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I managed to keep my expression blank. Would I protect him?Yes.It should scare me that there was no hesitation with that thought. I’d already done it with Jace. Kian was the same. I wouldn’t sit and do nothing if he was in danger. But I couldn’t exactly tell Hayes that. It was a weakness that he’d exploit. Although, I had a feeling by the gleam in his eye that he was going to use it no matter how I answered.
“He’s Grimrose,” I snapped. “And your son. He means nothing to me. And he’ll die right along with you if you go against the Underground.”
In this moment, I was glad I couldn’t see Kian. I wasn’t sure if he believed my words, but I’d never given him a reason to believe I cared for him. He might have expressed how he felt about me, but I’d never admitted my own feelings.
“We’ll see if that’s true,” Hayes murmured, finally dropping his hand from my face. “You’re staying here until the plan is in place.”
“You can’t do this,” I shrieked when he stepped away. I followed him until the chain pulled taut. “You’ll all fucking die. The Underground wants Little Haven. And we’re taking it. You arenothingcompared to them, and you know it.”
“Dad, maybe we should rethink this,” Kian said, looking at Hayes.
Hayes scowled, shooting Kian a disapproving look. “We just spent the last hour working out the details. We’re doing this. Are you telling me you don’t want to help anymore? Because it’s happening either way.”
Kian’s eyes drifted to me as his shoulders sagged in defeat. “No. I still want in.”
I couldn’t even feel angry at his response. The remorse in his gaze was heavy, and I had a feeling that if he wasn’t involved with this, it would make it all worse on me. My stomach flipped. I was counting on him. Assuming he was doing things for my benefit. What if it was all an act? Not that it would help me now either way. I had no way out of this damn room.
“Good. Then it’s settled.” Hayes glanced at me one last time. “I’ll have someone bring you food.”
My screams did nothing as they all walked out of the room. Kian didn’t even turn to look at me before disappearing down the hall. Nick slammed the door closed, and I stared at it with shock filtering through me.That did not just fucking happen.My organization was one of the largest on the West Coast. No one wanted to make an enemy of them. I’d never been worried about getting out of any situation because I had them to fall back on. And the one time I’d actually used their name, Hayes had acted like it was nothing.
I fell onto the bed, looking at the picture of Shawn and me again. None of my words were lies. Ellie would come for me. And Grimrose would be fucked. But unease still filled me when I replayed the conversation. Whatever Hayes was planning would not bode well for me. I hoped Ellie got here soon.
38
“This is a bad fucking idea,”I muttered, slamming the car door shut. “I shouldn’t have brought you here.”
Gage scowled. “I was coming one way or another. Do I need to remind you of the ink on your back?”
“Fuck off,” I snapped. “I did this without you holding that over my head.”
“Until now.” He grabbed his weapons from inside the car, slipping a knife under his pant leg near his ankle. He tucked the gun in his waistband at his back before closing the door. “Just get me in, and you can pretend you have no idea how I got here.”
I jerked a nod toward the back of the building. It had been three days since Hayes had taken Rynn, and both Gage and I had been on edge the entire time. He hadn’t shared anything with me, but it was clear the Underground was having trouble getting into Pacific Point. I figured they would. They were larger than both Grimrose and the Disciples, but with Rynn in our city, it tied their hands in a way. They could charge into the city, but not without the risk of her getting hurt. If there had been a chance at getting her some other way, then Gage wouldn’t have made me bring him with me to this party tonight at Club Sin.
The club we were at was owned by Chris. It was one of his largest ones, and since it had been Hayes’s idea to have a party, Chris decided to choose the place. I was sure the tension would be high all night. Even if we did have a truce, it didn’t just make the animosity between Hayes and Chris disappear. I doubted the peace would last much longer, and I hoped we could get Rynn out of Pacific Point before it shattered.
We strode toward the back door, and I threw Gage a skeptical glance. “This place will be full of Grimrose and Disciples. How the hell do you think you’re going to get her out?”
He shot me a leering grin, not a speck of nerves anywhere on his face. “You think I came alone? Just because you can’t see anyone doesn’t mean I don’t have backup.”
I glared at him. “I should know who’s here.”
“Why? It’s none of your fucking business.”
With a snarl, I spun toward him and shoved him into the brick wall. He went for his gun, but this time, I was faster. I jammed the barrel of my pistol into his chest, making him go still while his features turned murderous.
“I brought you here to help her.” I kept my voice low in case others were around. “I’ve already fucking proved that I’d protect her when you tattooed me. I’m doing this behind Chris’s back, knowing that if he finds out, then I’m worse than dead. You might not trust me for shit, but believe it when I say I’m doing this for her. Just like you. So don’t leave me in the damn dark.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked before he flipped his tongue ring, his intense stare staying on me. “There’s a gang here that was invited. Chris and Hayes have no idea we’re friendly with them. If things go south, then they’ll happily step in. And you remember Reese from Sterling?”
“Yes.”
“His MC did business with Grimrose, and they’re here tonight. Reese had no issue agreeing to help when I mentioned Rynn.”
The way he spoke Reese’s name made it clear that he hated bringing in another guy who had an eye for Rynn. But he’d apparently shoved his jealousy aside in favor of her safety. Gage kept his eyes locked on mine as he raised his arm and slowly forced my gun away from his chest. He pushed off the wall, giving me a warning look.
“Chris won’t find out as long as you keep quiet,” he said stiffly. “Now get me in.”
