Page 52 of Toxic Revenge: Part Two

“You guys are so screwed, you know.”

That was her version of a greeting.

I sighed. “We didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Can you prove that?”

“No.” But Talia’s fathers probably could when this was all said and done. Then again, did it even matter?

We couldn’t run a motorcycle club in Villem when we were in a relationship with an Alfieri daughter. The club I’d spent my life trying to protect... It wasn’t meant to be mine.

I wanted to feel nothing about that, but I couldn’t. I was disappointed I’d failed, but more than anything I was angry that no one in the club trusted me. Only Gears and Hawk hadn’t fallen victim to my father’s lies about my pack.

He didn’t deserve their trust.

I thought I did—I only ever wanted what was best for everyone. They must not have viewed me with as much respect as I’d assumed.

“If you can’t prove it, then none of the old dudes in the club are going to believe you.” Her tone was sharp.

“Yeah. I know.”

“Luckily, I believe you. Hawk and I preemptively fled the territory, and I overheard a conversation while I was picking some things up from the warehouse.”

She would never admit it, but I bet she was picking up motorcycle parts. No way she would leave without her high-quality, impossible-to-acquire parts.

I listened intently as Gears went through what she’d heard. Pops had no idea where we were, thank fuck. The last thing we needed was a group of bikers showing up here with guns in hand.

They were all searching, though. Hunting us down. I’d given my life to the club, but they weren’t giving me any of their loyalty in return.

Meanwhile, Pops was the one working with outsiders to sell ammo that could decimate our streets. Benji and Willard hadto be the backers he’d gone to meet a few nights ago, when everything had gone to shit. Maybe that guy we’d overheard talking on the phone outside Lombardi’s was one of them.

“Where are you and Hawk camped out?” I asked when she was done.

“Some terrible motel in Seamouth.”

“Good. Stay in Seamouth. It’s safest there.”

She scoffed. “I wouldn’t call this place safe. It was just a better option than going to Medley Island when we know for a fact Grave is working with the O’Connors.”

“Trust me, it’s safest. There are some… new developments.”

“What new developments?”

“I can’t tell you over the phone.”

The new development was Talia’s family tentatively being on our side, but I didn’t want to risk telling Gears that before she was out of danger.

“That isn’t giving me much confidence in you.”

“I have to talk to someone about the situation, but I can give you more details after.”

Lavinia should be able to get someone to pick them up and take them to a safe house location. A motel was only short-term. Pops’ guys would find them there eventually.

“Fine. I’ll give you twenty-four hours. After that, I’m assuming we’re on our own. Clock starts now.”

She hung up without a goodbye.

Unearthing myself from the nest, I swung my legs off the side of the bed. Violet would know where Lavinia was, if they weren’t both in her room. We could get this all settled with one conversation, and I could ask about Benji and Willard at the same time.