Now, it’s nestled inside my breast pocket.
No, I’m not stupid enough to kill the guy in the middle of the day in a crowded federal courthouse. I’d never put my or Murphy’s freedom at risk by being that reckless.
I do plan to have a chat with the fucker.
He’s washing his hands at the sink and doesn’t even bother to look up when I enter. It’s nice that he’s so carefree and unafraid. Guess no one’s ever terrorized him in his whole miserable life.
That’s about to change.
I’ve obsessed over this for days, but I still allow things to happen organically. More fun for me that way. He glances up and scowls. I guess I look a little menacing in the small space. I widen my stance to increase the threat.
Then I strike.
In a quick movement, I grab him and shove him into one of the bathroom stalls. The space is too small for the door to close behind us, but that’s fine. I don’t need it to.
With one hand, I press his face against the cool tile wall and use my free hand to jam the letter opener into the side of his neck. Not enough to make him bleed or leave a mark that will invite questions, but enough for him to feel the threat.
“Who are you?” he asks, frantically thrashing under me. I allow the weight of my body to sink into him and he squirms. “What? What are you doing?”
“Don’t worry,” I whisper against his ear. “You’ll enjoy it.”
He struggles even harder. “No. Oh my God. Get off me!”
“What’s wrong? Don’t like it when someone bigger forces himself on you?”
“Stop, please. Please don’t,” he begs.
“Tell me, Senator, do you stop when someone begs you to?”
He goes completely still. “What do you want?”
“I want justice for the actual crimes you’ve committed.”
“I’m on fucking trial!” He sounds so outraged at the indignity of it, I want jam the letter opener in his neck all the way.
No. Lilly and Chance need me. My club needs me. I hang onto my desire to make him bleed by a thin thread. I’m stronger than my base instincts.
“We both know that quid pro quo bullshit is nothing. You pissed off someone higher up and they’re gettin’ even. This whole trial’s a joke. Think hard, Shane. Who else have you hurt?”
“No one!”
I take the letter opener and wave it in front of his eyes. But fuck, who knows how many women he’s violated over his entire career? I highly doubt Lilly was the first. The letter opener might mean nothing to him.
After a beat of silence, he asks in a strangled whisper, “Are you her brother?”
Ahh, maybe he remembers after all. “Nope.”
“Oh, God.”
“Not him either.”
“I didn’t—”
I use the hand pressing into his skull to choke off his words. “We’re way past cheap denials, Senator. We both know what you did.”
Outside, raised voices infiltrate the heavy wood door. Fuck. Time’s up.
Kelly takes a deep breath like he’s about to scream for help and I grip his throat tighter. “I wouldn’t if I were you.”
He closes his eyes.
“I’m not killing you today, Senator. Probably not tomorrow either. I plan to enjoy the trial. You’ll see me again, though. Don’t worry.”
“They’ll put me in protective custody!”
What a pathetic plea.
I step back and spin him around so fast he loses his footing and lands hard on the open toilet. Leaning over, I slap his cheek a few times. “That’s cute you think it matters. It won’t matter. Now that I know who you are and what you’ve done, there won’t be a place anyone can put you that I won’t find you.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Z
“GLAD YOU’RE FINALLY BACK, PREZ,” Shadow calls out.
Is that disrespect I sense in his snide tone? He’s such a jerk in general, it’s hard to tell if this is his normal or if he has an issue with me.
“Miss me, bro?” I sneer.
“We may have a problem, Prez,” Rooster says.
Now Rooster, I’ve been able to depend on. I trust his judgment. Still don’t care for the way he’s standing around uneasily staring between Shadow and me. “Don’t stand there with your mouth open. If we have a problem, get everyone to the table.”
“Panic and Eazy are on the road,” Shadow reminds me.
Fuck, if something’s going down, I’d really like to have everyone here.
“That’s fine.” They’re on a planned run. Nothing I can do about it at the moment.
While Shadow stalks through the clubhouse calling brothers to the table, Rooster jerks his head toward the office and I follow him inside.
