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12

HAWK

Three days. It took three long days for the Feds to interview everyone, get the final coroner’s report for Nate’s death, and verify everyone’s alibis for the four murders. Unfortunately, that meant three days I wasn’t able to look too hard for Sadie’s whereabouts or discover what the Trident team is up to after the message they sent. Even more unfortunate, the Feds still aren’t gone. They’ve decided to set up shop in town while they investigate things further, which means they’ll also be watching us.

I’ve searched through everything I can think of to find Sadie. Her bank accounts haven’t been touched. She hasn’t purchased any tickets out of town for planes, trains, buses, not even a damn Uber. All of her household bills have been set to autopay on a credit card.

I’ve searched college data bases, police records, street cameras, places I remember Sadie saying she wanted to visit over the years. Everything I can think of and have come up empty. The only place I haven’t tried, is Matteo’s. But I can’t just ride up to Parisi’s house and ask questions with the Feds keeping tabs on us. That’s all Agent Galina needs to solidify her hunch that we’re somehow linked to the Parisi empire.

The only other leads I currently have are the email and text messages sent from Trident the day everything went to shit. With Wyatt’s help, we were able to hack into their system. I can see their client lists and internal emails, but every time I make headway, someone cuts me off. As of yesterday, I was able to track their last known whereabouts to Dallas, Texas where a call came in for help. They’re helpline is specifically for victims of domestic violence and trafficking, to rescue them and help them find their way back to civilization and a normal way of life. An email between Tate and Kayce stated they were deploying a team of four to check into the situation.

I’ve been digging a little deeper into their organization, trying to find everything I can on the men involved and their client roster. Unfortunately, Tate is a techie guy like me, and he has backdoor boobie traps for everything. Every time I get past one, I have only minutes, sometimes seconds, before another one shuts me down.

“Asshole!” I shout to the empty space.

I’m sitting alone in my room at the clubhouse, in the same spot I’ve been sitting in since that bitch agent finally left me alone yesterday. Everyday they’ve shown up with more questions, needing to clarify something. It’s all bullshit. We know it and they know it. There’s something else this woman isn’t telling us. Something she’s after. It’s also the reason I have placed a worm virus into the Feds’ system and have it collecting all the data they have on the Kings, Nate, the Devils, Cusenza, Paisi, and anyone else connected to the trafficking ring. They’re not just here for some dead Devils.

They have to know something more than what they’re telling us. What I want to know is what deal they made with Nate and what information they have on the whereabouts of his daughter.

My half sister.

I still can’t wrap my head around the knowledge of having a sibling I’ve never met. But I guess it shouldn’t surprise me. Nate was never faithful to my mother. He would stay after family hours were over and blow off steam with club girls all the time when I was a boy. Mom would get mad, and they’d argue about him coming home late smelling like a whore, but it only ever ended in Mom being hurt.

The brothers would never tell on him. A man has a right to choose his own fate and the club girls know the score. If a brother wants to fuck-around-and-find-out, the choice was his to make. Didn’t mean Caleb and Gabe didn’t try to talk some sense into him. But Nate never listened to anyone unless there was something of value in it for him. I guess a loyal wife and son never held any value in his eyes.

I’m running multiple programs at a time, heavily concentrating, which is probably why the loud knock on the door startles me.

“Yeah.”

When it opens, Blake is on the other side. “Church.”

I lean back in my seat, tap the keyboard for the screens to go dark and grab my laptop. I knew church was coming. We’ve been holding off while the Feds were still around to ask questions. Pres was concerned they may have bugged the clubhouse, especially now that we know Nate was an informant. Me and Declan have swept the place each night after they’d leave, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t still trying.

We head down to the sanctuary and find all my brothers already in their seats. Declan is sweeping the room one more time. Eli and his men are still here, and since the Feds haven’t quite given up hope on finding something to make stick, Eli has suggested they stay for a few extra days in case any of us do get picked up, they’ll be here as extra protection for the women and children.

