Page 17 of Property of Prowler (Kings of Anarchy MC: Nevada #1)

Pulling into the public parking at Royal Arms, Prowler powered off his bike but kept his helmet on to finish the conversation with Langly.

“I’ll bring the papers at first light, and you’ll be set. I’ll file a copy with the courts, but they take the time they take for child support. Could be a month, could be six or more.”

“I don’t give a rat’s ass if the payments cease or not, so long as Cassidy is legally mine full time.”

“Of course. You pay me enough to work all night if needed.”

Langly wasn’t wrong.

After ending the call, Prowler strode into the hotel they owned, purposefully entering through the legit building first. It was calm as expected. The guests and staff didn’t have a clue of the chaos going on just a stone’s throw away.

Walking out the back of the hotel, through the courtyard, he came to King’s Ransom.

King’s Ransom was a club-owned bar with video poker that basically divided the property. Situated directly in front of the private area of the hotel, they familiarly called it the King’s Wing.

That building appeared to be old hotel rooms converted to long-term apartments. The brothel was within it, as was their underground casino.

A few of the guys lived in the apartments at the far end. Other rooms served other purposes as needed.

You could only access King’s Wing through the back gate, requiring a code, or through an underground tunnel connected to King’s Ransom. Since Prowler wanted to check the state of the hotel guests, he opted for the latter.

Giving Creedence a nod as he strode past the bar, he headed toward the back room and the entrance to the tunnel. Once out of the tunnel, he made a beeline to Darcy’s room. Monster was waiting by the door.

“Prez.”

“Darcy?”

“Doc just left. Nothing life-threatening, but she’ll only talk to you. Doc gave her something for the pain.”

“Who was working security?” Prowler’s first order of business was to handle the failure in-house before worrying about outside. He already knew the bastard who did this was in the wind.

“The same company we’ve used for two years when a club member can’t be here. Never had a problem until now.”

Monster nodded down the hall, and they started walking.

The club was meticulous about security, especially where their less-than-legal businesses were concerned.

The company he was referring to wasn’t one you could find in the yellow pages.

They were underground and paid to be blind to anything not concerning security.

They actually contacted Hector through Hunter’s cellmate in prison. He was one of Hector’s men.

“What did Hector say?”

“He said your call to handle as you see fit. But if he leaves here alive, he won’t be for long.”

Hector one hundred percent backed the guys he sent to Prowler, but if they fucked up, he washed his hands. Prowler knew he had gang members running security and other odd jobs for him, but they were usually loyal.

“He offered compensation since the failure was his.”

Prowler knew that would be Hector’s stance, but he wanted to make sure before he did something permanent.

They arrived at one of the rooms that served a special purpose. Using the keypad, they opened the door. It looked like a typical, albeit cramped, long-term stay room. But the smell of blood already had Wolf pacing back and forth.

When they entered the hidden soundproofed room, the smell of blood was overwhelming. The man he assumed was the guard sat tied to a chair, beaten raw. Ghoul was grinning like a loon.

“Kinda looks like a Picasso, huh, Prez?”

“Yeah, kinda.” He murmured through his lengthening canines.

Ghoul strode over to the unrecognizable man, yanking his head up by the hair. “You hear that, Matt? My Prez thinks I’m a fucking artist. How cool is that?”

To anyone else, it would appear Ghoul enjoyed his job. That may be a little bit true, but the not so little bit of truth was that he hated people who hurt women more than most, with good reason. Since Matt allowed it, well…

Ghoul watched his mom get beaten, raped, and murdered by rogue shifters. That brought on his first shift, and he destroyed them all, but it fucked him up.

Ghoul shoved the soon-to-be-dead man’s head away before punching him again.

“He doesn’t want to talk to me, Prez. Guess I’m not his type.”

Let me talk to him. Wolf snarled in his head.

Prowler hesitated. This aspect of their relationship was still new, and he wasn’t sure about giving up control. When Wolf had taken it earlier, it had exhausted them both.

I’ll give it back as soon as he talks. He is keeping us from our mate.

Okay, but no full shifting without my consent.

Kansas had said for a natural, the connection deepens over time, and the two become more like one, and these internal gab sessions won’t be the same. They’ll just be in sync.

He felt Wolf nod in agreement. Partial is on the table though , Wolf added.

Prowler stalked over to Matt.

“Look at me.” It was Prowler’s voice, but not. He knew he should step back, but he was loath to give up full control of his body.

Matt slowly raised his head, eyes almost swollen shut. Prowler used his fingers to pry open the one that was in better shape.

Prowler felt his teeth lengthen even more, his eyes sharpen, and his face change slightly. And the nails, or rather claws, were shocking.

“There, that’s better. See me, Matt, see what I am. Tell me the truth, and I’ll let Ghoul over there end you nice and quick. Lie or refuse to talk, and I will eat you alive. Slowly. Painfully.”

The ammonia scent of urine joined the coppery smell of blood.

“I … I don’t know his name, man, I swear. He paid me … to-to take a smoke break. I thought he was just going to steal some money or something, not hurt anyone.”

That statement did not calm anyone in the room.

“So, you were okay with someone taking from the Kings? I’ve gotta tell you, Matt, that’s not helping things. We know what he looks like, but you gotta give me something not on the camera feed, and this can all be over for you.”

“I don’t know, man, he didn’t give me a name.” Prowler snarled and snapped his teeth in the man’s face.

“Prison ink,” Matt blurted. “He had some prison ink, okay.” When Prowler didn’t back away, Matt added, “There was another dude waiting in the car. One who was a regular here until he skipped on y’all.

” Matt’s voice rose higher, then fell. “Travis, man. It was that Travis dude and the dude with prison ink.”

And there it was. Matt had chosen how he wanted to die.

Prowler rose back to his full height and nodded at Ghoul to end the man before he and Monster strode from the room.

“I’ll talk to Darcy in the morning.” Prowler yawned. “I’m going to head out now.” He wobbled on his feet, absolutely spent.

Wolf was curled up sleeping already. The partial shifts and shared control exhausted them both. He should’ve stepped back and given Wolf control, but he just wasn’t ready for that.

“You okay, Prez? You look like shit.”

He barely managed a smirk at his brother. “Just tired as fuck.” He rocked back on his heels again.

“Whoa.” Monster caught him before he collapsed. “You’re not riding. You’re sleeping here.”

“No. Home. Cass.”

Monster must’ve understood. Prowler was slightly aware of getting loaded into a cage and the being put to bed with his brothers debating over undressing him or not.

After that … nothing but black.