CHAPTER EIGHT
– LIVI –
I have no clue how long I’ve been sitting here in this tiny room. When the cops came to the clubhouse, they took everyone there and now we’re being processed, held, questioned, or I guess so. No damn clue since I was shoved into this little room and haven’t seen anyone since.
Finally, the door opens. I expected my supervisor to walk into the room, but instead it’s someone I didn’t expect. Archer Lawson, president of Broken Deeds MC, and my cousin. He’s still a stranger, though. I mean, finding out we’re connected through DNA doesn’t automatically make us family.
To them? Instant connection. It creeped me the fuck out and definitely didn’t believe it at first. However, facts are facts. And I can’t deny the hard evidence. I’m still processing the havoc it caused since it shattered the past as I’ve known it. Archer, along with his father, offered me a deal. A freaking strange one, but I took it anyway.
It’s why I tell him, “We had a deal.”
Archer releases a deep sigh. “I’m still honoring it. Just here to check ’cause I saw your name pop up, and I was in the neighborhood.”
I snort. “Yeah, right. I’ve been sitting here for fuck knows how long. So, save the stories for people who want to be entertained.”
He shoots me a grin. “I like you.”
Flipping him off seems to amuse him when he releases a chuckle.
Clearing his throat he grabs a chair, drags it back, and takes a seat. “Fine. I called your supervisor and told her I’d step in. We’ve taken an interest in the case when it became clear to us that the task force has his eyes set on the cartel and doesn’t give a shit about the MC. Now, I’ve heard the younger generation isn’t anything like the old, vicious bastards of Wisely Dicey. Do you know?”
Shit. How can I answer that question when I’ve only had minimum contact with some of them and let the vice president claim me, and then popped my damn cherry? I am soooo screwing up my first undercover job.
“The vice president claimed me as his old lady,” I blurt.
Archer’s eyes go wide. “Thorsten Rhyland claimed you?”
I nod.
“No shit? He actually said the words claim and old lady?” he grunts and I bob my head once more.
“Damn, you work fast.” Archer’s voice carries a hint of awe and it makes me wince.
“He only did it to protect me from Rainer,” I admit. “Then we had sex in his room.”
Shit. Why did I admit to that?
“Consensual?” Archer grits, his knuckles going white.
“Yes,” I quickly tell him. “I don’t know what it is with this guy, he just…it’s a chemistry thing…I don’t know.”
“His statement, along with the rest of the younger members is that they were all at your place during the time of the murder.”
“They were,” I tell him with a straight face, my heart racing.
Then I remember the deal we made and wince once more, this time for a whole different reason.
“Not the whole night. They stayed for a while,” I add, knowing they can check my vitals with the chip I agreed to put inside me.
Who knows, they might be monitoring my vitals right now and using it as a lie detector or something. I wouldn’t put it past these fuckers because they do, can, and will use any means possible to gain justice. Outlaws who are above the law since they have a contract with the government to be who they want to be.
Hence the chip, I guess. Every member of Broken Deeds, along with their old ladies and their children, has a microchip. This way they can come to their rescue if needed. Broken Deeds solves crime cases for the government and some get dangerous. It’s why I also agreed to let them put a chip in me because they told me Broken Deeds would come running if I needed help.
It won’t be something the task force would do if the whole operation was at risk.
“Ruben’s death puts a huge twist on this operation, Livi. The task force wants the cartel, and with all the evidence pointing at Rainer–”
Archer doesn’t need to finish his sentence, it’s why I cut him off by stating, “Kayden and I are useless.”
He places his forearms on the table and holds my gaze when he says, “The only way to save this operation is to use you.”
“Use me,” I echo on a whisper and firm my voice when I ask, “How? And why is it any different from what they’re doing now? I’m undercover, the whole purpose is using agents to get what the task force needs.”
“It is fucking different when they want to use my damn cousin to sweettalk Thorsten into making a deal with the damn cartel. If things go to shit, he’ll blame you,” Archer snarls.
My lips part to tell him Thorsten doesn’t seem like the kind of man to be ordered around by a woman, but I can’t get the words out because Archer continues, “Don’t give me any lip about not changing that fucker’s mind. You just told me he claimed you on the spot. Which tells me he has plans for you. If the task force gets wind of it, they will order you to get it done and you’d be right in the middle.”
I narrow my eyes. “I have been right in the middle from the start. Are you saying I can’t do my damn job?”
Okay, I might have had some contradictory thoughts myself after jumping into bed with Thorsten, but come on.
“I’m saying you’re too damn good at your job, Livi. How the fuck could you not be since it’s in your damn blood?” The tone of voice he’s using has a hint of defeat.
“I can see you’re thrilled with that little fact,” I dryly state.
The corner of his mouth twitches and he brings up his hand to pinch his thumb and forefinger together. “Just a smidge.”
A smile tugs my lips and realize I’m starting to like the guy. It seems he pops into my life to offer and do shit because he cares about my well-being.
Releasing a sigh, I ask, “What do you suggest, cousin?”
He inclines his head, as if he’s thanking me for asking him advice on the matter. “First we need to see where Thorsten’s mind is at. I’ve witnessed some of the interrogations and only those older members stand behind their current president. If that’s the case, I’d rather approach Thorsten and ask for his cooperation when it comes to going after the cartel, then to have you play him like a puppet.”
I frown and without thinking I instantly tell him, “Thorsten would never let anyone play him like a puppet.”
Archer points a finger at me. “Right. And it’s exactly why the task force’s intentions will fail.”
Rubbing a hand over my face, I grumble, “So, now what?”
“Now we’ll change things up and see in what direction the ship will sail in.”
I look my cousin in the eye. “Huh?”
Chuckling, he says, “I’m going to make sure he sees me next to you. He’ll come to you with questions and I want you to be open and clear about your connection to Broken Deeds MC. Everything from the moment we entered your life. Nothing about the task force, going undercover, or being an agent of course.”
“Then what?” I wonder. “Isn’t that going to put me at risk? I mean, there are people out there who know you guys work for the government. They might know too.”
Archer nods. “True, but we’re known as outlaws first. A club who doesn’t give a shit about the law because we’re above it.”
“Fine,” I huff.
“If Thorsten does bite, and wants a meeting? Tell them you’ll call your family. I’ll get my mother in on it to go undercover as well and meet with you and Thorsten.”
I think back to the first time I met Lynn, my aunt, and Archer’s mother. She’s fierce and has the Broken Deeds patch inked on her neck. I’ve heard Broken Deeds uses property patches for every old lady, and member once they claimed their one and only. They also have a rule where it needs to be inked within a few weeks, and female members get tested to see if they’re worthy.
Shit. This motorcycle club stuff is complicated and insane for sure.
“Okay, let’s get this shit going. I have your number and will text you if Thorsten wants to meet you guys.”
Archer grins and gets to his feet. “All we need to do is walk out of here like family. We’ve put the younger members of Wisely Dicey on a bench in the hallway. They will have a front row to me bailing you out.”
My heart is racing and I shake my head. “You had this all thought out before you stepped into the room, didn’t you?”
“Cousin, I’ve been doing this shit ever since I was born. Being miles ahead of something is the difference between taking your next breath or knowing it’s gonna be the last one you’ll ever take.”
Eerie how his words make total sense. Knowing the danger they face with each case they take on, and still continue no matter what. Gaining justice is what runs deep in their veins, as it does in mine. I guess we share more than just our DNA.