Chapter 13
CHAPTER
THIRTEEN
Logan
I’m daydreaming about my night with Payden when Nova knocks on the back door. She knows we’re closed for renovations, but I’m waiting for contractors to arrive.
“Oh my god!” she says when she sees Dozer at my feet as she crouches to pet him. “He’s so sweet!”
“Don’t get too attached,” I gruff. “He’s not here to stay, just fosterin’ til he finds somethin’ more permanent.”
Nova pouts. “But you two look so good together. Speaking of which…” She waggles her eyebrows. “You and Payden?”
I sigh. “Not you, too.”
“What? I’m all for it. Payden is amazing. I’d love it if she were an ol’ lady too?—”
“Don’t go gettin’ crazy. She isn’t an ol’ lady, and she’s not gonna be. It’s casual. So don’t go flappin’ your gums about shit.”
She rolls her eyes, setting the little guy back on the ground as he does a zoomy around the bar.
I can’t help but chuckle. He sure as shit lightens any bad mood.
“Sawyer told me.”
My eyes flick to her. “About Bobby?”
“Ugh, don’t say his name, but yes, about him and what he did.”
“And?”
“And I, well, I think it’s a good idea if I see him again.”
I scratch my chin. “Why?”
“Logan, after what he did to me? I want him to know that I’m not going to be kept down by him anymore. That I’m thriving without him.”
“I know, but isn’t it enough that you’ve managed to move on and create a new life for yourself? He’ll be dead pretty soon anyway.”
Last night, before I fucked Payden in Jas’s office, we had a meeting with Cash and discussed what to do with Bobby.
The vote was unanimous; he has to die. Whether Nova should be included in that was pretty much a no, but Cash left it up to Sawyer.
Obviously, if Nova feels that strongly about getting revenge, then Cash feels she should have it, but I’m not so sure.
I think the less she has to do with him, the better. What good will it do?
When you take a life, it has repercussions. It isn’t for the faint of heart, but Nova has always been able to come to me with any problem and we talk through it. I’m glad she took the time instead of rushing into something she might regret.
“I don’t know. I feel as if I’m just turning a blind eye to what he did.”
“Nobody thinks that. It isn’t up to you to put a bullet in his brain, or a knife in his throat. That job is for us?—”
“Because you’re men?” she challenges, folding her arms over her chest. Oh, here we go.
“Yes, precisely, plus we have to cart the body away without gettin’ pulled over by the cops, then dump it so he won’t be found. All of that takes strategic planning. In any case, do you think you could really do it?”
“Can I confess something?” She bites on her lip, her face wincing slightly.
“Shoot.”
“I, um, well, I’m kind of annoyed at Sawyer.”
I frown, picking up Dozer when he paws at my shins. “Why?”
“Because me and Stella had a plan.”
My eyes widen. “You and Stella?”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t even say the words. Does Callaghan know?”
Cale Callaghan is Stella’s old man and Cash’s son, and he’s also the Mayor of New Orleans. I’d be a betting man by saying he’d not be cool with that.
“Of course not. But that bastard got out early.”
“Nova, don’t even say anythin’ else. Did you tell Saw?”
“Nope.” She hugs herself. “He’d be really mad.”
“Yeah, he would, because that plan is stupid. What were you thinkin’?”
“It’s only stupid because you think we were gonna fail.”
“No,” I state firmly. “That isn’t it, but Stella should know better. You can’t go around taking matters into your own hands. Cash would’ve been fuckin’ furious.”
She quickly tries to backpedal. “Look, it was just talk, nothing more. But now he’s here and tied up and all, I’m not so sure I can do it. I thought I could, but I don’t know. I could see him again, but actually pulling the trigger?” She shakes her head.
I rest my hands on her shoulders. “Nobody is expectin’ you to do anythin’, got me? I’ve known you a long time, since you could fit into these two hands, and you know what? I know you’re many things, Nove, but you’re not a killer.”
Her eyes glaze over. “I know, but he hurt me.”
“And we will hurt him. Sawyer already worked him over, and that’s just the beginning.”
She wipes her eyes with her sleeve and I pull her into a hug. “I’m a big goose.”
