Chapter 24

 

I carry Aria back to the room with her lips plastered against mine. Pushing into the room, I’m ready to take her again when I hear Dana clear her throat. Pulling away from me, Aria grins.

“There’s breakfast in the kitchen.” Dana smiles at Aria.

“Don’t eat at the table, though.” Mumbling, she heard me. Aria slaps me in the chest before climbing out of my arms.

“What happens next?” Dana asks as she stands with her arms crossed over her chest.

“We figure out how Tomlin is connected to Cambridge, and why they want her dead.” I reply, nodding toward Aria.

“How long will that take?” I finally pull my eyes back to meet Dana’s. She’s a little mouthy and it’s starting to wear on my nerves.

“As long as it takes. I won’t rush this shit and have her in danger.” I mimic her stance, crossing my arms over my chest. I don’t like to throw my weight around with women, but with this one, I will.

“Everything will work out, Dana.” Blowing out a breath, she drops her arms.

“I just don’t like that Crystal was involved this whole time.” Speaking of Crystal, I wonder where the hell she is right now. Now that’s one woman I wouldn’t mind putting a bullet in.

“When was the last time you talked to her?” All eyes dart to me. I need more information than I currently have.

“A few days ago. She said she had things to take care of. I didn’t let on that I heard her talking to him.” Nodding at Dana, I look to Aria.

“You ok for now? I need to talk to Dragon.” Aria nods with a smile on her face. Turning on my heel, I head out of the room and back out front. I want to get this moving. I want to get this shit taken care of and move on, but I have a feeling in the pit of my stomach that, that’s not the way things are going to go down. I spot Ghost standing outside the front doors and head that way. His head is hanging in defeat. I know he’s thinking about her.

“Why don’t you look for her?” He shakes his head, never looking up.

“It’s not fair to her. I let her go.” Understandable, but still.

“You told me to go after Aria, Ghost. I could tell you the same about Melanie.” His chuckle doesn’t go unnoticed. He pulls his head up before looking over at me.

“You’re right. I just don’t know how to fix things. A lot happened between us, Roc.”

“I know they did. That girl loved you though, Ghost. We all saw that.” He nods his head, still not sure of what to do with himself.

“Maybe one day. We need to get this shit settled first. I am really sorry though, Roc. I didn’t know about that shit back then.” I can see the sincerity in his eyes. He’s my brother, how could I not.

“It aint nothin’, man. We’re family. It happened. I let that asshole play me for way too long. I won’t let that happen again.” Pulling Ghost into a brief hug, he slaps a hand on my back.

“You’ve always been the better of the two of us.” I chuckle at that one. I don’t know about that.

“Don’t be so sure, brother.” His laughter is something that’s kept me centered for so long.

“What are you two doin’?” Trick comes to stand next to us, offering us both a cigarette.

“Takin’ in some Goddamn air before it’s full of dead bodies.” Trick grins like a fool. He’s a good guy.

“Heard that. Dragon’s lettin’ me run with you guys on this one.” Trick says. Ghost and I share a glance before laughing.

“You sure you’re ready for that?” I ask, looking him up and down. I just want to push his buttons. I know he can handle it.

“Damn right I am. I’ve worked my ass off to prove that shit.” Trick grins like a fool. I give him a quick nod before slapping a hand on his shoulder.

“That you have. It’s good to know we got another good guy watchin’ our backs.” Trick’s look changes. Ghost breaks into laughter that sets me off, too.

“Make a speech princess. You gonna cry, Trick? I swear to fuck if you start to cry I’ll shoot you on the spot.” Ghost tells him while laughing. Shit, I’m not far behind him.

“Fuck off, Ghost. It makes me proud to stand next to you guys.” Trick says. I try to reign in my laughter, but damn.

“Jesus Christ, I need a Goddamn drink.” 

***

Dragon and I have a meeting with Cambridge today. My nerves are on edge. Ghost opted to stay back since he has been a little on edge. I don’t mind taking his place for the day, though. I want as much information as I can get from these motherfuckers. I want Tomlin’s ass on a stick.

“This is such bullshit.” Shaking my head, I look around the upscale area we’re in.

“What’s wrong? Get nervous around that rich pussy?” Dragon chuckles before slapping me in the arm.

“You don’t? Look at this shit. All high-tech cameras and shit. Why the fuck would you want to run drugs out of this shit?”

“Because it makes the perfect cover.” A voice comes from behind us. We both turn at the same time to see a man in a business suit eyeing us.

