I hurry and lead Gwen out of the room. God, if Ash sleeps with my mother, I’m going to kill him and Wyatt. I shudder at the thought as I try to concentrate on helping my sister and just surviving tonight.
Right now, that’s a tall order.
Gas Leaks, Treachery, Ninety-Nine to Life
HORSE
I’m sitting in the back of a police cruiser, and I fucking hate it.
The seat feels like plastic and is uncomfortable. The space is too tight, and the smell is a combination of chemical cleaner, old coffee, and something metallic. It makes my jaw clench. I want out. I’m feeling claustrophobic, but if sitting here means Dee and Mark rot in a cell for the next few decades, I’ll stay here all damn night.
Detective Pratt turns in his seat and looks back at me. “Did you make sure none of your men are visible?”
“Knife and I are the only ones here,” I tell him. “The rest will be at the station when you cart these assholes in. We’re the only two who have a personal interest in this shit. You know why.”
He nods. Pratt knows Dee is my ex and the mother of my son. He is also aware that Knife is tied to Rebbie. What he doesn’t know—and probably wouldn’t understand—is that Knife is lighter already. I can see it in him. Rebbie being gone from his life isn’t a loss. It’s a fucking relief. Hell, I get that because Dee being gone will be better for me and Caleb.
Fuck, my entire life is so much better now, and there’s only one reason for that.
Gwen.
She’s my Christmas miracle. That’s the truth, even if she’d roll her eyes and deny it. Gwen’s never understood her worth. Dr. Dickhead made sure of that.Which reminds me. I have plans for that asshole. Tomorrow, when I tell Gwen I need to head out early to pick up her present, I’m going to track that bastard down and give him a real good reason to leave the state. I don’t want him anywhere near my woman again. Just listening to her tonight, I can tell that he still causes her trouble. I will not allow that to continue.
My focus snaps back when the conversation between Dee, Mark, and Rebbie finally turns to why they’re really here. Pratt turns it up. I secretly grab my cell and start it recording, too. I don’t trust anyone, and if this surveillance tape somehow disappears, I want a fucking backup.
“Are you sure they will all be at Horse’s house tomorrow?” Dee asks.
My stomach tightens as I listen to the evil voice of the woman who once carried my child inside her body.Jesus.
“Yeah,” Rebbie says. “Some kind of family dinner. I’m supposed to go with Knife, but I’ll get conveniently sick.”
Mark snorts. “So how are we taking them out?”
I go still. I knew what they were planning. Yet, hearing it firsthand is something else entirely.
“We already talked about this,” Dee says casually.Too casually. God, the woman really is a monster. “Horse’s place has gas appliances and heat. We’ll cause a gas leak. They’ll die quietly.”
Rebbie grunts. “Not sure that’s going to work. If one or two start dropping, someone will get smart and open the doors or windows. I can’t afford for this not to work. I wanted Knife to take over the club, but after talking with you two, splitting the money three ways makes more sense.”
“Why should we let you have any of it?” Mark asks.
“Because, doofus,” Rebbie says smoothly, “if you don’t, I sing. You’ll never see a dime when you’re facing multiple murder charges.”
“You’ll be charged too,” Dee snaps.
Rebbie laughs. “Nope. I didn’t plan a damn thing. I was just a concerned friend who overheard a conversation and reported it. Sadly, I heard it all too late to save anyone—even the man I’ve devoted the last seven years of my life to.”
“Fucking cunt,” Knife hisses beside me. I slap him on the back for support, but my attention is more on the conversation than anything else.
Dee laughs. “Damn. You’re a bigger bitch than me.”
“I learned from the best,” Rebbie laughs, her voice grating on every nerve I have as my hands curl into fists.
“What if we ignite it on a delay?” Dee continues. “Gas leak, then boom. Any evidence disappears.”
“I like it,” Rebbie says immediately. “Do you know how to do that?”
“I do. You can find all kinds of shit on YouTube,” Mark interjects.
