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14

HAWK

A few of us made plans to make a trip out to the Velvet Pearl tonight to see if we can get a meeting with Vincenzo and ask some questions. At least, that’s what everyone else is going for. I plan on finding Matteo and asking that big bastard if he knows where Sadie is. I have a feeling if anyone would know, it’s him.

We’re all waiting in the common room for Pres so we can get out on the road. The Pearl is a bit of a drive and we’re all ready to get moving.

Pres comes out of his office in his navy button-down and a pair of dark jeans. We’re about to leave as he walks into the room, but the front door swinging open and a pissed off Linzie comes storming through the front door, shouting for Gabe.

“Gabriel! Where is he?” She shouts, making eye contact with her son Trevor, the prospect behind the bar. He jumps the bar and rushes to grab his mama by the shoulders.

“Mama!” He says between gritted teeth. “You can’t come in here shouting to the heavens. We’ve talked about you showing up here and making a scene. You can’t do that sh-stuff.”

“Son, if you don’t remove yourself from my path, you’re going to see just what kind of scene I can make. Starting with knocking your big ass on to the floor. Don’t play with me.”

Gabe strides over, ever so casually to face Linzie’s wrath. For what, I don’t know, but suddenly my evening is looking up. Watching Pres get his ass handed to him sounds entertaining especially when it’s little Linzie doing the handling.

She’s a almost a foot shorted than Pres, with long blonde hair and a curvy body. I think they’re pretty close in age, both in their forties, and both widowers who’ve been dancing around the subject of making shit official between them. We know they’ve been seeing each other for a while. We don’t know how serious they are since Pres has never brought her to the clubhouse outside of Skyler’s gender reveal party. I’m pretty sure Skyler invited her to come.

“Blondie. What’s got your panties in a bunch?” Gabe says calmly. Jake jabs his elbow into my ribs getting my attention.

He whispers, “I don’t know if I should pull my gun and protect the Pres or start recording the entertainment for the next family barbecue.”

I smile, nodding at the scene in front of us. “Start recording, but keep the weapon handy, but out of Linzie’s reach.”

“You.” Linzie pushes her son aside, and stands toe-to-toe with Pres, nit seeming to be bothered by the fact she has to look up to see his face. She jabs a finger in his chest as she punctuates each word as she talks. “You told me my son would be safe with your club. Y’all don’t get up to anything that would get him into any trouble. No drugs or illegal shit. That’s what you said, wasn’t it?”

“I did.” Pres doesn’t remover her finger from his chest. He seems to be enjoying her little tantrum. I’ve got to admit, for an older woman, she’s pretty hot when she’s mad. I can see why Pres is mesmerized by her.

“Now, what’s got you so upset you thought you needed to come out to my clubhouse and throw your little fit for all to see?” Linzie doesn’t like the way Pres has just called her out, I can see her ears turning red from here.

“If your club is on the up and up, why the fuck do I have Feds coming into my shop for the last few days asking my patrons questions about you and your club? What the hell did you do and how to I get my boy out of this shit?” She slams both hands on her hips taking a step back, but Pres grips her waist with both hands, halting her retreat.

His eyes narrow to slits and his face is a mask of fury, but he doesn’t raise his voice even a little when he asks, “Who came to your shop and what have they been asking about?”

“Does it matter? They’re the fucking Feds, Gabriel! I don’t care what they want to know, I only care that your club is being investigated and now thanks to that damn patch he wants to wear so badly, so is my son.”

“Mama.” Trevor gripes. “The club hasn’t done anything wrong. You need to just…” Gabe’s hand in the air silences Trevor immediately. Apparently, that pisses Linzie off too.

“Did you just silence my son? If he wants to talk to me…”

“He’ll shut the hell up until I’m finished if he wants that damn patch you just bitched about.” Gabe makes eye contact with Trevor who silently nods. “Now, how about you tell me what they said that has you so pissed off so I can apologize, and my boys and I can get on with our evening. We’ve got club business to attend to.”

