by Debra Kayn
Pressed for time, with the militia coming to pick up their second order of guns, Kurt ran up the stairs and opened the bedroom. "Risa? Where's the receipt for the last shipment?"
Risa opened the bathroom door, tucking her tank top into her shorts. "On the dresser. I put everything out for you earlier, because I knew you'd be meeting the men in the warehouse."
The ease with which she'd not only made herself a part of the inner workings of the club, but also enjoyed her station as the president's wife, amazed him. He took in her bare legs and damned the meeting. He'd rather stay inside and have his old lady again.
In the last two weeks, if he wasn't working in the warehouse, he and his MC brothers went into the bar in town to hang out with the miners to learn any new news. So far, no trouble from Los Li came their way, but he wasn't letting down his guard.
He strode over and kissed her hard. "Thanks."
"Do you have a second?" She laid her hand on his stomach.
"I'm already running late, Angel." He inhaled, wishing he could stay. "Huckleberries."
Her brows lowered. "What?"
"When I first met you, I couldn't figure out what the sweet scent was that I always smelled when you were around. The other day I bought a piece of huckleberry caramel in town, and I recognized the scent. Damn, that stuff is good." He lowered his head to her neck, kissed her skin, and inhaled. "You're good enough to eat too."
"Well, you don't have time, unfortunately." She laughed, kissing him softly. "But maybe tonight."
"Plan on it," he said, stepped back. "Stay inside while the militia officers are here."
"I will." She nodded. "I'm going to talk with the girls while you're busy with business. Your men are still buying clothes for them all, and they have plenty of outfits now. The girls can't take advantage of them, or we're going to have problems. Even my closet is overflowing, because whatever doesn't fit the other women, or they don't like, they give the outfit to me."
"I'll talk to the men." He folded the paper and shoved it into his back pocket. "When I'm done with the militia, I'm done for the day. We won't have a new shipment coming in until tomorrow."
Between the Bantorus members, they were able to manufacture the weapons, which came in pieces, within a week. It took the state seven days to run the background checks, and that gave him a few days off between orders. For now.
Today, he'd find out if more militia groups were going to sign on with Bantorus MC. He looked over his shoulder as he walked to the door. "Remember, stay inside."
"I will." She rolled her eyes. Kurt caught her giving attitude, and she flashed him a cheesy grin. "Go, get out of here. You're distracting me."
He winked, and shut the door.
Remmy, Ink, and Cutter met him downstairs and walked out with him. Halfway to the warehouse, a paneled van pulled up. He halted, and waited to make sure these were his contacts.
Mike climbed out of the van, held his hand in the air, and motioned for Dave and Todd to exit the vehicle. Kurt turned and opened the warehouse doors.
"Go ahead and pack the boxes out to the van." Kurt stepped out of the way.
Mike approached him, shook his hand, and stood with him while the others loaded the crates. Alone, Mike said, "There are three more groups that want in. Same deal, same timeframe."
"We can do that." Kurt waited while the men walked past him and back into the building. "Half upfront, half when we deliver."
Mike handed over an envelope. "They'd prefer that I deal with the orders, if you don't mind. Some of the members of our group are leery about the added attention they're getting. They don't want others to be under the misconception that they're for us alone."
"Nobody will hear it from this direction," he said.
Mike shrugged. "I don't have any problems. You've played fair with us, and that's why I'm going to let you know that we had a visit from a couple of men out of California. They were asking us what we know about legal gun trades coming from Federal."
Fire burned inside of Kurt. He widened his stance. "And, you told them what?"
Mike turned toward Kurt and looked him in the eyes. "Not a damn thing."
"Good." Kurt lowered his voice. "The less you know, the better."
"We'll do our best to make sure nothing happens, but I'll tell you, man. These guys...I wouldn't trust them. If I hear of you dealing outside the laws, and involved in dealing to California, you'll lose the sales to the militia." Mike lifted his chin toward the van. "We're loaded. It's been good doing business with you."
"My men will follow you out." Kurt shook Mike's hand. "I stand behind my word."
