thought the same thing.”
I nod, looking back at North. “I didn’t want to tip him off that I was looking into him, so I kept it brief.”
“I’ll see what I can find out. A few of my contacts may have some dirt on him we can use,” he murmurs.
The pensive man at my side runs his thumb across the gavel. He’s thinking; I can see it all over his face. “You think it’ll tip him off if you add a few brothers to this week’s run? Maybe get him used to seeing more than you two? Or do you believe he’ll bring more backup as well?”
I shake my head. “He’s been the overconfident type from the moment I met him. He knows too many prominent people in Atlanta and everywhere else. He thinks he’s untouchable. His brother was the same way, and now we know how he was killed. It took a woman sliding her way in and taking him out. She was probably the last person he ever expected to kill him.”
“How’d she kill him?” North questions and I release a tense breath.
I don’t enjoy thinking of Savannah with another man one bit. I’m not stupid enough to believe she hasn’t been with several guys in the past, but I still don’t like it. “She made sure he was relaxed enough to fall asleep. Stabbed him in the throat with a scalpel.”
“Fuck,” Jinx coughs, his eyes going wide. That was my reaction too.
“Not many women can get that personal. Usually, they go for the silent killers, like poison,” Sly comments, and I nod. We know this. It’s our job to be aware of what to watch out for to stay alive in this life. Bitches can be just as ruthless as men, and if they’ve been scorned, then even more so.
Chaos breathes, “She’s strong.”
“Mm. More than you know, brother.”
He nods, and I can’t help but feel pride that my brothers see Savannah for the bad bitch she truly is. “All right, for your deal this week, take Jinx, Sly, and a prospect with you. Get Maliki warmed up to the thought of you having a few more men on board. If he mentions it, tell him we’ve heard the gangs are getting restless toward the MC, since we’ve changed some of our allegiances. It’s none of his fuckin’ business what we do, but that'll make him think you’re stupid enough to be comfortable with him to mention a little club unrest. He’ll see us as being vulnerable, which is what we want.”
North rasps, “He won’t view us as a threat, and we’ll take him down swiftly.”
“I can do that. Jinx and I ride out again on Tuesday to go over Friday’s order and delivery details. He never wants the product until it’s right before one of his parties. The fucker’s smart on that account.”
Chaos flips the gavel over, mentioning, “Shame…it’d be too easy to tip off a rookie cop with a hard-on for justice. It’d be a career-making type of bust.”
I shake my head. “The cop would end up dead, and whoever needed to would be paid off. Besides, Maliki doesn’t even ride in the same vehicle on Fridays. He has his people load the product and take it. His pockets run deeper than any other buyer I’ve had before. That’s why I had to pull Jinx in to help fulfill the order requests. Maliki buys twice to three times what my supplier can get without involving the Columbians.”
Sly runs his hands over his head, exhaling. “Definitely need to make sure the fucker is dead, or he’ll undoubtedly squirm his way back for revenge.”
“Agreed,” we all say, mirroring each other with the word and tense expression.
Chaos takes a swig of his drink and says, “It’s settled. We’ve come up with an initial plan. Once we warm him up to our numbers, we’ll revisit and discuss the next step. We have to keep this shit nonexistent to our other contacts if you know what I mean.”
We grunt out acknowledgment, and the prez slams the gavel down, calling an end to church. My hand falls to his shoulder as I stand, squeezing it. I’m grateful for him calling church to discuss what Savannah and I are up against. He didn’t even hesitate to have my back, and that’s more than I could ever ask for. “Hit me up if you need me,” I say, pushing my chair in. Chaos will be in here speaking to the brothers for a while, I’m sure.
I make my way to the bar for a shot. I need it after the discussion we had. Never thought I’d care for a woman, or anyone for that matter, as much as I do my woman and my future kid. The brothers know she’s mine, so I don’t have to be a jealous fuck around them with her, though I don’t know if I can help it. I want all her attention on me. I’m too spoiled with her already. “Vodka,” I bark in the prospect’s direction and wait. I set my bottle of Sprite on the bar and scoot my ass onto a barstool.
