Chapter 15
CHAPTER
FIFTEEN
Sawyer
“What in the actual fuck?” Logan peers into the back of the van, the two guys are tied up and gagged.
“I know,” I agree. “Can’t take these boys anywhere.”
He slams the door shut. “Who are they?”
I give him a chin lift. “Got a tip from a couple of guys I know who keep their ears to the ground and away from the cops. Might have somethin’ to do with Regi, the boys said they filled you in.”
“Jesus fucking Christ. Speakin’ of which, where are Brew and Haze?”
“They just stopped off for supplies,” I explain with a shrug.
Logan pinches the bridge of his nose. “You’re shittin’ me?”
“Nope. That’s why I’m out here with them.”
“I’m gonna fuckin’ kill them,” he says. “It’s broad daylight.”
“Cool your jets, we were in a shady pub, and it was closed.”
“What were you doin’ there?”
Why he thinks I know everything that goes on around here I’ll never know. I just do what I’m told. “Followin’ some leads, though Brew isn’t supposed to be helpin’ with this stuff now because Erica’s got him by the shorts.”
Logan slaps me upside the head. “Watch your mouth.”
He always manages to do that before I can pull away. “What? It’s true, and while I agree with Erica because they have a little one on the way, it’s not like he’s gonna say no to the opportunity of gettin’ information out of two assholes like this. Let’s face it, it’s in his blood.”
“How come you think it’s related to Regi?” Logan asks.
“According to Big Papa, they were seen in his territory a few nights ago, apparently looking for girls.”
Big Papa is a friend and ally to the club. Yes, he may run a lot of questionable businesses in the underworld, like illegal fighting rings and counterfeit goods, but he doesn’t mess with women, kids.
Logan frowns. “Lookin’ for girls? As in payin’ for them, or snatchin’ them?”
“Who the fuck knows, but we’re about to find out. Big Papa didn’t like the questions they were askin’, so he had his men disarm them and put them in a cell. Then he called Cash, who then called us.”
“Of course he did,” Logan mutters. “Looks like I’m gonna have to tag along. Need at least one person at the warehouse who isn’t gonna shoot ‘em before we even get any information.”
“You have a point.”
He gives me a look. “You find out any more shit about The Directors?”
“Not yet.”
“What about the other night with followin’ the Regi lead?”
“Good news travels fast?”
“Somethin’ like that.”
I sigh. “The trail went cold, but I ended up stopping at the Shady Skull.”
This makes Logan smile. “Is that how you got your face punched in?”
I smirk. “You should see the other guys. I was defendin’ your cousin’s honor, and I’m not sorry. I’d do it again if I had to.”
“I heard about that. What’s Nova doin’ hangin’ around a bar like that?”
“She got invited by a couple of girls who she thought were her friends. Turned out they were just little bitches who ended up leavin’ her there by herself,” I say. “And you know how I feel about women bein’ disrespected, especially Nova.”
“When are you gonna admit you’ve got feelings for her?” Logan asks, folding his arms over his chest.
I glance over his shoulder to make sure Hothead 1 and 2 aren’t coming my way. Logan is the calmer of the brothers, with Haze coming in second. Brew? Sometimes he still scares the shit out of me, and I’ve known him a while. “We’re good. We’re friends. I look out for her—”
“Cut the crap,” Logan says. “I see it in the way you look at each other. Might have been a friend’s thing a while back, but lately you’ve been different.
And while I support your overall goal, I am gonna make it clear that Nova has dealt with too many assholes fucking her around.
We all know she’s a handful, but she’s family.
So it’s your funeral if this turns on its head. ”
“Wow, is that a Nomad Brothers’ approval?” I mock, placing a hand over my heart. “I’m touched.”
“You’ll be fuckin’ touched alright if she gets hurt.”
I sober, understanding where he’s coming from, which is no joke. “I care about her,” I say. “Too much to ever hurt her. I’d never do that. You have my word. The last thing I’m gonna do is anythin’ to make her upset.”
“Good. Because I’ve seen a change in her, and personally? I think the two of you make a cute couple.”
I laugh. “Really?”
“Yeah, but don’t tell my brothers I said that.”
“Don’t tell us what?” Haze asks, sidling up next to his brother. For two huge guys, they sure are stealthy.