“Trevor.” Gabe calls. “Close the door on your way out and stand guard. No one comes in without permission. Let Mason know not to let anyone through the gates either.”

“On it, Pres.”

“Declan?” Pres waits for the all clear, which Dec gives him. He slams the gavel, drops into his chair and scrubs both hands down his face. Gabe looks as tired as I feel. His eyes are red, with dark circles underneath. This whole week has been fucking stressful for all of us.

“You good, Pres?” Jameson asks. Gabe nods, looking over the tops of his hands, his elbows leaning on the table as if he needs to support to hold himself up.

“I’m ready for all this shit to be over. To get back to normal.” Gabe says, sounding rough. “But first, I need to know what the hell is going on? What’s the fucking connection between everything that’s happened?” He slams his fist on the table and leans back.

“First, George dies after helping a group of people get free from the trafficking ring. Then, my daughter comes home. Finding out she was sold by her grandmother to some rich pencil dick motherfucker. The connection to the fucking mafia was icing on the cake.” Jake growls beside me at the mention of Avery.

“Now we’ve got, Thomas and Sadie both on the run. A long list of dead bodies, including a dirty ass cop and now an alleged federal informant. Devils are moving in on our town. A bitch with a badge and a chip on her shoulder is looking to stir up shit for the club. Anyone want to take a shot at what the fuck this all means or how the hell it’s all connected? And why the fuck it’s happening in my town to my club? ” Gabe’s temper is flaring to life with good reason. We’re all tense and pissed off.

“I’m willing to bet Kayce could fill some blanks.” I suggest, hoping maybe Declan’s had better luck than I have at getting any information from the Trident Elite crew. “Their system is a little more difficult to crack this time around, brother. I’m sure after Violet’s deal, they expected me to be in their shit and took preventive measures.”

“I haven’t been able to reach Kayce. I’ve left some messages and sent a few texts to which he said he’d look into and get back to me, but that’s the extent of his communication thus far.” Declan sounds as irritated as the rest of us. Kayce is supposed to be an old friend from the military. Given the pile of shit we’re dealing with, I’d think he’d jump in and help.

Not if he’s somehow connected to the trouble that’s been brewing.

He was involved with Violet’s escape from her shitty husband, and with rescuing her friend. His group intercepted a shipment of people at the harbor recently too. It’s possible he’s involved, but on which side of the line? Maybe he’s playing both sides. Some mercenaries work for the highest bidder. They don’t give a shit which side is right or wrong, only who’s paying the bills.

“Which means, he’s not going to tell us shit.” Jake mutters, interrupting my train of thought.

“Have you found Sadie yet?” Mack asks, zeroing in all the attention on me now.

“No.” I sigh. “I’m still looking. I’ll find her. Knowing her she’s holed up somewhere working on her computer. She’s skilled, but I’ll find her.”

“Walk me through what happened, again? She was with you the day Nate died. You were seen going to your room. You saw the video and yelled at her, and told her to leave?” Mack recaps, looking at me like he’s ready to beat my ass.

“I didn’t tell her to leave, I told her to go home. I never told her to leave town. She did that shit on her own.” My own anger is starting to boil over. If he wants to tussle, I’m down. I could use a little stress relief.

“But you knew she was thinking about leaving town. So, it would stand to reason when you told her to leave, that she fucking would!” Mack is on his feet and so is Jake, standing between us. I don’t take the bait. He’s one crazy motherfucker with a penchant for knives and quite frankly I don’t feel like getting skinned today.

“I knew she was thinking about it. But I didn’t think she would do it.” I’m fighting to keep the grit out of my voice.

“Then help me understand what we’re missing? What else happened? Did she say anything that would give us any clue as to where she went or where her head was?” Mack rambles. “She knows we would never hurt her. Punishment has to be served, but this is Sadie. She’s like my daughter.”