When I left earlier, Savannah was feeling good, getting ready for work. I don’t want her to bother with the diner, especially while Maliki is on the hunt for her, but the woman is determined to make her own money. I try calling Savannah, but she doesn’t answer. I shoot her a text instead.
Wanted to check in. You feel all right and make it to work?
She doesn’t respond, but that’s fine. I know she will whenever she’s not busy. That’s another thing that I like about my angel—she’s respectful, and in a relationship, that’s important. I’m hoping after our long talk that she’ll start to confide in me more and let me know when she’s not doing so hot. I made her promise me this morning she’d call if she got sick again so I could come get her. Of course, she’s capable of taking care of herself, but she shouldn’t have to, because she has me. If all I can do is drive her home from work and get her some crackers, I’m going to do it.
My phone lights up, but it’s still not my woman. It’s my parents, or, more specifically, my mom. If I’m speaking to her, then I’m basically talking to my dad at the same time. She’s notorious for reading him all my messages or putting me on speakerphone if she calls. I left her a brief message saying I had some news for her. I’m surprised it’s taken her this long to get back to me.
Today must’ve been a farmers’ market day for them. My mom makes homemade, organic, and gluten-free, or whatever dog treats. I thought she was joking when she first told me, but apparently, it’s a thing, and the town’s dogs love her biscuits. I grew up a few hours away from here. They still live in the same town and the same house. It’s comforting when I go visit, but also weird, like being thrown back in time.
“Yeah?”
“Is that how you normally answer your phone?” My mom chirps, and I chuckle.
“I knew it was you.”
“Well, all the more reason to say hello, mother dearest.”
I release an amused snort. “Is Dad with you?”
“He sure is, did you want to speak to him instead?”
“Nah, I can let you know, and then you can relay it.”
“Okay, Sebby, you’re on speakerphone.”
Of course, I am. “I’ve got a woman, and we’re having a baby.”
It’s so quiet, you could hear a pin drop on the line.
After a beat, my mom says, “Uh, I think I misheard you…say again.”
“I’m seeing someone, and she’s pregnant. Kid’s mine.”
My dad speaks first. “Well, shit. Congrats, son!”
“A baby?” my mom breathes, her voice full of excitement and most likely shock.
“Yep, I’m gonna give my woman a few weeks to get in with the doc and whatnot, but then I suppose we should head up there so she can meet you both.”
My dad’s easy. “Sounds good. Love you, son.”
“Love you too, Dad. Mom? You good?”
My dad speaks again. “She’s crying, son. I think you just made her whole day. I’ll have her give you a call back once she’s settled down.”
“All right, then, give her a hug from me. Talk to you soon.”
“Bye, Bash.” My dad respects the road name. It’s my mom who won’t give up my childhood nickname. I don’t mind, though; the woman did birth me.
I hang up and sigh. One of the club whores sidles up to me, and I shoot her a glance. “You have any kids?”
She shakes her head. “Nope and don’t want any. You don
’t have to worry about me sabotaging the rubbers.”
My eyes grow wide at her statement. Sure as fuck hope none of the other club whores that show up get the itch to fuck up a condom around here. There’s no telling how the brothers would react to that shit. “My woman’s having my kid. I don’t need any other pussy but hers,” I grumble in response.
She bats her eyelashes, pushing her chest out. “I could suck you off, I like swallowing cum.”
I hear the prospect choke behind me at her words, but they do nothing for me. “How about you be quick and quiet and go behind the bar. Prospect could use a blow job.” I stand, ready to get the fuck out of here and see Savannah. I want to kiss her belly and then fuck her until she’s satisfied.
“Th-thanks, Bash,” he stammers out, eager to finally get a piece of the club’s pussy. Prospects aren’t allowed to touch any of the women unless we allow it. I’m not going to fuck this one, and the brothers are preoccupied, so may as well give the prospect something to be happy about. One day he’ll get sick of the gash; it happens to us all. Once I had Savannah’s cunt, there was no going back.
