Page 23 of Unruly Defender

– GRACY –

C lemente mentions the timeline and it makes me gasp. “That’s around the time we met. When your father came back and ran into my mother.”

Clemente rubs his fingers over his lips as if he’s thinking things through. “What if your mother and my father reconnecting made a wave in your mother’s marriage?”

“She was separated from my father a few weeks after they met. I didn’t think anything of it at the time, I mean.

..they were always fighting so my first thought was ‘finally!’ But what if Rush did work with Spencer and they both forged the papers because they needed the money?

Money Spencer needed for himself because my mother left him.

Or maybe he invested with Rush and needed it back because my mother found out he took her money?

Because I know for a fact my grandfather made sure everything stayed in my mother’s name. ”

“My lawyers were able to get their hands on the papers that were filed to refuse your inheritance. They had them checked and the report stated they were forged.” Clemente gives his attention to Henley.

“I’m guessing if we put the papers you’re talking about right next to them.

..maybe they were forged by the same one.

Wait. I suddenly remember something. It might be nothing but it’s too much of a coincidence.

” Clemente reaches for his phone and starts to type. “Here.”

He turns his phone and both me and Henley lean in to see a news article about a huge drug bust in one of the nearby ports.

“I checked into Spencer’s background and saw he used to be the CEO of a freight and shipping company.

” Clemente continues, “What if he used to get a golden handshake every now and then to look the other way when it involved certain ships? They could have been working together for a while. And what if they owed a cartel cash for a deal gone wrong?”

“It’s like tiny pieces of a puzzle,” I mumble to myself.

“And if this is true, it’s connected to all of us.

Crossed paths even before we met. But it also means this isn’t as simple as turning in the evidence, Henley.

What if Clemente is right and years ago those drugs that were taken were meant for Rush?

Has he paid them off by using the investors’ money?

Those funds were never retrieved because he faked the bank account he put in your name, right? ”

“There was no money,” Henley grunts. “I thought I could escape jail time if I paid off the few investors who had proof they transferred the money. But those funds were transferred to a Swiss bank account, it didn’t match the one on the contract. Like I said, there was a lot wrong with my case.”

“You were lucky you only spent a few years on the inside and had a reduction in sentence, man. Fuck,” Yates grunts.

“Every month Rush drops off a package. I’ve walked into him putting cash into a leather bag and he either drops it off himself or lets Banjo or Maxton drop it off,” Rhett suddenly says.

“Is he still paying it off or getting drugs in small portions? I know he was about to drag the whole MC into his business but he never made a secret of his selling drugs on the side, so I never questioned his activity as long as he didn’t pull any of us in along with it.

But from what I heard Banjo mention a few times when he was drunk off his ass is that Rush only has three big clients and he basically just makes sure he gets the drugs off the boat and transports them to those three and swaps the money.

Then the money needs to be dropped off. They make it sound easy and risk free but we all know that shit isn’t. ”

“It’s a sales pitch,” Clemente tells him.

“I don’t think Banjo was drunk when he shared that piece of information with you.

Nor did you accidentally walk in on seeing Rush with a pile of cash.

It sounds more like a way to buy souls. Make you interested in an easy way to earn big cash fast. Gracy, I believe your family owns or co-owns one of the major ports in California, right?

And when you think about Spencer who used to be the CEO of a freight and shipping company.

..there’s a link between all of it all right.

I’m sure my father will have more information about what goes on in those ports.

I have to talk to him after we’re done here and explain everything, he might have more insight with the connections he has.

He might also know who Rush is dealing with and if I do, I will put an end to it. ”

“Can you do that?” I gasp. “Go to a drug dealer or a cartel for that matter...that’s what they call these things, right? I mean, those things are huge, and you’re saying you can just...shoo them away? I know I make it sound easy but it really sounds unrealistic, all of it.”

“It’s complicated and it will take some meetings with the right people but it’s all about having the necessary contacts and power.

