“Yeah, but that doesn’t give him reason to let Monty walk,” Noah argued. “Why risk his job for Monty?”
Creed sat back, shaking his head. “That I don’t know.”
“Somebody got paid and until we know who, we don’t trust anybody,” Johnny decreed and there were a few nods. I glanced down the table at him.
“Gary’s dirty,” I informed him and he cursed. “We got the books from the Crazy Horse and I’ve got someone checking Gary’s house for a second set.”
“Rob’s involved too,” Creed mentioned, casting a wary glance toward Clutch. “He’s dealing and we’re pretty sure he’s working with Gary.”
“They might be funneling drugs or money, hell both, through the strip club,” I told him and he shook his head. “Once we have the evidence we can take care of them.”
Noah raised his hand. “I’d like to remind everyone, I am an officer of the law. I can arrest them.”
“Yeah, but how long will they stay in jail?” Johnny questioned drolly. “The Vipers are supplying the drugs. Monty conveniently just got released from prison.” He sat forward, bringing his fists down. “You think that’s a coincidence, Noah?”
Noah shook his head, his jaw determined. “No, sir, but Rob’s a lowlife. We can bust him and throw him behind bars.”
“And Gary? What would you have us do with him?” Johnny asked pleasantly, a sharp smile playing on his lips. “Fraud, maybe?”
Noah shook his head. “If Gary stole from the club, that’s club business, but drugs are different. We can convict Rob.”
“What do we do about Monty?” Creed interrupted. “He knows it was us who planted the gun. Now, he’s out and he’s going to be gunning for blood.”
“We need allies,” I answered, tapping the table as I met Johnny’s stare across the table. “Powerful allies the Vipers don’t want us to have.”
“The Aces,” Johnny said flatly and I lifted one shoulder. “They’re weapons dealers. Not small time stuff.”
“Wars require weapons,” I replied and his gaze narrowed. “Or at the very least, friends with weapons.”
“What makes you think they’ll ally themselves with us? Hmmm? We’ve been on rocky ground with them for years.” Johnny questioned, leaning forward.
“We’re on rocky ground because of Monty and his lies,” I reminded him. “I doubt the Aces will appreciate hearing how Monty’s been shredding their reputation.”
“He’s not wrong,” Creed said, breaking the silence. “It wouldn’t be a bad idea to at least extend an olive branch to the Aces. Test the waters.”
“Anyone else agree?” Johnny asked, then pointed to Clutch. “You don’t count.” Clutch dropped his arm, rolling his eyes. Johnny’s gaze flickered to another raised hand. “Hank?” Surprise jolted through me. I don’t think any of us expected Hank to be the one to second Creed in this instance.
“I know I’m old school. We’ve been brothers with the Vipers for years, but I agree with the boys. Monty’s been setting us up for years. We can’t fight him alone,” Hank rumbled, eyeing the faces at the table. “Monty brought drugs into our town, under our noses, and he’s taken family from us because of it. We can’t let that go unanswered.”
“He was responsible for Deacon’s death,” Clutch said, staring at the table. “Prison was supposed to be his punishment but he escaped that. I say, eight feet under is the next best thing.”
There were a few shouts of agreement and Johnny nodded until everyone quieted. “Then, we make an overture to the Aces. See what it takes to go from enemies to allies.” He tapped the gavel down. “Dismissed.”
I scooted back my chair, wanting to check on Tori and Crew, and see if Micah could take a look at the files we’d brought in.
“Hey, you have a minute?” Noah asked, glancing around the still crowded room. “In private?”
My expression curious, I nodded, motioning him to the hall. He stood nervously, then said, “Outside?”
“Sure,” I replied, growing more curious as we went out the back. “What’s this about, Noah?” I hadn’t seen him in years, and we’d never been what I’d call friends. He’d been a year younger than Creed and we hadn’t hung out in the same groups.
“This may sound weird, but do you know a woman named Tori? Victoria Malcom?” He asked, looking at me expectantly and I nodded slowly. He exhaled in a rush. “Okay, good.”
