TOMMY

At least she didn't cry. If she'd cried, I would have stayed, walked right in that building with her and told the FBI everything I know. But now that she has her sister back, and they're both safe with the Feds, other options are open. Ones that won't make me a rotten backstabber, won't make me betray the brothers. Because with the shit I know, they're all going down.

I can't let Shade run the MC. Not the way he wants to, which is exactly the same way my father ran it. But I can give him the chance to step down instead of destroying it all. Someone else can take over, someone who would follow the plan Blade had for the MC. I know there are still those loyal to him in the MC, and loyal to me. Guys who didn’t want Shade to take over. The President position has been hereditary until now, passing from father to son to brother, but that’s just the way it always was, not even a written rule. I'm leaving no matter what. I crave that quiet life with Tara, just the two of us traveling the world, with nothing to worry about except making each other happy. I've done enough worrying and hurting for five lifetimes, and so has she.

"Tell me that was some other blonde chick and black haired thug that took one of my whores," Shade says as he picks up the phone, his voice shaking from the strain of trying to control it.

"It wasn't someone else." Back when he was VP, and I just one of the enforcers, I used to love goading Shade just to get a rise out of him. Because when he gets mad, his eyes bulge, the veins on his neck pop out, and his face turns three different shades of red. I'm pretty sure this is all happening right now.

"How'd you even find her?"

"Pure luck," I tell him.

"You stepped too far out of line now, Tommy. I might have given her to you, but you can't just take what's mine. You're either with me now, or you're against me. Make your choice."

"I want you to step down as President, let someone else take over. That's my choice, take it or leave it. Or I go to the cops and tear it all down." My heart's racing in my throat as I make this demand, grows faster as he laughs a guttural laugh any villain would be proud of. "I won't be a part of any establishment that sells human beings."

"Whores are not human beings. And you don't make demands of me," he says. "You apologize to me."

"No, Shade, you don't understand. Either you go, or everything goes."

He stops his growling, and the silence that follows is tense, charged.

"Let's stop pretending you'll carry out your threats, Tommy. We both know you won't betray anyone. Hurry back and you might still make it in time," he says, and I can hear the smile that must be on his face.

"In time for what?"

"Just hurry back and we'll talk in the morning," he says. "Drive safe now."

He hangs up, doesn't pick up when I call back. But I keep trying. I call Crystal too, and the club, but no one's picking up. I finally get Brett on the line after trying at least thirty times.

"Where the hell are you, Brett?"

"In Tijuana, man, with the hottest little redhead you've ever seen. Her name's Candy, and it fits her perfectly," he says, his voice thick with bravado and having a good time. "What do you need?"

"Never mind, you just stay in Mexico. Don't come back."

I could use him tonight, but I'm glad he's out of harm's way. At least one of my friends will be saved from whatever happens after tonight.

"What are you talking about?" Brett says, his tone completely serious now, and more than a little worried.

"I'm sorry, but there's no other way. Don't come back until I tell you to, is that clear?"

"Yes, but—"

"No buts, I'll explain when I can."

I have four hours of the drive left. Three, if I step on it. Less if I had a faster car. But I don't need to complicate this situation any further by stealing a car, so Tara's rented pickup will have to do.

Even if I got there faster, I doubt I'd be in time to prevent whatever revenge Shade is planning.

* * *

The sky over the east part of town is illuminated a bright orangey red, but it's only a couple of minutes before four AM, hours still left until sunrise. Crystal's is on the east side of town, and the orange light gets brighter the closer I get.

The road's blocked by patrol cars and ambulances, fire trucks visible in the distance. I park and run towards what's left of the building, ignoring the cops' shouts as I slip under the yellow crime scene tape.

All that's left of the strip club is a blackened, smoldering hull. Behind it flames are rising from Crystal's house, the firefighters still battling that fire.

"Tommy!" Crystal calls from somewhere to my left, and I let out the breath I've been holding.

She's swaddled in a blanket, standing next to an ambulance with the rear door open. I run over.

"What happened?" Through the open ambulance door I see Bear laying unconscious on a stretcher, an oxygen tube attached to his nose, and a bandage covering his forehead.

"It was those damn Mexicans, the Vagabundos," Crystal says, her teeth chattering because she's shaking so hard. "They came and trashed the place then burned it all down. We put up a fight, but there was nothing we could do. There were too many of them. Ten's been shot, and my Bear—"

Tears stream down her face, and she can't finish the sentence. She turns to look at Bear's unmoving form on the stretcher, shaking even harder.

"Will he be alright?"

She shrugs. "I hope so. He got hit on the head and has smoke poisoning. He's so old, Tommy. But you should've seen him today. He fought for me, for us, like he was a young man again."

I caused this. No way the Vagos just attacked on their own. Crystal's has always been untouchable. There's nothing to gain by targeting it. The only reason would be to get back at me. Shade is behind this.

"And the others?" I ask, checking around to see where the girls are. If any of them were hurt—

"They're already at the hospital," Crystal says. "Nothing serious, just scrapes and bruises, and smoke inhalation. They were after the club, not the girls, thank God."

