“Uh huh.” Cain didn’t looked convinced, but he stepped off the wide porch to greet El Diablo properly. Bohannon shadowed him closely, his eyes on the men around them.
Cain reached out a hand in greeting, which El Diablo took with a delighted chuckle. “Merry Christmas, brother. May our two clubs co-exist in harmony in the coming year.”
“Merry Christmas to you, too. But you have to know I got no intention of giving you permission to open up drug traffic through Somerset. It’s been difficult to wean the area off the flow of drugs coming from the south, but I believe the results are worth it.”
“You still have problems, Cain. People are still getting their drugs.”
“I’m aware of that. So are the dealers. But they’re having to work harder for it. My hope is, most of them will follow their supply.”
“Isn’t that a little like robbing Peter to pay Paul? Just shuffle the problem somewhere else?”
“Absolutely.” Cain didn’t bother denying it. “But then it becomes someone else’s problem, and my territory is clean.”
El Diablo laughed, clapping Cain on the back like they were old friends. “I knew there was a reason I liked you. Come. Invite us in. We eat, then I bring some business for you.” When Cain opened his mouth to deliver what Viper was sure was a scathing reply, El Diablo raised his hands. “Nothing to do with drugs. In fact, nothing to do with Black Reign at all. But I might be able to help you with a problem.” He grinned wide. “As my Christmas gift to you.”
Everything in Viper stilled. He wanted to press the other man, but El Diablo had already started directing the caterers. Viper looked to Cain, who had gone stony-faced. Viper looked at the other officers in Bones, and could see none of them liked the situation. Normally, Cain would have told El Diablo to fuck off and take the food with him, but they all wanted to hear what he had to say. In their own clubhouse, they felt better about the situation, like they could better control things if they went sideways.
Cain nodded to Arkham, who took Dead Eye and Goose. The three of them disappeared into the interior of the clubhouse. Viper knew they’d post up where they had a good view of the area and could keep a target on El Diablo and the men he’d brought with him. The man Viper was most looking for was Rycks. The man seemed to be El Diablo’s personal guard but he was nowhere to be seen. Which meant he was around somewhere doing the same thing Arkham was doing to the other members of Black Reign.
“Watch your six,” Viper sent to Arkham and the others in a group text, knowing the man would be in constant communication with Cain that way as well as with the bugs they had planted all over the common room for just such an occasion. “Rycks is missing. He’s never been far from El Diablo when we encountered them before.”
“10-4,” Arkham texted back.
The man had definitely brought a feast. Apparently, Black Reign had nothing on the Whos of Whoville when it came to a Christmas feast. There was turkey, ham, and pork loin, all fixed various ways. The pork loin with some kind of sweet, spice accent with sweet potatoes. The turkey, of course, came stuffed and was so tender it nearly fell apart when touched to carve it. The ham was a country ham, salty and cooked to perfection. There were dishes Viper had no clue what they were, but also some seasonal favorites like corn pudding and a sweet potato pie that would make Patti LaBelle weep. El Diablo had also brought so many different kinds of bread they’d be bloated for a month. Not only were there crescent and split-top rolls, but there was spoon bread, corn bread, sourdough bread, and a couple different sweet breads that went well with dessert. Which was a meal in itself.
The feast went on, literally, for three hours. The men from Bones, while protective of the women and children, relaxed and mingled with their counterparts from Black Reign. Cain and El Diablo talked openly both about business and life in general. All in all, it was relaxing, even with the specter that was El Diablo hovering over them all.
The children had their own table. Surprisingly, Black Reign had brought their women and children as well. The adults mingled at the huge, long table in the common room used for when the club entertained, which was often. The children chatted happily along, eating their fill then adjourning to the activity room to play video games. The whole thing was nearly surreal, like they were just one big happy family enjoying the holidays.
The only adult who didn’t sit with the adults was Stunner. The huge young man was right there at Suzie’s side, ever the protective beast who never left his master. At least, that was how Viper thought of it. Because, really, the girl said hop and the man jumped, not even asking how high. He couldn’t discourage the big guy because, since he’d taken up guard duty, little Suzie had really come out of her shell. She still had nightmares, from what Angel told them all, but Stunner was always the one at her side to soothe her. He’d taken to sleeping outside her door so much that they’d gotten him a room right across the hall from Suzie. Both left their doors open, and Stunner was sensitive to her every whimper or cry. The two seemed almost symbiotic. Right now, he sat at the table, eating as hard as he ever did, with red, green, and gold glitter all in his face and beard. Suzie had introduced him as her “very best friend in the whole wide world.”
Arkham had been in constant, steady contact with the officers. Their earpieces proved invaluable during moments like these. As a result, they were able to seem relaxed when they were all on high alert, just waiting for the word from Arkham or the silent sentinels keeping watch over them.
“Still an all clear,” Arkham said softly for them all. “Rycks is holed up with a couple of his men outside the compound keeping watch, but they don’t look to be doing more than that. Want me to invite them inside?”
Viper looked at Cain, who looked for all the world as if he were engrossed in whatever El Diablo was saying. And he could likely repeat every single word the man was saying. Viper knew he was also formulating a reply for Arkham.
