“Oh, shit. Don’t touch my baby’s head with your brand of holy water. For all we know, that bottle of yours contains Everclear and would leave my baby scarred for life,” Ethan teases. “Your demons and her purity won’t mix well.”
The room erupts in laughter. All but Hawk, that is, who is still looking at us like we’re all assholes.
The gavel slams down on the table, putting an end to our jokes. “All right, assholes. We’ve got an infestation problem down in the basement we need to get a hand on, but first I want some answers from you.”
I know before he says anything that Pres is talking about the Devil bastard we had Declan bring in late last night from the strip club. “How the fuck are you married?” he asks.
“It was Everly’s idea.” I shrug and explain to everyone how Ever panicked and told her caseworker we were engaged. “I used her slip-up and made it my advantage.” The guys all laugh.
“You know she can just get this whole thing annulled if she wants to?” Jameson says, making my stomach twist.
“She won’t.” I’ll make damn sure she doesn’t.
“All right,” Gabe jumps in. “Someone want to tell me why Declan and Mack have been turning the Devil in my basement into ground beef overnight?”
Declan and Mack share a smirk. “He was in Ghost’s club last night harassing some of the girls. You said not to engagewithout backup. Those were the only stipulations we were given. You never said we couldn’t beat his ass once we had him on the grounds.” Mack shrugs. “It’s been a long few weeks, Pres.”
“Well, did you get anything useful out of the asshole?” Gabe tries to sound pissed, but we all see the glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. No one gives a shit if a Devil suffers around here.
“Yeah. He’s not the one we’ve been looking for. His road name is Dragon. He’s the one who fucked up Just Off the Top, but he’s not the ringleader. He’s the fall guy,” Declan says. “He was the distraction.”
“He was sent to frequent the strip club and keep our attention. When Torch was ready to make his move, Dragon’s instructions were to cause a ruckus and keep us busy,” Mack adds.
“What was he distracting us from? What has Torch done?” Caleb is the one to speak up, asking what we’re all thinking.
Declan looks at me. “Keep your shit together, brother.”
I don’t like where this is going, but I nod my agreement anyway.
Declan sighs. “Wyatt caught footage of Torch entering your woman’s house last night.”
“What?”
“Ever didn’t mention it to you?” Gabe asks.
“No. She didn’t say shit about an intruder to me, Pres.”
“Maybe he wasn’t intruding then,” Hawk suggests, and I’m on my feet.
“What the fuck, man? Ever wouldn’t let that asshole anywhere near her or Kaylie on purpose. Torch was her worst fear as a kid. He was always trying to get Sharon to let him take Ever off her hands and put her to work for the club.” It comes out half growl, half roar. I’m shaking with anger. My chest tightens with something unfamiliar.
“Why wouldn’t she tell you then?” Jake asks. “For all we know, and I’m not trying to be the asshole, just playing devil’s advocate,” he says, throwing up his hands. “If what Sadie said was true, and your girl is a Devil’s daughter, she may be comfortable enough to let him into her house. Maybe things aren’t what you thought them to be. The whole salon trashing could’ve been a way to draw us out so Torch could get a head count on us. Figure out his odds.”
“Fuck you! Fuck all of you if that’s what you think,” I shout.
“Whoa! Calm down!” Gabe shouts, slamming the gavel. “Jake, Hawk, shut up! Mason, sit your ass down and tell us what you know.”
“I don’t know. Why didn’t anyone tell me there was a breach when it happened last night?” I’m looking right at Hawk.
“The sensor didn’t go off. The alarm was disarmed. There was no sign of forced entry,” Hawk says. “But the camera caught this fucker going in through the garage.” The TV on the wall lights up and seconds later there’s a still shot of the asshole we saw at the strip club the last time.
“Torch.” Everyone’s eyes are on me. “Shit.”
“Spill it, Mason. Now!” Gabe’s frustration has reached an all-time high.
“He’s Kaylie’s bio dad.” I scrub a hand down my face. “The way Sharon told the story, Torch came into town one night after a shipment went missing. He was pissed and in need of money, so he came to Oakridge looking for a stash of cash he swore Viper had left with Sharon. She said there was no such money, but Torch was determined that there was.”
“Torch tore the house apart and when he didn’t find what he came for, he beat and raped Sharon within an inch of her life.”