It’s in that moment Linzie notices something. She steps out of Gabe’s hold and scrutinizes each one of us one by one. “Why aren’t y’all wearing your cuts? Where are you going that you don’t want people to know who you are?”

“That’s none of your concern.” Gabe replies.

“A bunch of bikers who never go anywhere without their colors on so everyone knows who they are, is going out without said colors, says y’all about to go stir up some shit and don’t want anyone to be able to identify you by your leather.”

“They’re going to the Velvet Pearl.” Avery hollers from her seat on the couch. I didn’t even see her sitting there. “They’ve been talking about it for a couple of days. There’s this really cool Burlesque show and…”

“Avery.” Gabe warns. Jake saunters over, leaning down to whisper something in Avery’s ear. Her cheeks blush and her eyes widen, as her lips turn up in a wide grin. She looks to Jake, and I swear the girl has hearts in her eyes.

“The Velvet Pearl. Vincenzo Parisi’s club.” It’s not a question, but there is no missing the disdain in her tone. “I see.”

Gabe takes a step forward reaching for Linzie. She retreats a step. Trevor moves to stand beside his mom, probably noticing her discomfort. He’s a good kid, but I have no doubt if he thought someone was about to hurt his mama he would show us all what brand of psycho he’s hiding under all that charm. Gabe glares at Trevor. He’s right to protect his mama, but his move to get between her and Pres will be taken as disrespect.

“Son, I would never touch your mother in anger or with the intent to hurt. I was merely trying to reassure her that she has nothing to worry about. We’re headed out to see Vincenzo about Sadie. His cousin is Sadie’s business partner. We’re hoping he can help us figure out where she’s gone.” Gabe may be talking to Trevor, but his eyes are holding Linzie’s as he speaks.

“As for your question, the club is on the up and up. Do we ever dip our toes on the other side of the line? Only if it’s required. But never just for shits and giggles. I’ve spent my life building and protecting this club and its members. I would never do something to jeopardize any of their lives without having a damn good reason. If you’ve been listening to the Feds spread their bullshit about us without having the courage to come ask me when you first heard it, and then drawing your own conclusions, then I guess we’re done here.”

Linzie’s head snaps back, her eyes wide with shock.

“Boys, get your shit. We’re leaving.” He stalks past Linzie leaving her standing with her mouth agape and a mix of emotions playing on her face.

“You guys really need to learn how to talk to your women.” Cash teases, slinging his arm over my shoulder. “All I can say is I hope you boys have good knees.”

“What the hell? I’m not groveling. I doubt Gabe will either.” I laugh, though my gut twists. I still don’t know the truth about Sadie, but I know I won’t let her completely shut me out again which means I will have to grovel to some extent. She’s not one to let people close once she’s been hurt, and there’s no question how badly my words hurt her.

“You don’t have to grovel. You know why they say the best apologies are done on your knees?” He lets go of my shoulder, grinning like a fool. Me and Jake wait to hear his words of wisdom as we all mount our bikes and start them up.

“Because if you give her enough orgasms, she’ll forget all about why she was mad at you in the first place. You just have to know how to eat pussy like a fucking champ.” We all laugh. Well, everyone but Gabe whose eyes are glued to the mad little firecracker storming her way to her truck with her son at her side.

We all watch as Trevor loads Linzie up ion her truck, giving her a kiss on the head then closing her door. He moves out of her way as she starts the truck, and Pres takes that moment to pull out and lead us all out of the yard.

It’s a nice ride to the Pearl. The wind on my face helped to clear my head and wash away some of the tension in my body. There’s just something freeing about riding. When everything else is chaos and fuckery, a long ride can settle it all down, make you forget the shit for a little while.

We pull up to the Pearl and back our bikes into their spots in the parking lot. Minutes later we’re walking through the front door and greeted by a pretty little brunette in a black velvet corset and short black shorts. She smiles when she sees us all coming in together. Cash turns up the charm a notch and winks at the hostess.