“Good? I’m not sure her name is even Tori,” I replied, wondering why the hell Noah was bringing this up now.
“Tall, dark headed, likes to wield a crowbar?” Noah asked and I nodded again at the accurate description. “That’s Tori.”
“How do you know her?”
“I arrested her a few times. Possession and some petty theft,” he replied, ducking his head.
“She was standing over a grave,” I mentioned and his eyes shot up to meet mine. “A grave that happens to have the same name she goes by.”
“It’s her name,” Noah assured me, his expression earnest. “She is Victoria Malcom. Tori.”
“And the grave?”
“Empty,” he replied to my shock. “Long story, but no one’s buried there.”
“I’d like to hear that story,” I demanded but he shook his head.
“Talk to her if you want to know more.” His expression was resolute, so I dropped it for the moment.
“Why ask me if I knew her?” I shook my head. “What even made you think I did?”
“I heard your voice in the background,” he admitted and my forehead furrowed. “The call about Rob,” he added, lowering his voice. “I went out and checked him over. He was dazed but lucid so I let him go without reporting it.” He flashed me a commiserative glance. “I’ve got enough reports about crowbar beatings. I’d rather not add another one to the pile for the Chief to ride me about.”
“You’re covering for her,” I accused as the truth dawned on me. “You know it’s her doing this and you’re okay with it.”
Noah glanced around the empty lot. “Something needs to be done and the Chief has us working other cases. We’re spread too thin. If a few drug dealers get the crap beat out of them, then maybe it means another one will think twice about dealing around here.”
Before I could reply to that bit of logic, a motorcycle came squealing into the lot. “That’s Crew,” I said, walking quickly over to him, cursing when my leg cramped, slowing me down. I didn’t want to admit I missed the stupid walking stick. “Crew, what’s going on?”
“I got the evidence, but we need to go back and get Tori,” he gasped, yanking his helmet off. “Gary came home while we were there and she distracted him.” My jaw locked at his words and as he caught his breath, he handed me a box. “We found this. Tori insisted you needed to see it.”
I ripped the lid off, seeing a flash drive, but it was the stacks of little plastic bags with the Rebel logo that held my attention. I glanced up at Crew. “We need to get back there. Now.” He nodded, sliding his helmet back on and revving the engine. The noise brought Creed and Clutch hurrying outside and I showed them the box. “This was found at Gary’s house. Tori is still there.”
“Fuck,” Creed swore, kicking the ground, but it was seeing Noah running for his car that got me moving.
“Come on,” I yelled, my leg forcing me to do a hopping version of a run as I made for the Blazer. “We need to hurry if we want to get Gary alive.” I jumped in, gravel flying as we flew out of the parking lot. “That damn fool better be okay,” I muttered, trying to deny my worry was actually for Tori as I gunned the engine.
We converged on the house, busting through the door, and my heart hammered as I scanned the room. Tori was nowhere in sight, but Gary was on the floor, bleeding from the head, a hastily written sticky note resting on his chest.
“You’re welcome,” I read aloud, then flicked the little yellow square paper. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
Creed chuckled. “I bet if she’d had time she would have gift wrapped him.”
&n
bsp; A reluctant snort escaped me. “I would have paid to see that.”
“But where is she?” Noah asked and I turned on him.
“Why?” I shifted my weight forward and Creed placed a hand on my arm, which I shook off. “Why do you want to know where she is? What is it about Tori?”
Noah backed up. “I’m just worried about her. That’s all.”
I glared at him. “You let me worry about her.” He nodded and I turned away. “You might want to leave,” I warned him, as my rage found a new outlet. “Gary’s about to have a very unpleasant conversation.”
Chapter Eighteen
Tori
I tapped lightly on the door, hoping she wouldn’t hear and I could leave while still telling myself I’d tried. The door opened though, ruining the idea.
“Hey!” Her excited greeting disappeared as she looked at me. “What the hell happened to you?”
