The other kid with a lightning bolt cut into his fade laughed. “We don’t talk to strangers, and we don’t know shit so move along.”
Rebel’s jaw clenched. It was imperceptible but I saw it before it disappeared. “Fine. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. I’m feeling generous today, so I’ll let you decide.”
The little assholes were stupid but even they recognized that tone. The smiles fell but nobody said a fucking thing.
I stepped forward and tried my best to look unintimidating. “What do you know about the shooting at Leather & Chrome last night?”
They all looked uncomfortable. “Don’t know shit about that,” the blue-eyed wannabe answered.
I sighed, reining in my annoyance because I wanted answers more than I wanted to beat the fuck outta these boys, but I’d accept a beatdown if that was the only thing I walked away with. “Look boys,” I started. “We know it was you. Our club has cameras every fucking where. How do you think we found you so quick?” It wasn’t a complete lie, we did have the place wired like it was a goddamn CIA op, but we hadn’t looked. Yet. “All we want to know is who put you up to it? Who paid you?”
I was still met with silence.
“Okay then.” I turned to Rebel and nodded before doing the same thing with Gio. “If no one paid you or put you up to it, then congratulations, boys, you now got a beef with the Steel Demons.” I folded my arms and glared at each of them becausethese baby gangsters hadn’t faced any real shit yet, but they would.
“What the fuck ever man,” the blue-eyed kid grunted. “Some fuckin’ dude with an accent paid us five grand to just roll past that stupid fuckin’ club and spray the place. That’s all.”
What the fuck?
“You did that shit for five grand? Do you assholes know if you hit anybody?”
“Five grandeach,” the one with braces and a big as fuck gold chain answered. “We didn’t aim for nobody.”
Okay, so the plan was mayhem and not murder. “What kind of accent?” Not that I had to ask, but I did.
“I don’t know bro, like Dracula or some shit. It was real thick.”
I nodded. “You were paid in cash?”
They all nodded.
Of course, because you couldn’t trace cash. “Okay, how did they find you? Did they come here? Call you?”
“Call?” The one with the gold chain cracked up. “Nah, I’m fuckin’ with you. This big ass dude showed up at the corner store when we were gettin’ snacks. Handed us a phone and said answer it if you want to make a lot of money.” He mimicked the accent that was definitely Russian.
“Gimme the phone,” Gio demanded.
The kid looked like he wanted to argue but thought better of it, pulling the phone from his back pocket. “He called us to do the job on this and that’s it.”
“Thanks,” Gio growled.
Rebel stepped forward. “Two things. First, if you fuck with the Steel Demons again, for any reason, nobody will find your bodies. Ever. Got it?” They all nodded, no longer tough guys but scared little kids. “Second, get rid of that fuckin’ Impala. Cops will find it and then they’ll find you.” He stared at each of them for another second and then turned away. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Fourteen
Vivian
For the first time since the DNA results came back, Falcon wasn’t glued to my side. He’d gone off on what he only called ‘club business’ and I nodded dutifully, somehow knowing that we weren’t at the point where he’d offer tidbits of what that elusive business was. I enjoyed the alone time or maybe that was what I told myself to avoid that pang of longing that hit each time one of the clusters of women exploded with laughter.
I was lonely, sure, but I was surrounded by life, by the sounds of people living and all that chaos that came with it. I kept reminding myself that I was leaving soon. I didn’t need these women to be my friends or confidantes. All I needed was to know that they’d help Falcon keep my son safe. TJ played with a few toys in the grass, but his focus was mostly on Chopper, the slobbery dog who couldn’t get enough of little boy hugs and belly rubs. A faint smile was fixed on my lips as I watched the scene before me, my little boy playing with the dog, laughing and giggling while the older kids looked after him. They didn’t hover but they made sure he was close by and checked in often. TJ already trusted them, which hurt as much as it soothed.
He’ll be fine when I’m gone.
I was happy about that.
I wastryingto be happy about that.
Falcon’s sister, Raven, approached with her usual attitude but today it wasn’t quite as sharp as she dropped down beside me on the bench. “Hey.”