As soon as Cash heard where we were going, he and Xander decided to ride along. He says it’s for brotherly support. I say he’s looking for a special little red-head he used to frequently spend time with when Skyler worked here as a dancer.

I lean on the front desk and turn on my own charm. One charming biker is good, but two is even better. “We’re looking for Mr. Parisi, darlin’. Can you let him know we need a meeting?”

“Which Mr. Parisi are you looking for because Matteo is not here this evening. So, if you’re looking to speak to him, I’m afraid I won’t be able to help you.”

“Where is he?” I ask, keeping my frustration in check.

“I’m sorry, sir. I don’t know Mr. Parisi’s whereabouts. I’m just a hostess here. But if you’re looking to speak to Vincenzo, I can put in a word and see if he has time to meet with you this evening.” Before I can say anything in response, Cash slaps his hand against my chest, pushing me back a step.

He smiles wide, leaning against the desk where I once was and says, “Would you do that for us, sweetheart? We’d really appreciate it. And if you let me know what time you get off, I can show you just how grateful we are for your help.”

She bites her bottom lip and her cheeks turn pink. “Let me see what I can do.” She picks up the phone on the desk and makes a call. Another woman walks through the hanging curtain and asks us to follow her to a booth in the back.

She takes us to a long table along the back wall with a couple extra chairs on the end. This is not a place where they put three tables together to seat your party, but she makes an exception for our broadly built group.

Ethan, Jake and Cash order beers. Me and Pres order whiskey. I need something to take the edge off and a beer just isn’t going to cut it tonight. I’m wound up tight and I don’t have any explanation for it other than I know who would know where Sadie is, but I have no way of asking if I can’t even find him.

The waitress comes back with our drinks and the music picks up. The lights dim and the room fills with applause as the dancers take to the stage. They’re all dressed in matching costumes that look like shimmery bikini’s with strings of pearls hanging across their tits and asses. The guys are all watching the show and making comments about the women and the club itself. We don’t’ come here often, not since Skyler quit, but it’s still nice to get cleaned up and come someplace a little less small-town titty bar, and a little more high-class tits and ass.

A brunette in a black suit, approaches the table. I know she’s not wearing a stitch of clothes under her jacket by the way the opening dips showing off the swell of her breasts. Normally, I’d be itching to run my fingers and my tongue over the tops of her chest and offer to take her to bed for the night, but my cock doesn’t even twitch at the thought.

Weird.

And somewhat concerning. I’ve never had an issue with my dick reacting to a beautiful woman. Hell, I walk around half hard on a regular basis. It’s never bothered me thought since I knew I was going to be fucking some warm cunt before the night was out. But lately, my dick doesn’t react to anyone.

It does to Sadie.

It’s true. I’ve jacked off at least once a day, sometimes twice to the memory of how she looked and all her little sounds when I claimed her as mine. See. Just the thought and he’s swelling up.

Son of a bitch.

Puppies. Angry grandmas. Dirty diapers. Ghost with a penis drawn on his face. I run through a list of the farthest things from Sadie Jay.

“Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Parisi will speak with you now.” Pres looks to me and I have no idea what the hell is going on.

“There’s been a mistake, sweetheart. If he doesn’t want to see all of us, we understand. But Gabe here was the one looking to have a meeting with Vincenzo.” She pulls out her phone and starts typing. I hear the swooshing sound as she sends off her text. Less than a minute later the phone chimes.

She reads the message, then looks back to Gabe and says, “Mr. Parisi wishes to speak to Mr. Hawkins. However, he will see Mr. Jenkins as well. Only the two of you will be allowed back. The rest may stay here and enjoy the show until you return.”

Gabe nods his acceptance, but there’s no hiding his irritation at Vincenzo’s blatant disrespect. We follow her to the office and Gabe grumbles, “Is everyone trying to piss me off tonight, or did I just win the fucking lottery?” I smirk but know better than to poke the bear … at least until he calms down a bit. The man has perfect fucking aim.