Cain took a pull from his beer, never taking his eyes off El Diablo. “Tell me something,”
“Anything,” the man said, his familiar menacing drawl firmly in place. On anyone else it would have sounded like a veiled threat. This was simply the way El Diablo sounded.
“Why do you have your best men watching us instead of joining the party?”
El Diablo didn’t miss a beat, but simply smiled and chuckled. “You don’t miss much, do you?”
“It’s how I keep us all safe,” Cain answered, saying nothing more but instead waiting for El Diablo to answer. The table had gone quiet as if everyone had just been waiting for Cain to call the other man out. Black Reign men tensed, but didn’t make any aggressive moves. Bones did the same.
“Just so.” El Diablo put his hands flat on the table. “Rycks, bring everyone inside. Warm yourself and fill your bellies.”
“They’re on the move,” Arkham confirmed. “Leaving their weapons in their vehicles and moving on foot. ETA ten minutes.”
“Are we going to get to the real reason for your visit?” Viper was glad Cain took this break in the comradery and celebration to acknowledge the pink elephant in the room. The sooner they got this over with, the better he’d feel.
“It has come to my attention you’re looking for a certain couple in Las Vegas.”
Viper went tense, on the alert. Data too. The man would take it personally that anyone had been able to follow his trail on the net.
Cain wiped his mouth, taking his time in answering. “We are.” He nodded toward Darcy. “The couple is her mother and stepfather. Two young women with them are her stepsisters. Do you have information about any of them?”
El Diablo nodded, his mien turning serious. “I do.” He looked at Darcy with something like genuine pity in his expression. “I’m sure I don’t need to inform you that the couple are not the most… wholesome of people.”
Darcy ducked her head. Viper could feel her slight body trembling where his thigh was pressed firmly against hers. “No, sir,” she said softly. She looked up then. Viper wanted to warn he
r to keep silent, but she had every right to ask her own questions. This wasn’t a formal meeting of clubs. This was a holiday gathering among friends. At least, that was the impression El Diablo wanted to present. “Do you know if Serilda and Winter are OK?”
“They are safe at the moment. Mills and his wife left them in the company of an associate of mine. The man has promised to keep them safe until I give him further instructions.”
“Is this the reason you came here?” Magenta’s angry outburst brought all attention to her. “To threaten to hurt those young women if Cain doesn’t give you whatever it is you want?”
A wince of pain actually crossed El Diablo’s face before he answered his daughter. “Of course not, sweetheart. I sincerely came here to offer the information I had. No strings attached.” He sighed. “That’s not entirely true. I’d hoped to use it as a gesture of good will toward you. I want nothing more than to be part of your life.” He put down his napkin and took a deep breath. “Whether or not you agree to open a dialogue with me, Magenta, I’m offering the girls to Bones on the condition they be given the choice of what to do once they’ve gotten back on their feet. My contact says they are in relatively good health, but their trust is in tatters. If Bones doesn’t want the responsibility, Black Reign will assume care of the pair.”
Magenta opened her mouth but El Diablo cut her off. “And by care I mean just that. They will be protected from anyone and everyone. No one will prey on them ever again.” He clapped his hands together as if closing a deal. “So, if little Darcy there wants her sisters with her, she has them. The mother and father…” He trailed off. “I’m giving you the privilege of giving them what they so obviously deserve. If you don’t feel you can carry out the justice needed, I’ll happily take them with me. No fuss. No muss. No strings. And nothing leading back to Bones at all.”
Cain was silent for long, long moments. The tension stretched out so strong Viper thought he could cut it with a knife. “You’d do this out of the goodness of your heart? Pardon me if I seem skeptical, but generosity doesn’t seem to be in your character. Not like this.”
El Diablo didn’t smile. He looked like the legend they’d found a few months ago in Florida. “You’re right. I’m not an overly generous person. Especially with business. I give you the choice of taking them or not because your man, Viper, is with Donna’s daughter. I suspect the woman’s husband abused her in some way, though I didn’t press to find out as the young woman is not my responsibility. Winter and Serilda, however, I will be responsible in getting justice for. Assuming there is anything left after Darcy has her justice.”
“You mean kill them,” Darcy said, her voice a thread of sound. “Don’t you?”
“I’m afraid so, my dear. At least that would seem the sentence for Rayburn. As to your mother, I’d have to know her involvement before I took action. At the very least, she went along with whatever Rayburn had planned for you and his own daughters. Which, really, is enough for me not to lose sleep over disposing of her.”
Darcy looked at Viper, going to him for guidance, complete trust in her eyes. “What do you think?”
Viper wanted to howl with the rightness of it. “It will be much easier on you to let El Diablo and his men deal with this.”
She looked at the other man. “Would I have to tell you what happened to me?”
El Diablo shook his head. “We have enough on Rayburn we wouldn’t need anything else. I’m sure we can get enough from the two young women to determine the severity of Donna’s punishment.”
