“Good,” I nodded as Antonio walked over and added, “Okay, the local police department remembered the Golden Skulls from a year ago. They’ve worked with them before. They are willing to leave the Skull's name out of everything and take responsibility for the raid for a donation. I went ahead and placed it. It was substantial. Also, seventeen minors were rescued at the compound. All have been taken to the Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge. Gio, the youngest, was five. Two of them didn’t make it.”
“Find out who their parents are and make the arrangements. Whatever those families need, make sure they get it. We also need to get these men to the hotel somehow.”
“They won’t leave until Reaper orders them,” Reggie said, walking over. “We’ve got another problem, Gio.”
“What now?”
“Some of us were talking, and we need to come up with a plan if Kitty doesn’t make it because things will get bad really quickly if she doesn’t.”
“Who is she?”
“She’s Bullseye’s wife.”
“That’s understandable, Reggie. The man is allowed to mourn his wife if she doesn’t make it. It’s a process everyone goes through after death.”
“You don’t get it Gio. Bullseye loves his wife. Like really loves her. He only joined the club to protect her. He is also someone never to cross. You see, Bullseye compartmentalizes everything. His wife. His kid. The club. Everything. He is very singular-minded. Add in the fact he is a trained sharpshooter, and well, shit can go sideways fast if his wife doesn’t make it.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying if Kitty doesn’t make it and Bullseye does, he will go off the rails. The love he has for that woman is unreal. Shit love stories are made from. Take that away from a man who is a trained killer, and God knows what will happen.”
“Retribution,” Sal said, looking about the room.
“Yes. I was talking with some of the brothers, and apparently, Bullseye never wanted his wife mixed up with this mess, but the club was shorthanded, so Kitty insisted on saving her brother, Sandman. Her stepbrother Savage went with her to protect her. It was a cluster from the get-go. The Florida chapter never showed, and everything went to hell.”
“And if she dies, you believe Layla’s brother will want revenge?”
“I don’t believe anything, Gio. I know it.”
“This whole thing makes no sense,” Antonio added. “I get the club trying to stop human traffickers, but not the rest. When I talked with the police, they said the woman killed in the master bedroom was a Caroline Doherty, the mother to Reaper. And from what I’ve seen, Reaper isn’t acting like a leader. He’s acting like a concerned family member. Who is Dylan to Reaper?”
“This is sounding more like a family feud, Gio,” Sal added.
“Reggie,” I questioned, looking at my cousin. “Who is Dylan to Reaper.”
My cousin just shook his head and said, “It’s not my story to tell. You need to speak with Reaper.”
“Reaper?” A pretty nurse said, halting all conversation.
“Nurse Jessica?”
“I need to talk with you.”
Reaper got up and walked over to the pretty nurse. From the way she was taking quick glances at Savage, I could tell that what she was telling Reaper wasn’t good. Then again, head shots never were. So, when Reaper’s shoulders fell, I knew the news was bad.
“Lucas, come with me.”
“Gio, this isn’t good,” Sal muttered.
“Keep an eye on everyone. I will find out what is going on.” I said nothing more as I followed Reaper, Savage, and the young nurse down a long hallway to one of the trauma rooms. Quietly entering after them, I spotted my brother Lorenzo standing in a corner, whispering with one of the doctors. When he saw me, he lightly shook his head, letting me know the news was bad.
Savage rushed to his sister's side. Taking her hand, he said. “You’re gonna be okay, sis. See, I told you I would fix it. I fix everything. You just rest and get strong, okay.”
“Lucas Keller, my name is Doctor Michael Strong. I am the lead on your sister’s case. Typically, I would speak to the spouse, but since he’s in surgery, you are the next of kin.”
“Any word on Dylan?”
“No, I’m sorry I haven’t heard anything.”