When we reach his office, the woman knocks once and waits for a reply before letting us in. Vincenzo is sitting behind a large mahogany desk with one foot crossed over his knee and a tumbler of what looks to be whiskey in his hand.

“Ah, gentlemen. Come in. Sit.”

“Will there be anything else, sir?” The brunette asks.

“No, Gretchen. Go enjoy your evening.” Parisi replies, never taking his eyes off us. Gretchen gives a subtle nod and a smile and leaves the three of us to our own devices.

“Your right-hand is missing. It’s not like you to see us without one of your henchmen standing guard or waving a gun at us.” I know it’s not smart to poke the bear, but I know Gabe’s aim, I’ve never seen Vincenzo fire a gun so I’m thinking my chances are pretty good although the way his eyes turn nearly black and his lips curl into a sinister smirk have me second guessing my decision.

He shakes his head and directs his question to Gabe. “Is it a theme in your club to be so disrespectful? That’s the third time in as many weeks I’ve been greeted with ill manners. I must tell you, Gabriel. I am not impressed. It makes a man’s fingers itch to make … corrections for such behaviors. Don’t you agree?”

Gabe doesn’t smile, doesn’t even smirk. His eyes stay trained on Parisi’s when he responds. “I have to agree, disrespect seems to be running rampant in my town. People showing up unannounced, others going missing without a word, and some bringing traitors into the clubhouse when they know the Feds are on their ass bringing them right to my front door. I find all those things to be extremely disrespectful.”

Gabe sits in the chair across from Vincenzo and I take the empty seat beside him.

Vincenzo smiles, leaning back in his seat. “Yes, I suppose you’re right. So, to what do I owe the pleasure. Gretchen said you wished to meet with me. What is it you need?”

“You don’t seem surprised to know the Feds are in town. Did you know Nate was an informant for them?” Pres digs right in.

Vincenzo shrugs one shoulder. “Not much happens in this town without me knowing about it. I learned about Nate being an informant the morning of his death, but knowing the Feds would be coming, it didn’t seem like a good idea to come to the clubhouse and warn you. My presence there would have brought more questions and undoubtedly more Feds. So, I chose to stay silent on the matter. Though, I hear your lawyer handled everything with ease.”

“You could’ve called.” Pres pushes. “We all know you’re keeping tabs on Sky, Avery, and Violet.”

“Sadie too, I’d imagine, since she’s become such close friends with Matteo.”

Vincenzo smiles wide when he turns his attention to me. “I do not vet who my men spend their time with. They are well and truly capable of doing that for themselves, Mr. Hawkins. As for the women, they were in no danger, so again, there was no need for me to contact you until after the Feds have cleared. My plan to keep them from learning of our friendship seems to be of no matter now as I’m certain they noticed six motorcycles leaving your clubhouse and finding their way to my place of business.”

“It’s not uncommon for a group of bikers to take a ride together and stop in a place where women are in various stages of undress and willing to entertain a man.” It’s my turn to smirk. “We’re known for liking pussy and getting it on the regular. Agent Galina won’t be surprised to know we’re all out on the prowl.”

“I should hope that’s not the case since Ethan and Jake have sworn their lives to their women. Two of the women I have made promises to oversee their happiness and well-being. If their men chose to be unfaithful while in my establishment, well, you could see how that could make the women no longer trust me and could potentially try to refuse my protection, making me unable to keep my word. And we all know, I am if nothing else, a man of my word.” Vincenzo’s voice lowers and all his playfulness has left his expression. This is the mob boss we’re talking to now.

“If Jake choses to be unfaithful to Avery, you’ll need to get in line because I’ll fuck his shit up myself. My daughter’s been through enough heartbreak. But in all fairness, that boy is too whipped to even notice another woman, let alone touch one.” Gabe’s expression is one of pride when he talks about his future son-in-law and his baby girl.

“Well, then, what is it you truly came here for Gabriel? I have other business to attend to.”

