Gunn

I laid it out simple. Their job was to watch my back and stay out of the way when we got to Toby’s. This time of day, he’d be in his warehouse office off the I-5. We’d keep this short and sweet. Just showing up in my cut would probably be enough to scare the shit out of Toby. I hoped he just needed a little reminder that although the Great Wolves M.C. was clear of the one percenter shit, we would still protect our bottom line.

I mounted my Harley and waited for Teague and Josh. Josh rode beside me. Teague played cager in the Chevy van.

When we got to Industrial Drive, I slowed, letting Teague pull in front of me. He turned into the parking lot, shielding Josh and me if there was anyone waiting. I really didn’t expect any trouble. Toby wasn’t stupid and he had no idea I was paying him a visit today.

I parked beside the van and dismounted. Josh pulled in next to me and slid off his helmet. Everything looked normal. Two semis pulled out and another was backed up to the loading dock. Toby’s offices were really two trailers on the north side of the property. He kept one to himself and gave his secretary and bookkeeper the other one.

His secretary’s name was Emmy and a couple of years ago, we hooked up for a while. She was a sweet girl with big tits and a ready smile. Her ten-year-old son, Adam, had Down’s Syndrome and her old man left her on account of it. Real father-of-the-year material. It might have gotten serious between us, but Emmy wasn’t ready to commit to my kind of lifestyle and I couldn’t fault her for that. Everything happens for a reason and we stayed friends. That’s a rare thing between me and the chicks I’ve dated.

“Hey, Emmy!” I called out. “Toby around?”

Emmy poked her head out of her trailer. She gave me a big wave and her face lit up. Shit. I knew that look. Every once in a while when she got lonely, Emmy tried to look me up. Single moms are a sacred thing though. I wasn’t gonna mess with her if I wasn’t ready to be serious. Which I wasn’t.

“Haven’t seen him yet this morning,” she said. “But I was just about to go knock on his door to see if he wants coffee.”

“That fucker has two good legs, Emmy,” I said. “If he wants coffee, he knows how to make it himself.”

She waved me off and rolled her eyes. Emmy wore a leopard print shirt that showed her rack off and a leather skirt that showed off her ass. Josh straightened his back a little and I slugged him in the back.

“Keep clear of her,” I said. “Emmy doesn’t need your bullshit and you’re too young for her.”

“She’s hot though,” Josh said. “I wouldn’t mind some cougar action.”

Emmy was just out of earshot. She came down the steps of the front trailer and jangled a set of keys.

“He might have slept here last night,” she said. “Toby and the missus have been having some issues.” She rolled her eyes and whispered the word “issues.” I knew damn well the only issue Toby Barlow had. He liked to sample his own product too much. If he was still in the trailer, it meant he probably passed out here last night.

“Shit,” I muttered. If Toby were still drunk, this trip had been a waste of my fucking time.

Emmy knocked on Toby’s door. When he didn’t answer, she used her key. She took one step in and let out a scream that cut straight through me. I went on autopilot, drawing down. I charged the door and pushed Emmy out of the way. Josh and Teague didn’t need to be told. They fanned out and watched my back.

Toby Barlow lay face down in the middle of his trailer. A pool of blood framed his head. I already knew it was too late. I pushed Emmy back and told her to wait outside. I did a quick sweep but the trailer was empty. Whoever jumped Toby was long gone.

“Poor bastard,” I said. Josh ran up the steps. I put a hand on Toby’s shoulder and carefully rolled him.

His vacant eyes stared up at the ceiling. The kill shot had taken him through the forehead. That’s not what got my attention though. There were two letters carved in his cheek. It was done after he died. No blood rimmed the slash marks.

“Son of a bitch,” Josh muttered. “D ... H. The fucking Devil’s Hawks did this!”