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Chaser continues as if nothing happened. “You were right.” He meets my eyes. “It was one of Quill’s foot soldiers who came at you and roughed up your girl.”
“Chaser,” Rock says in a low, urgent tone. “You have to understand the gravity of this situation. We had your assurance nothing would change with your brother’s crew running through our territory.”
Chaser clenches his jaw. He’s in a hell of a shitty spot. I’d feel bad for him if it wasn’t my woman who was attacked. “From what I understand, it’s like Grinder said. This guy took on some side action my brother didn’t sanction.” His gaze shifts to me. “Someone at Pine wanted you bad. Who’d you piss off before you left?”
“You kidding me?” I push into Chaser’s space, not touching him but making it clear that’s what’s coming if he tries throwing the blame my way.
“Easy,” Chaser says. “I gotta ask.” His gaze shifts to Rock. “Our clubs share a long history.” He tilts his head toward his brother. “I won’t shit on that. Not for family. Or anyone else.” His dark eyes land on me again. “You should know that better than anyone here, Grinder.”
Nice, subtle reminder of all the ways his club helped protect me inside.
“He went after my girl,” I snarl. “Scared her. Hurt her.”
“We’ll make it right.” He raises his voice and glances over his shoulder at the SUV. “We’ll make it right, won’t we, Quill?”
Chaser’s brother steps out of the vehicle and rolls over to us with the lethal grace of a lion on the hunt.
He stops at Chaser’s side, shoulder-to-shoulder.
“I get that you don’t have a reason to trust me.” He glances at Chaser who nods for him to continue. “But my crew doesn’t go after women. My guys know that.”
“Obviously, they don’t,” I growl.
He stabs me with a murderous glare but takes a few seconds for a long, slow inhale and exhale. “We’re still ironing out some issues since my father’s death. Rio hasn’t been…thrilled over certain recent structural changes.”
“Seems you need to get your guys in line,” Rock scolds. “Quickly.”
Chaser clamps his mouth shut and glances down. Like he’s trying not to laugh. Bet he gave his brother a similar lecture before this meeting.
Rooster steps closer to me. “Prez, you mind if I paint a picture here?”
Z’s mouth quirks. “What’s that, Rooster?”
Rooster locks eyes with Chaser, whose expression remains flat. “I haven’t been patched-in as long as some of my brothers. But I’ve always known Kings and Demons had a good relationship.”
Chaser’s jaw tightens. “Yes, Rooster. I mentioned that about five minutes ago, if you were listening.”
“I heard you. I wanted to emphasize this point for Quill.” Rooster circles his finger in the air. “Our get-together is a courtesy. We’re not the only MC in existence. If this shit went down somewhere else, you would’ve brought a war down on Chaser’s club, not friendly chats at backwoods bars.” He holds his hands up as a sign he’s not trying to be disrespectful. “Just sayin’.”
Z side-eyes his VP and barely hides his smirk. “Thank you, Rooster.” He jerks his head for Rooster to fall back and keep quiet.
Quill’s reaction is less amused. “I’m aware of the damage this incident caused. I want to make amends. Or I wouldn’t be standing here.”
I’m starting to hate this guy.
“Blood or cash.” Wrath’s low voice reverberates around our circle.
“I know how it’s done,” Quill sneers. “I didn’t waltz into the life yesterday.”
“As far as I’m concerned, you did,” Rock says.
Quill raises his hand over his shoulder and snaps his fingers. The hatch of the SUV silently lifts. Two men dressed in black roll a third guy wrapped up in ropes out of the cargo area, then close the hatch.
“Got your boy rolled up like a Christmas goose, there, Quill,” Wrath says.
Quill stares at Wrath and Chaser’s enforcer. Neither of them move. Finally Quill stalks over and drags the goose across the concrete, throwing him into the center of our circle. He squats next to his foot soldier and rips the black bandanna away from his mouth.
“He’s the one who came to visit me,” I confirm. I note the red X tat and the lion on the hand.
He grins up at me from the ground. “Got mad respect for you, old man. Your woman’s a sweet piece. Wish I’d been able to spend more time with her.”
Either he doesn’t really think Quill will discipline him or he has no fucks left to give.
Rooster pulls his piece and quietly hands it to me.
“Whoa, whoa,” Quill holds out his hands. “Wait a second.”
The doors of the SUV fly open and two guys jump out, guns drawn.
Chaos erupts with everyone pulling their weapons. Most of them seem to be aimed in Quill’s direction.
Chaser raises his hand in the air. “We’re on the same side.”
