Chapter 4
four
Jax
“The plan is set for Friday night. We’ll pick up the merchandise at the trailer park and meet Lord at the warehouse for the auction,” Deadeye announces to the room full of Sons of Decimation.
I grit my teeth, clenching my jaw until I think my molars are going to crack.
There’s no way I’m letting these bastards lay a hand on Piper or her sisters, especially now that he has confirmed there’s an auction planned.
“Does anyone have any questions?” He asks the group of thugs, all looking excited at the prospect of selling young women.
A long, greasy-haired biker in the back raises his hand. “Can we sample some of the merchandise before we hand it over?” He licks his lips as he strokes his crusty beard with his other hand.
“Not this time, Weasel.” What a perfect name, I think as I memorize his face. He’s going to be one of the first to fall when we bust their ring.
“Ah, come on, Deadeye.” Weasel begs. “Just a little taste.”
In the blink of an eye, Deadeye whips a gun from his holster, points it at Weasel, and shoots him in the leg, sending the big guy to the ground.
“I said no. Does anyone else want to argue with me about it?” When no one speaks, Deadeye holsters his gun and waves at Weasel, who is rolling on the floor, clutching his leg in agony.
“I didn’t think so. Now get rid of this trash.
Take him to Doc and get him patched up. We’re going to need every man for this job. You’re all dismissed.”
I follow the club members out of the room, only to be stopped by Deadeye. “Not you, Phantom. I need to have a word with you.”
The hair on the back of my neck stands on end. “Sure, Deadeye.” I stroll over to where he’s standing, like I don’t have a care in the world, and wait for him to speak.
Once the last of the club members leaves the room, Deadeye turns his attention to me.
“I know you’ve only been with the club for a couple of months, but you’ve shown more loyalty to me than most of those idiots combined.
That’s why I moved you up in the rankings so quickly.
Don’t think I haven’t noticed you trying to gain the trust of Patty’s daughters—buying them steaks was a stroke of genius, and giving me the credit was even better.
” His evil laugh fills the room. “With that kind of trust, I want you to lead the mission and secure them for transport to the warehouse. I’ll be there to oversee, of course, but the job rests directly on your shoulders.
Whether you live or die depends on your success or failure. ”
The threat is there—if I succeed, I gain more of his favor—if I fail, I’m the scapegoat, and I’m dead.
“I understand, Deadeye.”
He seems pleased by my answer as he slaps me on the back, “Good, now go enjoy yourself for a few hours.”
“What about going to Patty’s tonight?” I need to see Piper and give her at least a small warning, but I can’t go alone—it’s too risky now.
“Don’t worry about Patty. I don’t plan to see her until Friday night. I want her desperate, begging me to pay attention to her, so she’ll do whatever I want her to do.” If I could, I’d put a bullet in his brain right now. No woman deserves to be treated like that.
With a shrug, I walk out of the room, already making plans to stop them from selling anyone on Friday night and to shut down their illegal operation.
***
“Okay, so that’s the plan for Friday night.” I took Deadeye’s advice and spent the next few hours away from the club, meeting in secret with my real club brothers, the Steel Souls.
“Got it. And you know for sure that Lord is involved?” The President of the Steel Souls, Savage, asks.
Lord is a former member of the Steel Souls. He went deep undercover six months ago, and no one has heard from him since. Only the occasional roomer, that he is now the head of the auction house.
“Deadeye confirmed it.”
Savage nods, a look of complete devastation on his face.
It was his decision to send his younger brother undercover into the depths of hell, only to lose him.
Clearing his throat, he moves on to the next subject.
“Ghost has been following Prue as you instructed him to do. He’ll grab her from the strip club Friday night and take her back to the compound. ”
“Okay, I’ll grab Piper,” I say without hesitation.
They all know how I feel about her—she’s mine to protect.
“Viper and Diesel will bring the truck and take Jonah, Jovi, and Paige. Sin, I’ll have you grab Phoebe.
That just leaves Patty.” This time, I hesitate.
Patty might be a shit mom who told her boyfriend her daughters are virgins, but as far as I know, she isn’t involved in human trafficking.
“She can ride with Viper and Diesel if she doesn’t cause any problems.” My club brothers nod in agreement.
Life isn’t fair—if you screw up, you’ll get left behind or worse.
Patty strikes me as a major screw-up, but for Piper’s sake, I’ll give her mother a chance.
“Alright, since we have that settled, you be careful, Phantom. You still have two days to stay under the radar and survive.”
“Understood,” I reply, knowing it’s not just me this time—I have something to live for, and her name is Piper.