I take a seat in the wooden Adirondack-styled lean-back chair. My hands press tightly to each of the wide armrests, eyes narrow as I wait for an answer. Kade informed us that his club, the Nevada chapter of Los Diablos MC, has no idea about any hit against me or Axe. He excused himself to speak with Antonio Vasquez, the President of his Arizona chapter, and returns with the same story. I’m not buying it for a second. If this guy thinks he’s getting away with anything, he has another thing coming. I’ve spent too much time being pushed around, grabbed, clawed at, dodging bullets, forced to wear men’s underclothes and no shoes, and too far away from my pets. Someone needs to pay.

I roll my shoulders, ready to press for details.

“Let me get this straight, Kade. You and this Antonio character have the run of Arizona and Nevada for all the activity going down for the Los Diablos, and neither of you has any idea who’s been terrorizing your brother-in-law and me within the boundaries of your territory? Right in your own backyard?”

“Yeah, Kade. Answer the lady’s question.” Axe leans back against part of the sliding door that opens out into the backyard.

Nancy is in the doorway with her hand resting on his shoulder. They look a lot more like family now. It’s nice to see them all cozy after the initial freeze-out, although I can’t wrap my brain around how Nancy’s husband can be a top guy in his organization, and not know what’s going on under his nose.

Kade shakes his long, jet black, wavy hair and pulls it away from his face. “The Nevada and Arizona chapters are not behind this,” he insists. He reaches into the top pocket of his red polo shirt and pulls out a hair band, which he wraps around his folded, messy bundle of hair.

“Don’t you see how that makes you look? And I’m talking about your credibility, not your man bun,” I say, not even caring that his wife is standing right there.

“I’m not sure why you believe I should know everything about every Los Diablos who crosses into Nevada. Ditto for Antonio in Arizona. People relocate all the time, and there’s Vegas. Who can get a handle on that place? I’m telling you we’re not involved, and what I’ll do is give you my word that no one in my MC will lay a hand on either of you. Let’s get focused on figuring out who may have done this. Other than the Louisiana plates you saw, did you notice anything else about them?”

“They were definitely Los Diablos,” Axe offers.

“Were the ones who attacked you wearing any patches?”

Axe looks out in the distance, trying to think. “No. None of them. I can’t say for sure about the ones in the Camaros or on bikes later on.”

Kade gives Axe a puzzled look. “Wait, Camaros? Are you sure?”

“Of course we’re sure,” I pipe up. “What do you know about them?”

“That Italian son of a bitch. It had to be Giovanni’s guys. The last time we met that thieving piece of shit, two of his guards drove Camaros.”

“Hang on. Who’s this Giovanni person?” I ask.

“Bad news,” Axe answers. “An Italian mob schmuck from the east coast. A greedy, underhanded, and vengeful control freak piece of shit. He fucked with the wrong people, though. Ended up shot by his own boss for trying too damn hard. I just don’t get why he’s that interested in targeting me in particular. I’d understand if he put Silas on his hit list, given that Giovanni blames him for Sabrina leaving his sorry ass.”

“Who knows? If it’s him, we can start talking to some people.”

Axe motions to Kade. “Wasn’t he told not to step foot out west ages ago?”

“He was, but the bastard has still been trying his usual sneaky shit. Were those Camaros decked out in custom chrome finishes?”

“Could be. It was dark out. Hey, we could go find out. My bet is they haven’t fished those cars out from where they crashed last night.” Axe rubs his grizzled chin as he ponders something. “How about it, Kade? Feel like crossing enemy lines and looking into it with your Saints brother-in-law?”

Kade glances over at Nancy, and they exchange some kind of silent husband and wife communication. “Sure, why not. I just have to let my VP know what’s up. Things got a little hairy after Antonio got shot through the neck. You Saints probably didn’t even know about a couple of deserters in his ranks, and the odd ones who wanted to take over for him, showing up from California, Utah and even as far as Kentucky and West Virginia.”

“I’d bet that went over real well,” Axe mutters.

“Antonio almost had a full-scale mutiny on his hands. Tensions were running high while he was recovering, not to mention your sister was less than thrilled about it, figuring I would be next.”

Nancy steps past Axe, and steps over to Kade. She puts an arm around her husband, kissing him on the cheek. “Thank God that whole drama calmed down, honey.”

Kade runs his hand down her back. “For real. After that, Antonio’s Sergeant at Arms, Jasper, went missing. Antonio didn’t think much of it for the first few days. The man was loyal to a fault, so they figured he was just taking a few days off to see relatives or something. A few days later, Antonio got a call from one of Giovanni’s guys, basically admitting he had Jasper and wanted to do an exchange. Jasper’s life for Sabrina.”

“What? Did anyone tell Silas about this?”

“We didn’t need to. Jasper found a way to escape, and Antonio told Giovanni he’d take down every member of Giovanni’s family if he ever tried anything like that again.”

“It sounds to me like he’s still up to his fucked up tricks, maybe with Angel and me this time.”

“Could be. Someone needs to stop that guy for all the bullshit he’s pulled.”

“I’m game if you are,” Axe announces, pulling up his chair and slapping his burner phone on the patio table. “My guys are only a speakerphone call away. Silas would love any excuse to jamb justice down that dickhead’s throat.”

“I’m in,” I say, clapping my hands together. “Let’s brainstorm. Who’s got a notepad or a whiteboard?” I don’t understand why they all give me blank looks, except for Axe, who’s laughing his ass off. “What?”

“Y’all will need to excuse my librarian friend here,” Axe grins.

Nancy stands up again. “Let’s leave these details to them, Angel. It’s less gruesome this way. Actually, excuse my manners, hun. If you want to freshen up, you can use the guest room at the top of the stairs.”

“Thank you. Yes, that would be great.”

“It has its own bathroom too. You won’t have to worry about tripping over action figures or kids running in there while you’re doing your business,” she says with a smirk. “Oh, and I guess there’s a clothing issue.”

“Definitely, yes. I need to get out of these …” I look down my body, wincing. “These aren’t mine, I should mention. Isn’t that right, Axe?”

“We were being cautious,” he reminds me, flashing me a wink. “Actually, you should be thanking me now.”

“Why the hell for?”

I watch as Axe pulls a wad of cash from his pocket. “You get the pleasure of buying brand new stuff…my treat.”

“Damn right you’re paying to replace the stuff you ditched.” I turn back to Nancy. “He ditched my clothes. That guy. And made me wear this.”

“Don’t you worry, hun. It’s nothing a little shopping trip can’t fix. We can take the kids too. Do you want a change of clothes in the meantime?”

I scan Nancy’s ridiculously tiny waist and slim hips, and furrow my brow. “Girl, have you taken a good look at me? I appreciate the hospitality, but your clothes ain’t gonna fit over all this ass. Let’s go spend Axe’s money. Are you sure we’re fine to go out with whoever is trying to get us?”

“I’m positive. We’ll be safe. Kade’s guys are pretty much everywhere in town.”

I get to my feet. “Sounds perfect to me, especially if these men over here can’t appreciate my skills with a flow chart. Thanks for being a dear, Nancy.”

“No problem. Alexander?” Nancy calls out.

“Yes?” he answers with a cringe. It’s clear he’ll never get used to being called by his first name.

“Tomorrow morning first thing, you and I have a date at the old storage locker.”

“I uh, jeez, okay. Storage unit. You, me and all those memories. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Excellent. Thanks.”

“Have fun shopping, girls.”

I watch as Axe turns to go inside.

“Kade, let’s get cracking.”