Ideally, I’d rather not call Ford and meet with him so soon after the meeting with Mongrel. A smart club would be looking for that—luckily that doesn’t really describe Mongrel or Apex. I can’t take chances with Ford’s life though. He needs warned immediately.
When I finally arrive, I make my way to the back of the restaurant where Ford and T are already sitting. I walk in, avoiding what few employees there are and sit down, facing the majority of the windows to make sure we aren’t being watched.
“I met with Mongrel an hour ago,” I start it, skipping pleasantries. “He had Chopper and some other guy with him. He offered me money to deliver your body.”
“How much money am I wroth to them?” Ford asks, sounding mildly curious.
“Two million got volleyed around. They have a backer with deep pockets because they already offered me a million,” I tell them.
Ford and T both cuss. Ford shakes his head, his hair falling until it covers one of his eyes and he pulls it back into place. “Hell, you’re just full of good news, aren’t you?”
“Oh, it gets better,” I tell them grimly.
“How the h-hell can you t-top that?” T snaps.
“There’s another mole. They didn’t mention names, but they knew shit and when I say shit, I mean stuff only Ford and I have discussed.” I know damn well there’s no way Ford betrayed my confidence with anyone else.
“Streak’s not double crossing us,” Ford insists.
“No, he’s on the outside. He said to Mongrel, they should kill me and go with the first plan because he’s already there. Whoever they are talking about is at our club with people we love waiting to take you out.”
“What about any of the other prospects? Think we fell for the same thing?” Ford asks, running a hand over his beard.
“I don’t think it’s anyone like that. We don’t put them in charge of shit. Hell, we don’t even talk about shit in front of them. They’ve got to prove we can trust them.”
“You’re right, but that leaves someone we actually know and put our lives in their hands every fucking day,” Ford points out and you can hear how bad this is cutting him up.
T and I are quiet. I don’t know about him, but I’m mentally going through a list of our members—thinking of all the people it could be. This threat, this unknown snake could unravel our whole club. All we have to do is accuse the wrong man. If you can’t trust the men you ride with, you have nothing.
“So, from this moment on the only people we trust are the three of us and Grunt. With everyone else, we keep alert,” Ford finally interjects after we try repeatedly to think of someone that might stand out.
If you put anyone under the microscope, you’re likely to find something you don’t like—even if their intentions aren’t full of malice. This shit could implode our club from the inside. That is a genius plan, but way too smart for someone like Apex to have thought of. No, I’m sure, after thinking about it, we definitely have another mole.
“We need to be careful,” I tell them. “And Ford, you go out alone or none of that shit. Keep a man at your back.”
“W-we need to find out who the p-plant is and soon. Until we do, none of us are safe—especially our f-f-families.
“This meeting is already going on too long,” Ford says standing. “We need to move along before we get discovered.”
“Th-there’s still o-o-one discussion that need to h-h-happen,” T says, staring at me. He’s right, but I can’t go there right now.
“You’re right, T, but not now. Let’s get this handled first. We’ll talk soon.”
“You’re d-damn right we will,” he growls, and I know he’s getting tired of being put off. I can’t blame him. This is just not a conversation that I’m ready to have.I’m not sure I ever will be.
“I need to run by and check on Shelby.”
“Is that wise?” Ford asks. I can see he’s not happy with me. Hell, I’m not thrilled with myself. I just know I have to do this.
“I need to spend time with her. The meeting with those assholes tonight was filled with so much shit, I want to remind myself why I’m doing this.”
“You g-g-got it bad for this girl,” T says.
“Oh, yeah,” I hum.”
We all share a laugh before I walk away flipping then off. I’m ready to leave first. I’m too anxious to wait around. I need to see my girl.
Chapter28