That news was not good. Los Li had their fingers in every corner of Bantorus business. What he couldn't figure out was what they were planning to do next. Confident he had enough contacts at Meghoni mine, with the militia, and had help from his brothers in Pitnam, he could act whenever Los Li showed their hand.
Territorial wars were familiar to him. He'd grown up in some of the worst ones in Bantorus history. Los Li coming after Bantorus territory was also familiar. He'd experienced the heartache, the devastation that came in their wake.
He'd trained his whole life to lead a motorcycle club, but he wasn't stupid. Things could get ugly before he brought peace to Federal.
The van, followed by Remmy, Ink, and Cutter drove away. He turned and shut the warehouse, and headed back to the club. He'd distribute the money in his pocket to the men, take care of the women, and set some aside to build security. His steps grew lighter. Risa, though she protested, would get even more damn clothes, because it was one thing he could give her.
He opened the backdoor of the club, looking forward to time off. If he had a choice, he'd lock himself in the bedroom and—
Pop!
A gun going off echoed in the building. Kurt removed the pistol from his side holster, and ran down the hallway, skidding to a stop in the main room.
Sawyer, Stripper, Muff, Tim, Crain, German, the two prospects— Big Dawg and Ford, clustered around his old lady. Risa stood with her back toward him, a pistol in her hand, and still pointing the weapon in front of her.
Her target stood with his hands on his hips, grinning like a fool. Kurt put away his pistol.
"Angel?" He stepped toward her, parting her audience. "Put away the gun."
"T-this...asshole came into our bedroom and I chased him out." She shook the gun at her victim as she continued. "He's not a member. He doesn't have a flame tattoo. Everyone was downstairs."
The man laughed. "If you'd give—"
"Shut up," Risa said. "I told you twice to stop talking."
"We've tried to explain, prez," Germ said.
He waved off the others.
"Angel." Kurt slipped his hands around her, grabbed her wrist, and removed the gun. "The man you're trying to kill is Lee. My brother."
Risa glanced back and forth between him and Lee. The moment she recognized he was telling the truth, he shrugged in understanding. Lee was a pain in the ass. "Lee...meet my old lady, Risa. Risa, my little brother, Lee. Next time he comes into our bedroom, I give you permission to shoot him."
"Are you serious?" Lee scoffed. "I'm your—"
"Shut up," Kurt and Risa said at the same time.
Kurt kissed Risa's forehead. "Go get us a bottle of whiskey. I have a feeling it's going to be a long night."
She clamped her lips together, sent one more glare toward Lee, and walked away. Kurt turned to his brother. Fuck, it was good to see him.
"I take it you showing up means trouble's not far behind you," Kurt said.
Lee rubbed the back of his neck. "You might want to sit down for this. I have a lot of information you're going to want to hear."
His whole life, he'd listened to Lee talk. Kurt pointed to one of the tables. For some reason, he had a feeling that what Lee was going to say, he wasn't going to like.
Chapter Twenty Three
After the excitement over Lee's arrival wore off, the Bantorus men took the women upstai
rs, and Kurt had a couple shots of whiskey to wear off the adrenaline rush of seeing Risa aiming for his brother, Kurt was ready to get down to business.
"Do either one of you need more to drink?" Risa asked.
Kurt shook his head and leaned back in his chair. "Since nothing about Lee's little stories to the others was anything new to me, I want to know what is going on. Why haven't you been in communication with dad, Rain, or me, hell even Taylor's worried?"
Lee grimaced. "Yeah, about that..."
Risa patted Kurt's thigh and stood. He grabbed her wrist. "Sit. Whatever he's going to say, you can hear it too."
"It's okay, really." She kissed him softly. "Spend time with your brother. I'll wait upstairs for you."
Lee cleared his throat. "Please, Risa, stay. You're Kurt's old lady, and I want you to hear what I have to say. You need to know what's happening."
Risa nodded, sat back down, and gathered Kurt's hand in hers.
"I've been staying in Cali with Lagsturns MC," Lee said.
"Already know that," Kurt said. "What I don't know is why in the hell you'd go there, bro. Damn, you're a Bantorus. It's a slap in the face. If you want to ride nomad, fucking go for it, but stay away from a club that will take you straight to the grave."