“Yeah, you are, but you’ve nothin’ to feel ashamed of, you hear? Sawyer will always do what’s right on your behalf, so will we, and we’re not gonna let that asshole hurt anyone else. Cash’s orders, but you didn’t hear that from me.”
She pulls back. “Thanks, Logey-bear, I just wanted to get that off my chest.”
Nova has been calling me and my brothers annoying nicknames since she was old enough to talk, and we all just put up with it because she’s the youngest, and we all adore her.
She’s come a long way since arriving on our doorstep over a year ago, down and out and running from that asswipe Bobby. I’m proud of her and tell her as such.
“Aww, you’re gonna make me cry,” she says, sniveling.
“Just don’t go around schemin’ with Stella or any of the other ol’ ladies, otherwise we will have a problem, okay?”
She nods. “I know sometimes I act tough and mean, but when it comes to the nitty gritty, maybe I don’t ever want to see him again.”
“And you don’t have to. We’ll deal with it.”
She smiles softly. “Thanks.”
“Any time.”
“So, you wanna talk about Payden?”
I scruff Dozer under the chin as he makes this cute little contented sound. “Absolutely not.”
“You make a great couple.”
“Hilarious. It’s just casual, so no need to go around spreadin’ rumors.”
“Uh, huh.” She smiles at me. “But seriously, I’m happy for you. There’s a lot going on right now with the bar and stuff, but it’s the right move. It’ll be fantastic when it’s all up and running.”
“Well, it’s my dream, and my life savings,” I admit.
“But it’s gonna be great. The contractors should get here this afternoon.
I cleaned everything out the last couple of days and put it all into storage.
Now we start knockin’ walls in. Speakin’ of which, if you wanna vent your frustrations when we’re ready to demo? There’s a mallet with your name on it.”
Her eyes light up, making me chuckle. “Seriously?”
“Jesus, only you would find that appealin’.”
“I love smashing stuff, so that’s a yeah.”
“Fine, be here tomorrow after work, and we can kick that wall through to the other side.”
She high-fives me. “You got it. Thanks, cuz.”
“Any time. You have a problem, you know you can always come to me. Okay? Doesn’t matter how big or small. I’m here for you.”
“Appreciate that, Logey-woges.”
I roll my eyes. “So me and Sawyer will take care of it. No more talk of you and Stella, got me?”
“Fine, but make sure you kick him in the nuts a couple of times for me.”
I nod, setting Dozer back on the ground. “You got it.”
My phone chimes in my back pocket.
“I’ll see myself out,” she says.
I wave a hand. “Later.”
Payden
SOS
I stare at the message. What does that mean? Of course, I know what it means.
Me
RU ok?
Payden
No
Payden
Guns
Payden
Help. At work. People dead
I stare at her words, then call her phone. She picks up on the first ring.
“Logan? Oh, fuck. I’m in trouble, the office… the office is under attack. There’s a gunman shooting everyone… Deidre…”
“Where are you in the buildin’?”
“Under the conference room table, but they’re f-firing. It’s close, Logan, it’s really close.”
“There’s more than one gunman?”
“Y-yes, I think so.”
I grab Dozer, heading upstairs to put him in my apartment, and grab my gun. “I’m on my way. I’ll call nine-one-one.”
“I-I did that already.”
“Good girl. Is the door locked?”
“Yes, but I need to get out. I need to make a run for it?—”
“No, Payden, stay where you are. Can you hide anywhere else in there other than under the table?”
It’s the first place they’ll look.
“There’s a cupboard…”
“Good, climb in and stay there.”
“B-but…”
“Do it,” I say, retrieving both my guns as I pull my holster over my shoulders and secure it in place.
“Please, hurry, I haven't heard the sirens y-yet.”
“They’ll be comin’, Angel, and so are the MC. I’ll text you when I’m there, stay off the phone.”
“Okay.”
I swallow. “Payden?”
“Y-yes?” she sounds fucking terrified.
“I-I’ll be there soon.” I hang up, then dial Cash.
This is gonna take the entire club.
Payden
Half an hour earlier
I knew I should have taken the extra few minutes’ walk to the coffee shop I like on the way to work, but that’s what you get for half-assing it and going to a different place.
I take the short flight of stairs to the second floor where our offices are and pass by reception.
Molly isn’t there, but Deidre has her head down as I round the desk.