“That the two of you are the dumbest idiots bringin’ the van here with two captives inside,” Logan says, turning to face them.
“Who’s gonna tell?” Haze shrugs. “Hold on to your panties, we’re headin’ to the warehouse now, you taggin’ along?”
“Only so the three of you don’t get pulled over and fuckin’ arrested. I’m drivin’,” Logan says, and I toss him the keys.
Brew joins us and hops in the front. “Been a long time since you’ve tagged along,” he says to Logan. “Are you considerin’ what Cash said?”
Logan sighs. “I’d be lyin’ if I said the lure of some extra dough to do the place up wouldn’t be nice, but that means a slice for the MC.”
Once we’re all inside, he pulls out of the lot.
“Still, you know the bar could be better than it is with some refurbishing and a lick of fresh paint, and if you buy the buildin’ next door, you could expand into food,” I say.
“I’d probably sublet it,” Logan says. “Maybe a takeout with burgers and stuff. They could service the bar, too. I’ve got no interest in doin’ any of that shit myself, got enough to do day in, day out.
The bar tides me over, and whatever my cut is from the security biz, but things are gettin’ old and it’s startin’ to show. ”
Haze leans forward and pats him on the shoulder. “You’ll be okay, brother. You’re still young to us.”
I laugh and Brew snickers, but Logan shoves his hand away. “Hilarious. The thing is, I’d have to give up a considerable amount of my time to the MC, and while I don’t have anythin’ against them or any of you, that’s a big commitment.”
“Maybe it’s time,” I suggest. “Take a load off at the bar, close for a month or two for renovations and reopen. If you’re makin’ more money, you could hire a bar manager, get more staff, and with the income from the restaurant, you’d be a mile ahead instead of scrapin’ by.”
Logan turns to look at me. “You a finance geek under all that leather?”
I shrug. “Nope. Don’t have to be a genius at it. Let’s face it, you’re not gettin’ any younger, when’s the last time you took a day off?”
Haze chuckles, and Brew looks at me from the rearview mirror. “He’s gonna whoop your ass the second we get out if you keep harpin’ on about home truths.”
“Givin’ some of my income to the MC is a factor,” Logan says. “But then again, Cash has the extra money for expansion and I don’t.”
“You practically live and breathe MC,” Haze adds. “May as well put a patch on it and start hangin’ with us at the clubhouse. What the fuck do you do night after night?”
“He reads,” Brew says, coughing into his fist.
“Hey, nothin’ wrong with that,” I say when Brew and Haze laugh at him.
“I don’t just read,” Logan defends. “I work on projects at home, plus there’s all the inventory, stock control, orderin’, operatin’, you know what it’s like when you have your own business, it never ends.”
“Which means you never get any pussy,” Haze sighs. “And that makes for one hell of a grumpy Logan.”
“I get plenty,” Logan mutters.
“Really?” Brew side eyes him. “When?”
“Shut the fuck up,” Logan warns. “Or I’ll punch you all in the fuckin’ mouth.”
“Which is code for I don’t get any pussy because I’m at home readin’ books and pickin’ out wallpaper,” Haze laughs.
“Hey, Bronco started a book club,” I say. “He got so much shit for that.”
“Yeah, and he and Amber are the only two members,” Brew mutters. “Asshat.”
“Duh, he only did that to get the girl,” Haze tells us. “Because she reads those fuckin’ porn books.”
“Uh, romance books,” I correct when Haze shoots me a glance. I add, “Nova told me not to confuse the two.”
“Jesus,” he mutters.
“You guys want me to join the Rebels and this is the shit you get up to over there?” Logan sighs. “Might have to rethink things.”
“Don’t tease us like that,” I say. “For a second there it sounded like you were thinkin’ about it.”
Logan runs a hand through his hair. “Just sayin’, money doesn’t grow on trees.”
“You good, bro?” Brew asks, concern in his voice. “You know we can help if you need money.”
“Do you know how much a building costs on Bourbon Street?” Logan asks. “Because let me tell you, it’s a lot, and the bank will only lend me so much.”
“So, we’ll all pitch in,” Haze chimes. “Think of it like a loan, but with no interest. We just get to eat and drink there whenever we want.”
“You already drink there whenever you want,” Logan grumbles. “Now I’ve got to feed you, too?”