“Thomas is my son. Blood doesn’t mean someone can’t become a traitor.” Caleb’s words are so heavy the weight is felt throughout the room. “But…I don’t think Sadie did what she did on her own. What would she have to gain from it? If I had to bet, I’d say she’s running from something.” Caleb throws his arms out at his sides.

“Maybe Thomas was blackmailing her somehow.” It’s Jameson’s turn to chime in. Gabe’s head is on a swivel as we all bounce shit back and forth.

“What did you find when you went to her house?” Gabe asks, looking to Jake to answer. Eli and his men are all sitting quietly, listening and taking notes. They all know Sadie, but not like the rest of us do. They see her a few times a year, where we’ve all been in the thick of shit with her since day one.

“She’s a tech whiz like you and Xander.” Eli looks to me. I nod. “Did she leave any clues with you as to what she’s been doing? An email. A text message. Anything you can think of that’s out of the ordinary maybe. What about friends she may have contacted outside the club?”

“The only friends Sadie has are in the club. She doesn’t trust outsiders. And the only person she tells anything important to, is Avery. She used to tell Jinx or Jayde, but she’s smart. She knew we would question them. Jinx and Jayde could keep quiet for a while, but their worry for her would override their need for secrecy. They’d eventually crack. As for Avery, she wouldn’t be able to lie even if she wanted to anymore.”

Jake smirks beside me. “Not if she wanted to be able to sit properly, she wouldn’t.” The room fills with light laughter. Everyone except Gabe, anyway.

“What about Thomas? Do we have anything on him?” Gabe asks, looking more frustrated by the minute.

“Nothing Pres. He’s still a fucking ghost in the wind.” I sigh, squeezing the back of my neck to relieve tension that’s settled there.

“Get Ghost and Wyatt on it.” Pres says to Declan. “I wouldn’t normally pull Garrison personnel into club shit, but with the Feds sniffing around everything, we need all the help we can get. I want this shit figured out and both their asses found, fucking yesterday.”

“On it.” Dec pulls out his cell and begins typing on the screen. Ghost and Gus have stayed gone, handling the strip club and the diner, giving the Feds something to stakeout besides the clubhouse.

“Hey Hawk, do you think Sadie might’ve run because you claimed her and then cut her loose?” Ethan so unceremoniously blurts to whole fucking room. My stomach drops to the floor, and I grit my teeth waiting for the inevitable blow to come from Mack. I’m shacked as hell when the fist that connects doesn’t in fact belong to Mack, but Caleb instead. My chair falls sideways taking me down with it, and Caleb’s standing over me with his fist in my shirt, scowling.

“Ow. What the hell, Cap?”

“What does Ethan mean, you cut her loose?” Caleb sneers, his face mere inches from mine. I’ve known this man my entire life. He was probably the proudest of me the day I got my patch. My own father was a piece of shit, but Caleb stepped up and filled in the gaps whenever we needed him. That’s why the disappointment I see staring back at me in his eyes cuts so fucking deep.

I’m not about to fight with the old man. I throw both my hands up, a sign I’m not going to fight, and tell him them all the truth. “She betrayed the club. As much as I want her to be mine, I can’t trust her. Would you have made Liz your ol’ lady if you didn’t trust her?”

Caleb lets go of my shirt, but not before shoving me one more time on the ground. “You’re a goddamn fool, Hawk.” We all get back in our respective seats and everyone waits silently. I know what they’re waiting for and there’s no use putting it off.

Leaning forward with my elbows on my knees and my hands clasped in my lap because I can’t guarantee I won’t punch the next fucker who takes a swing at me otherwise.

“The night of Skyler and Ethan’s party, I claimed Sadie. I’ve been wanting to for a long time but shit just kept getting in the way.”

“Bullshit.” Jake coughs.

“You kept getting in your own goddamn way.” Caleb snipes. “You two have been circling each other for months now. Hell, Sadie’s been a lovesick puppy over you since she was sixteen years old. We all saw that. Everyone except your dumbass.”

