“Regretting not letting me kill Rob when I had the chance?” I asked her and she made a face. “Johnny also put out feelers to the Aces. We need them on our side if we’re going to destroy Monty and his crew.”
“I’m going to go over to Norah’s,” Crew muttered, walking toward the door.
“Wait,” Creed called out, his face sympathetic as he said, “I know you want to check on her, but that might not be such a good idea.” Crew’s expression was puzzled and Creed explained, “Monty has no reason to go after Norah, but he does have a reason to come after a Hayes brother. You go over there, you could be putting her and baby Deacon in danger.”
I swallowed, shaking my head slightly when Crew looked to me for help. “I agree with him. I put Tori at risk tonight just being in the building with her. You don’t want to do that to Norah.”
“I mean, we don’t know they were after you,” Tori huffed. “You weren’t even around when Monty was put away. They targeted the tattoo shop where I’ve been staying. We have strong reason to think it could be me.”
“So, you think it’s okay for me to go see Norah?” Crew asked hopefully.
Tori shook her head, crushing any hope he had of having an ally. “No, I don’t.” She raised her hand, halting his protest. “Look, I get it. But I’m here because I didn’t want to risk Norah’s life by going to her house. If you care about her, you’ll do the same.”
Crew couldn’t argue our logic, but we could all see the toll it took on him. He sighed unhappily, saying, “I’m going to call her.” He glanced around the room. “I can call her, right?”
“Yeah,” Creed muttered with a nod. “That’s a good idea.”
“You should explain what’s going on,” I added. “Tell her to keep an eye out.”
“You’re doing the right thing,” Tori told him. “Staying away keeps her out of danger.”
“Or it just leaves her unprotected,” he replied, walking out of the room.
Tori’s expression was worried as she stared after him, and an unfamiliar emotion coursed through me. “Easy with the green eyed monster there, brother. Crew’s not your competition,” Creed muttered so only I could hear and I stared at him in disbelief.
“I’m not,” I snarled, the word sticking in my throat. “Jealous,” I finally spat. “She’s the last woman.” I inhaled. “I’m worried about Crew is all.”
“Okay, whatever you say.” Creed raised his hands, backing off. “You two sleep tight.”
“Wait, what?” I snapped, reeling on him. “Where is she staying?”
“With you,” Creed answered, a faint smile curving his lips. “I’ll let you two decide who’s on top.” He winked, sauntering out of the kitchen with Sloan.
Tori’s gaze snagged mine. “I’m not having sex with you.”
My mouth snapped closed as I shook my head in annoyance. “Thank God for small favors,” I replied, leaving the kitchen and when she didn’t automatically follow, I turned back. “Are you coming?”
“Not with you,” she mumbled, her crowbar in plain sight. “No funny business.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I muttered, opening the door to my room and she snorted when she saw the bunk beds. “It was Crew’s old room,” I informed her and she nodded, giving me an indulgent smile.
“Of course.”
She walked over to the bunk bed, grabbing the rails to hop on top. She bounced a few times, making the springs squeak and with a devilish grin started to bounce more rhythmically.
“Stop,” I hissed, reaching for her, but she rolled out of my reach, laughing. “It’s bad enough Creed thinks I’m jealous of my little brother. I don’t need him smirking over breakfast about the good time we had.”
She stopped, the amusement disappearing. “Why would he think you’re jealous of Crew?”
“I have no idea,” I muttered, sitting on the bed with a groan as I attempted to massage out the knot in my thigh. “Bringing you here was a mistake.”
“I can leave,” she replied, rolling to the edge of the bunk. “I’ve been taking care of myself for a while now.”
“Stop,” I growled, bringing my arm up to keep her from rolling off. My fingers touched denim and I curled my hand around her leg. “I’m too damn tired and sore to go chasing after you.”
“Then why do you keep pushing me out the door?” She retorted, jerking her leg out of my hold. “I didn’t ask to be here. You didn’t have to drag me here. We both know the tattoo shop was meant for me, not you. My being here only puts your family at risk.”
