Page 14

Reaper

Oklahoma City, earlier that same day.

As we stepped out of the car, the bustling city of Oklahoma enveloped us. The vibrant streets, filled with people going about their lives, seemed at odds with the secluded apartment building we sought. Montana’s brother, Kansas, was the president of the Diamondbacks MC and lived a quiet life in Lawton with his family, so this bustling location didn’t quite fit.

But we had to be sure.

Sypher’s involvement in this mysterious trail of breadcrumbs led us here, and I was determined to uncover his secrets.

“This doesn’t feel right,” Montana muttered, his eyes scanning the three-story structure.

I nodded in agreement, my instincts buzzing with uncertainty.

The building loomed before us, an ordinary apartment complex in the heart of the city. We climbed the stairs, our footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. With each step, I felt a growing sense of unease, a tingle at the back of my neck that something was amiss. Montana knocked on the door of the supposed apartment and we waited, our gazes locked on the closed door.

Suddenly, the door swung open, revealing a familiar face.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. There he was, Shadow, my former club brother, looking like a deer caught in the headlights.

“Oh shit,” he exclaimed, taking a step back. “It’s not what you think!”

What a load of bullshit!

Montana and I exchanged a look of pure disbelief.

“Kansas told me to,” he added, as if that explained everything.

I had to hand it to the guy; he was loyal to the end. But his days of loyalty to the wrong people were about to come to a screeching halt.

“Is this Sypher and Pippen’s place?” I asked, my voice laced with impatience and a hint of threat. I was done playing these cat-and-mouse games. Shadow’s eyes darted between Montana and me, and I could see the wheels turning in his head.

“Yeah, it’s their place, but they’re not here. I’m just watching it for them, that’s all. I swear!” His voice rose in pitch as he realized we weren’t buying his story. “They’re lying low, and Kansas asked me to keep an eye on things. That’s the whole truth, Reaper, I swear!”

“Why?” Montana asked.

“Why what?”

Growling, I grabbed Shadow by his cut and sneered, “Why are you watching this place?”

“Reaper?” Montana said as I turned to him, seeing him holding a stuffed animal.

Frowning, I let Shadow go and took a good look around the apartment. This wasn’t just some safe house, a place to hide out. It was a home. They lived here.

Seeing a picture on the mantel over the fireplace, I walked over and picked it up, and growled, “Start talking, Shadow, or Ghost is going to be the last male member of your fucking family.”

Shadow’s eyes widened at the mention of his brother, and I knew I had him right where I wanted him. His loyalty to his brother trumped club loyalty. Always had. I could see the internal struggle play out on his face. Montana picked up on it too, and we shared a knowing glance. We had him and he was about to talk.

“Alright, alright, I’ll tell you,” Shadow said, holding his hands up in surrender. “But you gotta promise me you won’t hurt Ghost or my sisters. This has nothing to do with them.”

I snorted. “That depends on what you tell us, doesn’t it?” I said. My voice was cold as ice.

Montana and I waited, our gazes locked on Shadow, as he seemed to debate with himself. Finally, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Sypher and Pippen were living here to get their daughter the help she needed.”

“What daughter?” Montana and I asked at the same time.

“Pippen, I mean Dante. The little girl is biologically his.”

“Shit,” I cursed, looking at Montana. “You know what that means, right?”

“Yeah, our fucking problem just got a hell of a lot worse,” Montana muttered, then asked, “What does my brother have to do with this?”

Shadow gulped and his eyes widened.

“What?” I shouted, making the brother jump.

“Kansas branded Dante to protect him.”

“I’LL KILL HIM!” Montana roared.

“All I’m saying is, you need to stop and think before you confront your brother, Montana. Walking into the Diamondback clubhouse guns blazing won’t solve anything.”

“No, but it will make me happier!”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at fucknuts’ eagerness to rush into a confrontation with his brother. “All I’m saying is, you need to channel your inner Zen and find your chill,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Take a moment to breathe, to reflect. Guns blazing may be your style, but it won’t get you anywhere.” I paused, a mocking smile playing at the corners of my mouth. “Unless, of course, you’re aiming for a prison sentence. Then, by all means, blaze away.”

I knew my words were falling on deaf ears. Montana’s temper was legendary, second only to mine. We were a force of nature that wouldn’t be tamed. But I couldn’t help but needle him. “You know, there are other ways to find happiness. Meditation, yoga, a nice cup of herbal tea—now, those are surefire paths to inner peace.”

I chuckled to myself, imagining Montana in a yoga pose. His face twisted in frustration.

“You won’t even consider my advice, will you?” I sighed, knowing full well the answer.

Montana was already halfway out the door, his eyes burning with anger.

“I’m telling you, a few deep breaths and a clear head would do you some good. That, or a nice long vacation. Somewhere peaceful. Maybe a retreat where you can—” I stopped mid-sentence as Montana turned and fixed me with a steely glare.

“Look here, asshole! You know I can’t back down from this, Zen Master ,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “This shit between me and Kansas has been a long time coming. I’m not about to let it go now.”

I could see the determination in his eyes.

“Fine,” I conceded with a resigned shrug. “But if you’re going to do this, at least let me come with you. I can be your voice of reason, your conscience. Together, we can handle this without ending up behind bars again.” I grinned, hoping to ease the tension that had built between us.

Shadow laughed loudly as both of us turned to look at the fucker.

“You, the voice of reason!” the fucker howled, holding his stomach.

I growled, narrowing my eyes at the soon-to-be corpse before turning back to Montana, who was now pacing like a caged animal. “Alright, hothead, you win. Let’s go pay your brother a visit. But I’m warning you, if this ends with me bailing you out of jail, you’re paying my therapist’s bill.”

I knew my threat was empty—Montana was a ticking time bomb and there was no stopping him now. But I had to try, for my own amusement if nothing else. “And for the love of all that’s holy, leave the guns here. We’re not in the Wild West anymore,” I added, hoping to at least minimize the potential collateral damage.

Montana stopped pacing and turned to me, his eyes flashing with a mixture of determination and something akin to gratitude. “Fine, I’ll leave the guns. But this changes nothing between me and Kansas. This shit between us has been a long time coming, and it ends today.” His voice was steady, but I could hear the underlying current of anger and resentment.

I knew better than to talk him out of it now—the time for reason had passed.