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10

HAWK

When we arrive at the clubhouse, we’re pulling into a three-ring circus.

Three blacked out, unmarked, SUVs are parked near the front doors of the clubhouse. Two more are half blocking the gates with two armed men in suits standing beside them and there’s no prospect at their post. Parisi being here wouldn’t call for the guards being pulled. He’s not exactly a friend but he’s not a threat either. Not so far, anyway. No, if I had to guess, these vehicles belong to law enforcement. We don’t waste any time getting the bikes parked and heading inside.

The scene inside has us both on edge. The hair on the back of my neck stands on end.

What the fuck happened now?

All my brothers and their families are here and on alert. Jayde is standing with Lisa, behind Mack and Blake. Lilah and Skyler are behind Eli and his men who are forming a wall of leather in front of them. Ethan is on the move, breaking past Cash and going straight to his pregnant wife. Cash doesn’t even crack a smile, just nods to Ethan. A show of his dedication to the safety of this family.

Violet is holding Carter close. Declan has taken a protective stance in front of them, with his arms crossed wearing a look that dares anyone to fucking try him.

Jake heads for Avery who’s standing with Liz, safely between Caleb and Gabe, with Mason and Trevor fanned out on either side of them while Austin and Colt stand by the bar. I don’t see Ghost or Gus anywhere, but I’m willing to bet they’re not too far away.

Whatever has happened, my brothers have decided these people are, they’re a definite threat.

No one is saying a word. The three club girls are all huddled near the kitchen. They don’t know the shit that goes on in church or anything about club business. They’re here to cook, clean, and service the brothers. Nothing more.

Six men in suits are all staggered about the common room, while Allyson is standing toe-to-toe with a tall brunette woman in a navy-blue power suit. Jameson has firmly planted himself behind Allyson with his arms crossed over his chest. Whoever this woman is, Jameson doesn’t trust her. Allyson must not either if she’s allowing Jameson to stand as her protector.

Jameson sent Allysin and their son, Jamie away after Jonah and Maggie were killed. He filed for divorce and left her to raise their boy on her own. Although, he did keep tabs on them and sent money every month, he kept his distance. He didn’t want the Devils to make the connection between them. He gave his family up, granting them a chance at a happy life. Allyson has kept her distance over the years and has refused to come back to town, or anywhere near the Kings. That is until Violet and Declan got thrown in jail. Apparently, Allyson worked with Violet’s dad. They were pretty close. She only came back to help us as a favor to him and his daughter. So, if she’s letting Jameson close to her now, she must feel like his protection is warranted.

I move to stand with Pres and the prospects, leaning in to ask Trevor, “What’s up?” tipping my head toward Allyson and the female agent.

“Feds just showed up out of nowhere demanding to speak to everyone and wanting access to the clubhouse. Allyson has been reading the bitch the riot act for coming here unannounced and without a valid search warrant. They say they only want to ask questions, but two of the men were found snooping around outside the barn by Austin and dragged inside before anyone mentioned a search warrant. Now this chick says she has grounds for assault charges and some other bullshit, and Allyson is shutting her down on the grounds the search warrant is only for one room in the clubhouse, so her men were trespassing or some shit. It’s actually been fun to watch.”

“And what do the Feds want? Have they said why they’re here?” There are a number of scenarios running through my head all at one of the shit that’s gone down over the last year that could be cause for their visit. George’s death. The dead foster parents’ bodies found in their burned home where Carter was once staying. A dead social service worker and Violet’s missing ex-husband who happens to now be a dead sheriff. It’s been a busy year for the club with all the secrets and shit coming out of the woodworks seemingly all at once.

All the original members fucking secrets coming to light have caused havoc is what happened.

Though we haven’t left any evidence of anything we’ve done, and I’m damn sure Parisi and his men left no trace either. I don’t see Vincenzo fucking over the club to save his own ass. Not when he has agreements to protect Skyler and Violet. The Feds being here could be for any number of reasons, but I trust Allyson to shut down their digging.

“You don’t have a warrant to search the premises, which your men were clearly attempting to do. Which means my clients were within their rights to protect their property and their families from an unidentified treat.”

