Chapter Fifteen
Hollywood
“T hese fuckers are getting too bold,” I growled as we all settled around tables behind the clubhouse. This wasn’t an official meeting, but all the brothers were present after what happened at Winter’s school. “He strolled right up to her on campus, which means he knew she’d be there, and the fucker waited until I went to take a piss to threaten her.” I was still pissed off in my part of putting that terrified look on her face. I should’ve just waited, dammit.
Diesel looked at me, a hint of sympathy in his eyes as if he knew and understood my struggle. “You sure it was the Jade Devils?”
“Positive. Not only did Winter describe a good-looking Asian asshole, but I saw a few of his buddies waiting in the parking lot on bikes that had the Jade Devil-Dragon thing on the side. I’m sure.”
Gio’s jaw clenched tight. “Have you noticed anybody following you?”
“No.” My shoulders fell in disappointment and anger. “Nothing obvious anyway.” I’d been going over the last few times we left the house or her college campus in search of who I missed. “I didn’t notice a car or a bike following too close or making the same turns. Nothing.”
“I hate to say it,” Cole, who went by the nickname Sniper, began. He was new to me, joined the MC while I was in prison, but I got to know him on the long ride from Cali to Steel City and he seemed to have a good head on his shoulders. “We need to consider that they’ve been following Winston and his daughter for longer than he realized. Or that someone on the inside is feeding them information.”
I’d considered that too, but I dismissed it quickly. “Winter only told her best friend what was going on today and she didn’t tell her where she was. Winston knows she’s with me but even he doesn’t know where I live.” I was damn grateful for the new place more than ever.
“They could’ve just been staking out the school since it’s the one place they knew she’d be.” Cole shrugged. “It’s what I would do.”
“He’s right,” I said, focusing my attention on Diesel and Rocky. “Winter skipped school a few days, so they were probably impatient and approached the moment she was alone. They’re getting bolder and that won’t change if we don’t do something about it.”
“I get that you’re all riled up, Hollywood,” Rocky began. “I’d be the same way if it was Peyton.”
“You were,” Maverick reminded him with a laugh.
“Exactly.” Rocky’s easy agreement and smile sent the room into a fit of laughter. “That’s how I know what you’re feeling. Most of us do, but that’s also why I know that we can’t just react here. We need to strike in a way that sends a message not to fuck with us or the people who matter to us.”
“Yeah, I get it.” And I did but that didn’t change the rage that coursed through me from the moment I saw that terrified look on her face.
“I might have a solution,” Slate offered in his quiet, confident tone. “I’ve been looking into the Jade Devils, hell I know more about them than they probably do.” He grinned and shook his head. “These guys are all about the money. They don’t fuck around, and they don’t half-ass anything.”
“How does that help us then?” Hawk leaned forward and arched a brow in Slate’s direction. “Specifically.”
“They keep their shit locked up tight,” he began. “But here’s the thing about a deep sense of security, it can make you think you’re safer than you are.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Gio reached for Slate’s laptop and tried to yank it away, but Slate moved faster and smacked his hand.
“It means I found a crypto wallet with a fuck ton of money in it, and it’s got your standard encryption protocol, which means I already, let’s say re-secured it.”
“How much is a fuck ton ,” Diesel asked, always about the big picture.
“Enough to hurt. About four hundred grand and some change.”
Rocky whistled. “It’ll sting that’s for sure.”
“Exactly what I was thinking,” Slate smiled. “We can keep it or return it to some of their victims, maybe even turn it over to the cops. Hell, we can just keep it locked so that they can’t get access to it.”
Diesel nodded. “Let’s just hang onto it for now.” His gaze flicked to mine. “How is Winter holding up?”
“She’s shaken up and worried about Winston, but she’s good.” What I don’t tell my brothers, just yet, is that she has a good reason to be worried. Winston got where he was by being stubborn and dedicated. “I’ll make sure nobody gets that close to her again.”
“Nobody but you,” Gio snickered.
