Chapter 2
Tico
An hour later, Daemon and Taco step into my office. I frown when I take in the murderous look on their faces. Especially Daemon’s.
“What’d you find out?”
“The fucker was buying girls from a place up in the UP,” Daemon spits out and my blood turns to ice.
Mierda (Shit).
We’re one-percenters and have our hands in a bunch of illegal shit, but the thing I refuse to touch is skin. Chingar (Fuck). This is probably dredging up a shit ton of fucking memories for Daemon because of the club he was raised in.
And those rumors of trafficking tied to the fighting rings up in the UP might be right.
“Where?”
Daemon’s fists curl before he spins on his heel and heads over to the fridge to grab a beer. “Thicket Grove, Michigan.”
Mierda (Shit).
No wonder he’s so fucking pissed. That’s his hometown.
It’s also where the Chrome Vipers MC is located, the club he grew up in.
There are also rumors floating around that the Chrome Vipers are mixed in with another group, Oasis, that’s crossing the border into Canada and selling skin.
They’re also using the Great Lakes to get them out to the east coast.
Before I can say anything, my phone rings and when I see it’s Wire, I answer it on speaker.
“The asshole was buying girls out of Michigan,” he tells me, his voice deadly and cold.
“Daemon just came in saying the same thing. Were you able to trace who he was buying them from?”
“Yeah, the Chrome Vipers MC and Oasis. They have a joint operation up there on the outskirts of town. The cops are mostly corrupt and on their payrolls, so no one really says shit there. But then again, if anyone did, I bet they’d find either their loved ones or even themselves on the selling block from what I’ve been able to dig up about them. ”
I scrub my hand over my face and through my hair. “The missing women around here. Any connection?”
“I thought of that, too, so I’m digging into it, but I don’t have anything yet. I did find out that the Chrome Vipers have a fight tomorrow night. Might not be a bad idea to head up that way to scope it out.”
Daemon’s head whips up and he stares at the phone as if it had personally offended him. I narrow my eyes at him. Why’s he getting all torn up about a fight?
“Who’s fighting?” Daemon asks.
“It’s a women’s fight. Someone named Luna and a tough ass chick called Viper, who I’m sure you already figured out is tied to the Chrome Vipers.”
The color drains from Daemon’s face. Does he know one of the women? Maybe this Viper chick since she’s tied to the Chrome Vipers?
“Send me the details. We’ll check it out,” I reply.
“You got it, Prez,” he replies before hanging up.
“I need to go, Prez,” Daemon says, his voice strained and tight.
“Why?”
Taco and I share a hesitant look when he doesn’t answer right away. We know a lot about the Chrome Viper’s MC thanks to everything Daemon told us once he realized the Royal Bastards were nothing like the club he came from. Well, what the club became after his parents were murdered, I should say.
Daemon’s lips press into such a hard, thin line that his lips turn white. “Please, Prez. I need to be in on this.”
I narrow my eyes at him again. He’s not telling me something but I’ll figure it out. Or I’ll have Wire dig into this more.
I tilt my head in agreement and a little tension bleeds out of him. “Go and get some rest. We’ll head out in the morning. Taco, tell Radar and Clutch they’re in on this run with us.”
The next evening, we arrived in Thicket Grove for the fight.
As I look around the warehouse where the fight is located, I have to say, I’m not fucking impressed.
It’s a smaller setup than what we have, but mierda (shit), everyone is fucking packed in like sardines as they look down at the pit that’s lower than ground level.
At least up here in the VIP area we have some fucking breathing room.
They have tables set up where we can comfortably watch the fight and I’m beyond fucking grateful Daemon snagged us spots up here.
The crowd roars as a fighter is carried unconscious out of the pits.
A busty blonde appears next to me with her tits damn near popping out of her tank top and shorts so short you can see her ass checks.
She leans over provocatively as she puts our drinks down on the table.
Grabbing my beer, I pay her no mind as I watch the hands clean up the mats.
The bitch pouts when none of us make a move at her, but I don’t give a rat’s ass.
I’d already told the guys no pussy tonight.
With all the rumors tied to this pit and this club, who knows which woman is here voluntarily or not.
Daemon’s been on edge ever since we arrived, his damn leg bouncing like crazy. I eye him, wondering what it is about this fight or the fighters that has him so worked up.
Big Mike, the announcer, steps back into the pit. I turn my attention back to the ring. The music fades until it’s just an upbeat rhythm with no lyrics.
“And now, for our main event! Luna and Viper!” he calls out as he drags out Viper’s name.
Daemon’s muscles visibly tighten and his body stills as his gaze remains locked on the pit.
“Bitches and assholes, here she is, Luna!”
The crowd cheers as the doors to our right open and a tall woman emerges with her trainer behind her.
She’s fairly well built, but I’m guessing that with her height, which is probably close to five-foot-ten or so, it might be a problem for her if she’s not flexible or quick on her feet.
Surprisingly, Luna doesn’t react to the crowd.
I flick my gaze over to Daemon and find him watching her, his lips pressed into a fine line.
Looking back over at Luna, I’m wondering if she’s fighting voluntarily or if she’s being forced to fight. And if Daemon knows her personally.
The music beat picks up and Big Mike grins viciously into the crowd.
“And now, our very own contender! She’s quick footed and with an even quicker strike, here she is, Viper!
” he yells into the microphone and fuck, does the crowd go even wilder.
Glancing over at Daemon, his body is somehow more tense than it was before.
My guess is he knows this Viper chick. And maybe even Luna.
As the crowd roars in excitement, a red-headed bombshell steps out of the locker room on the other side of the pits with her trainer at her back.
Viper’s a little thing, probably only a bit over five-foot-tall.
Her fiery red hair is braided back into a bun that’s tightly secured to the top of her head and her eyes are locked on her opponent.
My gaze rakes down her body and damn, is she fucking gorgeous.
Normally, muscular women are not a turn on for me, but my dick is definitely taking notice of Viper.
Despite being fucking fitter than most men, she’s a curvy thing with an hourglass waist and fuck do I want to sink my teeth into her lush tits and ass.
And her tattoos… Chingar (Fuck) does she have gorgeous ink up and down her body. My gaze locks on what seems like a viper on her right arm and fuck is that fitting.
Discretely, I try to adjust myself, but judging by Daemon’s glare, I don’t think I’m successful.
Mierda (shit). I think I was right in thinking that he knows Viper, but how?
And who is she to him? I don’t know how long this Viper chick has had ties to the Chrome Vipers, but if it’s been a while, maybe they trained together back in the day.
Looking back over at Viper, my chest tightens when I can faintly make out scarring on the right side of her face, almost in a v-like shape. Chingar (Fuck). How did she get that?
Two men step out from behind Viper and the trainer and Daemon’s gaze narrows on them. Who are they? I make a mental note to ask Daemon later when there are less ears around.
My gaze goes back to the women just in time to see Viper and Luna touch gloves. I’m glad they at least gave them that kind of protection rather than just having them bare-knuckle fight like a couple of the previous fights.
Big Mike announces the start of the fight and Viper lashes out with a powerful strike as soon as he’s done talking. I try not to react, but fuck, watching Viper fight and dance back out of striking range is damn near fucking breathtaking.
Vaguely, I’m aware of Daemon giving quiet instruction or critique as he watches the women fight, but my focus is solely drawn on Viper. Chingar (Fuck), I don’t even know the woman and she has my dick harder than it’s ever been before.
Just who the fuck is this woman?