Chapter Seven
Violet
The hum of my computer filled the room. Absolem leaned over a stack of documents, his glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. He’d filled me in on everything, and I’d reviewed the papers he had spread out in this room. They’d apparently made a “war” room.
“All right,” he began, his voice low and steady. “We’ve got one shot at this.”
I nodded, feeling the weight of my responsibility knotting in my stomach. My fingers danced across the keyboard, the keys click-clacking under my touch. His blue eyes met mine, serious and unwavering.
“Your skills,” he said, pointing to my laptop, “are the key. We need proof of every shady deal Davis and Lewis have their hands in. I’ve shown you what I found so far. I need to see if you can dig up more.”
“Got it. Digging through digital dirt is my specialty.”
“Remember, we don’t want them to see us coming,” Absolem added.
I turned to my screen, the green cursor blinking back at me. It was go time. I cracked my knuckles, my heart thudding against my ribs as if trying to break free. This wasn’t just about me anymore. Warren was going to be my home, and I wanted to make sure my child had a safe place to grow up. We needed to end the corruption.
“Accessing city’s database now,” I murmured, typing furiously, lines of code flowing from my mind to my fingertips. The familiar rush of adrenaline surged as firewalls fell before me, one by one.
“Security’s tight,” I noted, the challenge sparking excitement in my veins. “But not tight enough.”
“Keep pushing,” Absolem encouraged.
Lines of code cascaded down my screen, a matrix only I could decipher. I was in, deeper into the city’s protected files than anyone outside the government should ever be. Transactions, communications, records -- all laid bare before me.
“Looking for anything out of place,” I told him, scanning the numbers that represented a darker reality. Each entry, each transfer was a potential piece of the puzzle we desperately needed to complete.
“Time’s not on our side,” Absolem reminded me, without needing to look at his watch.
“Understood,” I replied, my focus razor-sharp.
Then, there it was, hidden amidst the mundane -- a series of transactions that didn’t belong. Numbers that screamed dirty money, a paper trail leading straight to the top.
“Absolem,” I said. “I think I’ve got something.”
Absolem was already on his feet. I kept going, hoping I’d found something really big this time. My neck felt tense and my back ached, which told me more time had passed than I’d realized. Sweat dripped down my spine as I found a shell company, and overseas bank account, and the names of dozens of women and girls.
My gut clenched when I realized the mayor had not only had a hand in selling them, but he’d also purchased some. As quickly as he went through them, I knew something far worse had happened to them. It took me another hour to stumble across an email he’d sent to Lewis… about getting rid of a body. We had him! Proof he’d murdered one of the girls.
“Here!” I showed Absolem. “Is this what you needed? He’s not only into the trafficking ring the sheriff was running, but he bought some of the girls. All underage. And he’s murdered at least one of them. If I had to guess, I’d say they’re all dead.”
“Yes. That’s what we needed.” He patted my shoulder. “Good work. Now get the fuck out of there before someone discovers you nosing around.”
Once I saved the evidence I’d found, I did as he said, my hands dancing across the keyboard. Before I completely backed out, there was one more thing I wanted to check. As I went in another direction, I realized my hunch was right. He’d also been bribed, many times.
“Gotcha!” If they couldn’t take him down for the murder and rape of underage girls, then I knew no one in this town would be able to ignore this . The emails were damning, conversations detailing illegal activities with a casual indifference that made my blood boil. Each message, another nail in their coffins, hammered home by their own hands.
“Violet? Jesus! I told you to get out there!” Absolem said.
“I wanted more, and I found it. You’ll have copies of everything.”
“I’ll get it to the interim sheriff. He helped us take down the last sheriff, so I know we can trust him. He wants Warren to be a safe place to live.”
I nodded. “If you think he’s trustworthy, that’s all that matters.”
“You still aren’t out of there!”
“Check this out.” I turned my screen so he could see the camera feed I’d hacked into. Bonus, it included sound!
The mayor entered the underground area, his gait reeking of arrogance. Behind him, a crime boss I’d seen on TV before loomed. Their voices unfurled through the laptop speakers.
“Thirty percent cut. You get us the contract, Davis,” growled the crime boss, his hand extending.
“Consider it done. This city is mine to carve up,” the mayor boasted, his palm meeting the crime boss’s in a clasp thick with sin.
“Recording this by the way,” I said.
“Good.”
The meeting’s final words slithered through the speakers. As the two parted ways, I stopped recording and backed out of the security system. I snapped my laptop shut. “It’s done. You should have enough to take him down.”
“I’ll call Park Hurst.”
