Emily eyed Naomi thoughtfully. “It would take a lot of time, planning, and money.”
Naomi shrugged. “I have an abundance of time right now. So does Sasha if she’s not going back to the PD.”
“I could make calls and get some sponsors while I’m managing the bookstore,” Julia said. “And I’d be willing to throw some cash into the cause. Using Wesley’s money to finance an organization dedicated to helping women would almost be like kicking dirt on his casket. He’d hate it. I’m in.”
“Jay?” Naomi asked. “I know you lack lady parts, but we could really use someone well-versed in fashion who’d be willing to help women find power outfits for job interviews.”
Jayson thumped a hand against his heart. “It’s like you’re speaking right to my cold, dead soul, bringing it back to life in all its business-casual glory. Bitches need to accessorize. Oh, and they need advice, too. I’d be like a smarter, better looking, younger, skinnier, trendier, funnier version of Dr. Phil. With a full head of gorgeous, lush locks, of course.”
“I gotta hear this,” Julia said. “Exactly what kind of advice would you give, Jay?”
Jayson stood and paced the living room, stopping to fix his hair in the mirror before turning to answer. “They’d be carrying on about the bullshit that happened in their past, and I’d be like, girlfriend, you gotta let that nonsense go. The only reason you should ever look behind you is to check out your ass.” He looked over his shoulder at the mirror. “By the way, mine is high, tight, and ready to ride.”
I loved Jayson. Everything that came out of his mouth was comedic gold, and I thought his advice was fantastic. I had no desire to hold onto my past. If I could sweep it under a rug, I would.
“Maybe we can send the ones with low self-esteem issues to you, and you can give them a little of your self-confidence,” Emily suggested.
“Sasha?” Naomi asked. “You in?”
I looked at each of their hopeful faces and shrugged. “Sure. I mean, I’ll have to figure out the whole paycheck situation and make sure I can cover my rent and car payment and all of that, but I would love to do something that actually helps people. Also, Doris is a professional makeup artist. I can talk to her and see if she’d be willing to help out as well.”
“We could really do this,” Naomi said. “Let’s figure this shit out.”
Emily’s cell phone beeped. “Absolutely, but I have to make a call first.”
“Me too,” Julia said.
Then they both stepped out the front door with one of the prospects right behind them.
Tap
WE HAD ONE shot at taking down the Serpents and we couldn’t let any of them fall through the cracks. The rest of the team was doing their job, and it was up to me to do mine. I had to go after Breaker.
Before leaving the compound, I dropped off my headset, gas mask, and tools with Eagle and Stocks.
“What are you gonna do?” Eagle asked me.
“Get the son-of-a-bitch,” I replied.
“Do you need help?” Stocks asked. “They’ve got shit pretty much wrapped up here.”
“No. Thanks, brother, but I’ve got a plan.” Besides, if this went south, I didn’t want the club taking heat for it.
Eagle nodded. Of all people, he understood what I had to do, and he wasn’t about to give me some bullshit advice like ‘be careful.’ “Alright. Check in when you’re done.”
I jogged a few blocks away from the compound and ordered an uber to take me to my office building. I stopped in long enough to stuff a few supplies into a backpack, then I hit the fourth-floor garage, put my helmet on, and kicked Valkyrie to life. My bike seemed as eager as I was to get to Breaker. I kept having to let off the throttle to keep it five miles over the speed limit. The last thing I needed was to get stopped for a stupid speeding ticket.
Sasha’s apartment was located within a multi-building complex in the Highline Neighborhood. The manager’s office and recreation room were in the first building. The rest of the buildings were situated down the winding hill behind it. Since it was a little after 4:00 a.m. and the roar of a hog would wake the whole damn complex, I parked Valkyrie in front of the manager’s office, put my gloves back on, hitched my backpack of supplies higher on my shoulder, and set off in a jog down the hill.
Since I’d run a full background check on Sasha, I knew her address and what kind of car she drove. I found her little blue Kia Forte parked in front of the last building at the bottom of the hill on the left-hand side. Sasha’s apartment was on the third floor, and only accessible by exterior stairs. I headed up and followed the landing around to her somewhat hidden door. The pry marks along the frame were sloppy, but they couldn’t be seen unless someone was standing right where I was.
I dropped my backpack long enough to pull out two of the items I’d grabbed from my office. AVenomski mask went over my head to hide my face, and a 9mm Glock 19 went into my hand. Tossing the pack back over my shoulder, I flipped the gun’s safety off and slowly opened the door.
Sasha’s apartment was dark and quiet. It smelled like the garbage needed to go out, but she hadn’t been home for four days now. Enough early morning light spilled through the windows for me to decipher the layout. Her entryway led into a hallway. A closet was immediately on the left, two closed doors were on the right. Beyond the closet, an archway led to the living room and wrapped around to the kitchen.
With my pistol ready, I crept in to find Breaker.
***