“The cars have government plates, and we’re all dressed in suits. How many people do you know who have blacked out SUVs besides the club?” She says sarcastically, but we all know what she’s fishing for. Which means they’ve either seen Parisi coming here or linked him somehow to the club. Admitting to his connection to the club, we would only be setting ourselves up for more investigations.

“You don’t own the market on blacked out SUVs, nor are you ignorant to the law. You still have to identify yourself as an officer of the law especially if you intend to enforce a warrant. Which you and your men neglected to do. Not to mention, this warrant states that you may search the bedroom of the victim and nothing more.” Allyson states loud enough for the entire room to hear.

“For this victim, yes. But since we also got a call today that one of our key informants in an ongoing investigation, by the way, has suddenly died on your property -”

“It changes nothing.” Allyson snaps. “Your informant died of natural causes. Initial reports say as much. Hypoglycemia isn’t a crime. Neither is a diabetic coma.” Allyson pushes. “Of course, I’m sure you have the sheriff’s report, but let’s recap it for you, for shits and giggles, shall we?” Allyson’s every word is dripping with sarcasm. “Nate Hawkins had told others that he wasn’t feeling well and went to bed. No one knew of his medical condition. Therefore, they didn’t know to check on him. When he didn’t show up to breakfast, a prospect was sent to get him and found him dead. So, tell me again how that equates to permission for your men to start snooping around the property?”

She’s a fucking killer. It’s actually pretty hot to watch. Jameson’s smirk says he feels the same.

“I’m aware of the permissions granted by the warrant. However, if we feel these men have something to hide or could be involved in the deaths of the other four victims from our homicide investigation, we will be taking them in. A warrant will then be issued immediately to search the rest of the grounds.” The snobby brunette snaps back.

“And why would you think my clients would have anything to do with the homicides in question?”

“Because it’s our understanding, the girl was recently removed from the Kings’ clubhouse for disrespecting the President’s daughter.” She glances at Avery, and Jake immediately pulls her behind his back and out of view. “And the other three who were killed, were members of the Devils’ Order MC-the known rivals of the Kings of Fury and suspected killers of the President’s wife years ago.” She smiles suggestively. “I think that gives us a reason to consider them, don’t you?”

The two women begin arguing again over legal jargon, but everything around me has suddenly turned to white noise as I begin to sort through my own thoughts about what this bitch just said happened.

A dead ex-club girl. Three dead Devils and a dead informant.

Does Sadie have something to do with these other four dead bodies?

She couldn’t have killed them last night she was here for the party then went home and spent the night with you in her bed.

True. But she wasn’t alone in the basement. Could Thomas have killed them to distract us? Keeping us busy with the Feds while he tries to redeem himself as an innocent man to his daughter? Does she know about what’s been done?

My phone chimes in my pocket and my stomach sinks. The last time it chimed it led to mine and Sadie’s argument and to her now disappearance.What if it’s her texting to gloat about how she’s managed to fuck over the club and get her revenge for the way we treated her father? Or her?

“I will no longer be the club’s obligation. I’m going to go do something with my life away from the club.” I hear her words in my head. The image of her sadness staring back at me in her sapphire eyes was almost more than I could take.

Fuck!

I glance down at my phone screen and see it’s another message from Tate with Trident.

Tate: The rat may be gone, but there’s still a mole on among you. Go along with the Feds but be careful. Your sister’s life depends on your cooperation. And so does Sadie’s.

What the fuck?

I’m about to type back and ask when the female agent calls me out in front of everyone.

“Mr. Hawkins. We’d like to begin by questioning you since it was your father who died after all.”

Shit.

I put my carefree mask back in place and look up from my phone making eye contact with the brunette and turning up the charm.

“Of course, sweetheart. Whatever you need. Just give me a second to answer this text if you don’t mind.” I continue smile like I’m sending off the sweetest text known to man, while in reality I’m, typing out a quick reply, screenshot the message, sending a copy to an encrypted email address and then immediately delete it. Before she realizes what, I’ve done, I casually say, “That should do it.”

