Chapter 25 Bush
I curse myself for choosing Vita Gustosa for dinner.
I wanted to treat Zara to a nice dinner, and this place has the best food and ambience.
I chose a different location from the one where Marcus usually hangs out, which is near the hospital, where we spotted him, his father, and his brother meeting with the Bushrangers.
I guess he moves between locations more often than I thought.
“Marcus,” I say, keeping my tone cool because I don’t want him to join us. Of course, Marcus being Marcus means he ignored my less-than-welcoming greeting and sat down.
I reluctantly introduce him to Zara and am considering ways to get him to leave us alone when he mentions the Bushrangers.
I inwardly curse when I see Zara tense up. I’d hoped going out to dinner would help her relax.
“We know,” I tell Marcus. “I was there when your dad called Chrome. We also saw you meeting with them this afternoon.”
Marcus’s eyebrows wing up. “You were spying on us?”
I shake my head. “We were tracking down the Bushrangers.”
“So, you know that they’re here and out for your blood?” Marcus muses.
Zara gasps. I reach over and capture her hand, drawing circles with my thumb to calm her. “You don’t have to be scared. They can’t hurt us.”
“But your club is in danger because of me,” Zara protests. “Maybe I should abandon the fashion show and return home.”
I tighten my grip on her hand before forcing myself to relax. The idea of her leaving is more worrisome than facing off against the Bushrangers.
“I don’t understand. Why would you think you’re the reason?” Marcus asks.
“You aren’t the reason,” I assure Zara before explaining about my history with the Australian club and with Zara.
“They have more reasons to come after me. They may have been angry with your father and you for evading them, but I’m the one who turned them in and got them arrested.
They’re risking war because they want me dead. ”
“They definitely want you dead,” Marcus agrees. “They didn’t tell us who they were gunning for, but they told my father they had a grudge to settle with someone who betrayed them. I think they thought this would win my father over to their side. The mafia is big on loyalty.”
Zara sucks in a breath. “You’re with the mafia?” she whispers.
Marcus chuckles at her expression. It’s a combination of awe and fear, maybe with a hint of excitement.
“I am. Well, my father and brothers are more involved than I am. My father is the Don. He’s not a man to cross. I prefer running my restaurants to dealing with the crap they deal with daily.”
“So, the Bushrangers came to you for help in going against us?” I ask Marcus.
He nods. “First, they came looking to buy some weapons from us. They wanted guns. Dad asked them what they wanted them for. You know how he feels about needless violence in our city?”
I nod. The Don may use violence to protect the Family Business, but he doesn’t tolerate violence from others. Hypocritical of him, but at the same time, he keeps the gangs from turning the Chicago streets into a battlezone.
“How did he react when he learned the Bushrangers told him their goal?”
“He played it cool as he does. He didn’t tell them that we were aligned. I think he’s meeting with Chrome to determine a game plan. You know we’ll protect Cicely at all costs.”
“Cicely?” Zara asks. “Chrome’s wife?”
“She’s not Chrome’s wife, yet,” I say.
“Cicely is like a sister to us,” Marcus explains with a scowl. “She’s best friends with my younger sister. We’ve known her for most of her life. You know my father isn’t happy that they’re not engaged yet, much less married.”
I shrug. “I can’t do anything about it. But Chrome adores Cicely.
He’ll propose, and they’ll get married; just give it time.
He’s trying to make changes to the clubhouse so that she and any future Old Ladies feel more comfortable there.
He wants to make it more family-friendly.
I think he’s waiting because he wants Cicely to see his vision before he proposes. ”
“He’s afraid she won’t accept if she’s not comfortable at the clubhouse?” Marcus asks.
I nod. “That’s what I think. He hasn’t said as much, but I can tell he’s ready for change.”
“Can’t he just lay down the law?” Marcus asks. “He’s the President.”
“He could, but he risks losing the club if too many of the members don’t agree with him. We’re a democracy. Someone could challenge him for the role.”
Marcus nods. “Well, Dad is talking to Chrome tonight. We’ll keep our ears open in case these bastards start recruiting for their war.”
“Thanks, man,” I say, fist-bumping Marcus when he stands to leave.
I glance at Zara and see her lost in thought.
“What are you thinking?” I ask her.
She glances at me and gives me a soft smile. “Just thinking what a mess this is. If I hadn’t come running to you, none of this would be happening.”
