Page 12 of Hades

“You think he would take your call?” he asks.

“Only one way to find out.”

Pulling out my phone, I dial the number. I don’t know if he’s changed it, but I’m betting not.

It rings several times before he finally answers.

“You have a lot of nerve calling me after all these years.”

It’s eerie hearing his voice. It’s so similar to my own, yet different.

“We’re in a bind and need help. You got anyone you can spare?” I say, ignoring his greeting.

“You want a favor? Seriously?” he scoffs.

“No matter our issues, you are a Lotus brother. A president even. My president is in a tight spot. Shit out here is going downhill fast. We need eyes and ears that aren’t known. Are you going to help or not?” I spit out.

I feel Reaper’s questioning gaze on me, but I don’t look at him. I can’t. Hearing my brother’s voice is a level of hell that I didn’t know was possible.

“Reaper asked you to call?” he asks, disbelief in his voice.

“No, it was my idea. If Reaper were asking, he’d have called you himself. Our issues don’t have to factor in. I know you are trustworthy, and we need help. So are you going to do it?”

“Too bad I don’t know if I can trust you.” He sighs. “I can spare a few guys. I’ll get them on the road. I assume you want them rolling in sans cuts?”

“I want them calling me three hours from town so we can bus them in without anyone seeing them. I need ghosts.”

“Tell Reaper I’ll be in touch. Oh, and Hades? This doesn’t change anything.”

He hangs up before I can respond. I wouldn’t dare dream that it would.

“You heard him. We have our ghosts. Now what?”

“Now we figure out how we are going to use them. Who do you think he will send?”

“Maverick will come for sure. I don’t know about the others. Mav is good at undercover shit, though. He has tattoos, but he can keep them hidden well. On the outside he looks like a preppy schoolboy. When he used to ride with us, he stuck out like a sore thumb. I doubt that’s changed. Remi uses him for shit he needs an upstanding citizen for. We can do the same. Have him infiltrate the mayor’s office. Act like a follower.”

“He would be up for it?”

I laugh. “He lives for that shit. He likes seeing the look on their face when he reveals he’s a dirty biker. He will eat that shit up.”

“Adalyn has been helpful with what she knows. He’s still looking for her. We can use her to our advantage. Show her out with us so it’s clear daddy’s little girl is with the bikers willingly,” he muses.

“That could backfire. It could look like we brainwashed her. It’s what he will tell the public, at least. May gain him sympathy.”

“Those who will take his side are going to take it with or without her. Those on the fence might see the truth, though. It’s something to consider. I want to talk with her more about it first. I don’t want to put her in a bad position. Honk is taking care of her, but I don’t want her to feel unsafe.”

“That’s why you’re a good president. I’m going to head out of here and get a nap. I’ll take the overnight patrol at the hospital.”

“Evelyn on tonight?” he asks.

“How would I know?”

He gives me a knowing look.

“There’s nothing there. You’re reading into shit,” I mutter.

“Whatever you say. Just know I’m not an obstacle. She’s a grown woman.”