I gingerly touched my cheek, the throbbing telling me it was going to be a beauty in a few days. “I walked into the wrong side of a fist,” I offered and her eyebrows wiggled.
“There’s a right side?” She opened the door wider and I stepped inside. “I have some frozen vegetables in the freezer.” She walked toward the kitchen, the open floor plan small but neat. “Are you going to tell me what happened?”
I eyed her carefully. “Do you really want to know?” My gaze swept over baby Deacon as he bounced in a Johnny Jump Up. “Ignorance might be safer.”
She held up the frozen peas, then tossed them to me. I brought them to my cheek as she sat at the kitchen table. “Ignorance can get you killed just as quickly,” she sighed and I sat down at the table.
I lifted the bag from my cheek for a second. “Courtesy of Gary. We…I found some evidence tying him to the drugs and possibly a second set of books. We might have run into each other on my way out.”
“So, I should see the other guy?” She joked and I tilted my head. “You said you had other evidence, clues?” She rested her hands on the table. “Maybe I can help.”
“The only thing I have is the string of numbers written on a matchbook,” I told her, fishing the worn book out of my pocket. “I assume it’s a phone number, but some of the numbers are too faded for me to make out.” I shrugged. “It may not mean anything. Might be some girl who worked there. Either way we know Gary is linked to it all.”
Norah picked up the matchbook slowly, reading off the legible numbers. Something in her expression prompted me to ask, “Do you recognize it?”
She shook her head, her expression clearing as she looked at me. “No, I thought for a second, maybe, but no. It doesn’t look familiar.”
“Not even the handwriting,” I pushed, having noticed the way the number seven had a line drawn through it. I’d seen it before but it wasn’t common. She pursed her lips, shaking her head again. I let it go, unable to shake the feeling that she did know something.
She handed it back to me and I pocketed it, deciding to change the subject. “I thought you were going to introduce me to your friend, Jason?” A grin flickered across her face.
“You’ll thank me,” she promised, standing up. “We’ll make pizza and count his abdominal muscles.” I chuckled, the sound fading fast and she glanced at me curiously. “We can watch something else if you prefer?”
“No, it’s not the movie,” I replied quickly. My fingers twisted and I realized I was nervous. “It’s,” I shook my head. “I just faced down a guy twice my weight, no problem, but I’m sitting here practically shaking in my boots,” I admitted and she sank back down in her chair. I opened my mouth then closed it, not sure what I was trying to say. “I don’t have friends,” I burst out, clawing at my sleeves until those damning scars were on full display. “I lost them all when the drugs became more important than….well, than everything.” My stare was cautionary. “I’m not the best bet for friendship.”
She rested her hand right over the most prominent marks. “Can I ask you something?” I nodded hesitantly. “Are you the same person you were when you used?” She gestured to my leather jacket. “The woman who faces down bad guys with a crowbar, wears leather, and warns everyone she meets not to get too close?”
“No,” I shook my head, clearing my throat. “No, honestly, the girl I was….she wouldn’t recognize the person sitting here.”
“Then maybe, you’re a better bet than you realize,” Norah suggested quietly. “Have you ever thought about covering those marks?”
I ran my fingers over the skin, feeling the faint bumps as I nodded. “I could cover them with a tattoo,” I admitted.
“Then why don’t you?”
My lips twitched, trying to curve into a pained smile. “They’re a reminder.”
“Or a warning,” Norah countered, and my eyes rose to meet hers. “To keep people at bay. Scare them off.” She lifted her hand. “You’re not the same person, Tori. It’s okay to show that.”
My phone buzzed and I glanced at it, saying, “Oh, shit.”
“What is it?”
“I forgot. I have an appointment that I have to keep for someone else.”
“That’s not confusing at all,” Norah teased and I stood up.
“Can I get rain check? On meeting Jason and pizza?”
“This isn’t just some fake appointment so you can escape is it?” She made air quotes when she said fake and I laughed, the sound rusty but genuine.
“It’s not. I promise.”