I rolled my eyes even as the rest of my brothers laughed along with Gio, the smart ass. “Yeah, yeah, go on and get it out of your system.” They were dying to give me shit about what they thought was going on and I had to let ‘em. I hadn’t been back all that long, but this was part of the brotherhood. We gave each other shit about anything and everything. We fought hard and we loved harder.
One big happy fucking family.
“When your boy finds out, it ain’t gonna be pretty,” Gio advised and looked at Cole. “Trust me.”
My smile faded because that was the only dark cloud in what was starting between me and Winter. Winston would not take this well, at all. Not even if I managed to save his life and hers. “Believe me, I know. But it’s too new to know if it’s something I need to bring up. Yet.”
“Tread carefully,” Diesel warned.
“I’m trying. But since we’re tied together until the Jade Devils are dealt with, that’s not saying much.” Being so close to her all the time and wanting her the way I did, had made our coming together inevitable. But now that I’ve had a taste of her? Not even that three-headed dog from hell could keep me away.
“We need to keep a close eye on the Jade Devils. I want to know what they’re doing before they even think about doing it. Slate, do your thing. Gio and Sniper, keep those fuckers in your sights anytime you’re awake.”
“Got it.” Both men answered at the same time and stood before they fist bumped each other.
The other brothers dispersed, most of them headed inside where the women and club whores were hanging out while a few hung back and enjoyed a smoke or a toke. “You sure you’re okay?” Maverick stood in front of me with a look of sympathy on his face. “It’s not exactly the same as when it happens to you but when someone comes after somebody you love, that shit hurts. It stings, more when just want to do something about it.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. That one word seemed to hold a world of emotion that Maverick just understood. “I need a fucking drink.”
“Come on, first round is on me.”
“They’re free, you fucker.”
His deep laughter sounded. “Hey, I heard it was the thought that counted. That’s what Grace tells Sophie, anyway.”
“In that case, you can buy me a shot and a beer, smart ass.” My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I frowned. Everybody I knew except Winston was here in this building so when a number I didn’t recognize popped up, I was hesitant to answer. “Yeah?”
“Mr. Masters, I’m glad I caught you. It’s Christina, your real estate agent.”
“Right. Christina, hi.” I motioned to Maverick that he go head inside without me, but the nosy fucker stuck around. “What’s up?”
“I’m calling with very good news. Everything is in order for you to take official possession of the house at the end of this month.”
“But I thought you said it would take the full ninety days.” I’d only given her the greenlight to start the purchase process a few days ago. The place was nice and spacious with good light and nonintrusive neighbors. It wasn’t much to go on, but I liked the place well enough, which might have something to do with Winter.
“That’s the maximum length to expect but when the buyer and seller are highly motivated—and financed—things move a lot faster. We just have to sign some paperwork and exchange some money, and the place is all yours.” There was a beat of silence. “And they’re willing to add the furniture for no extra cash.”
“Shit, that is good news. Thank you, Christina.” The last thing I wanted to do was spend my time and my money shopping for shit I didn’t give a fuck about.
“You’re welcome and since you’re clearly in love with your woman, I’ll console myself with the commission I earned. Text me about a good time to meet, Mr. Masters.”
“I will.” I ended the call in a slight daze.
“Everything good?” Maverick asked.
“Yeah, I just… fuck I just bought a house.” Even before prison I just rented a place. Didn’t see a need to bog myself down with mowing lawns and replacing shingles and shit.
“A woman and a house already? You’re the goddamn poster boy for getting out the joint and reintegrating back into society. We should put you on a poster.”
I punched his shoulder. “If you want a picture of me Mav you only have to ask.”
“Asshole,” he laughed and clapped my shoulder. “Seriously brother, congratulations.”
“Thanks.” Before I joined Maverick at the bar, I knew I needed to talk to Rebel since he handled the MC finances. With the money shit figured out, there was only one thing I wanted more than a shot and a beer.
Winter.