“We don’t know that for sure,” I replied, my jaw locking. “Besides, we’re in this together now. Like it or not.”
“Once we shut down the drug ring, I’m done,” she answered softly. “You won’t have to deal with me any longer.” I heard her scooting around and then a pair of boots dropped from above, almost conking me on the head. “Good night. I hope the bug beds bite.”
I settled back on the bed, crossing my hands behind my head as I stared up at the bottom of the bunk she laid on. The throbbing in my leg pretty much assured me I wouldn’t be sleeping anytime soon and from the way Tori was tossing, I didn’t think she would either.
“What’s wrong with Jean?”
“None of your business,” she finally muttered, turning again. “Why do you care?”
“She was there for me and my brothers after our Dad died,” I replied, the darkness loosening my tongue. “She seemed to understand what we were going through. Her daughter died of breast cancer. Hell, I think Jacob was younger than us when he lost his mom.”
She didn’t speak at first, but finally broke the silence. “Where was your mom?”
“She’d left a couple years before. She came back after Dad died, tried to take us, but Johnny wouldn’t let her.” I shook my head, remembering the fear I’d felt thinking we’d be taken from everything we knew, that we might never see Crew again. “She didn’t stand a chance against Johnny, not in this town.”
“He holds a lot of power,” she commented.
“He’s not the one responsible for this mess.”
“I didn’t say he was,” she protested.
“You didn’t have to. You’ve had it out for the club from day one.”
“I have not! I was following the evidence which happened to point directly to the Rebels.”
“You know better now?”
“Yes,” she said in exasperation. “You don’t think I’d actually stay here if I thought you had anything to do with it, do you?”
“No, but you might not think I’m guilty, but that doesn’t mean you trust the rest of the club.”
“You vouched for them,” she muttered, so low I wasn’t sure I’d heard her correctly. “Jean has breast cancer. That’s why she’s gone. She’s getting treatment and now her livelihood is up in flames and it’s my fault.”
I heard the threat of tears in her voice and exhaled, knowing she wouldn’t appreciate crying in front of me. “Yeah, and knowing Jean she’d tell you to get over yourself.”
An unwilling chuckle escaped her, the sound a little damp, but better than tears. “God, she would.”
“You didn’t put those Molotov cocktails in there. You didn’t try to burn the place down. That’s on the Vipers or more likely, Rob.”
“She trusted me to take care of the place.” Bitterness coated her words. “Instead, I destroyed it, like everything else.”
“Seriously, I’m not the one for pep talks, especially not when it comes to you,” I muttered, sighing. “I’m sure you did a lot of shitty things when you were using, but this…this isn’t on you, okay? So, let’s drop the pity party.”
“Maybe you should take your own advice,” she replied, her tone measured and anger surged through me.
“What are you talking about?” I snarled, my heart pounding.
“How long has your pity party being going on? Eight, nine years? How long are you going to punish yourself for something you had no control over?”
; “Shut up,” I growled, swallowing the spit that flooded my mouth at her words. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I?” She replied, her voice as thin as glass. “Aren’t I the very thing you hate the most? An addict.” She laughed softly, the sound grating on my nerves. “We understand self-hatred better than you can ever imagine.”
“That’s not what this is,” I denied. “She…I should have…she wouldn’t have,” I stopped, unable to continue.
“She would have,” Tori replied. “She did.” The words dropped in the darkness, the weight of them threatening to destroy me. “There was nothing you could have done to stop her. When they talk about rock bottom, they forget to mention the only one holding a shovel is you.” I heard her swallow. “She did it to herself and you need to stop punishing yourself for her choices. Stop punishing your family. They love you.” I heard something that sounded suspiciously like a sniff. “Don’t take that for granted.”
“Why do you care?” I asked, repeating her earlier question to me.
“Fuck if I know,” she muttered and I chuckled. “Maybe I just recognize broken when I see it.”
“We make a hell of a pair,” I murmured, feeling the silence settle over us, this time peaceful. “Goodnight, Tori.”
