Chapter Thirteen #2
Seth scowled while their teammates destroyed the unwanted electronics. Once the bugs were sitting at the bottom of a glass of water and the cameras were in pieces, he faced Elias. “What happened?”
“After our teams left the clubhouse, Iona and I thanked Dutch for his help and protection. We were being escorted out by Heath. About halfway to the door, he signaled someone in the shadows, who stepped into view and aimed his weapon at me. Iona sent a knife into his throat, and I shot him. Heath was acting without Dutch’s permission. ”
“So I gathered. Do you have any idea what’s going on here?”
Elias studied Seth. “I don’t, but you act like you know something. Spill it, sir.”
“Two things. One, Dutch mentioned not wanting problems, especially in security, considering something important happening in two days.”
“The gun sale?” Andre asked.
“Could be. No proof yet.”
“What’s the second thing?” Noah asked.
“We made an enemy tonight.”
Teagan rolled her eyes. “What else is new? We always make enemies. What’s different about this one?”
“Heath is Trish’s brother.”
Oh, man. That wasn’t good. Elias rubbed his jaw.
“I don’t understand this. If Heath is Dutch’s family, wouldn’t he do everything he could to protect him?” Noah asked. “Some family. Dutch tossed him out of the clubhouse without a second thought.”
Andre frowned. “You said MCs treat each other like family. In a way, Heath betrayed Dutch. Is that enough of an offense to take such an extreme action?”
“Definitely. Family members are held to higher standards, so their punishments are more serious, especially for an offense like this one. Not only did Heath betray Dutch, but he also showed no respect for Dutch’s authority.”
Grant whistled. “No wonder Dutch was livid. Organizations like an MC run on an authority hierarchy, like the military. Heath’s actions would be equivalent to one of us mouthing off at a general.”
“We would have landed in the brig before we could draw a full breath,” Noah said. “So, what happens now, Elias? Will Heath ever be allowed back into the MC?”
“With an infraction this serious, no. Although Dutch didn’t use the term ‘out bad,’ he said Heath was no longer welcome in the compound and clubhouse.”
Iona’s eyebrows rose. “Out bad?”
“Permanently kicked out.”
She sighed. “Great. Just what we need. Two more enemies to fend off.”
“Look at it this way,” Seth said. “Although you have two more enemies, at least you know they’re not your friends.”
“Small comfort, because we don’t know which side of the line the rest of the MC will fall on.”
He shrugged. “We take what we can get.”
“Sure, but we still don’t have enough information to stop the sale of the weapons and ammo.”
“We don’t know if Dutch is brokering the deal or merely housing the weapons.”
“Or if he’s involved at all,” Andre said. “So far, there’s no proof.”
“If the proof exists, we’ll find it.” Elias leaned his head against the back of the couch. “Keep your eyes open when you’re around the MC tomorrow. They may tell us what we need to know by accident.”
“What’s a better scenario?” Seth folded his arms across his chest. “We didn’t win any friends tonight.”
“We’re more likely to learn something by planting a few listening devices of our own.”
His teammates stared. “Are you suggesting we break-and-enter the clubhouse with road warriors all over the building?” Noah asked.
“Something a lot more civilized. We’re going to bribe them with food.”
Violet looked surprised. “What kind of food, and who’s cooking it?”
“The deli in Red Rock. We’ll place a large order and bring it back to the clubhouse. It’s a sign of respect for the club and the club president.”
“I like it,” Riley said. “The plan is sneaky. We’re being nice and showing respect while giving ourselves a chance to learn what we need to from the source.”
“Do you think it will work?” Iona asked.
“How can it fail?” Grant smiled. “Who doesn’t love food?”
Laughter filled the living room.
Rayne patted her husband’s flat stomach. “Of course you would think about food. You’re just a growing boy.”
More laughter.
Seth held up his hand for silence. “I agree with Elias. We need intel fast, and these yahoos won’t be open to answering questions after we eliminated one fellow biker and got another one kicked out of their MC.
The listening devices are the best option we have.
I’d rather not break-and-enter the Blackthorn clubhouse if I don’t have to. Anybody see something I don’t?”
When no one spoke up, Seth said, “Night watch detail will work in pairs. No exceptions.” He glanced at Elias. “You and Iona are off the rotation for tonight.”
He could pull his own weight. Elias didn’t want to be a burden to his teammates. “But, sir….”
Seth held up a hand. “No arguments. It’s my decision, and I stand by it. Besides, I know you, Elias. You work until you drop, especially when you’re injured. I’m not letting you get away with it this time. Too much is at stake.”
