White Heat (Lost Kings MC #5) (27 page)

I knew this motherfucker would cause problems. That shit I told Hope about our old president? Yeah, Sway came up in the club under Ruger and didn’t have as many problems with that bullshit as Rock, Z and I had. If he’s here with Tawny, he usually behaves, but when he’s here with the guys, he’s a grabby-handed asshole. Although, touching Rock’s woman is uncharted asshole territory—even for Sway.

Murphy—already agitated from the shit that came out of Sway’s mouth when Hope left the table—is clearly dying to choke the life out of Sway. I’m inclined to let him.

“Tell me you didn’t just have your hands on Rock’s ol’ lady?” I drop each word slowly, so he understands the gravity of the situation.

“Just being friendly.” He pulls a shocked face. “Come on, none of you are tappin’ her hot lil’ ass while Rock’s inside?”

Z turns to me, and I think we’re wearing matching “what the fuck” expressions. It’s Murphy who answers the stupid fuck’s question though.

“You really think we’d disrespect our president that way?”

“Ain’t disrespect if he’s inside,” Sway mutters.

Z shifts to face Sway. “It is in this clubhouse.”

“Fine, whatever. At least she’s a loyal piece of ass. Shit, I get locked up overnight, Tawny’s jumping on anything with a dick.”

I don’t even know where to begin with that sentence. The first thing that comes to mind is,
maybe it’s because you’re tapping club ass every chance you get,
but it’s really none of my business and I can’t think of many things I give a shit less about.

Z and Murphy must be having similar thoughts because none of them say anything either.

“Listen, the reason I wanted to talk to you without the girls around, is your boy, Loco.”

“We talk club business in the war room. Not at the breakfast table,” Murphy says, dead calm.

Sway raises an eyebrow and I’m waitin’ for him to say something about younger brothers knowing their place, but he seems to think better of it. Young or not, Murphy’s an officer of
this
club and Sway’s in
our
house.

“Well, can we go sit at the table then?”

“You need us to round up the rest of the guys?”

He looks the three of us over. “Nah, you can relay the information.”

Once we’re at the table, he spreads his hands. “I think I talked to Rock about this when he visited, but we’ve been having trouble with some gang punks moving into our territory.”

“Yeah. Rock mentioned it,” I say.

“So your boy, Loco, we’ve been selling him the weapons he wanted, and he’s been helping us with some pushback.”

“Good.” What’s his point?

“He’s been a big help. So thanks for that.”

If only he knew we almost didn’t vote in favor of making that introduction.

“I know you guys want to stay out of guns.”

“True.”

“That still the case without Rock here?”

None of us hesitate. “Yes.”

“Okay.” He pauses for a second, and I pray like fuck he’s not thinking up a way to try and convince us. “I get it,” he finally says. He pushes back his chair and stands. “Unless you need some extra help around here, I’m gonna round up my boys and head home.”

“We’re good, thanks,” I answer.

“Thanks for the hospitality. Let me know if Rock needs anything.”

The three of us walk him out and watch him head upstairs for a second before Z follows. “Gonna pick Hope up at her door, so she’s not runnin’ into him again,” he explains.

“Good plan.”

“You should’ve let me beat his ass. Coulda found a nice hole in the woods to drop his carcass in,” Murphy grumbles.

“We don’t need anyone else sniffing around here. Better he get the fuck out.”

“Fine. Thank fuck he ain’t our prez.”

“Amen to that.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

The club’s crackling with the need for vengeance Saturday night. I got confirmation from the Wolf Knights’ SAA that if Rock’s getting shit in lock-up, it’s coming from Izzard. Not that what he did to Hope wasn’t enough of a reason, but it’s nice to know we’re taking care of two issues with one beatdown.

Everyone’s at the clubhouse. We put our ad for Swan’s “services” on Craigslist a few days ago. Fresh meat in the Capital Region? Izzard was all over that shit maybe an hour after Z arranged the ad.

I think Hope and Trinity realize something’s up. Neither of them question us about all the activity in the house though. Hope just seems to be relieved Sway and his crew are gone. Trinity knows better than to ask about club stuff.

It’s not a surprise that Hope ends up going downstairs to visit with Sparky. Realizing how hard he’s been taking Rock’s absence, she’s made sure to check in on him regularly.

Trinity shakes her head as she watches Hope disappear through the basement door. “The stoner and the attorney. They’re adorable,” she says with an affectionate smile. Between Trinity making sure Sparky eats and Hope checking on his mental health, at least I know our bud-growing brother’s being taken care of.

It’s good that Hope’s downstairs when Dex and Swan join us in the living room. Swan’s decked out in skimpy hooker-wear and Dex has to be sporting the ugliest pimp suit I’ve ever laid eyes on.

“What the fuck, bro?”

“Gotta look the part,” he explains.

Shaking my head, I usher the guys into the war room for one final review of the plan. They’re solid and I’m confident this will get done quick and clean.

Clean for us. Not Izzard.

“Dude’s a deranged fuck,” Z assures us. He had the pleasure of texting with Izzard to set up the “date.”

