I have never thought about buying a motorcycle, but I’m considering it after enjoying rides on Ares’s and Bree’s bikes. No doubt my father would have something to say about it, so I might just buy one on the down-low and not mention it.
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.”
“I’ll get my guy to start looking there first,” she says, and I nod.
If Bree’s contact hasn’t discovered anything by the time I meet up with Lo, I’ll mention it and see if Theo could also take a look. I can’t let Ares win this round, and I need all the help I can get. Lo’s mystery friend—the one who freaked me out and has me on edge—is the other hot topic of planned conversation.
“So, are you going to hold tight until we dig up some shit on your stepbrother?”
“Yeah. It seems like the best plan. I’ll just have to deal with my guilt. Chad is in a bad place right now. He has family problems and money issues, and I’m worried if I tell him what happened he’ll seriously go after Ares, and that wouldn’t end well. Chad is more than capable of delivering a beatdown, but Ares is a crazy, reckless motherfucker. I doubt there is any limit he won’t cross. He already hates my boyfriend, and I’m afraid of what he would do. My betrayal would throw Chad off his game, and he’d risk his scholarship and his football career. I can’t let that happen.”
I don’t mention the drugs or elaborate on his family and financial issues because they aren’t my secrets to share, no matter how much I already love and trust Breanna Stewart. Maybe it’s because she’s Jase’s sister, or it’s just this incredible connection we have, but I know I could tell her everything and she wouldn’t judge or breathe a word to anyone.
If they were my secrets to tell, I would share them with her.
But they’re not.
So, I don’t divulge how I’m worried his access to a variety of drugs would be too tempting to ignore in the face of his devastation. How I’m terrified he would fall down a black hole there is no returning from.
I can’t do that to him.
Chad can never know.
“So here I am,” I say as we reach the entrance to the park. “Rock meet hard place.”
“We’ll figure it out.” She loops her arm through mine. “For now, try to put it out of your mind. We have a game and party to get ready for.”
ChapterTwenty-Two
Ares
The guys at the door tip their heads up as they step aside to let me into the large industrial warehouse down by the docks in Fenton. Respect shines in their eyes as I enter the building that doubles as a club on weekend nights and The Bulls HQ the rest of the time. I don’t know either of them. Marwan—the guy who succeeded Ruben as The Bulls president—has been heavily recruiting, and there are a ton of new members. I guess my rep precedes me.
It’s largely open plan on this level except for the enclosed closet and bathrooms, which are situated at the top righthand side of the space. I walk past booths and freestanding tall tables and stools, glancing up at the circular balcony overhead where the man I’m here to meet is hopefully waiting for me.
A couple of members are seated at the bar, nursing beers, as I stride across the empty dance floor, heading for the elevator at the back. Their eyes follow my movements, but they don’t acknowledge me, and I don’t acknowledge them either. While some of The Bulls are impressed with my actions the night of my initiation, others are more wary. It’s probably wise. I wasn’t named Psycho for any run-of-the-mill initiation.
I’m not here to make friends even if friendships are what I have gained with Rocky and Shoulders.
I ride the elevator and get out on the top level, heading toward the VIP bar where The Bulls leadership currently conducts all official business. I know they are building a new meeting room and private bar in the extension they had built on to the side of the warehouse, but it’s not ready yet.
Members of The Sainthood destroyed the old HQ last year, and they almost succeeded in completely taking The Bulls down. But Ruben and a couple of others took the fall, and Marwan is rebuilding the gang under Ruben’s stewardship and with his approval. It’s well-known Marwan is only caretaking the role until Ruben gets out of prison. But that’s a long time in the future.
The animosity between The Bulls and their previous allies is strong and not dissipating any time soon. Lucky for me because I can use it to fuel my own agenda. The only good thing Jasper Baldwin did was lead us to The Bulls.
“Psycho.” Marwan lifts his head in a greeting as I approach, pointing at the seat across the booth from him. “Have a seat.”
His VP and sergeant at arms nod as I slide onto the comfortable leather across from the leader. One of the gang sluts brings me a beer, flirting and smiling as she hands it to me. Before she can leave, Marwan tugs her down to plant a hard kiss on her young lips. He kneads her tits through her skimpy dress, and I puke a little in my mouth. He’s old enough to be her grandpa, and it sickens me. This is the hardest part of being in this world—seeing how they treat women and young girls and forcing myself to zip my lips instead of interfering to stop it.
I’m not sure why Marwan feels the need to mark his territory. I have zero interest in the girl. Unfortunately, I only have eyes right now for a silver-purple-haired minx with a killer rack and a feisty mouth.
Marwan gropes the poor girl for a few minutes while I quietly sip my beer with a neutral expression on my face. When he’s done, he slaps her on the ass before dismissing her. I swallow the bile in my mouth and force a twisted smile on my lips, letting him see my approval. Pandering to his ego should help my cause.
“I’ve got a proposal for you,” Marwan says when he’s finished gloating. “One I think you’ll be happy with.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’ll set up a meet for you at the prison with Ruben. In exchange, you’ll work with a select team to drive The Sainthood from Lowell U. We want full control of the campus, and then you’ll manage the operation on our behalf. You’ll be well rewarded for your efforts,” he tacks on the end.