“I’m sorry is our interrogation interfering with your hot date?” She says her eyes full of accusations and disapproval. I don’t let her words phase me. I know my reputation around town is that of a lady’s man, so I use her snide comments to deflect from the real situation and play along.

“It’s all right, darlin. I just rolled this evening’s plans to tomorrow night instead.” Cupping one hand around my mouth I fake whisper, “Of course I didn’t tell her about you and how you’re holding me captive for the night. I don’t want anyone getting unnecessarily jealous and spoiling any potential for this evening’s events.” I wiggle my brows emphasizing my suggestiveness. Cash curses and chuckles from somewhere behind me. The agent rolls her eyes in disgust but Allyson glares back at me. She knows what I’m doing and that’s fine as long as the Feds don’t catch on it’s all that matters.

The sooner I can get through this round of questioning the sooner I can get to my computer and investigate what’s really going on. Where Sadie fits into it all? How is Trident connected to everything? And how the hell do they know about Shea being my sister?

This rabbit hole just keeps getting deeper and deeper and I can’t help but feeling like I’m about to wake up in fucking Wonderland.

Allyson smiles, then turns to the room and says, “Gentlemen. You will all answer the agent’s questions about your whereabouts and what you know about her investigation. Gabe, please send the women and children up to the playroom with a trusted guardian so we can move things along.” She tilts her head and gives a Gabe a knowing look. She’s just told him to send a club member to watch over them to ensure the agents don’t share any details or ask any questions they shouldn’t overhear. In other words, she just told him in her own special way, that this is club business.

Gabe nods, then giving the women instructions to take Lilah and Carter up to the playroom. He then pulls Trevor and Mason in close, whispering, “No one goes in or comes out until me or one of the brothers comes to get them. You’re all going on lockdown in that room. Got me?”

“Yes, Pres.” They both reply in unison, and he sends them on their way. Then Gabe nods his head to me, and I don’t have to ask to know what he wants me to do. Years ago, Caleb and Gabe installed a door similar to the one on the basement for the playroom. It requires a special code when it’s locked and has a silent alarm that will trigger all our phones if someone opens the door without disarming it first. I pull my phone out and turn on the cameras in the playroom and set them to record while setting the door alarm.

Before following the others up to the playroom, Avery whispers, “Has anyone seen Sadie? I’ve been texting her, but she’s not responding. She should be here.”

Yes, she damn well should be.

“When’s the last time you talked to her?” I ask, hoping maybe she gave Avery some kind of hint as to her plans to leave. I know she told me she hadn’t told anyone, but Sadie’s been known to lie and swear her best friend to secrecy before so I wouldn’t put it past her to have done it this time too.

“Briefly earlier when you brought her in with you, but there’s been nothing since.” The suspicion in her eyes is not lost on me. She knows me and Sadie argue often, but Sadie would never stay away from everyone else just because she’s pissed at me.

But this time you told her to leave.

“I’ll check in on her.” I tell her, hoping to ease her mind and to get Gabe to stop knowingly glaring at me. Avery seems appeased by my answer and scurries off to the playroom with the others.

“Where is she?” He says quietly. The agent and Allyson have found something new to argue about and their attention has been completely diverted away from us.

“She’s gone.” I know he’s waiting for more, but it’s the only answer I have to give him right now. “She took her computers, left all trackable devices and the keys to Loretta.”

“Fuck.” Gabe hisses. “We need to find her before the Feds do.”

“I know. I’ll get on it as soon as-” I don’t get to finish my thought because Allyson and the lady agent both walk up to meet us.

“Hawk, she’d like to interview you first. Will you lead us into one of the offices please where we can talk?”

“Why not just use the sanctuary?” The agent asks. I still haven’t bothered to catch her name.

“The sanctuary is off limits to outsiders.” Gabe states bluntly. “You can use my office. Hawk.” He calls my name and raises one brow. I understand why he’s chosen his office. I give a subtle nod and lead them down the hall to his door. Once inside, I sit behind Gabe’s desk and watch as the small red light on the camera in the far corner turns on and smile to myself. Garrison Security is now monitoring this room under Gabe’s orders.

“Get comfortably, Mr. Hawkins. We have a lot of things to discuss.”