CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Two days later
– THORSTEN –
“What is she up to?” Macsen rumbles from directly behind me.
I quickly turn my phone off and shove the thing in my pocket. “Still recovering.”
The fucker chuckles. “So, no more outbursts like the one on the first day, eh? Where she puked all over you to prevent fucking.”
Turning, I flip him off. Asshole. He was glancing at the camera feed from Livi’s room and hasn’t stopped mentioning it to me. It might have been hilarious to him, but to me it was anything but. Not because I wanted to fuck her when I felt her curves pressing against me, but due to the fact she has a concussion. She fucking banged her head against the wall when she attacked me, and I had to fight her off.
Macsen’s face grows serious. “Have you made up your mind yet? Or are you simply gonna keep her locked up for the rest of her life?”
“She stays where she is, that’s all you need to know, VP,” I grit and reach for my phone when it starts to ring.
Glancing at the screen, I mutter a curse and decide to take the call. “Archer. Why do you keep calling?”
Macsen’s eyebrows go up. He knows I’ve been dodging Archer since I kidnapped his cousin. Of course, the fucker is still oblivious, and still actively searching for her.
“We still haven’t been able to get a lead on Livi, not that you fucking care,” he snaps.
I keep silent. There’s no need to speak my mind, and he’s the one who called so there must be something he wants to tell me.
“I’m calling to give you a heads-up because it’s what Livi would have wanted, ’cause she gave up her dream job, and all for your worthless ass.”
My heartrate picks up. I only trust a handful of people due to my fucked-up upbringing. The way Livi and I instantly connected, unleashed emotions and feelings inside me I didn’t realize I was capable of, and allowed me to let her in. Betrayal is a bitch and came in Livi’s form. Not something I can easily forget and it’s why she’s my captive while I’m processing shit in my head.
“A heads-up about what?” I ask, ignoring his jab about Livi.
“Last night the task force tried to intervene a transport from the cartel. Four guys managed to escape, one was killed and the drugs he was transporting were confiscated.” Archer pauses for a breath or two before adding, “The one who was killed is one of yours, Dillard, he was wearing his cut.”
Without thinking I snarl, “Those old farts aren’t a part of Wisely Dicey anymore. We voted them out since they haven’t showed their faces here from the day Rainer was arrested.”
Macsen swings his arms up in a “what the fuck, man” move. I know I shouldn’t have said anything. On the other hand, Archer mentioned four men…and a dead guy. Which makes a total of five, and there are only four old guys. Well, three left now with Dillard dead.
“That’s the only club business I’m going to give you,” I tell Archer. “And the fact I’m the president now.”
“None of it will matter to the task force, Thorsten.” A sigh rips from him. “Can we talk face-to-face?”
“I have shit to do,” I grit.
“I don’t fucking care. Make time, asshole. I’m going to set up a video call and show you classified information. I’ll see you in five minutes.” He hangs up and I release a curse.
“What?” Macsen asks.
Anger evident in my voice I replay the information, “Dillard is dead. Rainer and the others were on a run and the task force hit them. They were able to escape except for Dillard. Fuckers were wearing their cuts.”
Macsen curses and I tell him, “Archer wants to video call to show me classified information.” Pointing at church I add, “Join me.”
We head for church and close the door to wait for Archer’s call. A few minutes later I hit accept on my phone and Archer’s face appears along with a woman’s I recognize as Lynn. She was at the diner a few days ago when I went to meet Livi.
“Nice shiner, asshole.” Lynn narrows her eyes and pushes Archer out of the screen. “How did you get it?”
“I accepted this call because Archer wanted to give me classified information,” I grit. “Not talk about my face, or personal shit for that matter.”
“Evading an answer. Either you’re ashamed or hiding something. Which one is it?” Lynn is staring at me as if she can pull the answer straight from my brain.
“I’m hanging up now.”
I’m in the process of lowering my phone when Archer says, “Have you seen this man?”
