“No way!” Chip exclaims and drops his empty chip bag at the same time Malik asks, “Us?”
“There’s someone else who helped me come up with this plan, and I think he’d be willing to help too. I just need to get a hold of him,” I explain. “My phone is in my pocket. I’m going to give him a call.”
“Wait!” Diego calls out and steps forward. “I’ll get it, and the call will be on speaker.”
“You can hold it, man,” I tell him and stay seated in the chair as he bends over to dig my phone out. “The contact is Chino.”
“The Vice of the club and best friend to the President?” Malik scoffs. “Do you think we’re fucking stupid?”
“Chino has his reasons for wanting to help Genni. You should hear him out. He was the one who helped me get Delia.” I know how fucking bad it looks. I don’t blame them for being suspicious, but I’m growing more anxious by the minute, knowing Genni is in her brother’s grasp.
“Not here,” Diego remarks as he looks at Malik. “Pick a public place. We don’t want to be swarmed by Dragons on their property.”
“What about the deli, Laith?” Malik slaps me too hard on the shoulder, making me jerk to the side. “You know just how much we like it there.”
“Yeah, I do.” I nod. “Just so you know, I was watching you both on my own. There were no orders for that. Not until recently, anyway.”
“Meet us there in an hour with Chino,” Diego supplies as he tucks his gun away. “I would advise him to come alone. Otherwise, I will shoot him before he shuts off his bike.”
I know he’s not bluffing. I’ve seen Diego in action and he never misses. “Okay,” I agree and then look at Chip. “Go back to the compound and keep quiet. See what you can find out about Genni and call me.”
“Fine.” He stands up slowly and brushes his messy hair back. “If I don’t hear from you in a few hours, I will tell Jaeger everything.” He’s ensuring my own brother doesn’t renege on our agreement and kills me instead.
“Thanks, brother.” I give him a brusque nod and watch as he leaves the room, his footsteps echoing throughout the now-empty warehouse.
Malik steps in close, his mouth brushing my ear as he growls, “If she’s hurt in any way, I will fucking kill you. This is all your fault.”
Guilt crushes into me at his words, the burning climbing from the pit of my stomach into my chest. Words are impossible as I try to swallow back the fiery emotion, so instead, I give him a curt dip with my chin.
“Looks like you had a few missed calls from Chino,” Diego says as he goes through my contacts. A ringing filters through the room as Diego places my phone on the table.
“Laith!” Quinton yells into the phone. “He fucking has her here!”
When the cool voice of Diego Montez filtered through my phone from Laith’s, I knew we were fucked. He did find his sister, just like she said he would, and by the sounds of it, he’s fucking pissed. Not that I blame him.
Everything Laith and I took time to come up with just got washed away by Jaeger. How Cash managed to get his hands on Genni is something of a mystery I will find out, but first, I need to leave behind Genni in this compound and head out to some fucking deli. At least Jaeger isn’t here and hasn’t been for some time. I heard his bike roll out an hour ago.
I’m torn about meeting up with Hell’s March and Laith, or staying here where Genni is. I can’t protect her if I’m not at the compound. My phone pings with a message, making the decision for me.
Laith: Hurry up, Chino. Jaeger has the President of Hell’s March in his basement. This will be war.
I rush from my room and into the main area to find Cash’s Old Lady, Mariam, sitting behind the bar, washing down the already clean surface. She glances up at me from under her lashes and I’m instantly struck with unease. She looks like she’s hiding something. Or am I just thinking that because Cash dragged Genni back here and into danger?
“Are you headed out, Chino?” she calls out. “I noticed the bar was unmanned and I can’t seem to find Chip anywhere.”
I open my mouth to tell her club business is none of hers when Chip’s voice hits my back. “Sorry, Mariam, I was taking a catnap. Thanks for cleaning up.” He brushes by me and gives me a look. “You need to get out of here, now. Call Laith.”
My eyes slip back to Mariam behind the bar and she’s already watching me, making me feel uncomfortable. I don’t want her to see me leave. What if she calls Cash, or better yet, Jaeger?
“Mariam, I did a run earlier today to restock the bar. Want to help me bring the crates in?” Chip asks as he grips her elbow to lead her out.
“Can’t Chino help?” she asks, giving me a suspicious glare.
“Nope.” He continues to guide her out from behind the bar as her eyes follow me over her shoulder. “Chino doesn’t need to be carrying crates in here. He’s our new Vice, after all.” She’s definitely feeling me out and that means Cash has been telling her what’s going on around here.
I can hear her still grumbling as they disappear through the kitchen. I don’t have much time, and I can’t waste Chip’s gift.
The sun is nearly set as I step outside and look around. Jaeger’s bike is still gone and so is Cash’s. Another shot of anxiety shoots through me as I rush to my bike. We don’t have much time, I can feel it. If I leave Genni down there for too long, I don’t think she’ll make it out alive. Jaeger is consumed with hatred for her, blaming her for the death of his mother, and there’s nothing anyone can say to change that.
