“We didn’t kill him,” Goose states. “Should have, but we didn’t.”
We definitely should have. “There needs to be a way we can workwiththem, notforthem. Lorenzo or the Front mob family don’t need to have any kind of control over us. Nothing. It needs to be together yet separate, if that makes sense,” Bullet suggests.
He’s right. That would be the only way this arrangement could work. That is, if we could find an arrangement. Because asI’m looking at it, thinking about it, I’m not sure what we could even do.
“I’ll set up a meet with Lorenzo. You know how he likes to be fucking dramatic and in person only.”
Church is adjourned, but none of us makes a move to get up. We stay where we are, still sitting around and shooting the shit. Maybe it’s because a true decision hasn’t been made and everything feels very much unsettled.
“What about security for the strip club? I know we talked to the owner about it, and he’s interested. They’re affiliated with the Front mob family, but if we’re going to get in bed with them anyway, why not go all out?” I ask.
“Let’s add that to the conversation with Lorenzo. I can agree that if we’re already getting in deeper with them, that’s something we can offer, and it will pay. Maybe we can work for other clubs in the area, too. The only issue is the distance and manpower, but if we’re doing shit with them, we’ll have a presence there anyway,” Bullet states.
I watch as he pushes up to stand, placing his hands on the table as he does. His gaze flicks around the room, and his lips curve up into a grin before he speaks.
“As much as I wanted to go straight as a club, to be legit and not get involved with any part of the underworld, I can’t deny that I’m excited about the prospect we’re walking into.”
“That doesn’t mean we can’t still go legit,” Ivy says. “We have over a year of the contract with Robin and Lorenzo. We could still get something going.”
He’s right, we could, but I don’t think we will. It’s ingrained in who we are, not only as a club but as men. We are not made for the legit part of society. Even I, as a cop, am not made to be the good guy.
I can do my job fairly.
I can turn off the Reaper part of me when I put on the uniform, but it is and will always be part of me. It’s my story. It’s my past and present. It is and will always be my future. It’s how I was raised.
My sister hates it and tries to stay far away from the whole thing, but even Lainey finds herself intertwined with the club.
“I’d like to be there when you meet with Lorenzo, if possible,” I say.
Bullet’s gaze flicks to me, and one of his brows arches in question. I don’t tell him why. I’m not sure I want anyone to know that Millie is back. And even though I know it’s her, I still don’t know what I’m going to do about it, if anything.
If I tell him or anyone else that she’s here, he’s going to expect me to do something, and I’m not ready for that or any questions. I also don’t think I want my sister to know that she’s here. They were best friends. It was hard as fuck on Lainey when Millie left.
“I can do that, Piggy. Any particular reason?” he asks.
“Just feel like I need to be involved with security shit,” I reply. He dips his chin in a single nod. “We all good? I have swing shift today,” I state.
“We’re good, brother.”
As I leave the clubhouse, I try not to think about Millie or about the Front mob family, but fail miserably. I can’t help but wonder if she’s involved with them somehow. And if she is, what the fuck has she been up to over the past ten years that would make her get involved with them?
But then again, in the same thought… why the fuck was she with me?
Ignoring the pull to Raleigh, I go home, drop off my bike, and change into my uniform for my shift. Three to three is not my favorite shift for work. Personally, I would prefer night shift. I’ve always enjoyed being out at night. Maybe it’s because all thebrass are at home in their beds and I’m away from prying eyes and disciplinary action.
I drive to work and make my way toward the shift-change meeting, my mind still focused on Millie instead of work, which is a dangerous place for my head to be. Not that much happens in Thunder Rock, but still, I need to be fully aware of everything surrounding me.
Always.
Not so much thinking about the way Millie looked up on that stage, glittering gold beneath the lights, her sexy-as-fuck body on display, dancing in a way that was beyond inviting. I wanted to gouge out every motherfucker’s eyeballs. But there was also a type of power in the fact that I was probably the only man in that room who had ever been inside her.
I’m fucked in the head. I know I am. It doesn’t make any sense that knowing I’ve fucked and loved Millie would make me feel powerful in any way. I chalk that up to a male ego thing and push it down.
MILLIE
After putting the address into my GPS, I chew on the corner of my bottom lip as I wait for it to pull up the directions. It’s an easy enough trip there and back in a day, but I need to go when I have a few days off from the club.
My schedule is pretty jam-packed, but I need to make the time, specifically so I can figure out what to do. And I know the Vicious Reapers are the only people who can help me.