Lee blew out his breath. "Obviously, Raul kept his word."
"What's Raul got to do with you?" Kurt asked.
Lee glanced over at Risa before bringing his attention back to Kurt. "You know the rumors that Raul was ex Fed?"
Acid burned in Kurt's gut. If his troublesome brother was in trouble with the Feds, Kurt's hands were tied. There were only so many strings he could pull. Hell, even Rain had to step back when the government agencies became involved.
"Go on," he said.
"When I first went nomad, I rode around, doing what most of the riders without a club do. I enjoyed wild women, joining forces with other clubs to see them through tough times, and living on the fly. I'd come back to Pitnam every four or five months, check in, see the folks, have a beer and watch you fight. Is Ginger still working at Cactus Cove?" Lee asked, changing the subject.
Kurt shook his head. "She quit a few months ago and settled down with Jedman. Her arthritis became too much for her to continue working. They're happy. Now keep talking."
"Right." Lee rubbed his jaw. "Back to Raul—this stays between the three of us—I got to talking to him six or seven years ago. You might remember that I was kicking it with my friends and not keeping the job at Pete's Garage."
"Yeah." Kurt leaned forward. "Let's skip the fairy tale, and get back to what Raul has to do with why you've been with the Lagsturns MC."
"It's true," Lee stated.
Jesus Christ. Kurt inhaled and exhaled slowly. "Make some sense. What's true?"
"Raul is ex Fed. He's retired, but the whole time he was with Lagsturns MC and then came over and joined Bantorus, he was working as a Federal Agent." Lee grinned. "I'm not even sure Dad knows. I asked Raul who else knew, and he said he'd kill me if I told. Knowing him, I kept my mouth shut."
"Until now," Kurt muttered.
"Well, that's why I'm talking to you." Lee latched his hands behind his head and sat back. "All these years riding nomad, I was working undercover. I'm not an agent like Raul was, but a paid consultant. Because of my connection with Bantorus MC and Lagsturns MC, I was perfect for the job."
Kurt stood, tipping over his chair, and walked away from the table. Fury boiled inside of him, making him deaf to whatever Risa was saying to him. He picked up the cue stick, swung, and broke the piece of wood in half.
Lee approached him. Kurt balled his hands prepared to beat some sense into his brother, but Risa stepped in front of him.
"Kurt, listen to him." She planted her hands on his stomach. "Look at me for a second."
He dragged his gaze off his brother and looked down into Risa's face.
"Let him talk and explain," she whispered.
He looked back at his brother. The brother that at one time was the closest person to him. They fucking supported each other growing up when their world came apart during his parents' separation, when his mom dropped the job of raising them. He'd protected and practically raised Lee, and Lee pays him back by turning traitor.
"You have to listen, for the safety of the club and your men. You need to find out why Lee's here." Risa lifted his fist and pried his hand apart, twining her fingers with his. "Please. He's your brother."
Kurt blinked. That's all he was able to do without busting his brother's jaw. He returned to the table and sat down across the table from Lee. Any closer and he wouldn't be responsible for what he would do to Lee. Their whole lives revolved around Bantorus MC. To believe Lee was gunning for the lifestyle would sever the family.
"I knew I couldn't disappear and go through the academy." Lee paused. "I was already in the lifestyle, bro. Raul worked years before even joining the Lagsturns. I knew I wasn't able to start at the bottom and work my way up. Everyone knows our family. They know my connections. The only thing I have to do is keep everyone from finding out who I report to over the phone. I never meet anyone in person, and if I decide I'm out right now, I'm out."
"Are you stabbing Bantorus in the back?" Kurt said through clenched teeth.
Lee banged his fist on the table. "Hell, no. I'm after Los Li. I don't give a damn about Lagsturns. My goal is to be part of the solution, man. I want to eradicate every member of Los Li and make our world safe again. It's something Rain couldn't do, our dad couldn't do, and you can't do. Not without me, brother."
The risk of Lee working to bring down Los Li outweighed the solution. Kurt studied his brother. He'd changed right before his eyes, or maybe Kurt never saw past the talk, the laughs, and the easygoing spirit to the man who had an agenda.
