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“ T here ya are. Brother, you need to get into the clubhouse right now.” Saint looks relieved to see me.

“Sorry about the face,” I smirk at him, as I head toward one of the cages and check if there are keys in the ignition.

“Don’t worry about that, did you listen to what I just said? You need to come inside, we got some information that I think you're gonna wanna hear.” I stare at him, puzzled, before following him through the yard to find out what that information is.

“What the hell is this?” I look at the scrawny teenager he presents me with when we get inside.

“Name’s Lex, I was a friend of your brother’s. I came to the funeral, but you we–”

“What ya got for me?” I interrupt him before he can ramble; I don’t have time for small talk.

I wanna head back toward the Dawson mansion as soon as possible in case my girl needs me.

I don’t care if I have to park on the next street.

I don’t like there being distance between us when we have so many enemies on our streets.

“I don’t know if Corey ever mentioned me, but I have a talent. I’m real good with computers.” He clears his throat and lifts the lid of the laptop that's on the table in front of him.

“Are you for real with this guy?” I look up at Raze, who’s standing behind him and looking like he’s actually taking him seriously.

“Now, I…I had my suspicions about what happened to Corey. I didn’t believe that shit our principal announced in assembly about him being in a car accident. Not when it was me who he came to for those cameras he needed for that shipyard mission.”

“You gave him the?—”

“Hold up, Dev. You're gonna wanna hear this.” Ruckus holds me back from wringing the little prick’s neck, and despite the heat raging inside me, I trust my friend and hear him out.

“I’m curious by nature. I wanted to find out what happened to my friend, so I did a little investigating of my own.” He looks up at Raze sheepishly. “I’ve been watching the club. I’ve seen you and Millie together.”

“Don’t you fuckin’ judge?—”

“Hey, bro, no judgment here. Millie’s a hot piece of ass, whole damn school wanted a ride o—” I silence him when I lean forward and rest my palms on the table, my eyes daring him to finish that fuckin’ sentence.

“I ain’t your fuckin’ bro. Get to the fuckin’ point.”

“I’m smart, maybe not smart like Corey was, but I can hack into anything.” He turns his laptop screen around and shows the live footage of us having this conversation, and when I turn my head and look to the ceiling to see how, I can’t even see where the camera recording us could be hidden.

“We don’t have cameras in here for you to hack.” I look back at him in confusion.

“No, I didn’t need to hack them, because I put them there… Beach party.” He smiles like he’s proud of himself, and I’m wondering when Raze is gonna step in and beat the life outta him for putting us all at risk. Footage like that in the wrong hands could do some serious damage.

“You came here with a death wish?” I laugh, wondering if Raze is gonna ask me to hang him from the ceiling by his fuckin’ guts.

“I want in. I know you need a prospect, and I know you could use someone with my skills. If I can get a camera in here without you guys realizing, think about what else I could do.” He sits back in his seat and crosses his arms.

“Right now, I don’t give a fuck what you can do, it ain’t gonna help me,” I tell him, looking around all the brothers that are here, and wondering why they’re all looking at me like the decision on this kid’s future is in my hands.

“That's where you're wrong, Mr. Kendrick.” Lex or whatever his fuckin’ name is smiles again, turning his screen and revealing a brand new image.

“I believe you need to convince the future state senator that you're good enough for his daughter.” He smiles as I lean in to get a better look, and I shake my head at what I’m seeing.

“Is this fake bullshit? I know what you computer-skilled people can do.” I glance between him and the image.

“No, sir. That, right there, is Frank Dawson, getting his cock sucked by one of the nasty little whores who work in that place you visited yesterday.”

“How did you know—How did you get this?” I question him.

“I got plenty more like it. Frank’s a regular, even had appointments with your brother's favorite girl. I wonder how the pair of them would feel knowing they were getting off on the same fucking whore.” Lex laughs, and I lose my shit.

“I want you to erase that crap right now. Millie loves her dad. I never want her to find out about this; I swear if you?—”

“Dev.” Wrath holds me back when I go to grab the kid by his t-shirt.

“I don’t think you're getting what he’s telling ya.

You can use this. Take it to Dawson and tell him things are gonna go your way with his daughter.

This could end him if it got out. That girl is the same age as his daughter.

His campaign would be over in an instant. ”

“I ain’t blackmailin’ Millie’s father, if that’s what you’re suggesting.” I look across to my VP.

“Come on, Dev, you gotta see that it makes sense. He’s never gonna accept the two of you together,” Raze intervenes. “Taking this to Dawson is the best thing to do for your relationship and the club. We could sure use him in our pocket.”

“No.” I shake my head, sliding my hands through my hair as I step back and think all this through. Millie can’t know about this; she really looks up to her dad. She loves him, and she’s been let down enough by people she thought she could trust.

“I need to be somewhere. Erase that shit before I get back.” I point my finger at the kid before I rush back out the door toward the cage.

“Dev, wait, you didn’t let him finish.” Wrath chases after me.

“I don’t wanna hear it.” I keep moving, opening the door, and climbing inside the cab.

“Where are ya going? Come back and hear the kid out. He’s smart, insightful. He could help with your situation.”

“I’m going to that club. I’m speaking with that girl, and every other one that Dawson stuck his dick in, so I can make sure Millie and her Mom never find out about this,” I explain, starting the engine. “I’ll deal with the kid when I get back. Don’t let him leave.”

“Dev, think about this. It’s an opportunity for you and for us.”

“I’m thinking, Wrath, and I choose to protect my girl.” I slam the door and drive out the gates, heading toward the whore house so I can fix Frank Dawson’s mess.

“You can’t be here.” The guy I KO’d yesterday comes from behind the bar; this time, he has a buddy with him, and when they step in front of me, I drop my head and put the cocky shit on his ass again. “You wanna join him?” I ask his friend, who immediately steps outta my way.

I take the stairs two at a time, needing to get this done. I told Millie I’d meet her back at her parents' house in an hour, and I won’t be late. I just hope, after all the trouble I’m going through for him, Frank takes the news well.

“Jodie.” I slam my hand against her door. It’s gone half eleven, surely she’ll be awake by now. “Open the door, I ain’t gonna hurt you. I just need to talk.” There’s still no answer, but I know she’s inside; I can hear her TV.

“Jodie, if you don’t open this door, I’m gonna break it down,” I warn her, taking a few steps back so I can run my shoulder into it.

“Three. Two. Better stand clear…Onnnne…ooh… holy shit! ” The door crashes open, and when I see her lying on the bed, with the sheets beneath her soaked crimson red, I go stiff all over.

The girl's dead; the gash going right across her throat will be what done it, and when I see what's carved into her stomach, I know we’re completely fucked.