Page 14 of Preacher

“Send him the names of the shell companies anonymously,” I said.

Deacon grinned like he knew exactly how much that would irritate me. “That’s almost civic-minded.”

“Say that again and I’ll break your laptop.”

Smoke laughed, but Gage understood what I meant. White could chase his side without knowing where the information came from, and I could chase mine without pretending a badge made him part of the club’s decisions.

My phone buzzed on the table, and Holly’s name lit the screen.

I answered before it could buzz twice. “Hey.”

“I want to meet the buyer.”

Every man at the table looked at me because apparently my face said enough.

“No.”

There was a pause on the other end. “That’s cute. I already called him.”

I closed my eyes for a second while Smoke muttered something that sounded like good luck.

“Holly.”

“I want to hear what he says when I tell him I know who they are.”

“You don’t know who they are.”

“No, but I know enough to ask better questions than I asked the first time.”

“And if he doesn’t like the questions?”

“That’s why I’m telling you where I’m going.”

She wasn’t asking; she was telling me, and I should have been irritated. Instead, something hot and inconvenient moved through my chest because she’d understood exactly what I’d told her from the beginning. The company was hers, and the decision had to be hers too.

“Where did you set it?”

“The motel restaurant at noon. He suggested somewhere public, and yes, I assume you’re coming.”

“You assumed right.”

She hung up before I could answer, and Smoke waited exactly two seconds. “How’s that control problem working out for you?”

“Fuck off.”

His grin followed me out of the room.

Some hours later, Sheriff White’s cruiser rolled through the clubhouse gate slowly enough that every brother outside noticed. He parked where he could see the front door, got out alone and looked around like the whole property offended him personally.

I walked over before he decided to wander farther in. “You lost?”

“Anonymous tip landed on my desk this morning. Know anything about that?”

“No idea what you’re talking about.”

“Three shell companies. Same registered contacts. Same pattern of property approaches.”

“Sounds useful. You should look into that.”