I saw the look of determination on his face, and I knew Absolem was going to do whatever it took to get rid of the mayor and his sidekick. “Be careful.”
“Always am.” There was a hint of a smile in his voice, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He placed the phone to his ear, and I heard the murmur of someone answering on the other end.
“Hurst, it’s Absolem. We need to meet.” He paused and I could tell he was listening to the man say something. “More than something . It’s time to take down the mayor and Lewis.”
Absolem killed the call, his blue eyes locking with mine. A silent vow passed between us, a promise to see this through to the bitter end, whatever it took. For justice. For the club. For our future.
“Got the last of the financial records,” I muttered, dragging the files into an encrypted folder. “They thought they were clever, hiding it all behind shell companies.”
“Good work. Let’s summarize the key points for Hurst. Keep it clear, irrefutable. He likes things neat and simple.”
“Right.” My heart hammered. We worked in tandem, compiling the report. I gave Absolem all the details and he helped condense it. Hours later, we’d reduced a stack of documents into a two-page report.
It was time to bring down the mayor and Lewis.
* * *
I hadn’t thought he would take me with him when he met the interim sheriff. Even more surprising, March had allowed it. I’d thought for sure he would throw a fit about needing to keep me safe. Or perhaps he knew Absolem wouldn’t let anything happen to me.
We sat across from Interim Sheriff Hurst, the fluorescent lights of the precinct casting stark shadows across his square jaw. His eyes flicked through the report, green depths stormy with the weight of what he read.
“Mayor Davis is neck-deep,” Hurst grumbled, setting the papers down. “And Lewis isn’t far behind him. How reliable is your evidence?”
“Rock-solid,” Absolem stated, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “Surveillance, firsthand accounts, financial trails. It’s all there. And… Violet found an email between the mayor and Lewis about needing to get rid of the body of one of the girls. It’s pretty clear he killed her, and there’s mention of her age.”
“Warren’s been under Davis’s thumb too long. It’s time for that to end.” He stood, determination etching lines into his face. “I’ll need to pull in some favors, make sure this sticks.”
“Whatever it takes,” Absolem agreed, his grip tightening on my hand. “We’re in this until the end.”
“Good.” Hurst’s nod was curt. “I’ll get things moving. Expect heat from Davis’s camp but hold steady. We’re going to clean up this town.”
“Count on it,” Absolem said.
The room felt colder suddenly, as if the air had dropped ten degrees within seconds. Hurst’s eyes darted to the door, then back to us, his posture rigid.
“Something isn’t right,” he said, voice low, an edge of warning to it.
Absolem tensed. “What do you mean?”
“I think someone knows we’re meeting. Knows about your investigation. Until now, I didn’t think they suspected me being part of all this. I tried to lie low and act surprised when the previous sheriff disappeared. Now I’m not sure I was convincing.” Hurst’s green eyes flickered with something I couldn’t place -- fear, maybe? Betrayal?
“Who?” Absolem’s question was sharp.
“Can’t say. But it’s bad.” Hurst swallowed hard.
“Spit it out, Park,” Absolem growled.
“I didn’t want to say anything until I knew for sure, but I’ve heard they’re planning a hit. On the club. Tonight.” Hurst glanced at me then Absolem. “Do you understand? This time will be different. They want you all dead.”
“Damn it! We need to move. Now!”
“Underland is in their sights. Did we lead them there?” My throat felt like it was closing up. “Did I do this?”
Sure, the club had been trying to take down the mayor before, but I didn’t think he’d made such a bold move until now. It left me feeling responsible, whether I was or not.
Hurst shook his head. “I don’t think it was you. It’s been building for weeks. Get your people safe.”
“Thanks.” Absolem clapped him on the shoulder.
March. Jo. Eliza. Everyone… Would we get there in time? And even if we did, then what? The sheriff made it sound like we didn’t have enough time to evacuate the clubhouse. What was going to happen to all of us tonight?
I hadn’t made it this far, finally had hope for a future with March, only for it to end like this.
We were out of the precinct in a heartbeat, tearing through the night toward the club. The wind bit at my cheeks as we roared down the streets of town, but I barely noticed. My thoughts were consumed by the danger that awaited us.
“Call March,” Absolem roared over the wind. “Warn him.”
My fingers trembled as I dialed the number, praying he would answer. Praying we weren’t too late. The call connected, and his voice filled my ears, rough with concern. “Vi?”
“We’re coming,” was all I could say before my voice broke. “Davis knows, March. The sheriff thinks he knows everything.”
There was a brief silence, then a low curse. “Get here fast.”
