Reaper’s pale blue gaze moved to Killer, coldly assessing him. “I recognise you, but can’t place where from.”
“Hemi’s my brother, so fuck off!” Killer snapped.
Reaper’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? I would never have guessed you were related to that fat bastard. Well, he won’t be fat for much longer. The maggots will be having a feast.”
This time Killer shot forward, an anguished holler ripping from his lungs. I grabbed him before he could attack Reaper, the honey no match for him. He was more likely to get his neck snapped than hurt Reaper, the bastard deadly.
Killer went ballistic. Screaming his head off, throwing out death threats at Reaper, trying to break free from my grip, but failing, my strength twice his.
Keeping one eye on Reaper, I shoved Killer against the wall. “Stop it, Killer!”
“So, that’s the infamous Killer?” Reaper laughed. “You were misnamed, boy. You look more like a porn star than a killer. How about you come over to the Devil’s Crew club. I’ll hook you up with work. The girls will love you.”
“You killed my brother!”
Reaper shook his head. “I’m afraid I can’t take the cred for that. I have a legit witness. A cop.”
“Just fuck off!” I yelled.
“For now. Catcha later, Tane.” Reaper backed up, his grin obscenely wide. “You too, Killer. Hope to see you again soon.” A second later he was gone, disappearing around the corner.
I continued to hold onto Killer, who was back to screaming obscenities and death threats at Reaper.
“Get him to shut up,” the cop said.
I looked over my shoulder at the useless bastard. “He has every right to be upset. His brother wuz murdered yesterday by that psycho’s gang. Not only that, you were ’bout to let a killer into our nephew’s room.”
“No I wasn’t, he’s not on my list. I was telling him to leave.”
“He’s a hitman! He would’ve gotten in. You’re lucky to be alive.”
His eyes flicked in the direction that Reaper had disappeared. “He wouldn’t have gotten past me,” he said, though I could see he was visibly shaken. “Plus my partner will be...” He trailed off, drawing my attention to a cop coming down the corridor. It was...
The big Polynesian guy who Killer had kissed.
The man stopped in his tracks as his gaze fell on Killer. Killer had finally gone still, sobbing his heart out. I loosened the pressure on him and turned him around, pulling him to my chest in a hug, doing my best to comfort him.
The Polynesian copper continued forward. “What’s this?” he barked like a sergeant major. He stopped in front of us, holding two cups of coffee. “You two aren’t permitted back in this hospital.”
“We’re on the list,” I replied. “While you are meant to be protecting my nephew, not off gettin’ bloody coffee.”
“I have a man on the door.”
“A baby. Where’s that redheaded cop from yesterday?”
“He broke his arm chasing your son,” he growled.
I sneered at him. “Serves him bloody right for tryna arrest my boy. Dante wuz the one who got assaulted, not that paedo teacher.”
“It’s not our job to question our orders.” His eyes moved to Killer. “Why’s he crying?” he asked, the bastard obviously not willing to apologise.
“His brother wuz murdered yesterday by a Devil’s Crew member, while your fuckin’ useless cunt of a partner wuz ’bout to let a Devil’s Crew hitman into our nephew’s room.”
“I wasn’t going to let him in,” the young cop said.
“You wouldn’t have had a choice if we didn’t show. Either Reaper would’ve tricked his way in or would’ve killed you. I don’t give a flying fuck what happens to you, but there’s a sixteen-year-old boy in there who you’re paid to protect, and would pro’bly be dead by now if it wuzn’t for me and Killer showing. One cop on a door? That won’t stop the Devil’s Crew. My nephew needs to be moved.”
“That’s not our decision to make.”
“Then I’ll get him discharged, cos I don’t trust you pigs to look after him.”
“Talk to the nurses,” the Polynesian cop growled, looking like he wanted to rip into me. “We’re more than happy to leave you lot to your killing.”
I sneered at him. “Fucker.”
He glared back.
Killer tried to pull away from me, drawing my attention back to him. He was trembling, his expression now scared.
“Calm down, sweetheart,” I said, the endearment slipping out. “How ’bout you go see Jasper?”