I got them both a coffee, but didn’t bother asking Ryan because I’m petty like that.
“One pumpkin latte with extra foam, and an extra hot caramel Americano,” I say, sliding the tray onto the desk, and then I freeze.
Blood.
A lot of blood. It’s dripping off the desk and onto the floor.
“Deidre?” I gasp, my own cup falling from my free hand as it crashes to the floor, spilling everywhere.
I push Deidre back from her slumped position and there’s a bullet hole straight through the middle of her forehead.
I jump back, falling over myself as my brain tries to catch up with what I’m seeing.
Deirdre is dead. Deidre has been shot.
Then I hear it.
Gunfire.
Holy fuck!
It’s close. In fact, I barely have time to register as I hear the screaming coming from the offices beyond the corridor.
I turn, diving toward the nearest door, which is our conference room, as I crawl under the desk with shaking hands. I dial 911. I can’t even get the words out, but somehow manage to finally give them the address. The operator asks me a whole bunch of questions but I hang up.
Fuck!
For some reason my fingers scroll through my phone and text Logan. I can’t think straight so I type SOS.
A few messages fly back and forth, then a couple of seconds later, he’s dialing me.
Answer.
Answer. Fucking answer!
I’ve never seen somebody dead before, and Deidre…
holy shit. Tears leak from my eyes and I can’t stop shaking as I tell Logan what happened.
He tells me to hide, and I glance around for a better hiding spot.
There’s a small cupboard that usually houses the projector screen.
It’s out right now because of our meeting this afternoon, so I do as he says and pull the doors open and haul myself in.
It’s a tight squeeze but I somehow manage it.
I hope nobody thinks to look in here. I should’ve made a run for the exit…
Then I remind myself the gunfire was coming from that side of the corridor.
I want to dial Molly, find out where she is. A text comes through and with shaking hands I read it.
Logan
Sit tight. Are you hiding?
Me
Yes. In the projector cupboard. It’s small, I hope they don’t look in here
But what if they do? What if they check everywhere?
Me
I’m scared, Logan. They shot Deidre. She’s dead. They shot her point blank
My hands shake again and I almost drop my phone. I feel like I’m going to vomit. I keep seeing her face. The bullet wound. The blood. My colleagues. Molly. Please, I beg, not Molly.
Logan
I’m coming. Everyone is coming. Do you hear anything?
Me
People screaming
Logan
Do not leave or try to be heroic. I’m two minutes away
I don’t know why, but I feel a sudden sense of relief that he’s on his way, more so than the police.
Me
When you get here, I’m in the office directly across from the desk
Then I hear the door creak open.
I make sure my phone is on silent, then pull it to my chest, and I swear I almost stop breathing.
“Clear,” I hear someone say.
“Did you check everywhere? That bitch gotta be here somewhere,” another man’s voice says.
Oh, my god. Are they talking about me? There are a lot of people who work here, they could be talking about anyone…
“Don’t know, it all happened so fast,” says another.
The first man grunts. “Did you grab Jones?”
“Someone already put a bullet in his brain. The boss won’t be happy.”
“Fuck.”
My eyes widen. Jeremy is dead, too?
What about Ryan? Oh, my god. Every bad thought I’ve ever had about him makes me feel sick. I may not have liked the guy, but I don’t want him dead.
Fuck.
Fuck!
I’m so scared that I’m sure they can hear my breathing. Who knows, I could be whimpering, too.
“Sirens,” the first man says. “Gotta get outta here.”
“You got what you needed?”
“Cristoph is getting all the files now, he needs more time.”
Files? They’re stealing files?
Why the hell are they stealing files?
Then again, Cini Media has been rumored to be involved in the underworld.
“We don’t have more time!” asshole number two yells.
Then I hear something else that is like music to my ears.
The rumble of motorcycles.
Straight pipes.
It’s distinct.
It’s loud. Fucking loud, and it’s as if the cavalry heard my goddamn prayers from all the way across town.
“What the fuck is that?” one of the goons says, but their voices disappear.
I lay there, scared out of my mind, until my phone buzzes against my chest.
It feels like an eternity.
Logan
I’m here
Me
Two men just left bc they heard the pipes. Please be careful
Logan
Always am