Griff cut in. “So, you figured you’d feed Julio information about the club and let him take us down?”
Hatred burned in Rogue’s eyes. “I gave him what he needed to get to you two. He was supposed to take both of you out, as well as the other club members I’d identified as being opposed to drugs. I wouldn’t think for one second that just because you’re still breathing, you’re safe. Julio intends to control this state. Anyone who gets in his way will be taken care of.” He paused for a moment before adding, “And that bitch of yours sure did feel good warming my bed while you were away.” Another lie. They just seemed to fall from his mouth.
I clenched my jaw as I punched his face.
Motherfucker.
“I’m really fuckin’ happy that fire didn’t kill you, and that one of Harlow’s customers pulled you from it,” I snarled.
He spat blood from his mouth. “Fuck you.”
I punched him again. As the satisfaction coursed through me, I yelled, “No, fuck you!”
“We need to hurry this along, brother,” Griff warned.
I nodded. “Yeah.”
I yanked one of the pillows out from under Rogue’s head, enjoying the fear I saw in his eyes. His arms lashed out at me, trying to halt my progress, but nothing would stop me from this. When I finally had the pillow over his face, I pressed down hard while Griff restrained his arms. His body fought death and his grunts composed the soundtrack to his demise, but all I heard was the sweet, sweet music of triumph.
Finally, something is going our way.
* * *
As I eyed the drinks available in the hospital café, Griff said, “Blood is about to be shed, isn’t it?”
I grabbed a can of coke, a bottle of orange juice, a carton of strawberry milk and a green smoothie before answering him. Meeting his gaze, I said, “A lot of fuckin’ blood.”
“You thirsty, brother?” he said as he jerked his chin at the drinks in my arms.
“Not me. Harlow. She didn’t tell me what she wanted so I’ll just get her everything she loves.”
A smile twitched at his lips. “When are you gonna marry that woman?”
“As soon as I can fuckin’ perfect the proposal.”
He laughed. “Four words, brother, that’s all it takes. I’m sure you can manage that.”
I paid for the drinks and as we walked towards the elevator, Griff’s phone rang. He took the call and I watched as a frown replaced the smile on his face.
When he ended the call, he said, “That was J. Nash and Velvet were just run off the road. They’re not hurt - thank fuck they were in her car and not on his bike - but Nash is fired up and ready to take on Julio. J’s trying to talk him down and get him to wait for us. And Scarlett turned up at the clubhouse, minus her brother. Apparently she got word from him, though, and he’s left town and is okay.”
I thought about that for a minute and then balanced Harlow’s drinks in my arms so I could pull out my phone. I dialled a number and when he answered, I said, “We’re gonna need your help, King.”
“I’m one step ahead of you, brother. We’ll be there tomorrow.”
I didn’t even ask him how he knew we needed him. King had his sources and if he wanted to share that information with me, he would in his own time. I simply said, “Thank you.”
“King’s on his way?” Griff asked when I’d finished my call.
“Yeah. Someone, somewhere, knows something, and I’m hoping we’re about to get to the fuckin’ bottom of this shit.”
“You and me both. It’s time Storm had some good shit happen. The last couple of years have been hell.”
When the elevator hit Harlow’s level, we stepped out and almost ran into Blade who was on his phone, pacing in front of the lifts. He spun around and ended his call as he met my gaze.
“Julio’s gone to ground,” he stated.
“How? We’ve got Gunnar watching him,” Griff said.
“Someone drugged Gunnar. I just sent one of my guys around to check in with him and he was just coming to. Julio’s cleared everything out of his place and I can’t find anyone who knows where he is.”
“Jesus! Can this day get any worse?” My temper exploded.
“Also, your mother needs to see you.”
“Why the fuck is my mother contacting you about needing to see me?”
His brows lifted. “Apparently you don’t answer her calls.”
Fuck.
I had been ignoring her today.
He continued, “She says it can’t wait.”
So much for spending the whole night with Harlow.
15
Scott
“Is Harlow okay?”
Irritation at being dragged away from her, and a need to get back to her as soon as possible, caused me to snap at my mother when she didn’t deserve it. “She’s fine. What was so important that I had to come right now?” Harlow had understood, but I didn’t feel the same way.