“What’s going on?”
“He says he got word that Vipers are meeting with DeLova on our turf. Tonight.”
“Bullshit.”
“DeLova’s not thrilled we’re no longer collecting money for him.” Rooster shrugs. “So anything’s possible.”
Shit. That’s a call I made to try and distance us from the mafia. “You don’t seem a hundred percent.”
“DeLova’s not dumb. I can’t see him getting close with an MC that has the reputation the Vipers have. Especially when he knows the history between our clubs. He’d kick that action back to his son-in-law or some of his lower guys before going to the Vipers.”
“Where are you at tracking down that black caddy?”
“Fuck, Z. You got any idea how many black caddies people rent every month? It’s taking forever to comb through them all.”
“This is a brother’s life we’re talking about. I don’t give a fuck how long it takes.”
He steps back. “I’m tracking them down as fast as I can. That’s what I was working on when Shadow started in with this Vipers nonsense.”
I let that sink in for a second. “He know what you’re working on?”
“Of course. He’s been helping me go through them when he has time.”
My gut screams Shadow shouldn’t be anywhere near that task. “Have Jigsaw and Huck help you. Tell Shadow it was a dead end.”
Rooster stares at me.
I cock my head. “Did I stutter?”
“No, Prez. I got you.” He hesitates and glances away. “I’ll recheck the ones he went through.”
“Good.”
Murphy knocks and pushes the door open. “What’s going on?”
“I’m gonna go talk to Jiggy,” Rooster says, brushing past Murphy as he backs out the door.
Murphy watches him go, then shuts the door.
“Teller with you?” I ask.
He swivels his head from side to side, like he’s searching for an invisible Teller. “We’re not attached at the hip you know,” he says once he’s finished the theatrics.
“Since when?”
Shaking his head, he pulls out his phone and sends a text to, I assume, Teller.
“What’s got you so cranky?” Murphy asks. “Thought you’d feel better after your chat with the politician.”
“Better. Fuck no.” All I felt was rage that I couldn’t gut him on the spot. I motion Murphy closer. “Shadow insists DeLova is meeting with the Vipers tonight.”
“Jesus. What’s his hard-on for the Vipers about?”
“I don’t know, but if I ignore it, and it is happening, I look ineffective. We go poking around where we don’t belong, I’m going to look incompetent.”
“Fuck me,” Murphy groans. “Let’s grab some brothers we trust and check it out.”
“We’re all sitting down at the table. I’m gonna let Shadow take the lead. Explain what information he has to all the brothers.”
“So, it’s his ass if this goes wrong.”
“Right.”
“We’re still checking it out though, right?”
“I don’t think I have a choice.”
“What’s the emergency?” Teller asks, pushing into the room and closing the door behind him.
&nbs
p; “You fucking kidding me?” he bitches after I explain the situation.
“Do I look like I’m in a joking mood?”
“He’s really crabby,” Murphy says with a straight face.
I give him a quick shove, knocking him into the desk, and he laughs. “Lighten up, Prez. We’ve got your back either way.”
“Yeah, I feel the love.”
“Who else do you trust to go with us?” Teller asks.
“Steer, Jigsaw, Hustler, and Rooster. I don’t trust Shadow, but he’s definitely going so I can kick his ass when nothing comes of it.”
“Good call,” Murphy says.
I nod for Teller to open the door. “Let’s go before everyone thinks you’re jerking me off in here.”
Teller rolls his eyes. “You really are crabby.”
“I’ve got enough to worry about without this asshole stirring up trouble for no reason.”
“Why not just call DeLova?” Teller suggests.
“And say what? ‘Hey, bro. You bitter we won’t collect your debts anymore? Going behind my back to the Vipers?’ I don’t think he’ll be real receptive to that sort of accusation.”
“It might make things worse,” Murphy agrees. “Or give him ideas.”
“Exactly.”
“They’re ready for you, Prez,” Rooster says.
“Let’s hear what Shadow has to say.”