“Okay, fine then, you can go. I’ll just have to drool over Jason’s abs by myself.” She waved me away and I dropped the melting bag of vegetables on the table. “Maybe I’ll finish off that pint of ice cream,” she mused right as Deacon started to cry. She heaved a sigh. “Or not.”
I smoothed my hand over Deacon’s soft curls as I left, hurrying back to the tattoo shop for the mystery appointment Jean had left me.
Chapter Nineteen
Cord
I stood outside the shop, pissed with Johnny for sending me here without an explanation. I rapped on the door, expecting it to be locked since it was after closing, but heard, “It’s open.”
Jacob came from the back, a jacket over his arm. I gestured to him. “You have something for me?”
He shook his head. “No, Tori should be here soon. Jean insisted she do it.” My forehead wrinkled but I wasn’t willing to admit I had no idea what he was talking about. Jacob shrugged past me, muttering, “You can wait here for her.”
“Wait a second.” I grabbed his arm, spinning him around. He tried to jerk away and I tightened my grip. “Tori. What’s your deal with her?”
“Nothing,” he mumbled. “It was over a long time ago.”
“How did you meet her? What was between you?” I questioned and he looked at me warily.
“What’s with the twenty questions? What difference does it make?”
“It matters to me and I’m not making a request here, Jacob.” His head went back as he stared at me with dawning comprehension. “Answer the questions, Jacob.”
“We met at school. She was in one of my art classes. Her parents didn’t approve of her art major so she was taking finance classes to make them happy.”
“She was using then?”
Jacob shook his head, glancing down. “No, she ran track in high school and college. She was on a track scholarship so she didn’t want to take any chances.”
“What happened?” I questioned, trying to wrap my head around this version of Tori, a happy college student.
“She was always stressed. Her parents didn’t approve of me.” He shrugged. “Didn’t like that my grandma ran a tattoo shop or that Tori was fascinated by it. They didn’t like tattoos.” I sent him a look to tell him to continue. “We were at a party. She was uptight. I thought if she took something she could relax. Not be so worried all the time about everything.”
“You got her hooked?”
“It wasn’t like that, man. I never intended for her to get addicted.”
“But she did,” I growled
, my grip tightening until he yelped. “You got her addicted.”
He shook his head. “I didn’t realize at first. I thought she was cool.”
“But she wasn’t.” My jaw clenched hard enough to crack a tooth. “And you abandoned her.”
“No! Things just got out of control. She got kicked off the track team, and then she dropped out of school.” He glanced at me, desperate for understanding. “We were engaged. I loved her, but then…”
“Then what?” I gritted out.
“The accident,” he murmured, so low I almost didn’t catch it. “She left after that,” he sucked his lips in, “She should have stayed gone.”
I slammed him against the wall, my fist balling, when the door jingled. “Am I interrupting?” A dry voice drawled. “Would you like some privacy?”
“Tori,” Jacob gasped, glancing frantically between us.
“Later,” I promised, releasing him so fast he stumbled. He scrambled away from me, going to Tori’s side.
“You shouldn’t stay here with him. Jean will understand,” he told her and she looked at me with new curiosity.
“You’re my appointment?”
“I don’t know. Am I?”
“Tori,” Jacob reached for her hand and I snapped, “You don’t touch her.” He lowered his hand, his jaw working. “You don’t need to do this.”
“Since I’m not sure what this is, I think I’ll stick around and see if I can figure it out,” she replied with a wink. “You can go,” she dismissed him and he glared at me while I crossed my arms, ready to throw him out.
“We can get out a ruler and measure them if you like,” she mentioned and Jacob disappeared out the door. Her gaze followed him as she hummed, “I think he thought he might lose.”
She flipped the deadbolt and glanced at me. “Do I want to know what you were talking about?” I shook my head, noticing the bruise on her cheek for the first time.
“Your face? Gary do that?” I questioned, my finger coming up to her cheek, as I leaned in to inspect it. “What happened?”
Outcast (Southern Rebels MC Book 2) Page 15
