Dutch (BLP Motorcycle Clubs #4)

17. Makari

Wireless Caller:

Sing or be silenced. Time's up little bird.

I dropped my phone after reading the message, which made my stomach lurch. I knew it was Jahlil. Our meeting had been cut short. My hands shook as I read the message a second time. It was clear he wanted the ledger.

"Fuck," I muttered as I ran my hand through my locs. Fear coiled in my gut, but then I realized fear and anger came from being tired of playing games.

Muffled sounds came from the basement. I glanced toward the basement door where Dutch had disappeared to chat with the unwelcome guest, and I was glad I didn't know what was happening down there.

My mind flashed back to the information about Darian, and that, on top of Jahlil's threat, had me wondering if I could even trust Dutch. I stood and paced his office, weighing my options. Face Jahlil to get answers about Malakai or go to Dutch for more lies?

"Fuck this shit." I grabbed my phone, pulled up the ride-share app, and booked a car, but I froze when Dutch interrupted my thoughts.

"Hey, you cool up there?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm going to step outside. I need air," I answered.

There was a pause, and I thought he was going to come upstairs.

"All right, I'll be done in a few."

I blew out air and put on my jacket. I stuffed the ledger in my bag and headed for the front door. Dutch had saved me so many times that I half expected someone from Jahlil's crew to pop up when I stepped outside.

My ride pulled up a blue Corolla, and I checked the license plate before getting inside. I couldn't believe I was really doing this, leaving Dutch for a second time. I looked at the club as we pulled away. I wanted to run back to my man, but Malakai's face and his stupid jokes stopped me. I owed it to my brother to find out the truth.

The Corolla stopped a block away from The Red Scorpions Club as instructed. My heart pounded so hard I knew the driver had heard it.

"Thanks, I'll five-star you," I told him.

I approached the club after walking a bit. Inside, two burly-ass men approached me, and I recognized one of them as Jahlil's right-hand man.

His lips curled when he spotted me. "Look what the fuck the cat drug in," Axe sneered.

I squared my shoulders, matching his energy. "Ah, Axe, still Jahlil's lapdog. I see."

He moved closer. "Watch your mouth. You're on our turf."

I stared him down, refusing to let him see me sweat. "Jahlil's expecting me."

Axe narrowed his eyes but stepped aside. I bumped him as I brushed past. "You'll wish you never came if you make one wrong move."

I smirked. "Promise?"

I spotted Jahlil at the bar, his back to me, and I headed in his direction.

"I'm here to talk."

Jahlil seemed surprised momentarily before a smirk spread across his face. "Makari London, imagine seeing you here."

"Cut the crap. We both know why I'm here."

He sipped his drink. "Do I now?"

"Malakai. I want answers about that night."

Jahlil's eyes hardened. "What makes you think I have anything to give?"

"You were his best friend, and you let him die."

He looked around. I saw pain on his face, but it didn't last long. He nodded to the back. "Not here."

I followed him to a more private area, and as Jahlil closed the door behind us, I turned to face him.

"I'm willing to trade the ledger for the truth. Where's my brother?"

"How do I know you have it?" Jahlil asked.

I pulled out my cell phone and tapped on a photo of the first page of the ledger. "The ball's in your court, Jahlil."

"You think it's that simple? You think you give me the book, and you get peace of mind?"

"Cut the shit. We both know what the information in the ledger means." I wanted to smack him.

He chuckled, working my nerves. "You're almost in way over your head, and if you want any opportunity to walk away and live a normal life, you need to hand it over and forget about Malakai. It's what he would have wanted you to do."

The mention of Malakai hurt, I struggled to keep my expression neutral, but inside, I was seething. "How dare you try to use my brother against me? Don't ever tell me what Mal would have wanted. He's dead because of people like you. Or is he dead?" I grilled.

Before he could answer, we heard a commotion, and Jahlil opened the door, going back into the club, and I followed.

"Makari, what the hell are you doing here?" Dutch shouted as Jahlil's men surrounded him.

"If it isn't the prodigal son himself. Boys, show our old friend Dutch some hospitality as you show him the door," Jahlil drawled with a cruel smile on his lips. "Makari, I thought you wanted to talk business, but I see you brought reinforcements. Did you set me up for an ambush?"

Dutch was forced back outside the front door, and I saw fists flying as Dutch attempted to fend off Jahlil's men. Suddenly terrified, I bolted to the door. Dutch may have been a pain in the ass, but he was my motherfucking pain in the ass, and I had to help him.

I burst outside as the scene unfolded like a nightmare. He was fighting a group of men, and I couldn't let him do it alone.

Fuck, there was no way the two of us could survive all these men. That's when I spotted Dutch's bike. I sprinted toward the bike. A memory flashed through my mind. Malakai's patient voice guided me as I learned to ride. "The bike should feel like an extension of you, lil' sis."

I swung my leg over the seat, using muscle memory as I fired the engine. For a second, I felt bittersweet nostalgia, but there was no time for that. I revved the engine and headed for the group of men in full force.

"Dutch, time to go!" I yelled.

I twisted the throttle, and was ready to plow through anyone who got in my way. To show them I wasn't playing, I charged one of the attackers. His eyes widened, but it was too late. I swerved hard, clipping him enough to send him sprawling.

"Shit," I blurted, adrenaline hitting me.

I turned around and headed back in their direction. This time, the men scrambled as I wreaked havoc. I weaved through a few like some crazy ass video game called Bump and Jump .

Dutch took advantage of the distraction, knocking out a few who refused to give up. I pulled up next to him.

"Get on!" I yelled.

He didn't hesitate, swinging onto the bike with a grace that wasn't possible for a man his size.

"Go, go!" he shouted in my ear.

I didn't need to be told twice as we hauled ass out of there, leaving a cloud of dust.

Once we were clear, all I heard was the rumble of his laughter against my back.

"Damn, where the fuck did you learn to ride?"

I grinned. "What, you thought Malakai was the only badass in the family?" For a moment, I wondered if I said the wrong thing, but then Dutch gently squeezed my waist.

"Remind me to never underestimate you again."

I turned my focus back to the road and focused on getting us back to the club in one piece.

After a ride across town, I pulled into the Sons of Shadows parking lot and killed the engine. I noticed a few of the crew were outside. Dutch dismounted the bike first and offered me a hand I didn't need, but I took it anyway.

I ran my hand through my locs. "That was some crazy shit. Malakai would've been proud!"

"I'm impressed. Your brother taught you well." A smile played on the corners of his mouth.

I tried to come down off my adrenaline high, noticing blood on Dutch's face. I cupped his face. "Are you all right?" I asked.

"I'm cool. Just promise me no more lone wolf stunts," he stated.

"I had everything under control. They went crazy when you showed up," I defended.

"Damn, I guess I did just bust in like fucking Superman. My bad."

"How about no more lone wolf stunts for you either, sir?"

"That's fair," he agreed.

We moved toward the building and I was still wired. "No wonder Malakai loved riding."

"It's a rush, but don't get cocky. Jahlil's going to be out for blood now."

I nodded as reality came crashing back.

"Now I got to explain to these niggas why I was on the back of the bike." Dutch threw his head back and laughed.