The guys follow me inside and I take my place at the head of the table. I wait until everyone’s seated and then nod to Shadow. “All right, VP. Let’s hear it.”
By the way he jerks his head back, I don’t think he expected me to give him the floor. But fuck that. When this goes to shit, he can be on the hook. And if by some miracle he’s actually right, I have no problem giving him credit.
Shadow stands and clears his throat. He jams his hands in his pockets and stares at the table for a few seconds before speaking. “You cuttin’ off DeLova was a bad move, Z. He’s pissed and he’s going to the Vipers to pick up the slack.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Steer blurts out. “DeLova hates the Vipers more than we do.”
Shadow stares at our SAA and flexes his jaw. Guess he wasn’t planning to be questioned so early. I keep quiet and give Shadow all the time he needs to hang himself.
“He might not want to do business with them, but we didn’t leave him a choice.”
“His son-in-law practically runs the Devil Demons and he’s got more than enough minions,” Steer points out. “Our relationship was always supposed to be temporary, anyway.”
Maybe Shadow wasn’t aware of that fact because he frowns at Steer. “It brought in money.”
“It’s dirty business,” Rooster says. “It’s beneath us to be DeLova’s bitches.”
“It sure as fuck wasn’t bringing in enough money to justify the headache,” Hustler adds.
Well, all right then.
Murphy dips his chin at me and flashes a discrete thumbs up.
“What are you asking the club to do, Shadow?” My tone leaves no room for weaseling around.
“Malone’s bowling alley.” He points at Murphy and then me. “You two been there, right?”
“Yeah,” I answer slowly. “We did a pick-up for DeLova not that long ago.”
“Well, Malone’s up to his neck again. He’s renting out the place for a Viper/DeLova meet to work off some debt.”
My immediate reaction is bullshit. Malone’s too much of a pussy to be that stupid. Then again, desperate men do dumb things all the time. Maybe he feels DeLova can protect him if we find out.
“Vipers are coming all the way from Jersey to meet DeLova at some dumpy bowling alley in the middle of nowhere?” Jigsaw asks, not bothering to hide his disbelief. “They’re so eager for DeLova’s business, why aren’t they rolling out the red carpet for the old dude?”
“How the fuck should he know?” Smoke rumbles.
Shadow jerks his shoulders and throws his hands in the air. “I ain’t exactly privy to what’s going on in their minds.”
“When?” I ask.
“Tonight.”
“And you’re just telling us now?”
“I just found out,” Shadow says.
“From who? How reliable is this?”
Shadow smirks and runs his hand over his chest. “I’m friendly with one of the waitresses there. She let me know.”
“You trust her?” I ask.
“Enough to let her suck my dick.”
“Great, that’s helpful.”
“I trust her. She ain’t dumb. Knows what’ll happen if she fuckin’ lies to me. Also knows Vipers got no business in our territory. Says it’s not the first time they’ve been to Malone’s, either.”
“But she just told you now?” Teller asks.
“We’ve gotten closer,” Shadow answers with a lazy smirk I’d really like to punch right off his face.
I tap my finger on the table a few times while I think it over, then look down the table at the men I’m in charge of. “I want to take a small crew down there tonight. Only to check it out. No cowboy shit. Stay out of the way and observe. Am I clear?”
“I’ll go,” Rooster volunteers.
I nod at him. “Shadow—”
“I should stay here so she doesn’t accidentally tip them off or something,” he interrupts.
Not fucking likely, asshole.
“No. This is your show, brother. You’re going.” My tone leaves no room for discussion. I move on down the table. “Steer, Jigsaw, Hustler.”
“You got it,” Jigsaw says. The other two just nod.
“Everyone else, I want to stay here at the clubhouse. No partying. Everyone remains alert, in case this is a trap and someone comes to fuck with the clubhouse. Or in case I need you to come back us up. Is that clear?”
“You got it, Prez,” Suds says. Not that he’s a coward, but I think he’s relieved not to be heading into the action.
