Page 4 of Shadow

I don’t want to let my brothers down, so I will focus on getting the hundred grand from Everett one way or another.

“Shadow… do you need back-up? Those Russians are some unpredictable bastards. I don’t want you getting caught out there by yourself,” Ice says with a quirked eyebrow.

“I’m good, Cap. You know me.”

“Alright.”

Ice knows my personality. If I thought I would need reinforcements, I would ask. But I’ve been doing this shit long enough to know that cocky motherfuckers end up hurt or worse… dead. And since I don’t plan on leaving this earth any time soon, I’ll keep my guard up.

Most people never see me coming anyway. That’s how I got my Sinners name. I blend into the shadows easily, and I often use that to my advantage. Motherfuckers don’t see me coming until it’s too late.

“I’ll make contact when necessary,” my words are my way of reassuring my brother.

We’re all extremely rough around the edges, but we always make sure to cover each other. The worst feeling in the world is to lose a member of your family, blood-related or chosen.

Ice knows all too well how in the blink of an eye everything can change when it comes to family. How he got custody of his twins full time is a testament to that.

Ice nods, and I walk away. I normally would stop by the main room of the clubhouse and have a shot before I ride out. But my gut is telling me I need to be in complete control. I always trust my gut. It hasn’t let me down yet.

I thought the uneasy feeling would leave me when I got on my bike. Riding my Harley always gives me freedom like I’ve never felt before. My mind goes blank, and I can completely enjoy the solitude of the ride.

I connected with the road so much that I was a nomad for a while. I was always itching to be on the go, and I never felt comfortable enough to stay in one place until I found myself in Vegas. Out of all the places, I never thought I’d call sin city home. But that’s exactly what it is for me. The Sinners are the only family I have left in this world.

I pull up to my store, Sin City Tattoo’s and Apparel, to check in on things. I leave the twins, Thomas and Leo, to manage things on a regular basis. My shop runs like a well-oiled machine, so I have plenty of time to focus on my responsibilities for the club.

“Hey, Shadow,” the little brunette receptionist calls out with an enthusiastic wave.

I nod with a grunt. She’s only been here a few weeks, and I can’t remember her name mostly because her perkiness irks my nerves. But the customers seem to like her, and the twins say she’s a good employee, so I try not to give her a hard time.

I walk through the store’s clothing section and nod at a few shoppers before heading to the tattoo parlor. The rock and roll music is louder, and the atmosphere is livelier. This part of my shop is what I love the most: the needles’ buzz, the rock music, and the anticipation of getting new ink. I only wish I could tattoo like my artist, but that’s not my talent. I opened this place to satisfy a need and to help the Sinners wash our money. It’s been a win-win for everybody, especially when we added the clothing.

“What’s up, Leo.” I walk into one of the back offices to see Leo working.

I know he’s doing the payroll because his brows are furrowed, and he has on his glasses. Leo is a wiz with numbers, but his focus is terrible.

“Shadow, man, I swear I hate doin’ this fuckin’ paperwork,” Leo grumbles, shaking his head.

“You volunteered to do that shit. Make your brother do it.” I shrug away his complaints.

Leo and I know he will never let his twin do anything because he’s too fucking controlling.

“It’s almost done now,” Leo mumbles with a frown.

I shake my head with a smirk. We go through this every damned time he has to do paperwork. But he does a great job, so I entertain his stubborn ass.

“By the way, some slick motherfucker just stopped in looking for you. Thomas took him to the back office.”

“Thanks.” I head to the back office because I know exactly who he’s talking about without asking. And his snake ass better have our fucking money.

When I enter the back office, Thomas and I do a fist bump in greeting, and he leaves without saying anything. He closes the door behind him, leaving me alone with Everett.

“Where’s the money motherfucker?”

“I have some of it, but I won’t get the rest until tonight.”

I narrow my eyes because I know the fucker is up to something, but I don’t know what. “Give me what you have now, and I swear if you’re bullshitting me…”

“I would never do that. Never.” Everett interrupts me.