“Must be bad if
you’re
disgusted,” Dex snarks.

Z throws up his middle finger.

“Everyone’s clear on their role?” I ask to get us on track.

After they settle down, we break.

I stop Murphy with a hand to his chest before he walks out. “How’d it go yesterday?”

“Grinder? Okay, I guess. He was upset.”

“So he hadn’t heard yet?”

“No. Thank fuck.” He lifts his chin and all humor drains from him. “You mind if I’m the one to visit Rock and tell him about it on Monday?”

“No. Go ahead. I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you. Figure out a way to let him know we got this situation covered too.”

He holds his fist up and we tap knuckles. “You got it, bro. Thanks.”

“Watch your back tonight. Do me proud, little fucker.”

He breaks into a grin and slaps my shoulder on the way out.

The need to pummel something makes my hands twitch after the guys leave. My broken leg already caused enough downtime this year. I’m pissed I can’t go on this adventure and take care of business for my club.

“Are you okay?” Trinity asks after the guys leave. The brothers not on Mission Izzard are waiting at the clubhouse in case anything goes wrong. No party atmosphere tonight. More like a wake.

“Yeah.”

“You know you can trust me if you ever want to get stuff off your chest?” Trinity asks in a quiet voice. My hands cover hers, drawing her attention up.

“I know. Thank you.” I think over what I’m willing to share with Trinity. Specific club business? No. How I feel about the decisions I’m being forced to make while Rock’s away?

Yeah.

“This is important, and I’m just pissed I can’t be out there with them.” There. Nice and vague.

She doesn’t huff, or ask for any more details. “If you decided not to go, I know you had a good reason. That’s doing your part for the club too,” she says softly.

She gets it. More importantly, she gets
me
. “Thank you, angel.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Haven’t seen Lizard in a few days now, and I have a sneaking suspicion I know why. Murphy stopping in to visit Monday morning reinforces that belief.

The one tolerable guard, JT, leads Murphy into the visitation room. My hands are free for this visit, so I can give Murphy a hug.

“Miss you, prez,” he grumbles as we sit.

“Same. You doing okay?”

“Yeah. Went to see Grinder the other day. Let him know what was up.”

“Aw, fuck. Why’d you have to upset the old guy?”

Murphy shrugs, but I appreciate the courtesy he still shows my one-time mentor.

“He okay?”

Murphy brightens. “Yeah. He’s getting moved to Pine Correctional at the end of the month.”

“No shit. I knew he applied. Never figured it’d actually happen. That’s good, I’ll be able to visit him more often.” I stop and think about how absurd that sounds. “You know if I don’t end up in a cell next to him,” I joke.

Murphy doesn’t appreciate my humor.

“At Wrath’s request, I gave him an update on this situation and his advice was to put your focus on the months ahead. Everything else will be waiting for you when you beat this bullshit. Ya know?”

He’s being cryptic on purpose, but I think I get what he’s saying. Izzard won’t be a problem for at least a few months, but he’s still alive for me to handle when I get out.

“You all agree on this?”

He slams his fist into his open palm. “Oh, yeah.”

Hmmm…guess my sergeant-at-arms has decided to pick and choose which orders he’ll follow. I’m not mad though. Wrath’s in a better position to gather information. If the club voted to take action on Lizard, they had a good reason and I trust their judgment.

“Everyone okay?”

“Yeah. We just miss you.”

“Heidi staying out of trouble?”

Murphy snorts and shakes his head. “Let’s not go there.”

“Hope staying out of trouble?”

That makes Murphy laugh even harder. “She’s doin’ real good. We’re lucky to have her.”

“Good.” I know Hope’s a loyal woman, but this situation would be tough for anyone to handle.

“She’s militant about planning your wedding, and I don’t think she’s going to accept being in here as an excuse.”

I have to force my laughter. “Tryin’, bro.”

“I know you are.”

We’re only able to talk for a few more minutes, because the jail shuts down for a head count every day at this time. Murphy shakes my hand when we get up.

“I’ll be home soon, Murph.”

“You better be.”

“Guys, I think I have something.”

Wrath and Z tip their heads up. Wrath waves me inside the office and has me sit in Rock’s chair. Sitting here gives me some small measure of comfort.

“Tony said when he spoke to the DA, he slipped up and said “she” when taking about the witness. Does that help us?”

Wrath and Z glance at each other before answering. “Not yet. Vipers got lots of women doing their dirty work for them. Could be anyone.”

“What about that one, Gabriella, you said was working at the club?”

“We let her go.”

I chew on my bottom lip. “Shit. Well, what about some of the other girls? They might have information.” I’m grasping at straws but I can’t help it.

“We’re not exactly talking about it down at CB,” Z answers.

“Guys, it’s been all over the news. Everyone must know.”

“Yeah, that Rock’s been arrested. Not that we suspect the Vipers are involved.”

Wrath narrows his eyes and studies me for a bit before asking his question. “What do you want, Hope?”

“Let me question some of the girls. They might know something from working with Gabriella.”