“But the prospects kept opening the door to bring in boxes,” Mammoth pointed out. “Somebody heard somethin’.”

“I agree. Which means this asshole had more than one chance to overhear your conversation, prez,” Rael sneered. “And obviously they heard you were sending a brother to the Blacktop.”

Grim cursed, shoving to his feet as he lit a smoke. “Acid.”

A chorus of agreement echoed around the table. It was the most likely explanation.

“He’s probably had a guy in place for months waiting for the right Intel.”

“Dammit, Bodie. That’s the last thing we need.”

“I know.”

“And it’s not a coincidence with the Denali brothers either.” Xenon lit up a joint and inhaled, turning to Grim. “I’ll go over the security feed. If there’s anything suspicious I’ll find it.”

Xenon was our IT guy. He was fuckin’ brilliant when it came to computers and technology.

“Mammoth, Rael, I want you on this. Go over all the spreadsheets and invoices. Get the prospects to help but don’t say shit about what you’re doing or why. Xenon check those cameras and let me know if you find anything. The rest of you, keep an eye out. If you come across anything suspicious, I want to know immediately.”

“The Scorpions continue to be a problem,” Hannibal announced as everyone met his stone-cold stare. “I want to scope out their shit. Take Lucky and Patriot with me to do a little recon with your permission, prez.”

Grim nodded. “Done. Any other club business?”

Rael sat up, looking my way on purpose. “What’s up with the Suraya look-alike?” he asked, kicking back in his seat as our eyes met. “Don’t mean no shit, brother, but you’re ol’ lady is gone, and that little piece of ass wasn’t a ghost.”

Fuck. I knew that but I didn’t want to talk about it.

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But I think Suraya had a twin.”

A few of the guys seemed surprised but they didn’t say much.

“An identical twin?” Rael seemed surprised. “That makes sense, actually.”

I didn’t ask him to elaborate in front of everyone. This was a discussion I wanted to keep as short as possible, especially with my own lack of answers.

“Shit, Bodie,” Grim finally replied. “Where did you find her? The Blacktop?”

“Yeah,” I drawled, running a hand through my hair. “Which doesn’t sit well with me. Sasha is in danger. The Scorpions saw her at the bar. At least one member got away before I could stop him.”

“And if they think she’s Suraya,” Mammoth concluded, “They’ll be out for blood.”

“Exactly. Sasha needs the club’s protection, Grim. I wouldn’t ask otherwise.”

I felt his hand drop on my shoulder and squeeze. “Done. There won’t be a problem.”

My brothers nodded their agreement.

“And the other person I asked you to find?”

Trish. “No sign of her.”

Grim’s jaw locked and something fierce flashed in his dark eyes before he sat down and banged the gavel again. “Church is dismissed. You have your assignments. Let’s find this fucking rat.”

A few of the guys left but half of us were still sitting around the wooden table carved with the Royal Bastards Tonopah, Nevada logo etched into the oiled surface. Behind us in a big frame was the Royal Bastards Code. Each of our names and signatures were signed below it . . . in our blood. I didn’t have to look at the parchment to repeat each and every single line of the code. They were committed to memory as well as the rules of the Tonopah, Nevada Chapter.

“Get the fuck out of here,” Grim growled, lost in his own shit and the lack of news about Trish. It was clearly written on his face. “I need a few minutes.”

We shuffled from the room, heading out toward the bar.


Tags: Nikki Landis Fantasy