“Chaos comes out, you let him know I went home,” I grumble as the whore sinks to her knees, and his eyes roll.
I’m only on my Harley for a few minutes when the turnoff to my apartment comes up. I picked this place specifically because of its location to the clubhouse. I notice the black SUV immediately. It’s completely out of place. The large vehicle is parked behind my Charger, blocking it in and not parked in an actual slot. There’s a man in a suit standing solemnly beside the driver’s door with his arms crossed over his chest. I don’t know who he is, though, he’s not familiar in any way.
As I slow down enough to make the turn to the right, I notice another dude posted up beside the front door of Savannah’s apartment. It’s closed, but there’s no denying the guy is definitely on guard. I recognize that fucker. He’s the one who rides bitch in Maliki’s vehicle when we meet up each week.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Rather than pull in right up front and go in guns blazing, I make my way toward the back of the lot. With any luck, they’ll be distracted and think I live in another unit that I don’t care who the fuck they are. That couldn’t be further from the truth, however, as they’re a threat to my family.
I have an idea on how to get to Savannah, I just need to give my prez a heads-up before executing it. I quickly ride around the turn to the back building of apartments where my place is. I skip the parking lot, driving up the handicap slope on the sidewalk. I come to a stop on the pathway leading to my place and shut my bike off, kicking the stand down. I swiftly hop off, digging my cell out of my pocket to quickly shoot off a text to Chaos.
Maliki’s at Savannah’s place. Goin’ in.
The group text we’re in used for emergencies and church vibrates multiple times as all my brothers respond. I don’t check what they have to say, just shove the cell back in my pocket as I run inside my old apartment, slamming the door behind me. They’d more than likely tell me to wait for backup or not to go in at all, and I can’t do that. As far as I’m concerned, each minute is another wasted sixty seconds to save my angel.
I jog toward the back of the apartment to my kitchen, yanking open the door to my freezer for my stash. I’ve got weapons and ammo in here, and the cooler turned off. I also keep some product in the drawer under my stove for emergency buyers. I know what you’re thinking, and I don’t cook here, so it’s all good. Besides, I figure people are less likely to look in my freezer when searching for shit, versus my bedroom or whatever.
I grab for three knives, strapping them on, then reach for my two Beretta 92X Full-Size Semi-Automatic Pistols. I like them because they’re lightweight and powerful enough that even Savannah can use them if necessary. The Berettas hold plenty of bullets and have a quick release feature for a fast magazine swap, though I did modify and switch out the plastic guide rod for a steel one. I have no idea how many men are in that apartment, and I need access to a lot of ammo, but also not be weighed down in case I need to fight. I’m planning on killing every motherfucker that showed up to hurt my baby.
I snatch an extra two full magazines, shoving them in my pockets. I strap one gun to my thigh for easy reach and carry the second. There’s no time to give this any extra thought, as I don’t know if Maliki will kill her inside or take her someplace else. How he fucking found her is beyond me. I can’t help but feel partially at fault over this. If I hadn’t fucked my woman, slept on it, then shared with my brothers, there could’ve been another outcome already. I should’ve ridden for Maliki the moment Savannah told me what was up so I could take care of him right then. Now my angel could possibly die, and so help me, if that happens, I’ll never forgive myself.
I wrench open my back door and leap over the four foot or so wooden wall they have on all the apartments. It’s our own private balcony area that most people decorate with chairs and shit. Mine’s bare. My life’s at the club or with Savannah. I don’t spend time outside on my back porch. I wouldn’t put it past some shit bags to steal people’s stuff on the ground level that they leave out in the open. I don’t trust easily. It has nothing to do with my background; it’s just good common sense. People seem to be missing it more and more these days.
I take off in a sprint, worried out of my mind. It only takes me seconds to get to her back porch, but it feels like minutes. I reach for her balcony wall, using it to help propel me over the wood barrier. I land hard but shake it off, breathing deeply.