Killer nodded, his “Yes, please” so soft I almost didn’t hear it.
I looked over at the young cop. “His name’s Painkiller Rakete. He’s on your list.”
The piglet glanced down at his list, then stepped aside to let Killer in.
“Ask for his I.D. first,” the Polynesian cop grunted.
The young cop’s eyes flicked to his partner. “I thought you knew him.”
“Regardless, you must always check I.D., it’s protocol.”
“Oh, okay.”
I slipped a hand into Killer’s back pocket, grabbing his wallet. Killer jerked away from my grasp, his expression shocked. I rolled my eyes, thinking he’d had more than my hand near his arse. I flipped open his wallet and showed the young cop Killer’s licence, then held it out for Killer to take back. He snatched it off me and shot inside Jasper’s room, closing the door behind him.
“What the hell is wrong with him?” the Polynesian cop asked.
“He’s completely loco, looney bin worthy.”
His concerned eyes went to the door. “The boy—”
“Is safe. Killer won’t hurt his nephew, plus I’m gonna go check on him before I get him discharged.” I turned my focus on the dumb shit supposedly guarding the door. “My name’s Tane Rata, I’m on the list too.” I removed my wallet and showed him my driver’s licence. “I’d tell you to get another job, but you’ll pro’bly cock that up too.”
He glared at me.
I pocketed my wallet and pushed through the door. Jasper’s room was small, with only one bed in it, the beeping of the monitor sounding ominous. Killer was by Jasper’s side, holding his nephew’s hand and talking to him softly. Though, Jasper couldn’t hear a word he was saying. The boy was either asleep or still drugged-out from the injection the nurse had given him.
I approached the bed. “You needa control yourself, Killer,” I growled. “Reaper could’ve broken your neck without blinking. You don’t go near him again, you hear me?”
Killer ducked his head, appearing afraid of me.
“Why are you acting this why, Killer?”
“I’m sorry,” he said in a tiny voice.
“You have nuthin’ to be sorry for,” I replied. “I just don’t want you goin’ near that psycho. He’s deadly. I’ve seen him snap a guy’s neck, and the bloke wuzn’t even small. Promise me if you see him again, you’ll walk the other way.”
Killer nodded, his gaze still averted.
“A half-hearted nod ain’t good enough. Look me in the eye and promise me you won’t go near him.”
Killer’s gaze rose to mine. “I promise.”
8
Dante
I hit the ground hard, Bazza knocking me down. Another gunshot went off, but the second bullet didn’t get me either. I looked up to see a stunned-looking Marino. There was blood on his face, the red looking black under the faded light of the moon. But it wasn’t his. Mutt was on the ground, jerking about uncontrollably. My eyes snapped to my right. The Russian with the big nose was striding towards Mutt. He stopped in front of him and fired another shot, this one into Mutt’s forehead. He muttered something in Russian, then spun on his heel and stalked towards me, the gun remaining by his side.
“Why do the Devil’s Crew want you dead, boy?” he asked, his accent thick.
Bazza pushed off me, hauling me to my feet. “Answer the question, Dante!”
I opened my mouth, b
ut nothing came out, what had happened blindsiding me.
“Dante!”
I jumped, spooked out of my mind. “They’re at war with my dad’s gang,” I croaked out, unable to get my head around Mutt coming after me.
“So, a Devil’s Crew member comes all the way up here, driving over five hours just to kill you, because your dad’s gang is at war with his MC?” Bazza shook his head. “No, Dante. There’s more to it than that. What the fuck did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything!” I jerked my arm free, annoyed I was getting the blame for this. “They think my best mate murdered their prez’s son.” Which Jasper had. “Maybe they think I wuz involved too, but I wuzn’t.”
Bazza moved in closer, making me back up a step. “You’re lying,” he growled. “That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? Because you’re running from the Devil’s Crew.”
“It’s got nuthin’ to do with them.”
“Don’t lie to me, Dante. You almost got my son killed!”
The memory of Mutt holding a gun to Marino’s head made me shiver. Bazza was right. Marino could’ve been killed, would’ve if I hadn’t stepped out of the house.
