Page 76 of Peaks and Promises

“That’s it?” I asked.

He took another drag and blew the smoke upward. “That’s it.”

“There’s gotta be a way to find her.”

“You went to get your kid and couldn’t bring him back. What do you expect me to do about that?”

“But he’s her…” I gestured toward his old lady without quite looking at her.

“He’s nothing of mine,” Stryker said.

Anger seared through me, but I clenched my teeth to stay in control.

He crushed the butt in an ashtray. “I kept a couple dogs on her scent while you were away. You should appreciate that.”

“I do.”

“But now? You can’t control a woman, that’s your problem.”

I didn’t bother looking to Roxi to intervene. What an old lady’s man said was law. It didn’t matter that Summer was her daughter or Nate her grandson. She’d never oppose Stryker, especially in front of another member.

“Got it,” I said. “I’ll figure something out.”

He nodded, dismissing me.

Rage burned like a hot coal in my gut as I turned and walked out. I wanted to pick up a chair and smash it, but I resisted the urge to break shit.

Not in the mood to stare at some stripper’s tits, but definitely in the mood for a drink, I stalked outside and went to the bar next door. It was ours, just like the strip club, and members clustered around the bar while others played pool. A few had their old ladies with them, and other women hung around. If a member wanted to get laid, there were always options.

I got a cheap whiskey from the bartender and slid onto a stool. Fucking Summer. She’d made me look like an idiot.

Hammer sat on the stool next to me. “I heard something.”

“What?”

“Sum Sum might be in Elko.”

Raising an eyebrow, I turned toward him. “Who said that?”

“Cutthroat. He was passing through and saw a waitress who’s a dead ringer. He knew we’d been out to check on her, so he was wondering what she was doing there.”

“You think it’s really her?”

He shrugged. “Could be. Waitress fits. That’s what she usually does.”

“What’s the diner called?”

“Sonny’s Café. You want me to ride with you?”

“No. I need to handle this myself.”

“All right.” He slid off the stool. “Ride hard, brother.”

“Ride hard.”

With a slow grin, I swallowed the last of my whiskey. I was going to find that bitch. I was going to get my kid back, and then I was going to make her pay.

CHAPTER 17