"Taylor," he mumbled, knowing he was right. "You're paying retribution for what Los Li did to Taylor."
Lee nodded once. "For us. For family."
It took time to absorb the truth. To remember why Lee had carried his scars behind a façade, making everyone believe he was untouched by his childhood. Only Kurt knew that he wasn't.
He stood, stepped around the table, and met Lee face to face. He grabbed his brother and hugged him. What Lee was doing took balls, and he'd underestimated him.
They broke apart. Kurt looked into eyes that told the truth and still burned with the fire of fear.
"This information won't leave the room." Kurt swallowed. "But I want to know why you're telling me. Why now? You've put yourself at a risk."
Lee sat back down. "Los Li is planning to blow the club up on the sixteenth...in one week. They're working with the mine owner of Meghoni Mine."
"Why?" Kurt asked.
"The mine owners, Robert and Chad Oman, lost out on the bid to buy your property because they were out of the country when you purchased the land and buildings through auction. They want the land, because they believe there are still silver veins farther up the mountain they can access through the closed veins that run under your club. With you out of the way, the property will go back to being available, and they'll pick it up for cheap. They don't need the buildings, just the land," Lee said.
"That covers the mine owners' reason for wanting us out." Kurt shook his head. "Now explain how Los Li became involved with them."
"Los Li swept in and purposed to help get rid of Bantorus MC for them. They're playing the good guys to help the mine owners out, while getting Bantorus out of the territory. You know this. Los Li's goal has never changed since we've been kids."
"Holy shit," Risa said, leaning into Kurt. "We have to tell Sheriff Colby with this information, and—"
"No. I don't want any law enforcement officers to know. The more we keep this contained, the better prepared we'll be." Kurt tugged on the edge of his vest. "We need to stop Los Li before they succeed. Right now, we have the perimeters secure. We'd notice if anyone came in on foot. We'll hold them back, and see if they give up. I'm not going anywhere, and I won't let them breach the
Bantorus MC property."
"I agree." Lee winked at Risa. "Bantorus takes care of their own."
Kurt's mind was thinking ahead of Lee. He had the entire arsenal from the orders he bought for the militia at his disposal and the militia members themselves if it came down to war. All he had to do was talk with Mike and find out how much they were willing to stand up and fight for their freedom.
"I hate to cut this visit short, but I need to get back on the road." Lee stood.
Kurt frowned. "At least stay the night and rest. You've got a long trip behind you and ahead of you."
"I stopped in Pitnam before heading over here. Everyone was gone, so I crashed in the end cabin. I left the girls happy, and no one will know I was there until it's too late to find me." Lee wiggled his brows.
"What do I tell Dad and Taylor when they ask about you?" he said.
Lee hooked Kurt's neck, brought him in for a back-thumping hug. "Tell them I love 'em, and I'm riding free."
Kurt nodded, hugging Lee hard. "Stay safe and thanks."
"I will." Lee moved over to Risa, held her hands. "Congratulations. You've got the best brother out of the two of us, but I don't think I need to tell you that."
"I know," she whispered.
Lee stepped back, raised his hand, smiled, and walked out the door.
Kurt walked over to the bar, leaned on his elbows, and held his head in his hands. He wanted to go after Lee. What he was doing was dangerous, stupid, and probably the most fucking honorable thing any of them had ever done.
He was proud of Lee. He'd gone out on his own, but Bantorus blood ran in his veins. Lee never forgot about paying retribution for what happened to Taylor, and continued to support Bantorus MC
Risa laid her hand on his back. "Are you okay?"
He shook his head. "Damn asshole brother. He's going to get himself killed, and there's nothing I can do to protect him."
"Should we try and stop him?" Risa leaned against his back and wrapped her arms around him.
"No." Kurt sighed. "I understand why he's doing it. I just hope he keeps the wind at his back and his hands on the bars before someone finds out the truth."
He turned, looping his arm around Risa's shoulders. He walked with her to the stairs, each step zapping his strength. For the first time, he understood how much responsibility he had for each Bantorus member, for Risa, for his family. He only hoped he was strong enough to last the fight.