"We're leaving now too," the paramedic working on Bear informs us. "Are you coming?"

I offer her my arm to help her climb into the back. "I'll take care of this, Crystal, I promise."

Her home is gone, her club is gone, and her husband might die soon. There's precious little left for me to take care of. I should've said I'll avenge this. She smiles at me anyway, nodding her head. "I know you will."

I'm already locking eyes with Sherriff Lance Williams. It's time to finish this. Shade shouldn't have gone after Crystal and her girls. I warned him. I tried to get him to back off. My conscience will never be clear over what I'm about to do, but I am doing the right thing. Because I can't stand by and just watch innocent people get hurt anymore.

"Something I can help you with, Tommy?" the Sherriff asks as I walk up to him.

"Yeah," I say. "You can take me down to the station. I have something to tell you."

He eyes me warily. The last time we spoke, I threatened to expose his secret unless he turned a blind eye where the MC's dealings were concerned. Right now, I'm about to make his career.

"It'll be worth your while," I assure him.

"Alright," he finally caves. "Follow me."

* * *

"So you're telling me you're willing to rat out the entire MC?" the Sheriff says after I tell him what I can offer. "You? The founder's grandson and the President's brother? Forgive me if I have trouble believing you."

I don’t like his tone, but he’s absolutely right. I am a rat. "Lance, we've been over this already. Either you make a deal with me, or you get the FBI or the ATF down here to talk to me. Or even the fucking Border Patrol. One of them is gonna give me what I want in exchange for the information I'm offering. And they'll be getting it cheap."

"Witness protection?" he asks.

"For me plus one," I say nodding. "A new name and a new identity."

"And a house with a white picket fence, I suppose," the Sheriff says, a mocking half smile plastered across his face. "I didn't take you for the settling down type. Or for a traitor."

It stings, him calling me that. But there's no denying it either.

"You know what people will do for love, Lance. After all, you're one of those who'd do anything for love."

He knows what I mean, can't hide his anger now. As liberal a state as California is, on the whole, a gay sheriff is still not something that's tolerated. Especially not up here in the hills. A married sheriff with a long time gay boyfriend on the side probably wouldn't be tolerated anywhere. All it took to get him to look the other way where the MC was concerned was threaten to expose that secret of his. We didn’t even have to bribe him.

"Be smart about this, Lance. The info I can give you will make your career. You won't have to worry about anything after that. I want a new name and a new identity. For me and my girlfriend. And I won't testify at any trial. But I'll buy my own house."

I can see him considering it, the anger no longer the main expression in his bloodshot brown eyes.

"I'd rather we handled all this here and now, but if you won't take what I'm offering, I'll go elsewhere. I can give you enough to destroy Viper's Bite MC and make a huge dent in the Vagabundos' operation in the area."

This is the last time I'm repeating myself tonight. He either takes the deal, or I'm taking it to the Feds.

"I'll get the DA on the phone, see what we can do."

The sun's already up now. I should've called Tara long ago. "You do that, and I'll wait in the hall."

He lets me exit his office without putting up any fight, though he's still eyeing me warily.

I could still change my mind. Walk out of the station and forget all about this. Not be a traitor.

But I can't look the other way anymore. I tried for years, and it nearly killed me. I might never get rid of the guilt of betraying the brotherhood. But it won't be so bad once I hear Tara's voice.

"Tommy?" she breathes into the phone, sounding like I woke her up. "Is it really you?"

I laugh at her question, because just the sound of her voice makes me feel rested, ready to take anything on. No sacrifice is too great, if it means I never have to leave her side again.

"Why wouldn't it be?" I ask, still chuckling.

"I was afraid you'd get hurt, that I'd never see you again."

"Nonsense, Tara, don't worry about me. I can take care of myself," I say. "How are you? What's happening there?"

"They questioned Sam, and then they took her to the hospital. We've been here for hours," she says. "When are you coming back?"

"Soon, Tara, but I can't come just yet," I say, wishing I was next to her right now, holding her hand, letting her lean against me. "Make sure you both have protection around the clock. Call your father, have him arrange it."

She sighs. "I'd rather not see him."

I feel like I just swallowed a block of ice. "I know, baby, I know. But sometimes we have to do stuff we'd rather not. This is one of those times. So please, call him. Get him to hire you bodyguards or something. I'll be there soon, and then you'll never have to see him again if you don't want to."

"Are we in very serious danger, Tommy?" she asks, and I don't know if she means just Sam and her, or the three of us. Probably the latter. That's how she is. Selfless and caring, thoughtful and kind.

"No, Tara, it's gonna be OK. I just want to be extra careful. Say you'll call your father, do it for me."

"OK," she murmurs. I hate myself for asking this of her, because I know how hard it will be for her to ask this favor of her father. I couldn't have asked it of mine. Though if it meant keeping Tara safe, I would probably have done it.

"I'll be there soon," I say. "But now I have to go."

The Sheriff is waving me back into his office. It's fucking show time.