Chapter Twenty
Tori
A knock jolted me awake as someone called out, “Are you decent in there?” The door opened as soon as he said it and I rolled, blinking at him bleary eyed.
“What the fuck kind of question is that?” Cord muttered underneath me. “Of course we’re not decent. We wouldn’t be here if we were.”
A chuckle escaped me and Creed glanced at me lying on the top bunk. “Brother, I thought you had more game that that.”
He sat up and said, “What can I say? I like the chase.” He stretched and I had to prop my mouth closed as muscles rippled in the morning sun. “Why are you waking us up?”
“Johnny wants to talk to us. The Aces responded.” I flopped back on the bed, ready to go back to sleep since the Aces didn’t involve me. “You too, Tori,” Creed said and I heard Cord make a sound of surprise. “I don’t know why.”
I climbed over the edge, my foot coming down on hard muscle and I heard Cord grunt. I shifted my foot and he grabbed my ankle, stopping me. “Not that way,” he growled and my toes curled. I edged my foot away until I felt the mattress instead. “I’m gonna go,” he muttered, grabbing a shirt and walking out of the room.
I slid my boots on and tucked the crowbar under my arm, wondering what Johnny wanted with me. The Aces weren’t my deal. I was more concerned with Rob and where the drugs were stashed.
Voices drifted down the hall as I wandered toward the kitchen and I was surprised to find a full house. Clutch stood in the doorway and I edged past him to see Johnny, Creed, Sloan, Cord, Crew, and Micah squeezed in the small kitchen, making the space seem even tinier.
“Good, everyone’s here,” Johnny said when he saw me come in. “The Aces are willing to align themselves with us. They haven’t been impressed with Monty’s dealings.”
“But,” Cord said, saying what we all heard.
Johnny exhaled, “But, they want to know we mean business. They have a job and they want us to do it.”
“What is this job?” Creed questioned, his gaze flickering over us. “The Aces deal in weapons. Not something we mess with.”
“They won’t tell me. We can assume its illegal and they want as few people knowing about it as possible. They asked us to send three of our crew. Two males, one female.”
“That’s kind of weird,” I stated, getting a few nods of acknowledgement. “Why so specific?”
“The Aces allow females in their club.” Johnny shrugged. “I imagine this is part of the test.”
“I’ll go,” Crew offered, stepping forward. “I’ll do whatever it takes to bring Monty down. Even if it means doing the Aces bitch work.”
“And I appreciate your enthusiasm, Crew, but you’re not a full club member,” Johnny said, shaking his head. “If you were tatted, it’d be different but we don’t want them questioning our sincerity.”
“I’ll go. It was my idea in the first place.” Cord rolled his shoulders. “Whatever they want from us, its on me for suggesting it.”
“We voted. It’s on the club, not you, Cord, but I agree you should go,” Johnny responded and Creed started to speak. “No, Creed. You’ve already got one strike. It’s too risky.”
“I guess I know why I’m here,” Clutch drawled, folding his arms over his barrel chest. “Me and you, Cord. Like old times.”
“So, why am I here?” I questioned, my gaze flicking to Micah and Sloan.
“They were pretty specific on a female. You three are the only options,” Johnny replied and Creed shook his head.
“Hell no. Sloan doesn’t go. Send Tori,” he said instantly and I raised my hands. “Sorry, but I love Sloan,” he gave me an apologetic glance. “You’re expendable.”
“Oh thanks, glad to know my place,” I retorted and Sloan pinched Creed’s arm.
“You’re not expendable,” she assured me but I shrugged, we could argue that later.
“I can go,” Micah mentioned. “I mean that is why you asked me to come?”
“It was,” Johnny confirmed, his gaze on me. “But if Tori is willing?”
“This isn’t my fight,” I told him, not dropping my gaze even as his hardened. “We need to focus on Rob and getting those drugs.”
“We also have to consider the future,” Johnny rumbled and I shook my head.
“You have to consider the future. I’m not a Rebel. What happens with Monty and the Vipers isn’t my problem.”
