Page 62 of Joker's Ghost

I suck in a deep breath. “Okay, so you’re a tough guy, but I’m betting there’s something you care about, or you wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble trying to make my life a shitshow.”

“Myself and a few others care about bringing the Nomads into this century, but some are opposed to our methods.”

Interesting. “So you wanted to change shit up, and the others didn’t go for it.”

He curls his lip. “Warrior lives in another time, but some of us want more.”

“Ambitious fucker.” Python hovers close. “But stealing from the Serpents ain’t the way to get it.”

“Desperate people do desperate things.”

“Why target me?” I ask.

“Because you are the weakest link.”

“Excuse me?” I sure didn’t like the sound of that.

“You have the most to lose. Logic says you would fold and share your territory with the Nomads to keep your family out of danger.”

Logical, but there are still too many unanswered questions.

Python shifts his feet. “C’mon, Boss, enough of this shit.”

I put my palm up. “Still doesn’t explain how you survived a bullet point-blank or made it a hundred miles back to Vegas.”

When he silently stares back at me, I step back and nod to Python, who lands the bat squarely on his kneecap.

The Nomad’s shrill scream fills the small room.

“Where’re all your higher powers now, asshole?” Python moves to the other side of the chair and winds up again.

“Wait!” the Nomad shouts.

“Spit out what my VP wants, or I’m gonna keep smashing shit until you do.”

“The Nomad you killed was my brother.” His drops his head and sighs. “Kota was my twin.”

“Shit.” Python lowers the bat, and for the first time in days, I can breathe.

“We wanted to expand and get into more lucrative deals, but Warrior wouldn’t allow it. He refuses to give up the old ways, and the club is suffering because of it.”

Python and I exchange a look.

“Were Arrow and Blade in on this too?”

“Yes, but I had no idea what they had planned for my brother. I tried to warn him, but it was too late. You were already at your safe house.”

“If you were all on the same side, why would they set him up for a hit?”

“To make it appear like they were on your side, then attack when you least expect it.”

Python rests the bat on his shoulder. “The old bait and switch.”

“They knew Warrior would never go for expanding to Vegas, so they told him about the defection, then let him hire your club to take care of it.”

“They sacrificed your brother.”

“Fuck.” Python shakes his head. “That’s some deep, twisted shit.”