Absolem pushed the bike faster, the world streaking past in a blur of neon and darkness. Every second felt like an eternity, our impending confrontation with Davis looming large in front of us.
The club came into view, lights burning bright against the black night. We skidded to a halt in front of the entrance, leaping from the bike and rushing inside.
March was already there, rallying club members and preparing for a fight. His eyes met mine across the room -- the promise of what could have been reflected in his gaze -- but there was no time for sweet goodbyes or longing looks.
Murmurs echoed around us as Absolem revealed Hurst’s warning to the rest of the club. Determination hardened their features -- a fierce family ready to protect their own against any threat.
“We don’t know when they’re coming,” Absolem finished his precipitous report. “But we need to be prepared.”
“Then let’s get ready,” March growled.
Our preparations were frantic but methodical -- weapons checked, positions determined, a plan hastily put together. I was given a gun, the cold weight of it unfamiliar and terrifying in my hands. I’d watched my brother at the shooting range enough times to know the basics, but I wasn’t sure I could actually hit anything if I tried.
As we waited for the inevitable, I found myself next to Absolem, his blue eyes watching the entrance with an unwavering stare.
“You ready?” he murmured.
“No,” I admitted, my voice trembling with fear. “But I have to be.”
“You’re stronger than you realize,” he said softly. “We’ll face this together. Or you can hide with Jo and Eliza.”
And for a moment, despite the impending danger outside our doors, I managed to believe him. “No. I’m going to fight.”
The quiet was shattered by the roar of engines approaching. A chill ran down my spine -- the fight had arrived. We braced ourselves as headlights washed over the building, and Davis’s men descended upon us.
The first shots rang out into the night air as we opened fire on the intruders. Fear surged within me -- I had never been in a real firefight. It was nothing like I’d seen on TV, and I realized I could very well die here. So could March.
Still, I held firm alongside my newfound family. March was front and center, his fierce gaze trained on the enemies before us. And so it began, our final stand against Mayor Davis.
I could only hope the club would come out on top and we wouldn’t lose anyone.
If only I’d found the information faster… maybe we could have avoided this. But no amount of what-ifs were going to get us out of this.
* * *
March
I couldn’t stop to focus on what was going on with Violet. I had to trust that she’d be okay. Part of me wished she’d have gone to hide with Jo and Eliza, but I knew that wasn’t who she was. After the hell she’d been through, she wanted to stand up and fight.
I took down two more of the mayor’s men with headshots before moving on to another one. Almost as soon as the fight started, it was over. Scanning the room, I took in the damage. Bullet holes riddled the walls. The windows had been shot out -- again. Mock had blood running down his arms, but it hadn’t seemed to slow him down. Tweedle looked to have been shot in the thigh and I saw blood along his side. Knave, however, looked the worst of us all. He slumped against the wall, his breathing ragged.
Moving to his side, I checked him over. “Talk to me.”
“Through and through in the shoulder. But there’s one in my gut.”
I winced. A gut shot was never a good thing. I lifted the hem of his shirt and checked the wound. It looked jagged and ugly. He’d need surgery for sure. The blood on his side was just from a crease.
“Sheriff is on his way,” Absolem said. “And your woman is fine. Shaken, but in one piece.”
I nodded. As much as I wanted to rush to her side, I knew I had responsibilities to handle first. I was the Sergeant-at-Arms, and I needed to make sure my brothers and the women were safe. Not just my woman. Even though Absolem had medical training, I still felt like this was my responsibility. To some degree, we all knew how to patch up wounds.
When the sheriff arrived, I let Hatter take the lead. An ambulance pulled up and they did what they could for Knave before loading him up. The rest of us would either patch ourselves up or go into the ER on our own. Knave was the only one who needed assistance to get there.
Once the chaos settled, I found Violet in the kitchen with the other women. She clutched Luna in her arms, and the kitten seemed content enough. Although, my presence made the little furball’s eyes go wide, and it briefly tensed. The gunfire probably scared the shit out of the little thing.
“All of you all right?” I asked.
“We’re good,” Jo said. “How’s Knave?”
“He should pull through. Won’t know until a surgeon looks at hm. Bullet is still inside.”
“And Mock?” Eliza asked.
I thought about the blood I’d noticed on his thigh. “I’m not sure. He either refused to ride in an ambulance, or it’s not serious.”
I kissed the top of Violet’s head and breathed her in before leaving the kitchen. I still had work to do. Once the club was taken care of, then I’d go to the bedroom with her. If there was ever a night I needed to fall asleep with her in my arms, this was it. I only hoped she felt the same.
With my luck, I’d lose out to the damn cat.