The front gate of the pseudo-Diablos’ clubhouse looked like it belonged in a 1950’s horror movie. Iron bars spread out across the driveway. A lone guard stood in front, smoking a cigarette and looking bored out of his mind. If one of our prospects acted like that, he’d be on his ass in a heartbeat. But fortunately for me, this made getting in easier. I rolled my window down.
“Prospect!” I shouted. “Open the fucking gate.”
The guard looked over at me and rolled his eyes. Seriously, where did they get this guy? And what kind of operation were they running? Surely no self-respecting MC, even an impostor one, would have such terrible security.
The cigarette fell from his fingers and he stepped up to the window, shaking his head. “Never seen you before, and no one said you were coming. We don’t allow strangers inside.”
I pointed to the Diablos logo on the cut I was wearing. “Have you seen this before, asshole? Or how about this one?” I pointed to the patch that saidNational Chapter President.
His eyes widened. “Oh fuck. Got it. Right away, sir. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Just open the fucking gate.”
I sighed in relief as he fumbled with the latch. I was prepared to get inside by any means necessary, but with Lexie’s life in danger, I’d rather use stealth.
I drove through the gate, then paused. “Leave it open. The first thing I like to do after a long drive is fuck, but I’ve got very specific tastes. If the girls here don’t measure up, I’ll need to head out to find something in town.”
The prospect nodded. “Yes sir, no problem, sir. Happy to recommend some good corners, if it comes to that.”
I nodded. “You’re all right, prospect. Thanks.” I rolled up the window and shook my head.Dumbass.
I called Lexie as I made my way into the compound. Plan A was that she made up an excuse to get outside and jumped in the car. A little passive for my taste, but it was the easiest way to get Lexie out of there, and I had to put her safety over my bloodlust. Now that I knew where their clubhouse was located, I could sate that urge later.
Her phone went straight to voicemail. I cracked my neck. On to Plan B.
I parked in front, leaving the doors unlocked for an easier exit. I’d have left the car running, but I didn’t trust that prospect not to steal it. He seemed a little too eager about visiting those corners.
I took the safety off the Glock and shoved it into my chest holster. As the national chapter president, they wouldn’t question it. I had to hope the imposters hadn’t done their homework and didn’t know what Balthazar looked like. Or that he was dead.
I threw open the front door and walked inside like I owned the place. The interior was a dump, much like the outside. Three grimy couches and a couple of old recliners were scattered around. I scanned the room, counting ten guys, currently too busy stuffing their faces to pay me much attention. Except for one, and he had me seeing red.
“Evening, brothers,” I began, directing my gaze to the asshole who sat in one of the recliners like it was a throne. He had a plate of food balanced on one leg, and Lexie on the other. His arm was wrapped around her waist, and I knew by the fear in her face that she wasn’t there by choice.
“And who the fuck are you?” the bastard dared to ask. I would enjoy taking him out.
“Funny, I was going to ask you the same thing. Seeing as I’m the president of the Diablos national chapter and you boys have set up shop, wearingmyfucking colors without my permission.”
I pulled out my gun and aimed at the bastard’s head. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t blow your brains out right this fucking second.”
This was a risk, coming in hot when I was one man against a dozen. Whoever these guys were, they needed to maintain their cover as a Diablos affiliate. I was banking on the fact that they wouldn’t want to take out the national prez and bring on the extra heat that would distract from their true purpose. Which I still needed to find out.
The bastard grinned.
“Apologies, Prez. As you can see, we’ve been a little busy.” He pulled Lexie tighter. Her body went rigid as his hand raised to her breast and squeezed.
My blood heated. The urge to put a bullet between his eyes was strong, but I couldn’t risk his men taking me out and leaving Lexie alone. I’d yet to see Jordan, and honestly, I was relieved. If he was the rat, he’d blow my cover. If he wasn’t, I might be forced to choose between him and Lexie, and brother or not, my woman would come first.
I holstered my weapon. “I can think of a few ways you can make it up to me.” I made a point of checking Lexie out from head to toe. “All chapters are required to send 15% of their earnings to national. My sources tell me you owe $20,000.”
The real number was probably double that, but I figured low balling the offer would make the asshole more inclined to accept without any trouble.
“Of course. I apologize for the oversight. We’ll have it for you tomorrow.”
I nodded. “Normally, I’d blow you the fuck up and not even blink. But from what I hear, you guys have settled into the area nicely and started up a good business. So I can be persuaded to bring you into the fold. You could have just reached out, you know. I’m sure we could have come to an agreement”
The bastard snorted. “We heard you were… uninterested.” He shrugged. “Clearly, that intel was wrong. But we’re happy to play nice. We’d appreciate the backup when we take on the Exiled Reapers.”
I grinned. “The Reapers? Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
