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The third message was an email from a contact getting back to me with some information.
I located the partner of Emily’s father—the dirty cop who got her parents killed. Not something I could tell her over breakfast with Libby sitting right there. In fact, I’m not sure I should tell her at all, since then I’ll have to explain that I tracked the guy down after she asked me not to.
Wrath’s standing outside the war room door when I arrive at the clubhouse. Shit. I must be the last one here.
He nods at me but doesn’t issue one of his doom and gloom warnings. I hurry into my seat.
“Phones off,” Wrath reminds everyone.
“All right,” Rock says, jumping right into the meeting. “Funeral looks like it’s a go, weekend after next. Expect to roll out Tuesday or Wednesday.” He nods to me and then Jigsaw.
I raise my hand. “In the interest of getting there on time, we’re going to skip the stop at Virginia’s clubhouse. It adds another five hours onto the trip. We’re going to meet up with Ice and his guys outside of Lexington and all ride from there.”
“Isn’t that still in Virginia?” Hustler asks.
Z side-eyes his treasurer. “You realize it’s a big state, right?” He holds out his arms wide.
“You need a map, big buddy?” Jigsaw asks.
“Fuck off. It’s a valid question.”
“Not for anyone who’s ever looked at a map,” Rooster mutters.
“We’ve got concerns about law enforcement checkpoints,” I continue, ignoring their geography for the clueless lesson. “Jigsaw and I are going to review different routes, talk to some friends along the way, see what’s best.”
“Everyone rides clean,” Rock says, shifting his gaze around the room. “No fucking around.”
“I’ll be around to help anyone with repairs or anything you need for the trip,” I say. “If anyone needs parts ordered, get it to me by Monday night.”
“Same.” Jigsaw raises his hand. “After that, fuck all y’all. You’re on your own.”
I smirk but don’t echo the sentiment. My brothers know damn well I’ll still bend over backwards to help them out.
“I’ll have more details when we get closer to the run.” I nod to Rock to indicate I’m finished.
“Thanks, Dex.” Rock’s gaze lands on Murphy, who shakes his head.
We go through a few more club matters. Grinder’s quieter than usual. Is he concerned about his first big club run since he got out of prison? Or is it worry about being away from Serena and his infant son for too long?
“Anyone else?” Rock asks.
I raise my hand again. “I hate asking, but Malik’s out sick. I could use another body at CB tonight.”
Hoot lifts his hand. “Hell, yeah. You don’t even need to ask, brother. Just say the word.”
“Thanks.”
“Birch, why don’t you join them,” Rock says. It sounds like a question, but Rock’s stone-cold face makes it clear, it’s an order.
“Yeah, no problem. Five, Dex?” he asks me.
“That’s good.” I shift my gaze to Ravage.
“You want me there earlier,” he says before I even get out the request. “I know the drill, Dex.”
“I’ll ride with you two,” Jigsaw offers.
“Thanks.”
After Rock dismisses everyone, most of the guys run to the dining room like starving cattle. Grinder stays put but turns my way.
“You good?” he asks.
This time it feels like brotherly concern, so I don’t get as prickly. “Things are good.”
The tension in his shoulders seems to ease. Was he really that worried about Emily and me? “Serena was upset she missed Libby’s play.”
“It was good. Last show’s tomorrow afternoon.”
He grins like a proud papa. “Hear you’ve been spending a lot of time there.”
That must mean Emily’s been talking about me to Serena. As much as I bitch about hating people in my business, I kind of like that.
“Yeah.” I snort. “Even got the okay from Libby to stay over.”
Rock chuckles.
“Uh, I did have one thing.” I shrug, unsure of what I really want to ask.
“You need me to stick around?” Rock asks.
“If you don’t mind.”
Since I’m not sure how much Grinder actually knows, I give him and Rock a summary of what happened to Emily’s parents up to and including Emily’s visit to the prison.
Rock listens with an impassive expression while Grinder seems to get angrier by the second.
“Jesus, Dex,” Grinder finally interrupts. “You let her go there?” He stares at me with disapproval burning in his eyes.
“Let her?” I tilt my head. “Does Emily strike you as the kind of woman who likes being told what to do?”
Rock ducks his head and lets out a chuckle.
“No, I guess not,” Grinder grudgingly admits.
“I went with her.”
He cocks his head.
“Not inside. I woulda been calling you for bail money if I’d gone inside. But I knew she’d be wrecked. I couldn’t let her do that alone.”
“Good,” he grumbles. “At least you did that.”
“Don’t make me feel worse about it, Grinder.”
Something like remorse actually ripples over his face.