“Seems, so,” Dragon says, but he doesn’t move. He watches the guy, much like I am.

“You must be Dragon.” The man extends his hand. Dragon might not like this shit but he knows how to play the game. He takes the man’s hand in his.

“And who the hell are you?” Dragon asks. The man smiles that million-dollar billboard smile. Fucking prick.

“Michael Cambridge. It’s nice to finally meet you.” Is it? I highly doubt he’s happy to see us.

“To what do we owe this visit?” Dragon pulls his hand back, wiping it on his t-shirt.

“You rich fucks smell too much like sanitizer for me,”  Dragon mumbles. Michael doesn’t laugh, just smiles.

“You did ask for this meeting.” Adjusting his jacket, I want to punch this fucker in throat.

“Yeah, we heard somethin’ around town and wanted to check in with you.” Nodding his head, he motions for us to follow him. Dragon and I share a glance before walking behind the man.

“Prick.” Clearly, Dragon really dislikes this man. Michael closes the door behind us before taking a seat.

“What is it, you heard?” Clasping his hands together in front of him, it takes all I have to not get up and smash his face in.

“You made an offer to Throwers. They want in on our turf. That’s askin’ for a war they ain’t ready for,”  Dragon says, laying it all out there for him. This seems to catch his interest. He leans forward, listening intently.

“What do you propose?” Cambridge asks. Fuck, I can’t stand this punk.

“We run it. We have a bigger operation than they do. We have more intel than they do. We can reach more people than their little kiddy asses.” Dragon is always so sure of himself. He knows the skills this club possesses, and he’s right. We can run shit better than they can.

“What do you want in return?” Dragon chuckles before looking over at me.

“I want Tomlin.” Michael looks between us before asking.

“Which one?” He says. Now it’s my turn to laugh.

“Both. I want Martin dead. Aria’s mine.” His gaze narrows on me. The look in his eyes is feral, yet there’s a fear deep down in them. A fear that he knows I will kill him if need be. I like that, I like knowing that he can sense that.

“No deal. Aria holds too much information.” Shaking my head, I lean in closer to his desk.

“It wasn’t up for consideration. She is mine.” The growl rips from my throat before Dragon’s hand comes down on my shoulder.

“What do you think that girl knows? She doesn’t know shit that we don’t.” I snap. His eyes jerk from mine to his.

“Meaning what?”

“Meanin’, she doesn’t know shit. She knows what Tomlin has let slip. She didn’t even know who the fuck you were.” Dragon fills him in. Michael seems to be thinking that over. His looks change in an instant.

“He set this up. He set it up to take the focus off him.” 

Dragon looks over at me. We share a strange glance as Michael shakes his head.

“You wanna’ elaborate on that shit?” Dragon is getting pissed, I can hear it. Michael looks up from his desk before he leans forward.

“Martin came to me not long ago. He was asking a lot of questions about the MC’s that we work closely with. He wanted more intel than I was willing to give. He said that Aria knew our inner workings here. He pointed the finger at her. He sent us out to find her with the understanding that he would move into a higher up position with us.” Slamming my hands down on the desk in front of me, I’m pissed. He sold her out. He sold his own daughter out.

“Sit. Down.” Dragon growls. I drop my ass back into the seat and wait. Dragon nods at Michael, motioning for him to go on.

“Aria was supposed to die at the event up north. He set it all up with the Throwers'. We worked out an agreement that he would represent us in court, should the need arise.” My chest tightens. This is all bullshit.

“And, Crystal?” Michael looks up confused.

“I don’t know a Crystal.” Michael says. Glancing over at Dragon, he shrugs.

“We want Tomlin. We want Aria, off the hit list. The rest is up to you. I don’t give a fuck about Crystal. Kill her, we kill her, whatever. I want Tomlin dead.” My words are strong when I speak them. Michael looks to me. He holds my gaze for a second before looking to Dragon.

“And you want to run our products? You realize the penalty that will come with any mess-ups?” Nodding his head, he knows. So do I, but we don’t fuck up.

“Fine. You get Tomlin. I want to be present though, I’d like to watch that liar burn for what he’s done.”

“And, Aria?” I ask the obvious.  Michael’s eyes come back to mine.

“She’s all yours.” Michael says. Dragon stands, extending his hand to Michael.

They shake on it. Done deal. She’s mine, and I will take out that piece of shit father of hers.

“As soon as we have Tomlin, we’ll call you with a time and place.” Michael smiles and it’s almost as evil as Devil’s. I’d say he’s looking forward to that death as much as I am.