Darcy sighed before looking at Viper. Her chin was up, that stubborn look she got that shot his cock hard as granite on her lovely face. “No. I need to confront them both, too. If Winter and Serilda have to, then I can do it as well. For my own peace of mind. I’m not naive enough to think you or Bones will just turn them over to the authorities, so I’m torn between Bones being responsible for whatever happens to them and just letting someone else take them out and bury them.” She looked to Cain. “This seems to me like a club matter. I’ll defer to you and Bones in this.”
Nothing in his life could possibly have made Viper prouder in that moment. His woman had fully accepted his world. More, she accepted her place in it.
Cain looked just as proud of her as Viper did. He raised his head in acknowledgement, looking at his ol’ lady, Angel. He pulled Angel’s hand to his mouth and kissed the backs of her knuckles. “We’ll accept responsibility for all four of them,” Cain said without hesitation. “Name your terms.”
“There are none. I would hope my daughter would consider opening a place in her life for me, but it’s by no means a requirement. As to Bones and Black Reign, I believe we could benefit each other, but again, it’s not necessary. Only a humble request.”
“You should know, though we do occasionally accept contraband traffic in our area, there are certain things we don’t touch. Just as I’m trying to shut down the drug trafficking through Somerset, human trafficking is on the blacklist as well.”
“We could discuss any future endeavors thoroughly. I only wish for you to keep us in mind. Should the time ever come when we ask for assistance, I’d hope we could count on Bones to give it serious consideration.”
Cain stood, sticking out his hand. “That I can promise you. I don’t consider Black Reign allies, but I will no longer consider you an enemy.”
“Truce then,” El Diablo said as he stood and grasped Cain’s hand in a firm handshake.
“Truce.”
“Well, then. Our business is concluded. I have presents for the little ones. And for my daughter.”
Viper had no idea what those presents were because he snagged Darcy’s hand, leading her out of the common room as he made some lame excuses. He needed her. Desperately.
As it turned out, she needed him too.
Chapter Eight
Two days later, El Diablo made another appearance. This time, he had Rayburn and Donna Mills and their two daughters in tow. The two girls looked terrified beyond belief, but the man escorting them was gentle with them. He didn’t do more than get out of the limo and walk them around to El Diablo. Once the girls had been handed off to El Diablo, the man retreated back into the darkened interior. Winter had looked back over her shoulder, her gaze clinging to his departing frame. The man had made eye contact with her once before nodding his head encouragingly at her. Winter had hardened her features and put her head up proudly in response.
Darcy just knew she was going to throw up. This was a day of mixed emotions. On the one hand, she was finally going to see fucking Rayburn get what he so justly deserved. She hoped Cain made him suffer. On the other, she wasn’t sure how much she could watch. Not only that, but she had to confront him herself. She’d demanded that privilege. If she had to relive it, he would too. So would her mother. Even though she dreaded all of that, her worst fear, the thing that made her wake up at night sweating and clinging to Viper, was the possibility that he’d never look at her the same after this. She had truly been a victim. True, she’d taken her destiny into her own hands later, but for that one brief moment, she’d been a terrified little girl, powerless to do anything other than allow the abuse.
A second car pulled into the drive. This time, a screeching Donna was hauled out, her arms tied behind her while Rayburn was pulled from the trunk and dumped unceremoniously onto the ground in the wet snow. Neither looked to be any worse for wear. No obvious bruising or like they’d been mistreated in any way. Pity. After everything, Darcy wanted to see them suffer. It was petty of her, she knew, but if anyone deserved it, they did.
El Diablo approached Cain. The expression on his face was one of grave reverence. He stuck out his hand. Cain took it immediately. The two men met gazes, and something seemed to pass between them. Darcy had learned to admire Cain and the way he interacted with everyone in the club. Everyone deferred to him, but not in a subservient way. It was as if he’d earned the right to be their president and he took the responsibility seriously.
“We do,” Cain said.
Data cleared his throat and raised a finger to get the men’s attention. “I have one question. It doesn’t pertain to the information so much as how you obtained it.”
The corner of El Diablo’s lips twitched. “Ask your question, brother.”
Data gritted his teeth, not used to anyone other than those in Bones referring to him as a brother. “How did you know who we were looking for?”
“I’m rather embarrassed to admit how,” El Diablo admitted. “I understand you have a contact on the dark web you work with occasionally.”
“You’ll not convince me Zora ratted me out. We’ve worked together too long.”
“She didn’t rat you out so much as bring to my attention we could help Bones.”
Data groaned, cursing under his breath. “I knew better,” he muttered. “Fucking knew better.”
“Relax, brother. She had no intention of undercutting you. She merely wanted to help. She knew I wanted to convince young Magenta to talk with me and thought it might go a long way toward bridging the gap between us.”
“What is Zora to you?”
“She’s is my protégé. Daughter of a rival who sold her to me when she was a young girl as payment for one of his many sins. I raised her as my own. So, in essence, she wanted the meeting with Magenta as much as I did.” He turned to Magenta then. “Forgive me, my dear, but there is nothing I won’t do to get into your good graces. I truly only want a relationship with you. A chance, as it were, to be the father I never had the chance to be.”
Magenta gripped Sword’s hand, still uncomfortable, but clearly wanting to believe El Diablo. “She’ll consider it carefully,” Sword answered for her. “We both will.”
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