“I assume you’ve looked into Nate and his connection to the Feds. Or why Trident felt they had the right to infiltrate my clubhouse with Thomas and mete out a death sentence that was not theirs to serve? Maybe you happen to know something about the three dead Devils and one of our ex- club girls being found killed inside Oakridge territory?” Pres isn’t playing games tonight. He’s getting straight to the point.

Vincenzo chuckles. “You ask a lot of me, Gabriel. But you and I both know, my help does not come without a price. Even for friends.”

Gabe leans forward bracing his arms on his legs, his hands clasped. If I didn’t know him so well, I’d think he was intrigued or somewhat excited to hear what Vincenzo has to say, but that’s not the case. Vincenzo has a reputation for only doing things only when there is a considerable benefit to himself. Gabe’s anticipating something he’s not going to like and deciding whether he’s going to start another war. We’re already in one with the Devils, but we don’t need to start another with Vincenzo.

I hope.

“What is it you want from the club?”

“Nothing from the club Gabriel. What I want is the cooperation of one, Mr. Nathaniel Hawkins.” They both look to me. Something cold slithers up my spine. I’m not afraid of Vincenzo Parisi, but I’m also not dumb enough to underestimate him either.

“What is it you need from me?” I watch and wait as Vincenzo takes me in, searching my eyes for something he can use against us, but he won’t find it. I’ll never betray my club. If Pres tells me to help Parisi I will, but it will be at his say so, not Vincenzo’s.

Expecting him to say he needs me to hack into some federal banking system or something like that, I’m completely taken aback when what he says he actually needs is for me to find a rat.

“You want me to do what?”

Vincenzo sighs, pulling a drawer open on the side of his desk and tossing a manilla folder at us. Pres reaches for it, opening the contents and moving so we can both see what’s inside.

“These are photos of the night George brought the truckload of kidnapped women and children to meet me and my men so we could free them. No one knew about our arrangement. Which means someone had to have found out and told the Feds.”

“The second was the night George died. See this car here, in the background?” He points to a black SUV almost too far and dark to see in the photo. “That’s a federal vehicle.”

“Where did you get these?” Gabe asks.

“Kayce’s men took them. The night George brought the first shipment to me, Kayce and his men intercepted us, and we came to an understanding. He was looking to rescue and relocate the survivors, and we were looking to shut down the ring of traffickers using our territory as their shipping grounds. We made a deal. I’d help find the head of the snake and cut it off, if Kayce kept the authorities off our trail. Then he showed me these photos. George was being watched, only it wasn’t George the Feds wanted. They were looking for Nate.”

“That’s the shipment Nate lost, the night they took Shea as his punishment.” The pieces are starting to click into place. “The Feds probably caught up to Nate and when his daughter went missing, he struck a deal.” It’s a proposed idea, but Vincenzo nods, so I guess I’m right.

“The problem is, he became a snitch to the Feds, giving them everything he could on the Devils, but the Feds have done nothing to find his daughter. So, Nate came to me.”

“Why the fuck would he do that?” Gabe growls, his voice low and menacing.

Vincenzo smirks at Gabe’s irritation. I think he enjoys pissing Pres off. “Because he needed a shark to handle the little fish in the pond, he was drowning in.”

“Explain.” Gabe snarls.

“The Devil’s Order work for Marco Cusenza. Being a mafia head himself; Marco has friends in high places. Friends who wear badges. Marco caught wind of Nate and his deal with the Feds. When Nate found out, he came to me to make me an offer. I find his daughter and bring her to safety.”

“And what did you ask for in exchange?” Gabe asks, his voice tight. With Nate having information on so many different people and clubs, he could’ve given Vincenzo anything on anyone, including the Kings.

“I asked for his surrender.”

“What?” Me and Gabe both ask.

“I needed Violet’s dirty ex dead, and her son returned to his mother. You needed two traitors in order to work with me in accomplishing that task.” Vincenzo says nonchalantly, like it’s the simplest thing to do.

