I was furious at Maddie for disobeying me and giving Brick the slip, which he’d hear about, of course, and for also trying to protect a Reaper. Help or no help.
“Brick, get her outta here,” I shouted, tapping the gun against my thigh.
He reached down and scooped her up with no effort at all, his hand wrapped around her waist as he carted her off. She wore a thin top and short shorts, and while I hated that anyone had seen her like that, I doubted they were paying much attention with what was goin’ down.
“Lincoln! Please don’t do it,” she bawled, beating her tiny fists against Brick’s arms to try and get down. “Please…” Her voice faded the further away he took her, leaving the rest of us to focus on this guy.
“Now, why exactly did you come here to warn us?” I asked. “Did they send you in as bait?” I looked to the other guys. “Is there anyone else around. Did you check?”
“Yeah,” Hawke answered. “This isn’t my first rodeo.”
I wanted to shout “It is for me,” but that comment was unnecessary. We were in it now, my decision to take Maddie that night the catalyst to what was happening right at our feet… literally.
Pike shook his head as best he could in response to my question, his breathing coming in shallow spurts.
“Who fucked you up?” I asked him.
“Griller.”
“Why?”
“Be… because I tried to…” He coughed, spitting up more blood onto the gravel. His hands clenched into fists while he struggled to take air into his lungs. “Convince them to leave Maddie alone. Get new pussy.”
His reference to her made my blood boil, the inferno erupting inside me set to blow any second. Trying to remain calm was difficult, but I somehow succeeded, albeit barely.
“When are they comin’ for her? For us?” Ace asked, running his hand over the top of his head, his other holding his weapon steady.
“Soon.”
Contemplating what to do with him, I teetered between gettin’ rid of him, in whatever way that entailed I wasn’t sure yet, and keeping him around for more questioning.
I crouched down so I could see him better. “Did you guys set the fire at Indulge?” A crease formed between his eyes. “One of our strip clubs,” I clarified, guessing the answer before he gave it with a nod… then fell unconscious.
“What are we gonna do with him?” Kaden asked, walking in a circle while glancing down at the Reaper every few seconds. “We can’t leave him here.”
“We can dump him where we’ve discarded the others.” Hawke pulled out his cell and dialed a number, allowing his words to sink in. Ace, Kaden, and I exchanged glances before I closed my eyes and pushed out a breath.
“And where is that?” The more I learned about the dealings of the club in the old days, the more hesitant I was to ask questions, but I supposed it had become a necessary evil as of late.
“’Bout an hour from here.” He walked away as soon as his call connected.
“What the fuck?” Ace griped, pacing around the Reaper and mumbling to himself. “I’ve never been involved in a murder before, and now the count is gonna be up to two.” He explained further when Kaden and I kept staring at him. “Tag and now this guy.”
“We don’t know Tag is gonna be killed,” I said.
“What else do you think is gonna happen?” Kaden shook his head and took a few steps back.
Before I could even think of a reply, Hawke came walking back over, shoving his phone in his pocket. “Prez said to bring him to the safe house. He’s givin’ Miles, Rez, and Nash a heads-up we’re comin’. I’ll grab the van.” He walked away without another word.
“I’ll be right back.” I tucked the gun into the back of my waistband and jogged toward the clubhouse. While I continued to deal with twinges of jealousy and anger toward Maddie, I still didn’t want to leave her. But it looked like I had no other choice in the matter.
She was sitting at the bar, Brick caging her in her seat. While I didn’t appreciate how close he was to her, or that he’d had his hands on her before, I trusted him to not be inappropriate or cross any lines where she was concerned.
The moment she saw me, she hopped off the stool and rushed toward me, throwing her hands around my neck. “Please tell me you didn’t kill him.” She sobbed, her concern for this guy making my stomach roll.
I pushed her back so I could see her face, hating every one of her tears that were being shed for another man. “He is none of your concern.”
“Lincoln, please…” Her body trembled as she looked up at me with her imploring stare. “Please don’t—”
“Maddie, listen to me. Whatever happens to him is not on you.” She opened her mouth to interrupt, but I shook my head before continuing to speak. “He knew what could happen by showing up here.” More tears stained her cheeks. “What he did to you is unforgiveable. I know you believe he’s not a bad guy because he was nice to you sometimes, but he’s a coward. He took you to his club knowing what type of men they are. And you can argue with me until you’re blue in the face, but that piece of shit out there,” I said, raising my voice and pointing toward the door, “is not someone who deserves your tears. And don’t think for a second he won’t lure another unsuspecting girl back to his buddies.” Even as the words left my mouth, I became conflicted with the suspected truth of them. Pike had come here to warn us, but as of this moment, I couldn’t figure out if he told us the truth or if this was part of a setup.
When her tears slowed,