When I check the screen, I see a photograph of a man with a scar from his ear to his chin. Black hair, mustache, brown eyes, crooked nose.
I recognize the vicious fucker. “Not recently, no. Why?”
“Do you know who he is?” Archer questions.
Lying is an option. I have no clue why I should give Archer information, but I also don’t give a fuck about either of them.
“Mind sharing?” Archer sounds a bit agitated.
My eyes meet Macsen who shrugs, only then do I spill, “Silas Tadeo. The cartel’s assassin.”
Faintly I hear Lynn’s voice. “It makes no sense at all if the cartel’s behind it. It would mean they don’t have her, and if they do? Then it’s a warning.”
Don’t have her…clearly Lynn is talking about Livi. I know Livi’s still safe and sound. Before Archer called, I was watching her through the camera app I have on my phone.
Still, I find myself asking, “What’s a warning? And for who?”
Part of a hand covers the screen, and I realize Lynn just took Archer’s phone. “Answer me this first, pretty boy…are you really done with my niece? Or are you gonna hold your dick until you’re bored from whacking it to the fantasy of the only real thing you ever had in your fucked-up life?”
I’ve done my research on this woman, and to say I’m impressed is an understatement. Lynn has quite the reputation, and I even dare to say some men would be fucking jealous at the heroic things she’s done in her past. To be honest? She reminds me a bit of Livi, and it makes sense since Lynn is her aunt…even if I know they only recently found out about the blood connection.
Deciding honesty is best, I tell her, “I’m not done with her yet.”
Lynn nods. “Livi’s house was torched yesterday. The house registered in her own name, Thorsten. We were able to catch the fucker who did it on video, facial recognition got us nowhere, it’s why I wanted to ask you. We still can’t find her and have no clue who took her either. I know you seem like you couldn’t give two shits, but if you didn’t? You wouldn’t have bothered to show up at that diner.”
Fuck. If Silas torched her house, it would have been done by the cartel’s order. Why the hell would they go after her? Her real fucking name?
“The cartel knows she’s a cop,” I grit and my anger gets the better of me when I snarl, “How the fuck does the cartel know she’s a fucking cop?”
“Well, my guess would be that one of your club has a big mouth. Mind sharing if you have any ideas who? Better yet, give him to us and I’ll torture the fuck out of him and get the answers myself,” Lynn states.
I hate to say it, but I have to agree with her. There’s a rat in my clubhouse. Archer mentioned four wearing a Wisely Dicey cut managed to escape the task force. Four and one dead. Which leaves three old farts, so who the fuck is the other?
“No one tortures a member unless I give a direct order.” I’m very aware Broken Deeds didn’t have to share anything with me. It’s why I tell them, “Let me do some investigation, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I know more.”
Lynn nods. “Thanks, Thorsten. I knew my niece saw good in you, and it’s why I’m giving you a shot.”
I can only return the nod and end the video call.
Macsen snaps, “We have a fucking rat?” as soon as the screen turns black.
“They torched the fucking house registered to her birth name, so they know exactly who she is. We only discussed the fact she’s law enforcement in church. There’s no way any of us would spill the info, right? Fuck!” I rub my face and grumble, “I can’t even begin to think who would rat us out. You? None of us would follow Rainer.”
“I don’t know, man,” Macsen grunts. “Did any of the prospects know? Would any of them secretly meet up with Rainer? Who knows, maybe Jocko has been two-timing us and spilled the info to his father.”
“He wouldn’t.” I can hear the doubt in my own voice.
“Let’s find out, and then continue to confront members one by one,” Macsen says and stomps out of the clubhouse.
My fingers squeeze into fists, knuckles turning white. Fury races through my veins. I might have kidnapped Livi, and am still fucking angry discovering she was a cop, but if there’s any punishment or what the fuck ever concerning her? I’ll be the one handling it. No one else. Anyone interfering with my business, and that includes Livi, will face my wrath.