“You don’t think?” Johnny questioned, tilting his head. “You don’t think they won’t continue to come after you? The tattoo shop is a total loss. It’s going to take time to rebuild and the Vipers are going to keep coming. Catching Rob is only part of it. There will be another one to take his place.” He held out his hand and I stared at it in shock. “Join us. Fight with us and the club will protect you.”
“And if I don’t?”
“You’re on your own.”
“Johnny,” Cord snapped. “What are you doing?”
“I’m offering her a chance. A family. A place to belong. That’s what you want, isn’t it, Tori?”
“Actually, it’s the exact opposite of what I want,” I replied tightly, feeling Cord’s gaze snap to me. “The more ties you have, the more people you can disappoint. I’ve had plenty of that.”
“You’re a fighter,” Johnny snapped.
“I’m a loner.”
“It’ll get you killed,” he declared sharply and I laughed bitterly.
“I’m already dead or didn’t you know, Johnny?”
“Enough,” Cord’s voice cracked like a whip. He glanced at me. “You’re going.” He ignored me when I started to protest, looking back at Johnny. “When?”
“Now,” Johnny answered, his gaze still locked on me, and I resisted the urge to squirm under that hard stare. “Are you sure about her? If we can’t trust her –”
“We can,” Cord answered, cutting him off. “Where?”
“Mile marker 17, a clearing two miles off the road.”
“Let’s go then,” Cord snapped his fingers in front of my face. “We do this and then we get Rob.”
I nodded, slapping his hand away. “I’m not a dog,” I snapped, moving to the door as I transferred the crowbar to my hand, wishing I could take it to Johnny’s head. The urge to accept his offer, to take his hand, had almost overwhelmed me. Only the memory of my family had stopped me from making that mistake.
“I don’t really have a great feeling about this,” Clutch muttered behind me and it was all I could do not shout, “Amen.”
When we went outside, I stopped when I saw the Blazer. “No,” I muttered, rubbing my cheek, and wincing at the tenderness.
“Yes, how else do you think we’re going to get there?” Cord r
eplied as Clutch headed for his bike. “You can do this, Tori.”
“Someone else can do this, Cord,” I spat, drumming the crowbar against my leg. “I should be following up on Rob.”
“You told me last night to stop punishing myself,” he reminded me. “Maybe you should too.”
“Do not turn my own advice on me,” I shouted, pointing the crowbar at him as I paced. “You don’t know anything.”
“You haven’t told me anything,” he replied and I glared at him. “You haven’t and I can accept that. We’re not friends. We’re two people who happen to be working toward the same goal. That’s it.”
“Yes,” I agreed, nodding. “So, I don’t need to tell you shit.”
“And I don’t need to tell you shit,” he repeated back to me. “But we do need to do this.” He gestured to the Blazer. “It’s basically a tank. I’ll even let you drive.”
“No,” I declined immediately. “That’s a hard pass.” I paced a little closer, eyeing the open passenger door. “Fuck. I hate you.”
“Feeling’s mutual.”
“Then why did you want me to come?” I gritted out.
“Because I don’t know Micah. But I do know you and I trust you and that crowbar to have my back.”
“You’re an idiot,” I declared and he dipped his head. “Must be a genetic trait, probably from your Dad.”
“Probably,” he replied. “Are you getting in?”
I stood at the door, eying the seat. “Twice in less than twenty-four hours. Something is seriously wrong with me,” I muttered, sliding inside and he slammed the door behind me.
“You know, there’s a good chance they’ll want us to transport something.”
“By something, you mean weapons?”
“Yeah.”
“Is this really a good idea, Cord?” I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. “What if they’re worse than Monty?”
“It’s a chance we have to take,” he replied, putting the Blazer in gear and I clutched the seat, my knuckles turning white. “Buckle up.” I grabbed for the seatbelt as we turned onto the road, the rumble of Clutch’s motorcycle right behind us.
Outcast (Southern Rebels MC Book 2) Page 17
