Page 43

Marx

“ F ucking Roman,” I mutter as I storm my way to Pops’ Office.

I could take one of the ATV’s, but at this point the walk would do me good. I ignore the men dressed head to toe in hazmat suits, instead concentrating on the sheer number of men laid out in the backyard of Pops’ farmhouse.

“Marx,” Moss waves out as he helps bag and tag the men.

“Moss, what the fuck? There was a full on shoot out and yet no one from the public alerted the cops? Law enforcement in this town is a goddamn joke.”

He looks unbothered as he moves on to the next man.

“No one called because I alerted all the nearest neighbours, and the precinct that I would be running a practice training model out here. What? Would you prefer we swarmed your asses, hauled everyone in and after 48 hours of processing let you all, including the cartel, go due to lack of evidence?”

“When you put it that way,” I grumble.

“Look, Johnny, I get it. You’ve got women and kids out here.

I assisted as best I could, but shit, my sister was part of the original attack at the clubhouse.

If I had to choose between the law coming in and sorting out Serpiente and his crew, or the DRMC wiping them off the earth so they can’t hurt anyone else?

I’ll choose you guys over mine any day.”

I stare at him thoughtfully, “Have you thought about running for office?”

“To be sheriff? Since Kelson left,” we share a look, “I’ve started thinking more and more.”

“So, what’s the problem?”

“A team I can trust.”

I eye him for a moment, an idea forming. “What if I told you I have two men, ex marines, who are also trained law enforcement agents within the military?”

“I’d say give them my damn number yesterday and tell them to call me. We’re understaffed and half the men in the office were Kelson cronies. If I run and make it in, I’ll be doing a clear out.” A smile grows on Moss’s face. “I mean, I can’t rely on the DRMC to take care of all the bad guys.”

“I’ll talk to my men.”

He gives me a nod, then goes back to bagging and tagging bodies, leaving the really messy ones for Roman’s clean up crew. I head toward Pops’ office, jogging a little to catch up to Rhodie and Savage.

“What was that all about?”

“I have a plan forming. If it works out, it’ll be good for all of us.”

Savage’s brow raises. “A plan that involves Moss Davies?”

“Exactly.”

Walking through the door I’m met with at least half the MC.

Pops and Chewy are already here, and by the looks of Sniper and his brother, he’s been here since we pulled in.

He walks to one of Pops’ handy stainless steel benches, throwing a small metal object down.

It rattles and spins before settling on the countertop.

“Is that-?”

“It’s a tracker. They’ve known where he’s been the whole time we’ve had him. It’s how they found us.” Sniper says through gritted teeth.

Dex lets out a low whistle as he peers at Sniper’s handiwork, his brother’s arm cut from wrist to shoulder. Moving my gaze from that sack of shit I’m met with Serpiente, who is unconscious on a table, and a snivelling Renae Sullivan, looking not so smug now she has Chewy to contend with.

“Where do we want to start?”

“She’s last.” Chewy grits out, and there’s something bothering her, that I can’t quite put my finger on.

She’s always some level of unhinged, but here, at this moment, she looks like she’s barely hanging on by a thread.

“Can we just get rid of this asshole? I’ve had enough of him and his shit.” Flack says, punching Serpiente’s foot, causing a low long groan.

Renae cries louder until Chewy puts a stop to it, shoving a ball gag into her mouth. “Still want your money now, bitch?” she hisses, using her hand to shove Renae’s face away from her in disgust.

“Sheesh Chewy, what did she ever do to you?” Rider asks, voice light,

“This,” Chewy points, her gaze moving around the room, “piece of shit and her boyfriend over there,” she waves toward Serpiente, who is now somewhat lucid, but in a shit ton of pain, “Are Laney’s biological egg and sperm donors. They want us to pay for the pleasure of being her parents.”

Rhodie is deathly quiet. He stares between Renae and Serpiente, both shrinking under his gaze. He steps up to Renae, tied to a chair with the ball gag in her mouth. He flicks the catch at the back, letting the gag fall into her lap.

“Did you demand my Ol Lady pay you for the daughter you threw away?” he quietly asks in a voice so quiet it sends chills down my spine.

“I-I, no, she misunderstood-”

Rhodie leans closer, his nose squishing her’s into her face. She tries to turn away from his gaze but Chewy is there, her fists in Renae’s dark hair, holding her steady.

“Are you calling my Ol Lady a liar?”

“N-n-, not at all, um-”

Rhodie steps back and the bitch’s shoulders slump.

“So, Serpiente is your husband? Boyfriend?” Rhodie strolls his way and I see the moment Renae realizes that she may have dodged Rhodie’s wrath, but her sick fuck man hasn’t.