“We’ll bring some weapons upstairs,” Smoke says.
“Easy on the guns, old man,” I warn. The last thing we need is that trigger-happy motherfucker surrounding himself with an arsenal tonight. The other brothers laugh and rib Smoke, something I’m sure pisses him off.
Confident the brothers who are staying behind can handle things, I end the meeting.
“Let’s meet back here in an hour,” Shadow suggests.
Curious about how he plans to spend that time, but unwilling to ask, I nod.
Smoke lingers a little too long for my liking, but I ignore him and finally, he slinks off.
“How do you want to handle this, Z?” Steer asks.
“You comfortable riding in?”
“Yeah, got no reason not to.”
“You and Shadow take the lead.” I nod to Teller and Murphy. “I’m taking them in my truck.” I motion for Grip to join us. “You follow behind in the van, just in case. Jigsaw, Rooster, I want you in the van with Grip.”
They both give me an odd look, but don’t question me. “I think nine Harleys rumbling up might tip our hand,” I explain. “This adventure isn’t about being seen.”
“Gotcha,” Jigsaw says.
“The two of you out for a ride isn’t a big deal, right?” I roll my eyes at Steer. “Apparently, Shadow hangs out there all the time picking up waitresses.”
He frowns. “News to me. But I ain’t exactly in charge of his dick, ya know?”
“Christ, who’d want that job?” Rooster jokes.
I shouldn’t let my irritation with Shadow bleed into my interactions with the other brothers. If Shadow’s right, then the club’s about to have a serious issue.
“We all watch each other’s backs.”
Everyone agrees and then breaks to get ready for the night ahead. Murphy and Teller follow me down to my room.
“Are you sure about this, Z? It stinks,” Teller says as soon as we shut the door behind us. Even though I appreciate him not questioning me in front of everyone, I’m not in the mood.
“It’s bullshit. But I ca
n’t afford to ignore it.”
“Z’s right,” Murphy adds. “You’re in a shitty spot all around. If Vipers show up tonight, we’re fucked. If they don’t, then you’ve got to deal with Shadow.”
“I’m aware.”
“I still think you should call Chaser and maybe feel him out,” Teller says.
“Let’s check this out tonight first. If nothing comes of it, I’ll call Chaser.” I turn, staring out the window at the back parking lot and the shed out back. “If it is happening, then Chaser and I need to have a whole different discussion.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Z
“TELL GRIP TO stop right before the roadway to Malone’s. Have him pull the van to the edge of the woods,” I order Murphy.
“You got it.”
I do the same, slowly steering my truck off the shoulder and down a steep slope of grass.
“Maybe back it in?” Teller suggests.
“Good call,” I grunt, shifting the truck into reverse.
It’s dark and quiet as we slip out of the truck and walk over to meet the guys in the van. Steer and Shadow should already be in Malone’s parking lot.
“Grip, stay here and stay alert. No fucking around on your phone.”
“Got it, Prez.”
My phone buzzes with a text from Steer. Nothing.
I answer: On our way.
I’d taken a look at an aerial map before we left the clubhouse and call up the same map on my phone now. “Jiggy, Rooster, take this corner closest to the dumpster. Hustler, take the far left corner. You should meet up with Steer there.”
Murphy raises an eyebrow, waiting for more instructions. “Stick with me.”
We cut through the woods and emerge at the bottom of Malone’s parking lot. Music thumps through the air, but the parking lot only has a few scattered cars and two bikes.
“Not that busy,” Rooster whispers.
“No other bikes besides our guys either,” Jigsaw says.
“They could be around back.” I point in the direction of the cracked asphalt that wraps around the side of the building.
I check my phone but nothing more from Steer. Nothing at all from Shadow.
This reeks of a set-up.
“Go get into your positions.” I nod toward the building. Hustler, Jigsaw, and Rooster take off.
Murphy, Teller, and I approach the low, concrete wall surrounding the dumpster.
Zero Regret: Z and Lilly, Part Two (Lost Kings MC Book 13) Page 11