“Yes, sir.” Seth wasn’t wrong. Elias worked himself into the ground when he was sick.
He didn’t want to be a burden to his teammates.
Didn’t take a genius to realize that powerful drive was rooted in a childhood where Eddie told him growing up that he was a burden to the MC and especially to him.
Yep, his childhood would never be held up as a shining example of how to raise your kid.
Eddie Knight was a lousy excuse for a father.
Noah motioned for Iona and Elias to go upstairs. “Gather around, boys and girls. Time to play the night watch game.”
At the top of the stairs, Elias nudged Iona toward the room. “Get ready for bed and climb in. Just give me a pillow and a blanket, and I’ll be fine on the floor.”
She looked troubled. “What about your shoulder, Elias?”
“It will hurt no matter where I sleep. Go on. The sooner you get ready, the faster I’ll be able to lie flat.”
Iona held up her hands. “Fine. I’ll fix something up for you. Give me ten minutes.”
“You’ve got it.”
She went into the room and closed the door. Elias listened to his teammates decide on four hours shifts and Seth’s reminder to remain alert and sleep dressed to roll out.
Smart move, he admitted to himself. Blackthorn was unlikely to ignore the dishonor of one fellow member and the death of a brother from another club. Elias didn’t think Blackthorn would retaliate tonight, but being prepared for the worst was always a wise move.
Ten minutes later, Iona opened the door dressed in the standard Fortress uniform of a black t-shirt, fatigue pants, and socks.
Although she hadn’t heard Seth’s speech downstairs, she was still ready for anything that might happen during the night hours. He should have known. The military and the Delta team at Personal Security International had trained Iona well.
“I’m ready, and so is your sleeping pallet.”
When Elias walked into the room, his gaze tracked to the right. Iona had taken the comforter off the bed and doubled it up on the floor, dropped a pillow on one end, and set a folded blanket on the other end. “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble, Iona.”
“I wanted to. Besides, it only took me a couple of minutes to put this together.”
“I appreciate it. Thank you.” He grabbed his bag and went into the bathroom. Minutes later, Elias set the bag near the door and went to his pallet.
After a beat, Iona turned off the lamp. “Sleep well, Elias. I’ll be here if you need me.”
One of these days, he hoped to wrap his arms around this woman as he fell asleep. Not yet, though. They had a job to do. When it was finished, Elias would start his campaign to make them a permanent couple.
He thought that he’d lie awake and plot his next moves to win Iona’s heart. Turned out his exhausted body dragged him down into sleep before he realized what was happening.
Elias woke six hours later, astonished that he’d slept until sunrise. He sat up and took stock of how his body felt. A little beat up, but not bad overall. He could tell, however, that the pain medication had worn off because his shoulder throbbed, warning of greater pain if he didn’t head it off.
He grabbed a fresh set of clothes and went into the bathroom. Too many minutes later, he left the room and went in search of a teammate to change his bandage and help him with his shirt.
When Elias stepped into the living room, Noah turned from his post at the front window. His friend studied his face for a moment before giving a slight nod. “You look better.”
“The sleep helped.” What else could he say? That was the truth, as much as he hated to admit it. “I need help changing the bandages.”
“Violet’s in the kitchen with her mike bag. She’s been waiting for you.”
He walked into the kitchen with his shirt in hand.
The medic glanced up and smiled. “You look better.”
“So I’ve heard. I need my bandages changed.”
She motioned to the bar stool beside her.
“Have a seat.” Violet unzipped her bag and pulled out the supplies she needed.
When everything was laid out, the medic removed Elias’ bandages and examined his wound.
She poked and prodded and finally bandaged his shoulder.
“Looks good, Elias. I prescribe more good food and a full night’s sleep. ”
“We’ll see.” He couldn’t let his teammates cover for him indefinitely. Pulling his own weight was non-negotiable.
Elias stilled. Great. Nothing like having his childhood rear its ugly head. “I’ll do whatever you think is best for my recovery.”
Violet stared. “Who are you and what have you done with the real Elias Knight?”
He snorted. Yeah, shocked him, too. Not his favorite recovery plan. Sitting around doing nothing drove him nuts. “I’m not that bad.” But he totally was. Elias was man enough to admit it to himself.
“Right.” Violet zipped her mike bag and disposed of the medical detritus. “Would you like coffee?”
“Is the sky blue?” He narrowed his eyes. “Wait a minute. Who made the coffee?”
She laughed. “You’re safe. I poured the pot Grant made down the drain.”