” Clemente gives her a satisfied grin. “Power comes with order; my family has earned this and is respected. When my father moved to Italy, my uncle took over and when we returned, my uncle retired and it was my time to take over but that shouldn’t have happened the way it did.

My father would have been in charge for a few more years while I was at his side.

But with the death of your mother...your mother. Her death was ruled a suicide, right?”

I swallow hard and can only nod. Even if it’s been almost nine months, her sudden death still hits me hard every time I think about it.

“I think it’s time I had a little chat with Spencer,” Clemente suddenly says and locks eyes with Henley. “I’m not liking the way this deepens and crosses lives and paths.”

“When? ’Cause I want in,” Henley says and there’s a look in his eyes I can’t place.

My gaze ping pongs between Clemente and Henley because I don’t understand their reasoning. “Aren’t we supposed to leave Spencer to the police? I mean, the whole thing with him forging my signature and filing something I didn’t...that’s fraud and will put him behind bars, right?”

Clemente’s face stays the same, not one twitch different, but when I glance at Henley there’s sadness and...pity? For me? Why? And when did this discussion go from my mother to Spencer?

A jolt of awareness fires through my veins making me gasp, “No. You’re thinking Spencer killed my mother?”

Oh. My. God. And the worst is...it actually makes more sense than my mother killing herself because she was clearly happier when they separated and she moved out of Spencer’s house.

Henley wraps his arm around my waist and plasters me against his body. His lips are touching my temple in a tender kiss. “One thing at a time, darlin’, one thing at a time.”

I lean into his touch to search his strength in all of this. Clemente is holding his phone as if he just contacted someone or is about to but he’s watching us instead.

“I’ll have him within the hour. Do you need to talk things through with your guys first?”

“Pres.” Yates clears his throat. “I’m thinking it would be better to have the meeting later when we have more details.

It’s a lot to process and if we can iron out more details and get balls rolling ourselves it’s better to present the whole thing at once instead of shards of information. Unless we need more manpower.”

“I have more manpower.” Clemente grins. “And I second your VP’s thoughts. Besides, I also put out a few feelers to see who Rush’s supplier might be and where Rush might be hiding out.”

“I know for a fact he owns a building near Monrovia Avenue. I’ve seen the ownership papers when I was in his office and had to drop something off. He quickly covered it up and that’s why I remembered. It’s worth checking out, right?”

Clemente types another message on his phone and says, “I’ve put someone on it.” His attention goes to Henley as he says, “Can we talk in private?”

My first instinct is to leave them to it but then I realize they’ve been discussing details right in front of me and suddenly Clemente doesn’t want me to hear what he has to say about Henley? That means just one thing.

“He’s mine and I’m his, Clemente,” I snap. “Deal with it. I’m not giving him up because you can’t handle the fact that we’re together.”

Clemente rises one eyebrow and says, “With the way you two interact, it’s clear no one can come between the connection you share with him.

My request to talk in private was indeed to split you up, but it was only for a short period of time because I don’t want you near Spencer.

Henley and I will handle it so you’ll either come with us and will be in another room, or—”

“She stays at the club,” Rooney states. “She’ll be surrounded by brothers who will protect her.”

Yates nods and Henley just gives a radiant smile.

Clemente sighs and says, “Fine. Just so we’re clear, that’s my sister. If anything happens to her, you’re all going to wish you were dead, am I clear?”

“Dude.” Rhett scrunches up his nose. “No need to throw out a threat like that. She’s the president’s old lady, your wrath would be peanuts compared to what Pres would do.

Have you seen him fight? I was peeing blood for two days when he just lightly tapped my kidney the last time we were in the ring together.

Yeah, no way would we let one hair on her head fall the wrong way, she’s safe with us. ”

Henley is still wearing the same smile when he gives me another kiss on my temple. “She stays at the club while I go with you.”

Clemente lets his harsh gaze slide over Rooney, Yates, and Rhett, before he finally grunts, “Fine. But I’m coming back in to check if she’s really fine when I drop Henley off.”

“Clemente!” I gasp, making the corner of his mouth twitch.