Bazza snarled, his normally friendly face now vicious. “You came here knowing you could bring this with you.”
I shook my head. “I didn’t. I’m telling the truth—”
“Do you even know the truth?! You came out of your mother’s womb lying.”
“I’m not lying!”
He pointed at Mutt’s dead body. “Then tell me why that bastard showed up on my land, putting a gun to my son’s head?”
“I don’t know why! The DC shouldn’t be after me. They know it wuz my mate, not me.”
“Before you said they thought he did it, now you’re saying they know?” Bazza growled, emphasising my slip up. “Which is it, Dante? Because right now, I’m thinking you were involved.”
“I wuzn’t! I told him not to do it!”
“So, you were involved.”
“No!”
“If you knew he did it, that makes you an accomplice.”
“After the fact, and if you were in my shoes, you wouldn’t dob a mate into the cops either, so quit riding my back.”
“Then, why didn’t they just go after him if you’re so innocent?”
My face fell, the dawning realisation that the DC could’ve gone after Jasper finally hitting me. I whipped Clara’s phone out of my pocket and was pressing my dad’s number before I could get another breath out. He picked up quickly. I didn’t give him a chance to speak, my panicked words barrelling out of my mouth without censor.
“The DC sent one of their men after me, almost killed Marino, mistaking him for me.”
“Shit! You all right?”
“Yeah, one of the Russians took out Mutt. Is Jasper safe?”
“Yes, I stopped Reaper from gettin’ to him, and did’ja say Mutt tried to kill Marino, as in Marino Pandza? And what Russians?”
I went quiet, realising I’d accidentally given away where I was.
“Dante, are you with the Pandzas?”
“Yeah,” I said softly.
“Don’t shit yourself, boy, I’m glad you went to them instead of the Dargaville lot. At least the Pandzas know how to protect themselves. They’re the only good Dallies,” he said, using the nickname for my mother’s people, “unlike those other useless bastards you’re related to.”
“Dad,” I said, annoyed he was insulting my grandparents and uncle.
“Whatever. Is Bazza there?”
“Yeah.”
“Pass him the phone. I needa get info offa him.”
“No, Dad—”
“Don’t No, Dad me! You almost got your cousin bloody killed, so pass the damn phone to Bazza, before I come up there and kneecap you myself, you stupid li’l bastard.”
I mumbled that Mutt was going to do more than kneecap me, then held out the phone for Bazza to take. “My dad wants to talk to you.”
Bazza snatched the phone off me, still looking pissed to the max. “Your son almost got my boy killed!” He went quiet, obviously listening to what my dad was saying. “Then whose fault is it?” His eyes widened. “Oh shit, sorry, mate, I know you and Hemi were close.” He paused. “Yeah, yeah, I have a place like that. I’ll send Marino with him. That DC bastard thought my boy was Dante. He won’t be safe until they’re taken out. I’m going to have a talk with my boss to see what he can do.” He paused. “I’m working for Nigel Craven now.” He removed the phone from his ear, the yell from my dad making him wince. He put the phone back. “Christ, Tane, what’s your problem with Craven?” He removed the phone from his ear again, then held it out for me to take. “Deal with your dad, Dante, while I take care of Marino.”
I took the phone, snapping, “Dad! Stop shouting!”
Bazza went to Marino, directing his stunned-looking son into the house. China ran after them. The Russian with the big nose holstered his gun and barked something at his mate. The other man came forward, helping him pick up Mutt. They carried him off, disappearing inside the barn.
My dad finally stopped shouting. “Are there any of Craven’s men up there?”
“Yeah, the Russians. One of them killed Mutt.”
“Why are they there? And how many are there?”
“Two. Bazza and Marino are doin’ a job for them.”
“Whatever you do, don’t get involved with it. I don’t want you involved in anything to do with Craven. Once you’ve done sumpthin’ for him, you’re fucked. Hunter hasn’t been able to break free from him for years. Craven will turn you into a puppet, making you bow down to him.” He paused for a moment, the distress in his voice clear. “He made me do some real fucked up shit in prison, but I did it without question, otherwise he would’ve gone after my family.”
