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Sergeant at Arms. His job is to make sure Jethro’s protected, and he ensures we’re all well-armed and monitored, too. Problem isn’t a word Pacino likes very much.

“Venom Dust is spreading faster than we can track it and shut it down,” Jethro says.

“It’s fucking everywhere,” Capone says. He opens up a small notebook and flips through to find the page he needs. “I’ve done some research, and the numbers don’t lie. They have a new distribution line. And it’s being run by a guy who acts more like a corporate sales rep, and it started with small-time dealers around Gravelton. Now, he’s gotten to bigger fish, and the shit’s reached Vegas and Reno.”

Pacino’s brow lifts. “And our families haven’t put a stop to it?”

“Their rivals are in bed with the Venom. They’re doing what they can, but it’s going to be hard if they keep getting the shipments to sell.”

“Then we find this guy and put a bullet in his brain,” Kannon says. “Can’t keep building the network from beyond the grave.”

Kannon is one of the most dangerous men we have in the club. Not because he’s some explosives expert or anything, but because he’s a man with nothing to lose. His wife and daughter died years ago, and the only other woman who ever stood a chance at being his family left. A man with nothing to live for becomes the most dangerous man in any room he enters.

“It’s not quite that simple,” Jethro says. “We don’t know who this asshole is yet. He’s smart, and he doesn’t stand out. Probably has a legitimate business operation. It’s not like he’s wearing the Black Venom logo.”

“If we’d killed Butch Ballard when we had the chance, we wouldn’t have this issue. Their operation would have taken a major hit, and it would have sent a message,” Zep says. “Instead, we’re looking at major distribution to the biggest cities of our state, and soon it’ll become national. Then global.”

The anger Zep holds burns from something deeper than the drugs. His biological father raped Zep’s mom, resulting in his birth. Which is enough to deal with, but add on the fact that Zep is convinced the Venom killed our former president, and it becomes a recipe for disaster. Then, as if that wasn’t enough for him to deal with, Butch tried to rape his girl Misty in the alleyway beside the Seven Crows. We barely got there in time to stop it.

“We don’t have proof,” I remind Zep. “And we can’t go out and put a hit on the rival president without inciting a full-on war. That fire will take down the entire town. And our loved ones will go up in flames, too.”

“They’re pushing us. They’re poisoning our kids with that trash. Johnny’s dead, and Butch is out walking around like his shit don’t stink. He’s breathing the air Johnny should be breathing, and we just continue to sit back and do nothing.”

“We’re not doing nothing,” Jethro says, his voice commanding but not yelling. “But we’re going to be smart about shit. I’m sorry it’s not going at a pace you approve of, but acting first and thinking later only gets you and everyone else around you killed.”

“And you have two girls and one on the way to think about,” I remind him. “Don’t let Butch take more from you than he already has.”

Zep stares at me, but my words seem to get through to him. “Fine.”

A man like Zep doesn’t do well feeling helpless, and between the situation with the Venom and Misty, he’s restless. There’s nothing he can do, and that’s not something he’s ever been good at.

“I want to find out anything we can on this guy helping expand their distribution,” Jethro says.

Pacino nods. “On it.”

“Good. And we need to come up with alternate routes. The last thing we need is the Venom getting one of our shipments of guns. Drugs and the heavy artillery we have ensures a disaster we can’t contain.”

Sniffling, Rooster taps the tabletop. “Will do.”

“We stay alert, and we stay alive. If the Venom want a war, it’s going to be on our terms, not theirs.”

He slams the gavel on the table, and we all stand. Zep’s up and gone before anyone can say anything, and I want to go after him. But what can I really say? Yes, I think we should have gone after Butch after Johnny died. But I also understand why the club decided against it. We probably wouldn’t be here if we had.

Reaching for another pastry, I let the flaky, buttery crust melt in my mouth, and I nearly moan. Yep, Phoebe has been a great addition to the Daredevils family.

Chapter 5

Dixie

My stomach knots as I stare at my phone outside of the Seven Crows. It’s a text from Stephen.

Did you schedule it?

It. Like it’s an eye doctor appointment. Not something life-changing and devastating.

No. And I won’t.

The three dots of him typing appear on the screen, but I block him before I can see anything more from him. If he doesn’t want to be part of my baby’s life, then so be it. I won’t force him. And I sure as hell won’t engage with him.