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CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

HENDRIX

“J ustin Price,” Colt began as his fingers flew over the keyboard of the laptop, and more images of Tweety flicked across the screens. “Twenty-eight years old. His older brother, Christopher, died of a heroin overdose when he was seventeen. They went into the system when they were six and eight and stayed in it until Christopher died and Justin aged out and joined the military.”

“Criminal record?” I asked, staring at the images with my lip curled slightly.

“A shoplifting charge that never got to court due to lack of evidence and a drunk and disorderly that landed him a spell in the tank for a night. Nothing major.”

“How did he meet Daisy?” I demanded.

“Ahh,” Colt said wryly. “Daisy Wells, aka Danica Hudson, was placed in a children’s home when she was three. Her mother was a prostitute who was addicted to drugs. Used to leave her baby alone while she went out turning tricks. She was busted and sent to jail when she beat up a john and robbed him blind, which resulted in Danica being taken into care. She was placed in various foster homes, one of which was where she met Justin at fifteen.”

“How’s Tweety connected to Ace?” Diablo asked.

“I don’t think he is,” Colt admitted. “There’s no relationship. They never crossed paths in the military or the club. They never even served in close proximity. It’s Daisy who’s the connection.”

“Makes sense,” I muttered. “Ace used to fuck Daisy on the regular before we went our separate ways. I’ve no doubt it was her feeding him information. He left her here to spy for him.”

“Aided and abetted by the fact she became the prez’s regular whore,” Colt pointed out. “Sorry, Prez, but she probably wormed her way in when you were at your most vulnerable. You got played.”

My jaw clenched.

Colt was right. When I split from Anna, and Ace betrayed me, I turned into a self-pitying mess who drank and caroused too much. That was when Daisy got in there. I almost lost everything, but luckily, I had my dad, Iceman, and my boys to help me straighten out. Everything had come full circle, and I had Anna back and the baby, whereas Daisy was a memory and not a good one at that.

“It’s my fault,” I admitted. “Anna blamed herself for Addison being taken, but when you dig deep, it all circles back to me.”

“Don’t forget Ace’s involvement,” Blade cut in. “A real man, a real adversary, would’ve come after you, Drix, not your pregnant woman. If he’s got an issue he should say it with his full chest, not send Daisy in to do his dirty work. For an ex-soldier, he should have more goddamned guts. He’s a fucking disgrace.”

Rumbles of agreement went up.

My blood cooled.

“I’ve pinpointed the area where the car disappeared from the cameras,” Colt advised, clicking the mousepad on his computer. “It’s within a four-mile stretch where we don’t have eyes. I think we should send teams in to comb the area.”

Blade studied the map of the area that appeared on the screens. “Each team could take a square mile and look for abandoned buildings or deserted areas. Also, check for tire tracks and disturbed shrubbery.”

“We’ve got a few hunters in the ranks,” I pointed out. “Assign them each to a team and head straight out—” A series of beeps filled the air as notifications hit our cell phones.

I didn’t even have time to pull mine from my pocket before Colt’s eyes slashed toward me. “It’s Picasso. Your dad just picked up Tweety. The stupid fucker was tryin’ to hotwire a car.”

“Where is he?” I bit out, surging up from my chair.

“They’re bringing him in.” Colt’s lips twitched. “Seems he’s unconscious, though. Picasso says that Will took exception to Tweet’s surly attitude and knocked him the fuck out.”

Diablo rubbed his hands together, an evil smile spreading across his face. “That’s okay. I got ways of making him lucid. Seems I might get to chop a dick today after all.”

“No fuckin’ around, D,” I grated out. “I want Anna’s location. Stat.”

An excited gleam filled his eyes, and he rose from his chair. “You go out with the teams as planned, Prez. Set up along the area and wait for my word. I’ll get you what you need. Your job is to be there for your ol’ lady and your kid. Trust me to do mine.”

I stepped toward him and clasped his shoulder. “I do, brother.” My gaze scanned all the men in the room. “I got love and respect for every one of you, and so does Anna. Thank you.”

Chairs scraped across the wooden floor, and every man headed for the door, giving me chin lifts as they passed.

Blade’s hand landed on my shoulder, and he squeezed. “We’ll find her,” he vowed. “We’ll get to Anna, even if we have to burn the whole fuckin’ world down to do it.”

A knot formed in my gut, and my heart thudded behind my ribs as my inner voice whispered the words I’d been too terrified to face.

I just hope we’re not too late.