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I flipped the porch light on and shut the door, ensuring everything was set. Frowning, I wondered why the light wasn’t working. Dipping my head down to unscrew the sconce, I found the socket empty.
Strange.
I knew there was a bulb the last time I was here. Sure, it may have burned out or even ended up broken somehow but stolen? That didn’t make any sense at all. I didn’t remove it. Trish hadn’t been here.
Who would unscrew another person’s front lightbulb and steal it?
Panic tried to press in from all sides as I immediately jumped to conclusions and worried that I was somehow a target again. Sighing shakily, I twisted the sconce back in place and lifted my chin, determined not to let my fear rule my life. This was probably a prank. Lots of young people lived in the area and it wasn’t far fetched to think it was a joke.
I shoved my sunglasses on, climbed onto the driver’s seat of the SUV, cranked Avenged Sevenfold, and drove toward the Crossroads, singing loudly to the lyrics the entire ride.
Fuck it. I was chasing my happiness and letting the cares of the world fade away.
“What’s the deal, brother?”
I took a long drag from my cigarette before replying, still attempting to calm myself down from the conversation with Grim. “A fuck ton of bullshit,” I finally mumbled.
“I hear you.” Wraith leaned against the side of the concrete façade. One leg was crossed over the other at the ankles. “Shit with the Scorpions is coming to a head.”
“It’s not just that, Wraith. It’s fucking personal.”
“Suraya and Sasha.” He understood my shit mood had to do with losing one woman and nearly arriving too late to rescue the other.
“Yeah.”
“What are you feelin’?” Wraith didn’t ask the obvious – if I wanted to do something about it. He already knew. What he was asking was if I was gonna wait it out like Grim asked.
“Not much choice. Can’t go rogue and risk somethin’ happening to Sasha or blowback on the club. My hands are fucking tied.”
“I don’t like it.”
“That makes two of us.”
Mammoth exited the clubhouse, his expression stormy as he headed my way. If I wasn’t a brother and absolutely certain he wasn’t about to kick my ass I would have been afraid of the three hundred plus pounds of muscle that he heaved on his big frame. The guy was six-and-a-half-feet tall with shoulders so wide he had to turn sideways to enter and exit the Crossroads. Big motherfucker was as gentle as a mouse until you pissed him off then he was like a charging bull and it was a fuckin’ beautiful thing to watch.
His Reaper was so wild and untamed that he was the most unpredictable of us all and that was saying something considering both Rael and Hannibal and their fucked-up bullshit.
I ticked my head in his direction and stood my ground, prepared for whatever tongue lashing he was gonna give about allegiance to the club and not stirring up trouble with the Cartel and Scorpions more than we already had going on. Surprised the shit out of me when Mammoth pulled out a cigarette, lit up, puffed a couple of slow drags, and then smiled.
“I want to fuck this Chamuco up.”
I blinked, staring at the V.P. like he lost his goddamn mind.
“Shiiiiitttttt,” Wraith exhaled, drawing out the word with a loud guffaw. “You’re fuckin’ crazy, Mammoth.”
He shrugged. “I’ve got Grim’s back but no one threatens an ol’ lady or a brother.”
“What are you sayin’?” I needed him to be totally fucking clear because I couldn’t go back on my word with our pres. Not only that, but no new threats had been issued since Christmas which began a whole new set of questions in my head. Chamuco had been silent for two months. Or so I thought.
“Grim said your hands were tied.”
I nodded, trying not to get pissed again.
“He didn’t say shit about me.”
“Fuck,” Wraith cursed, admiration in his gaze. “I love you, brother.”
Mammoth was amused. “You’re coming with me, Wraith.”