“You leave him alone! Let me go, let me go! Baby, don’t tell them shit! Baby, baby, look at me-” she struggles against her restraints, hissing and spitting like a wet cat.

Rhodie yanks him up by the scruff of his neck, pulling him off the table he’s been lying on, letting his body fall to the ground with a yelp.

He drags him along the floor, Serpiente’s broken body at odd angles, his breathing shallow, blood still oozing from his leg.

Renae’s screams are getting on my nerves, and I’m hoping that Rhodie will put an end to them, and soon.

My little brother pulls Serpiente into an almost standing position, one arm banded around his chest as the two love birds stare at each other.

“I love you, baby,” Renae sobs, her shoulders shaking, her cries turning to screams when Rhodie’s knife slides through skin, tendon and muscle along Serpiente’s throat.

Blood sprays on Renae’s face and into her open mouth, effectively gagging her. Rhodie drops the dead man at Renae’s feet, before leaning into her, wiping the blood off his knife on her silk blouse.

“My daughter doesn’t exist to you. You will never speak of her, you will never think of her for as long as you live.” He brings his clean blade down into her thigh, pinning her to the chair.

Her mouth opens on a wail but her eyes roll back and she slumps down in her seat.

“Thank fuck, her voice was giving me a headache,” one of my brothers mutters.

“Grab some Tylenol, my girls have arrived and it’s time to have a little fun,” Chewy grins, her eyes fixed on Renae’s slumped body.

The heavy metal door slams behind the Ol Ladies, each one beelining for their men. Lovely smiles wide, seeming in good spirits considering she has to be in pain. She must read my thoughts because she moves to her tiptoes, pressing a gentle kiss to the corner of my mouth.

“It doesn’t hurt too bad. Vi gave me a pain reliever and as long as I don’t talk or move my neck too much I’m fine.” She pats the center of my chest with her hand, and I grasp it in mine, holding it against my heart.

Her eyes turn soft and she leans into me, breathing deeply before turning, allowing me to trap her in the circle of my arms, her dark head leaning back against my chest. I nuzzle into her hair, breathing her scent as I press a kiss to the top of her head, then fix my gaze on Chewy.

“What’s the plan?”

“Let me just confer with the girls.”

The women make their way to the other side of the room. I’m reluctant to let Lovely go, but she throws me a cheeky grin over her shoulder and mouths “I’ll be back” as she sashays that plump ass across the room.

“No ogling until she’s patched up,” Pops jabs me with his finger while mean mugging me.

“I agree, Son, Lock that woman down, and fast,” Mad Dog adds.

Before I know it all my brothers are murmuring their agreement.

I rub the center of my chest, feeling damn warm inside knowing my brothers approve of Lovely.

I didn’t really think I’d give a shit whether they liked my choice of ol lady or not, but to know they not only like her, but approve wholeheartedly means a lot.

Having a first lady that the MC loves and respects is not only preferable, but powerful.

Her brothers were right, she’s the type of person the club will go to war for.

Feminine giggles draw mine and my brother’s attention to the other side of the room, the women looking animated, Mira scribbling frantically in her book while the others look like all their Christmases have come at once.

“Should we be afraid of how excited they all look?” Rider asks, tipping his chin in their direction.

“Should I be afraid that Kaia has slipped right into their Girl Gang bullshit?” Judge grumbles, never taking his eyes off Kaia.

I slap him on the back and give him a rueful smile. The brother has always been quiet and collected. The fact that he’s set his sights on a woman that I’d be afraid to piss off has my lips tipping up even more.

“Judge, I think you have a lot more to be afraid of than the Girl Gang.”

He lets out a sigh, “I know Pres. Kaia is fucking everything wrapped up in this dynamite package. I’m convinced she could rip my balls off at any moment.”

I slap him on the shoulder. “So? She may be scary, but can you imagine yourself with anyone else?” He stares at me before shaking his head. “Good luck, brother, it’s worth it.”

“AND brEAK!” The women all clap their hands like they’ve been discussing plays in an NFL huddle and make their way back to their ol men.

Chewy frees Chomper and Gretchen from their homey little cages in the corner, leads them to Serpiente’s prone body and nudges them closer. “There, babies, have a snack before bedtime,” she coos. She prances past Rhodie, stopping to suck face with him, before her and Pops go to the storeroom.

“You girls have a plan?” I whisper to Lovely, as she automatically finds her way back into my arms.

“Sure do,” she whispers hoarsely.

“Should we be worried?”

She just grins up at me, a twinkle in her eye.