Panicked shouts sound off around the restaurant, and customers rush away from the commotion.
Jack throws all his weight into his next punch. I sidestep him and slam his face into the window of the coffeeshop. Blood spurts from his nose, and he grunts, swaying slightly as he whips around. The next punch that lands is mine, and I’ve quickly got him pressed face down on the table, hands behind his back and cuffs on his wrists. Like he asked, I shove my hand into his left pocket and wrap my fingers around what feels like a small bag of coke.
“God dammit,” I mutter as I shove it into my pocket.
“Hey!” Grace yells as she shoulders her way through the growing crowd. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
By the grace of God, Miller appears at the perfect moment and blocks her. “Stand down, Gracie.”
“The hell I will. That’s my brother. You can’t just?—”
“Grace,” I growl. “You take another step, and I’ll arrest you for obstruction. Please do not make me do that.”
She makes a scene, I can’t save her either. There are too many people watching, too many phones out.
Jack grins at her, teeth stained red with blood. “All good, Gracie. Go sit with Triss.” He nods towards the far table. Despite the chaos, Triss hasn’t moved. She’s staring, eyes rage-filled, arms crossed.
Grace is still watching us, face murderous, when I haul her brother through the crowd.
Once I’ve tossed him into the back of the car, I take a long fucking breath and duck into the driver’s seat.
Miller slides in a second later, twisting back and giving Jack a big grin. “Hey, Graves. You got a little blood on your face.”
Jack spits at the partition, leaving a glob of bloody saliva sliding down the clear panel. “Fuck you, Miller.”
My partner only chuckles as he leans back in his seat. “Sergeant will like this one, Deck. Maybe there’s still time for you to get back in his good graces.”
“You know all I want is Daddy’s approval.” I’ve just put the car in reverse when I remember my lunch. “Fuck. I forgot my sandwich. Grab it for me?”
With a nod, Miller pushes out of the car.
When we’re alone, I glare at my brother through the rearview. “This is fucking dumb. What the hell are you up to?”
“Why do I need to be up to something? Maybe I just need a vacation. Nothing like a minimum security prison to clear the mind.”
“Bail will be high, and if I turn over this product, your association to the club could get you a trafficking charge.Realjailtime. You understand?”
His face goes somber. “I know the stakes, Linc. Relax. Take your win.”
I’m not one to question club politics. But this seems like a really fucked-up moment for Axe to let his second-in-command fall on his sword. Unless?—
“You want to get booked. Why?”
“Maybe I got business in lockup. What’s it to you?” He breaks into a smile. It’s not the friendly sort, his teeth still stained red with blood. “You gonna miss me?”
I quirk a brow. Not much business Jack could have behind bars that he couldn’t do from out here. Which means he’s trying to get to someone. “Hope you know what you’re doing. And I hope you’re ready for the ass kicking you’re about to get. That bloody nose has got nothing on what Allen is gonna do to you.”
“I know what’s coming.” He slumps back against the seat and exhales. “I need a favour. Watch out for Grace while I’m gone, yeah? She needs someone looking out for her, you know? And her and Axe don’t get on all that well. But since you and I are—well, you know what we are—she’s kind of your family too. Like a sister.”
I nearly choke, reeling around to face him. “She sure as hell is not my fucking sister.”
He scrutinizes me, eyes narrowed. “What’s the issue?”
“Theissueis that I’ve seenyoursister naked. Very naked. So I’d rather not call her family.”
Anger flares in his eyes, though it’s quickly followed by what looks like annoyance. “Bit of a tired joke, don’t you think? Knock it off, unless you want another slap.”
I grin. “What makes you think I’m joking?”