I reach across the table and cup her chin. “Don’t. This isn’t your fault. None of it is. I’m glad you found me. I wouldn’t want you to face these guys alone. Besides, I’m pretty happy that you’re back in my life.”
She gives me a brilliant smile that stops my heart for a moment. “You want me in your life?”
“I do.”
We skip dessert and head back to the clubhouse.
I’m not surprised to see the black limo parked out front.
I should probably have been here to meet with Anthony Beraldi, but I wanted to spend time with Zara.
Plus, I figured Chrome and Beraldi would prefer talking without me there, since I’m a big part of why the Bushrangers want a war.
I spot Tony sitting with Izzy, Viper, and Hunter. “Why don’t you go sit with them, and I’ll bring you over something to drink? What do you want?”
“A glass of white wine,” Zara says, shifting to her toes to plant a kiss on my cheek. “Thank you.”
I kiss her forehead and grin before watching her walk across the common room.
“You’re smitten,” says Sammy from behind the bar.
I turn and grin at him.
“I am. I’ll have a beer and a glass of white,” I tell him.
Sammy has been a prospect with us ever since Chrome found him beaten and bleeding.
The congregation of his church attacked him after he stopped a priest from assaulting his younger sister.
Even though it turned out the man wasn’t a priest, the congregation, which includes his parents, hasn’t forgiven him.
He’s staying with us until after the fake priest's trial, then he’s heading to the clubhouse in New Orleans.
They need more people, and Billy wants to be closer to his sister, who is living with their aunt in Baton Rouge.
“Here you go,” Sammy says, sliding my order over the bar.
“We’re going to miss you when you leave,” I tell him.
“Yeah, I’ll miss being here, but I’m excited to be closer to Jessica. Plus, New Orleans sounds interesting.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, that city has a rep.”
I place the glass in front of Zara, but before I can take the seat next to hers, Piston catches my attention.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell her, kissing the top of her head.
“What’s up?” I ask Piston.
“When do you want to deal with Crystal?”
I groan. “I’d forgotten about her,” I admit.
“I can deal with her if you don’t want to do it,” he offers.
I shake my head. “No, she’s my problem. I’ll take care of her. You can come with if you want.”
After telling Zara that I need to take care of some club business, Piston and I exit through the back door and make our way to one of the few buildings still standing from when the furniture factory was in operation.
It’s the former home of the on-site security guard.
Now it serves as a front for where we hold prisoners and question them.
We call it the Shed. Piston follows me through the junk we’ve piled up inside until we reach the far wall.
Bookcases appear to line up against the wall, but that’s just for show.
In reality, they hide the door to the reason why we kept the building standing, the basement.
As soon as I open the door, I can hear Crystal crying and begging someone to let her out. I don’t bother to quiet my steps as I descend the concrete stairs. I’m not surprised to find Pipes sitting against the wall. He’s not alone. Chill sits next to him.
“What are you doing here?” I ask her.
“I like watching you work,” she says with a shrug.
That may be partially true, but I know the real reason. She’s here to kill Crystal if I can’t. I appreciate the support, but I won’t need it. I don’t like killing women, but when that woman risks the life of someone I care about, I won’t hesitate.
Upon hearing my voice, Crystal calls out. I move to stand in front of her cell.
“Bush! Thank God you’re here. You have to let me out of here. There’s been a terrible mistake,” Crystal pleads. She’s standing near the bars, grasping them in both hands as she turns her pleading blue eyes to mine.
“A mistake, you say?” I ask her.
She frantically bobs her head.
“So, you weren’t the one to call the Bushrangers and tell them that we were on our way?”
“No, of course…”
“You weren’t the one who distracted Mode, so he couldn’t see that the Bushrangers left the motel?”
“If you would just let me explain,” she starts, but I wave her off.
“You’re saying that Mode lied to us? Is that what you expect me to believe? Because he has your phone, and he told us what you did to distract him. Who do you think I’m going to believe? You or him?”
Crystal’s expression turns hard as she turns away. “This wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t brought her here.”
“You’re wrong. This wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t decided to betray the club. Now, let’s talk about how you’re going to fix it.”
She turns back to me with hope in her eyes, but I don’t let it build.
“If you tell us everything you know, I’ll kill you without pain. If not…” Her eyes widen when I hold out my hands. In one is a gun. In the other, a whip.