“You’re not sellin’ it to me,” Haze says. “Not like I’m askin’ for a business plan or anythin’, just some free grub.”
“That’s three meals a day,” Brew agrees. “For some of you.”
“Well, we don’t all have a wife at home who cooks,” I say. “Or a Manny at our disposal.”
“I have a wife at home…” Haze starts, then thinks for a second. “Oh, yeah, she doesn’t cook.”
“They can eat at the clubhouse most nights when Manny’s there,” I say. “Pick up lunch at the bar. Seems like a fair deal.” I like how I’ve inserted myself into this conversation putting no actual dough in, and they haven’t even noticed. A free meal is a free meal.
“As long as you can make those breakfast wraps, like how Hustler does them at Muso,” Brew says. “Then I won’t have to drive all the way across town.”
“Puttin’ your orders in and the building isn’t even a done deal yet,” Logan says, amusement in his voice. “I guess I can’t deny your enthusiasm.”
“You know we’re behind you, bro,” Haze says. “All jokes aside. I think this would be a great thing for you, then you could come out of your nocturnal cocoon.”
“Gotta be nocturnal to have a business on Bourbon Street,” Logan says. He thumbs to the back. “So, what else do we know about the goons back there? Sawyer gave me a basic rundown.”
“One of Big Papa’s men got talkin’ to them, and he was askin’ about girls and if anyone was interested,” Brew says. “Then when Big Papa’s man pretended to be interested, he started askin’ him how young he liked them.”
“No fuckin’ way,” Logan says. “Yep. Don’t know if this is part of somethin’ bigger, or two newbies in town that don’t know how things run around here.”
“Oh, and if we don’t end up killin’ them first, a little DNA might give us further insight if they aren’t gonna cooperate,” I add.
“Oh, they’re gonna cooperate alright,” Brew says. “They’re not comin’ into our city and startin’ this shit. Not after all we’ve been through to rid this place of assholes just like them.”
Logan scratches his beard. “You know what it’s like: take one down, another pops up. It’s the way it is. A never endin’ loop of chasin’ your tails.”
“One less pedo on the streets is a good one,” Haze says, and we all agree.
“But if it’s one of Regi’s men, snoopin’ around, then I guess we’re gonna find out soon enough.” I crack my knuckles, ready to get down to it. “Kinda weird timing, isn’t it?”
“That asshole has it comin’,” Brew mutters. “But I like it when people underestimate a place they’ve likely never been. Walkin’ into Big Papa’s like that, as if they own the joint? They’ve got some big balls.”
“Or they’re suicidal,” I say. “Which I tend to think it may be a bit of both.”
“What did Cash say?” Logan asks.
“Said to find out what we can, he’ll send Tag and Harlem if needed, but until then he’ll sit tight,” Haze says.
Brew scoffs. “Don’t need H or Tag, they’ll just get in the way and do all the head crackin’ themselves, that’s just not gonna cut it.”
“I agree,” I say. “Haven’t been workin’ hard on findin’ a lead for this long only to hand it over to the two meatheads, don’t tell them I said that, by the way.”
“Idiot,” Brew mutters as the others chuckle.
“He has a point,” Haze says after a second. “H and Tag get to have all the fun. Could be a good opportunity to show Cash you’re serious, Logan.”
I don’t need to see Logan to know he’s rolling his eyes. “Don’t gotta prove shit to anyone,” he says. “Me and Cash have an understandin’, and that’s how it’s gonna be.”
“How come he gets away with not prospectin’ and shit?” Brew asks, his tone incredulous.
“I don’t know, some of us are gifted,” I reply.
My prospecting in the club didn’t last long because I’d been at this game a while, just not for the MC.
They take previous life experience into account, and after all the shit I’d done to help them bring down the bad guys, they more or less waived the prospect thing.
That doesn’t happen for everyone, but I can no more see Logan wearing a prospect cut than flying to the moon.
“Just reaffirms me and Haze here always have to do the hard yards,” Brew complains. “And you two get away with fuckin’ murder, just by battin’ your eyelashes.”
“I don’t think they’re prettier than us,” Haze cuts in with a laugh. “If that’s what you’re implyin’?”
Logan tightens his grip on the wheel. “Jesus fuckin’ Christ, is that what I have to look forward to?”