I inhale, collecting my wits. The pounding of my heart is so prominent that I struggle as I lay my head against the back door in an attempt to hear anything. I can’t make out words, but I do hear a man’s voice, reassuring me that Maliki’s still here. He’s talking to someone, but their tone is much lower. I’m going to guess it’s Savannah, and she’s still alive. Thank God. I can’t wait to pump these motherfuckers full of lead for encroaching on my woman.
This explains why she never texted me back. Fuck! I hope he hasn’t been here this entire time. If only I’d been more persistent and stayed behind to drive her to work…but then he could’ve killed me immediately, and she’d have no one to save her. It had to happen this way for a reason, so I could get to her before it’s too late.
As carefully and quietly as possible, I insert my key into the top and then the lower lock. If they’re in the kitchen, there’s no possible way to miss me coming in through the back door. If they’re in the living room, I’ll have seconds before I’m discovered. Somehow, I doubt Maliki isn’t the type to forgo a weapon, and my bet is, as soon as I open this door, bullets will be flying.
Thirteen
She wasn’t looking for a knight, she was looking for a sword. - Atticus
A whimper escapes me as Maliki backhands me again. He’s a psycho pig just like his brother was before I killed him. I knew he’d catch up to me eventually, but I didn’t think it would happen today. I knew as soon as I saw him enter the diner I was in trouble. I’d escaped out the back door, hopped into Sebastian’s car and took off to hide out at the apartment.
I’d gotten here and barely made it inside when I realized that coming here was a mistake. I should’ve stopped at the MC instead of driving all the way home, but I thought Sebastian would be back. He told me that he had to talk to the guys about everything and that he’d be back right after. I was at work for a few hours, which was more than enough time for him to beat me here. Or so I thought.
I’d foolishly believed I escaped work without anyone noticing me, and I was too panicked that I didn’t see what vehicle they were in. When the SUV was behind me, I thought nothing of it. I scrambled out of Bash’s Charger and into my apartment in a rush, too quickly to notice the large SUV slowing down and turning in behind me. I’d just closed the door and was twisting the lock on the handle when it was kicked in. The force was great enough, it propelled me backward. I’d gone sprawling to the floor, bracing as best I could to protect my stomach. Even wi
th the bright sun blindingly surrounding his frame in the doorway, there was no mistaking Maliki. He reminded me of the reaper—dark and angry—coming to collect my death.
I may’ve been strong enough to kill his brother in cold blood, but I had time to plan it all out. I had a list that I checked each time I needed reminding of the next step to take. Being patient had paid off, and the opportunity finally presented itself. He’d foolishly believed he was untouchable, but I proved him wrong.
As I’d slid under his luxurious sheets, I’d rested my left hand on his chest. He thought it was because I was a horny slut for him. In reality, I was getting in a position to brace him. My right hand was safely tucked under the pillow with the insanely sharp scalpel. There’re so many murder weapons you can choose, but I knew I needed something that would kill almost effortlessly. A murder weapon I could conceal easily but would work effectively. What better object than one that’s often used to save lives.
My best friend works in a doctor’s office, so getting what I needed was almost too easy. I lied and told her I needed a scalpel to cut off a wart. It was simple enough that with the right amount of persistence, she gave in and got me one. She said it was extra sharp because she didn’t want me to be in pain trying to saw it off. Hell, she even offered to help me remove it. She had no idea she was aiding in getting a murder weapon, and she’ll never know, for that matter. She doesn’t deserve to have to live with any sort of guilt the knowledge may come with.
Once that scum dozed off, I made my move. I was silent and deadly, just like the serpent I’d intended to be. With my arm resting firmly on his chest, I’d reached up and stroked the side of his neck with my finger. I inhaled a deep breath, leaned up, and pulled my right hand free. I didn’t give myself any time to think, I drove the blade straight into the side of his throat. It was so sharp, the blade slid in through his flesh like butter, slicing everything in its path. Blood gushed everywhere, spraying my face and neck as he gurgled, choking on the thick liquid.
Bash Page 14