“She’s a kid. Mack wanted her to have a better life away from the club. I kept my distance and shut shit down because the only thing I have to offer her is club life. But none of that matters now.” I drop my head and try to shake the guilty thoughts swirling around in my head. “I claimed her, and I meant it. But when I saw the tapes-what she did and with Thomas no less- I had to cut her loose. There was no other choice in the matter. I need a woman who’s loyal to me and this club. Can any of you say after watching what she did, that she’s loyal to anyone but herself?”

“Sure, I can.” Jake says, glaring at me. “Sadie doesn’t do shit unless it’s to help someone else. She’s one of the least selfish people I know. Look what she risked saving Avery? How she helped that girl in middle school. Sadie knew she could get into trouble, possibly get herself killed if Cusenza ever figured out the part she played in Avery’s escape. But she fucking did it anyway to help her friends.”

“And she brought shit to the club’s doorstep in the process!” I shout. “She would’ve been expelled and possibly gone off to juvie if Mack hadn’t pulled a favor with her principal and agreed to take her to that overrated rich kid school in Baron’s Edge.” I point out. “And if she hadn’t fucked with the security system at the West property or fucked with Vincenzo’s system at the Oasis, Avery might never have been shot!”

“Or she might have been sold off to that asshole and been dead by now.” Jake yells back. “You have no fucking clue who Sadie is. If you honestly think she would ever do anything to jeopardize this club or her family, you don’t know shit about her.”

“She brought Thomas back and helped him escape again. And let’s not forget that Nate is dead after she snuck down there and oh, yeah, the fucking Feds are all over our asses because of her. And where the fuck is she? Not here? Not with her family!”

“You know, for a genius, you’re not too bright, are ya?” Cash’s smug grin has me grinding my teeth.

“This doesn’t concern you, Cash. But the fuck out.” I snap.

He shrugs. “Maybe. Maybe not. But I do know Skyler, and Avery, and even Sadie and Jayde. I didn’t grow up with them like you all did, but I’ve never seen a more loyal, fierce, group of young women in my life than those four. They do everything they can to protect the ones they love. If you take a step back and look at everything Sadie has ever done for anyone and why she did it, you’ll see what I mean.” He goes on to explain. “Sadie brought Avery here, because she knew the shit Avery was going through and that if trouble came, her family would protect an innocent girl. Not knowing who Avery really is at the time. Training with Skyler at the gym and giving her someone to confide in and laugh with…she helped Skyler feel comfortable coming home. Gave her a friend to confide in. And when Avery took off from the Oasis, wasn’t it Sadie’s tracking device that led you all to her rescue?”

“All shit that never should’ve happened. So, what’s your point?”

“It shouldn’t have happened, but Sadie trusted the club to have her back. So, maybe, this is Sadie’s way of having yours.” Cash finishes. Gabe looks at Cash and starts rubbing his hand on his chin.

“So, you think Sadie’s trying to protect the club from something?” Gabe asks Cash, who shrugs and says, “Or someone.”

“It would be like her to do something stupid like put herself in a shitty situation if she thought she was doing us a favor.” Mack reluctantly agrees.

“All right. Let’s try this from a different angle. What do all these situations have in common? What’s the common denominator?” Pres looks around the room to each of us. One by one we all pop off with ideas.

“They’re all connected to the trafficking ring.”

“The Devils.”

“Money.”

“Parisi.” Ethan’s answer stuns the whole room into silence.

Son of a bitch.

“He knew what George was doing and made a deal to protect Sky. Then he told Pres about Avery’s grandmother and her plan to sell her off. He knew about Thomas. Helped Violet and her doctor friend. Sent a lawyer to free Violet from jail. Brought Nate to meet us at the house where Carter was being held. I’m willing to bet, he knows something about the four dead bodies, why the Feds are here and what the hell they want with us.” Ethan finishes.

“He was working with Trident when you and Violet were held up in the mountains, right?” I ask Declan.

