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“Yeah, but he talked to Hal. Apparently, you letting the asshole live went over really well with all those assholes. Personally, I would have iced him, but your move was smarter, York.”
I grinned at Exile since Zodiac rarely admitted his bad choices.
“So, what happens next?”
“They bury their boys and feel sorry for themselves. Wrecker has made it clear that he won’t protect anyone who messes with our club again.”
Exile asked, “What about the remaining Baton Rouge guys riding with the LM Jokers?”
“They chose not to join the assholes last night. Since they’re more loyal to Tricky than their daddies, I assume they’re safe.”
“You assume,” Exile muttered.
“If those guys wanted to make a move, last night would have been the time,” Zodiac replied. “They had the numbers. If one of them hadn’t ratted out the others, we’d be looking at dead Crimson Guard members today.”
Fatigue slammed into me as my mind recalled how I only found Goldie because of the snitch. Of course, she might have survived through the night. Her hiding place was solid. She could have waited until sunrise and found help. Or she might still be lost in that tangled mess with me searching for her.
“Goldie’s going to be okay,” Exile told me and patted my back. “Tomorrow will feel better.”
“Is this thing over then?” I asked. “What if Tricky dies?”
Zodiac replied, “The Jokers’ VP has always been more hostile to the Baton Rouge recruits. Tricky dying and leaving Jagger in charge would improve our status.”
Exile scolded our president, “Don’t say shit like that when the Crimson Guard can hear you.”
“Don’t lecture me on manners,” Zodiac muttered. “Clint and his people know I don’t like Tricky, even if he’s their old buddy.”
“I do know that!” Elle yelled from the background of Zodiac’s call.
Zodiac chuckled. “See? I don’t need to edit myself. But either way, Wrecker’s got his people on a leash. Neither Jagger nor Tricky will give an inch in the future. I think this situation might finally settle down.”
“Any word about the Void?”
“Heard they’re pushing hard in Texas again to regain power.”
Exile asked, “Did that info come from your Void snitch?”
“No, he’s been quiet. But people in Houston and Dallas have reported that the Void’s been killing off anyone who tries to exert power. As long as they keep their bullshit out of Louisiana and Arkansas, I won’t stress it.”
“But if they’re rebuilding their power in Texas, how soon before they hit Louisiana?” I asked since I sensed Exile was thinking the same thing.
“That’s a problem for tomorrow.”
Exile and I shared a frown before he asked, “Are you joking?”
“No, I’m completely fucking serious. This has been a wild year. I have no idea what could happen next, and I’m not looking for future problems when we’re getting hit by unexpected problems now.”
There was no way Zodiac would have behaved so passively a year ago. Marriage and fatherhood had changed his priorities. The old Zodiac was like a caged beast, pacing back and forth, always searching for threats and prey. Now, he only wanted people to leave him alone, so he could hang out with Elle, Sutter, and Trent.
“It would be nice to get through the summer without more shit,” Exile said when I remained silent.
“This thing last night doesn’t change how I need you down here soon, Exile,” Zodiac said, sounding tired. “Sutter’s going to his nerd camp, and I don’t want Elle traveling without me.”
“I get it. Lula and Nova are already packing for our time down there. Don’t worry.”
“What about my road captain?” Zodiac asked in that snarky tone of his. “How long until he moves Boone’s sister to Baton Rouge?”
I instantly spit out, “She will never move there.”
