Page 38 of Kiwi

"I can't explain it, Prez, but nothin' I do shakes the feeling that he's about to crawl out from under the rock he's been hidin' under," I admit.

"Who's Donovan?" Quinn questions. Jake and Riggs share a look. Before interrupting and overstepping my Prez, I give Riggs a look, and a nod gives me his approval to explain.

"Donovan Black is my birth father. He helped organize and sell women, in one of the country's largest sex trafficking rings, eleven years ago." What I don't care to share is the fact that I played a part.

"Hey," Wick's voice booms, earning everyone's attention, yet he is looking directly at me from across the table. "You need to let that shit swirling around in your head go, brother. That sorry excuse for a human used you. One day, you will get retribution—he will pay for his sins." Wick holds my attention for a beat. "We'll find out soon enough if your premonition will become our reality."

"Until then, we all need to keep level headed," Jake interjects, and he's right.

Riggs' phone buzzes, vibrating against the table. Palming it, he answers. His words are short, giving no clue to who is on the other end. The moment he lays his phone down, he locks eyes with Nova. "That was Cowboy. His connection at Lakefront will fly us to Vegas." Pausing, Riggs looks at his watch. "We have less than an hour to get our shit and leave." Riggs faces Jake. "Brother, I know ya'll are due to hit the road today…"

Jake throws up his hand. "Say no more. My crew will remain here until further notice." He faces Logan. "Have our women call our family back home to let them know we will be extending our stay."

Riggs stands, clasping Jake on his shoulder. "Thanks, brother."

"No thanks necessary. We take care of our own," Jake says.

"My men go sort out your shit. Kiss your women and children if you have them, then get your asses outside. We hit the road in twenty," Riggs orders, then he slams the gavel, ending church.

As everyone is filing out, Riggs stops me. "You sure you can handle going back? I know you swore you would never return to Vegas."

Letting my defenses down for a moment, I tell him, "Nothing is going to stop me from making sure Piper is safe." The conviction in my voice is firm. Riggs eyes me for a beat and, for a split second, I think I just fucked up.

Riggs levels me with a hard stare. "We'll get answers soon enough. Just keep your head on straight. Got it?"