“You think Sadie made a deal with Vincenzo?” Declan understands where my train of thought is taking me.

“It’s possible. Though I don’t know what she would have to bargain with.” I add.

“All right. Hawk, I want you to start digging into Vincenzo. Find out if there are any other connections between him and Sadie and anything that could come back on the club. I’ll see if I can arrange a meeting with our new Italian friend. Declan, get Wyatt to find Kayce. I want to have a word with the son of a bitch. But first, I want to know who’s paying his bills. Everyone else, go about your business. Keep shit on the up and up. I don’t want to give the Feds anything else to come up in here digging around for.” He slams the gavel and adjourns church.

I swipe up my laptop, heading out the door, when a warm body crashes into mine. Candi’s standing chest-to-chest with me purring at me. “Hey baby. You look a little tense. You want some company? I can help work that off for you.”

“Hey, Candi.” Cash says, his head popping up over my other shoulder. “I have a question for you, darlin’.”

“What’s that?” She smiles as Cash turns up the charm. I figure he’s about to ask her to suck him off or something, which would be great at the moment since all I want to do is get back to my room and start hunting for information.

Color me stunned when that’s not what Cash does at all. Instead, the bastard asks, “Do you like your face the way it is?”

“Excuse me?” Candi huffs, standing back a little with one hand on her hip clearly irritated at his question.

“Well, I was just thinking that if you didn’t stop touching Hawk, here, his ol’ lady is going to rearrange your face and then lodge something very large and uncomfortable up Hawk’s ass to prove her point.”

“What ol’ lady? Hawk’s single.” Candi snaps not buying what Cash is saying while I groan knowing exactly where this is going.

“Actually.” Cash draws out the word in that high pitched, extra sweet tone of his. “He claimed Sadie a few nights ago.” Candi gasps, dropping her hands from my body. And taking a step back. If I wasn’t so pissed at the asshole, I might actually thank Cash for getting her to back off.

“If I’m not mistaken, Sadie doesn’t much like you. Like, at all. And as much as we all know Hawk is into pretty much everything in the bedroom, I don’t see him being too excited about Sadie breaking off one of your arms and using it to fist his dumbass until he realizes his mistakes.” Suddenly, Cash turns to me and with the most serious expression I’ve ever seen on him asks, “Wait. Are you into that sort of thing? No disrespect if you do. I just thought…”

My eyes narrow and I flip him the bird making his grin widen.

The fucker.

Candi spins on me, both hands on her hips now. “You claimed her? You claimed that spoiled little bitch as your ol’ lady? What the fuck, Hawk?”

“Watch how you talk about Sadie. My ol’ lady or not, she’s still club royalty and you’re still just a whore.” Candi’s mouth is hanging open, fury flaming behind her eyes. I shrug. “You chose that life. Let’s not glamorize it for your feelings sake.”

“I can’t believe you would do this!” She screams. “After everything I’ve done. We’ve done. I thought you were finally coming around to see how good we could be together. That you were going to claim me as you ol’ lady soon enough. And all this time you were pining for an ungrateful, pain in the ass, brat? Aren’t you the one who’s always saying what a child she is? I don’t get it! Help me get it Hawk, because it doesn’t make sense!”

Everyone’s gathered around watching this shit go down now. I’m just about to put Candi in her place and tell her how fucking wrong she is, when Gabe steps up surprising the shit out of me with his next words.

“Say one more one to disrespect Sadie Jay, and you’ll be packing your shit and headed on down the road. Got me?”

Candi’s eyes fill with tears. She nods, but is smart enough not to argue with the Pres. I take a step back and turn to head to my room, when I hear Cash over my shoulder, call out, “Ah, come on Candi. Don’t be like that. Let’s go to my room and you can show me what a great babysitter you are by swallowing my would-be children for me.”

I swear someone is going to shoot his ass one of these days and I’m almost certain it’s going to be a woman.