The abandoned warehouses on Eighth Street.
I’d thought the guy who mentioned the warehouses meant another club used them.
Not the Vipers.
Not my guys.
Sure enough, Rafe pulled in through a razor-wired gate and parked behind one of the buildings.
They all exited the vehicle one by one.
Bishop checked the perimeter before following Rafe through an old metal door.
I waited. Five. Ten. Fifteen minutes.
I waited until my hands grew so cold, I couldn’t feel the wheel beneath my fingertips, then I slid out of the car and raced for the gate.
They’d left it open a crack, and I squeezed through, hoping the clank of chains wouldn’t bring anyone running.
Next came the door.
I stopped at the edge and strained my ears.
A few clanks and rattles.
The low curse of voices.
They were all distracted.
How much leeway did that give me once I opened the door?
Night had fallen.
Which meant they wouldn’t see the door open.
I had to risk it.
Holding my breath, I twisted the knob, praying it wouldn’t make any sound.
Warm air caressed my cheeks when I ducked through to the other side. I aimed for a tall stack of crates that offered excellent cover and crouched with a hand over my mouth to muffle my gasping breaths.
I peeked between two crates in time to watch Bishop crack open a crate and nod. “Everything is here.”
Rafe checked something off on a clipboard. “There are more than last year. Our secret Santa sure knows how to find toys.”
Santa? Toys?
Bishop held up a stuffed teddy bear. “These were a big hit last year. We had more requests this year than ever.”
“And to think all these stolen goods were going into the dumpsters.” Rafe shook his head. “It’s a damned shame we have to resort to criminal activity to redistribute stolen goods.”
“Least we didn’t steal them in the first place.” Bishop stroked the bear’s head. “Can’t say I’m torn up over getting to see the lookson the kids’ faces when they figure out Santa showed up again this year.”
I put it together all at once.
These men everyone hated either bought or stole already stolen goods, then gave them to the disadvantaged kids in the neighborhood for Christmas.
A strong arm wrapped around my waist, and my breath left in a rush.