“Thomas is still in the wind.” Gabe narrows his eyes, his tone still bordering lethal. “I haven’t forgotten that you had something to do with that.”

“I had nothing to do with it. I merely kept my word to keep him and his daughter alive until he completes the task he’s agreed to do for me. After that, you may do as you wish with him. But Sadie is off limits to any retribution for her actions as she is fulfilling her debt as well.”

“Oh, you son of a bitch!” I’m up, leaning over his desk with my hands on the lapels of Vincenzo’s jacket, my eyes seeing fucking red. Gabe grabs me by the shoulders, pulling me back and shoving me back into my chair.

“He knows where Sadie is!” I shout, pointing at the guilty fucker in a three-piece suit who’s simply grinning like the ass that he is. “She took off and he knows where she is! She fucking betrayed us, and it’s his goddamn fault!”

“Hawk! Stand the fuck down! NOW!” Gabe is in my face, nose to fucking nose, the collar of my shirt held tight in his fist. “You will do as you are told or I’ll let the fucker shoot you right where you sit, you got me?” Gabe’s tone says obey or die, but his expression tells me to trust him. And I do. I always do.

I give a slight nod, agreeing to do as he’s ordered.

“Perhaps an etiquette class on manners would be appropriate for your men, Gabriel.” Vincenzo suggests. My chest is heaving, my blood boiling, I’m ready to strangle this fucker til his eyes pop out of their goddamnn sockets and he wants to throw shade?

“What is it you want from Hawk, Parisi? Cut to the shit.”

Vincenzo shrugs. “The Feds are looking for a way into the trafficking parties.”

“Parties? You mean like auctions?” I ask.

“Sort of, but no.” Vincenzo starts. “Cusenza has men who set up these parties in various locations where women are brought to be seen. They come as a guest of someone they’re involved with or perhaps related to. They’re from all walks of life. These men on Cusenza’s payroll then watch these women, how they interact with others, with their masters, their lovers and the like. If they like what they see and they feel they have a place for them, the men will call them back to another location for a private dinner where the women will be drugged and taken away and their curator will be well compensated, and the women will disappear.”

“Holy fucking shit.” I mumble.

“And what’s Hawk’s part in this?”

“I want him to offer to take the Feds into one of these parties. I’ll get him the invitation he needs. The woman, Agent Galina, she’s looking to score points and take down the ring to get a promotion. She’ll take the bait. I have no doubt about it. Mr. Hawkins will need to make a few personal adjustments to make yourself appear to be part of the wealthy and powerful.” He eyes me from head to toe with a look of disdain. “I’m afraid the grungy biker look won’t sell where I need you to go. But once we get your appearance complete and have all the intel you’ll need, you will then need to convince Agent Galina to go in undercover as your…”

“Bait.” Gabe finishes for him. “You want us to convince a federal agent to go undercover with one of my guys as bait to be drugged, kidnapped, and sold to the highest bidder without any guarantee we can get her back out again? They’ll never go for it.”

“I’ll guarantee Ms. Galina is returned safely once we track her to where they are holding the others.” Vincenzo says smoothly. “Of course, you can’t tell the Feds of my involvement, but I will give you , Gabriel, my word.”

“And how do you propose we convince the agent to be a part of this clusterfuck of a plan?” I ask, not sure about any of this and still fuming over Sadie’s involvement with this dickhead.

“Oh, I’m sure the proper negotiations will present themselves soon enough. In the meantime, Gabriel, I have a list of foster homes much like the one Carter was found in. They’re owned by Devil’s Order members and have several reports of children who have run away within the first seventy-two hours of placement. I thought you and your club might like to take a deeper look since they were connected to the family who was holding Violet’s son and her ex-husband. He was overseeing the runaway cases.”

Gabe lets out a long, deep sigh. “Alright. But you still haven’t said why you need Hawk to get this Fed into this party for you? What’s your angle in all of this?”

“Retribution.”