T-Rex pulled down the shades in the windows. Gunner yanked people out of their seats and ushered them out the door. The cooks ran out the back. When only Stan was left, gaping at the empty restaurant, T-Rex locked the door.
“What’s going on here?” Doug’s tone switched from friendly to officious, and he rose from his seat. Although in civilian gear, he still carried a weapon in a holster on his belt, and his hand hovered near his hip.
“Benson.” Cade turned his steely gaze in Doug’s direction. “Always a pleasure to find you sniffing around my girl, but I’m afraid I don’t have time to toss you around today. This is Sinner business, and it would be best if you step outside.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Doug reached for his weapon, and Tank came up behind him and pressed a gun to his head. Dawn hadn’t even noticed him coming in the back door.
“I’ll take that weapon.” Tank reached around and pulled the gun from Doug’s holster. Then he patted Doug down and removed his phone.
“You just bought yourself a night in jail,” Doug spat out.
“See. That’s where you and I disagree.” Cade folded his arms and leaned against the nearest booth. “This is a Sinner town. The police don’t get involved in Sinner business and we don’t get involved in police business. Sheriff Morton had that all figured out, but since you’ve only been here a short time, and your sheriff is new, I’m giving you a little leeway. So you got a choice. You can walk out of here and let us do what we have to do. Or you can stay and put yourself in the difficult position of witnessing a breach of the law that you’re not gonna be able to do anything about.”
“I’m not leaving Dawn.” He put an arm around Dawn’s shoulders and Cade’s scowl deepened.
“You like your life, you’re gonna take your hands off my old lady. Now.”
“Old lady?” Doug gave her a puzzled glance. “Dawn? What’s going on?”
“I was … going to tell you.” She gently removed his arm and took a few steps away.
“What have you done?” He stared at her in horror. “You hate bikers. Look what happened to you in the Brethren. Look what happened with Jimmy.” His jaw clenched and he glared at Cade. “What did you do to her? You’ve coerced her. Or is it blackmail? Did you promise to get her children back? Did you tell her you’d kill Jimmy? You’re going to commit murder to protect her? Are you beating her, too?”
“Doug, please.” Dawn put a hand on his arm. “It’s a complicated situation. But this works out best for both of us.”
“What about your girls?” His eyes blazed, startling Dawn. She’d never seen Doug so heated about anything, and he’d never imposed his views on her choices in life.
“Don’t patronize me, Doug.”
“With that videotape out there, you’ll always be considered an unfit mother.” He shook off her hand. “I’m offering you a way out of this mess. In exchange for your testimony, we can get that tape examined, the case reheard—”
“My old lady’s not a rat.” Cade slowly unfolded his arms and took a step forward. “And you need to calm the fuck down.”
“Whoa, brother.” Gunner put a warning hand on Cade’s shoulder. “We got a job to do, and we need to get it done before someone calls the cops.” He looked over at Doug and laughed. “No offense intended.”
“Sit him down.” Cade tipped his chin at Tank. “Keep him quiet. If he opens his mouth again, close it.”
“What’s going on?” Dawn edged closer to Stan. She had a fair idea what might be going on since T-Rex had stopped Stan from leaving with the rest of the staff, but really, if this was about Stan touching her, it was overkill. She had the situation in hand.
“Have a seat, babe,” Cade pointed her to the nearest booth. “Stan and I are gonna have a little talk.”
Dawn’s blood turned to ice and she stood in front of Stan, blocking Cade’s path. “My fight.”
Cade stared at her, pinning her with blue eyes filled with fury. “He had his warning.”
“I’ve talked to him. I’ve laid down the law. He’s not going to touch me again.” She looked over at Stan, and he vigorously shook his head.
Cade threw a USB stick on the table. “You gonna deal with all the footage he has of you naked in the restroom and change room? T-Rex found the cameras. The prospect checked them out. He’s been recording you and the other staff, selling the images on porn sites, and jerking off to them at home at night.”
Bile rose in her throat, but it wasn’t fear that made her shake, but rage. “Stan? How could you?”
Stan bolted. But, of course, Cade had someone waiting for him at the back door.
“Look what I found.” Shaggy shoved a quivering Stan back into the restaurant only a few moments later.
Cade tipped his head from side to side, cracking his neck. “T-Rex. Take Dawn and Benson out back. Gun, watch on the door.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Dawn glared at Cade. “What he did, he did to me. And what happens to him is my choice.”