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Bull was, and his tone was menacing. “You’re telling me her own fucking father doesn’t care about getting his daughter back?”
I ran my hand through my hair and faced the table. “Her family cares about money first, reputation second. Those are the only two things that matter.”
“That why Rachel came to you and Ritz for help?” Bear asked.
Ritz sat back in his seat. “Yep. She said there’s no way Jane’s family will get involved in anything like this unless there’s a clear benefit to them.”
“How about getting their fucking daughter away from a criminal?” Bull’s eyes met mine. “That not enough benefit?”
I knew at that moment that the tides had turned, and Bull was on my side. He was a hard man, but he didn’t like seeing anyone neglected or abused in any way.
Which was good because we were going to need him.
“We think this is only one man working on behalf of the cartel?” I asked.
Hawk leaned back. “We’ve discussed two theories. One, the cartel sent this person to get the money they feel is owed to them from the Sinners, or the second and the one I think is more likely.”
“Which is?” I encouraged him to continue.
“Someone affiliated with the cartel owes them money and thinks this is the easy way to get it fast and pay off his own debts. Telling the cartel he fucked over the Sinners to get it only makes him look better.”
Bull shifted in his seat to face Hawk, and I was surprised. I didn’t think he’d actually speak directly to him, but not only was he, it also seemed he valued what he was saying. “Why do you think the second is more likely?”
“If the cartel wanted to get to you, they would’ve done it before. Their only benefit would be a possible payout, but it’s risky. They don’t want to draw more attention to themselves, and they know you have friends on the force. This would be like waving a red flag at the cops. Can’t see the benefit for them directly.”
“I agree with that,” Bear added.
Hawk shifted his attention from Bull to Bear. “Anyone reach out to you yet?”
“No,” Bear exhaled heavily. “But if what you and Kyle have heard is true, he will be.”
“We need to find whoever was driving that damn gray truck.” I put my hands on the back of my chair and leaned into it. “He’s involved somehow. That’s too much of a coincidence.”
“I agree.” Bear nodded and glanced at Pop, who had been silent the entire meeting. “Why are you so quiet?”
He looked around the table. “We’re missing something. I agree with Tank. The kid in the truck has something to do with this, but my gut’s telling me he’s not the one who took Jane. Something feels different about this. Last time, we knew we were being targeted specifically, but this isn’t revenge. This is desperation.”
I considered that and nodded. “And who better to grab than a rich girl hanging out with the club? He doubled his chances of a payout.”
“Exactly.” Pop nodded. “He could have plans to hurt the club, but right now, he just wants money.”
“You think he’s on the run?” Bull asked.
“Think Hawk is right. He owes the cartel.” Pop met Bear’s eyes. “There’s no reason for the cartel to come up in rumors if they aren’t involved somehow.”
Bear closed his eyes briefly. “You thinking a Widow or a Sinner are involved somehow?”
“Not sure,” Pop answered. “But I sure as hell hope not. We got too many questions and not enough answers.”
“We need to send a clear message to the cartel that we aren’t playin’ around.” Bull grunted but then looked at Hawk. “You got a problem with that?”
Hawk grinned slowly. “Doesn’t matter to me. The club we’re becoming now doesn’t want anything to do with the fucking drug cartel. That’s just death or a prison sentence waiting to happen.”
“If all of this is true”—Skinner leaned his elbows on the table—“why go after Jane’s family first?”
“My guess, he’s going after both,” Pop chimed in. “Which tells us he needs a lot of money and he needs it fast. He won’t keep her long. He needs to be gone, and he’s hopin’ we’ll both pay to get her back.”
“So he’s been watching us.” I shrugged and pushed off the chair to pace. “He knew who she was or found out pretty quickly and decided this was the easiest and fastest way to get what he needs.”
