“So, is Max crashing with you?” Logan asks, sitting up in his chair.
“For a few weeks, until all this shit is dealt with,” I say. “He knows a lot of people so he could come in handy should anythin’ show up about Bolt.”
“Where were the real Cut City Boys when all this shit was goin’ down,” Brew mutters.
“In jail,” Logan and I say in unison.
He folds his arms across his chest. “Funny but you know what I mean. Mighty convenient we dealt with the fallout and we didn’t even get a visit from any of them.”
“Maybe they were just happy with us takin’ the trash out?” Sawyer suggests. “No point spoilin’ a gunfight when you can reap the rewards after everyone is dead.”
“Would’ve been good to know who we were dealin’ with beforehand,” I state. “But that’s how gang life works. They don’t go around skywritin’ it, and we had no business in Chicago. Riot killed everyone of importance, then after him, Shade finished everyone else off.”
We all shudder at the thought. We got her in the end, because she was no friend of the club. In fact, she sent bullets flying into Muso cafe, wounding some of our brothers.
“I forgot about that fuckin’ Shade bitch,” Brew mutters, which is just like him.
“Oh, speakin’ of shady people,” Sawyer says. “I did some diggin’ on the Wall Street asshole, Connor, I almost forgot.”
We all glance at him at the same time. “And?” I prompt. Why does he always pause for effect? It’s so annoying.
“Aside from a couple of parking tickets and a slight gambling habit, the guy has no priors,” he says. “But I mean, I can fuck with him if you want me to?”
I know it’s a long shot, but I wanted to rule Connor out. Like I say, I don’t trust anyone when it comes to keeping my woman safe.
“Fuck with him how?” Logan asks, intrigued.
Sawyer shrugs. “Petty shit. Routing his mail. Signin’ him up for Suspicious Rashes dot com. Using his credit card to buy flowers for the entire nursing ward, some of those chicks are damn fine.”
“I like that last idea,” I say, remembering the look on his arrogant face when he saw me coming out of Willow’s bathroom. Clearly he doesn’t like me, but is that any reason to be rude? “Do it, and make sure they all get some of those expensive chocolates everyone’s ravin’ about.”
“Dubai chocolate, it has a rich and decadent creamy pistachio filling,” Sawyer informs us, then adds by way of explanation, “It went viral on TikTok.”
“Jesus,” Brew mutters.
I stand ready to blow this popsicle stand because I need to see my woman now.
“I’ll be back in a few,” I say. “Tomorrow we’re installing all new equipment in the primary thoroughfares, so I need all hands on deck.”
“You do know I don’t actually work here,” Logan says, shaking his head.
“Yes, but it’s Willow so you’ll do it anyway,” I chime.
He closes his mouth.
Nobody can deny that Willow means something to all of us. My brothers know what she means to me, and that makes her family for life. We may have had our ups and downs, but that doesn’t make her any less of a Dawson.
We need a breakthrough before any more letters come. Even if it doesn’t appear to be escalating, nobody can be too careful. Least of all, me. I’m her protector, and no matter what happens, I will lay down my life if that’s what it comes to.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
Willow
“I totally knew it,” Payden says, glancing under her arm at me while we’re in downdog.
“Totally knew what?” I whisper. Didn’t anyone ever tell her it’s rude to talk while we’re in the middle of a yoga class?