“You’re tied to Craven?”
“Not anymore. I managed to cut free, did sumpthin’ so fuckin’ massive for him that he allowed me to walk. Please tell me you haven’t done anything for him. I’m serious, Dante. He’s not just bad news, he’s fuckin’ evil.”
“I...” My mind went to the job. “I haven’t.” Not yet.
“Thank Christ! Get in a car, take the teacher if you hafta, take Marino too, and go to Bazza’s safe house. Don’t wait for the morning, do it now.”
“I’ve got no money, Dad,” I lied, not wanting to leave.
“Doesn’t the teacher have cash?”
“Nah, she’s broke.”
“Get some offa Bazza, then. Tell him I’ll wire him some.”
“You know you won’t.”
“He doesn’t know that. I just want you away from Craven’s men, plus it’s not safe for you there with the Devil’s Crew knowing where you are. Nor for Marino. The both of you needa leave.”
I grunted. “Fine, we’ll leave.”
“And don’t you dare drive. Let the teacher or Marino drive.”
“I got my licence.”
“You haven’t had it for long, plus it’s night.”
“It’s not past ten.”
“Stop bloody arguing with me.”
“Fine! I won’t drive. You happy now?”
“Not until you’re outta there. Ring me when you get to the safe house. I’ll get the men onto this DC problem stat. I’ll call you on this number when it’s safe for you to come outta hiding.”
“When will that be?”
“After every one of those fuckin’ DC bastards are shot down like the dogs they are.”
“You’re goin’ after the DC?”
“You bet I am.”
9
Tane
Forcing my panic down, I pocketed my phone, telling myself that Dante was safe with the Pandzas. Although everything in my body screamed to go to him, he needed me in Auckland more, eliminating the problem head on. But first, I needed to check Jasper out of the hospital and get him to safety—our new crib. I also needed to inform our prez about what had happened, because I couldn’t take out the Devil’s Crew on my own. I did
n’t have the smarts for an operation like that. I was a run in and bash ’em type of guy, unlike the prez, who would know what to do.
I pushed up from my seat, nodding at Killer, who was still holding Jasper’s hand. “I’ll go sort out the discharge and arrange the transport.”
Killer didn’t reply, the loon now ignoring me. Whatever, I didn’t have time to deal with his childish behaviour. He could stick his big fucking lip out all he wanted, I wasn’t coddling him. Though, it served me right for fucking a kid. Okay, he wasn’t a kid, he was a twenty-one-year-old man. I just wished he’d act it. I strode down the corridor, realising I was being a bit harsh. He was grieving for his brother, worried about his nephew. I was too. Christ! I was so fucking worried about that poor kid. He needed to be with his own, needed the support when he woke up again. Not here, in this uncaring environment, where cops were judging him instead of protecting him. So, I got onto it. I arranged Jasper’s discharge, not flirting with the nurse this time round, just cut to the chase, making sure she helped me, then I called my prez, telling him what had happened. Within the hour, I was driving towards East Auckland, following the ambulance with Jasper in it. Killer had decided to go with his nephew, which I sure as shit hadn’t argued with.
The ambulance driver flipped on the high beam as it headed down the country road. I kept my lights on normal, following them through the curving landscape. Off to my left, the moon shone on a dark expanse of water, cutting a line to the shore. My eyebrows rose as the ambulance turned into an expensive neighbourhood, not something my gang would normally be welcome in. The street lights lit up multi-million dollar houses, massive properties with tennis courts and swimming pools, some of them with floodlights. I wondered whether we’d gotten the wrong address.
I glanced to my right as I passed a property with a fence considerably higher than my one had been. I grumbled, thinking that was right, the rich bastards could have a high fence, but when I put one up, the council demanded I pull it down. Okay, it might have been because of the barbed wire at the top, but I would’ve removed that without them threatening me with fines.
Still grumbling, I followed the ambulance down a well-lit driveway. A row of trees framed it, towering high, almost majestic. Then the house came into view and holy fuck, it was... I planted my foot on the brake and lowered my head to stare up at it through the windscreen.
Jagged Pill (Broken Lives Book 3) Page 11
