***
Pulling into the club parking lot, I notice Shadow backing his bike into his spot. I pull in right next to him, and Cherry’s arms tighten around my waist. She’s been waiting for Shadow to return. Turning my bike off, I take my helmet off and eye him.
“You get anything?” I question.
Shadow takes his helmet off and swipes his hand through his hair. “Yeah. Eric and the judge are working together, it seems. Let’s find Bull and figure out how we should proceed.”
“And Piper, is she okay?” Cherry blurts.
Shadow nods. “Yeah, she’s fine from what I can see.”
Cherry’s body sags in relief. I help her off the bike and brush hair from her face.
“Let me take care of this,” I state.
Her hands cup mine and her gray eyes look right through me, telling me I’d better not fuck this up.
***
“Boys!” Bull hollers, waving us all to the chapel. All the patched-in brothers head toward the table, sitting in our regular spots.
“What did you get, son?” Bull questions Shadow.
“Well, Eric met up with Judge Calhoun twice. They’re working together to find Cherry. I tailed one of Eric’s goons and cornered him; he was easy enough to get information out of. He said the judge wants Cherry dead and is paying Eric to find the highest bidder. Between Eric’s shady friends and the judge’s high-profile resources, it won’t take them long to find her,” Shadow informs us.
Bull runs his hands along the scruff on his cheeks.
“I say we go visit this judge, put an end to this order. Then we go retaliate on this Eric fuck, show him what happens when you fuck with ours. We owe that much to Cherry,” Bull suggests. “All in favor?”
Everyone around the table agrees.
“Let’s get this done tonight, before they figure us out and we’re ambushed.” Bull knocks his knuckles on the top of the table and stands.
When the doors open, Cherry is outside pacing back and forth.
“What happened? What’s going on? What are you guys going to do?” Cherry rambles. I grab her upper arms to calm her.
“We’re going to end the hit, and I’m going to teach that Eric fuck a lesson. You need to stay here with Kane and Tom Cat,” I explain.
“Piper, what about Piper?” Her voice cracks. I bite my bottom lip and tighten my grip on her arms.
“I’m going to bring her back, Cherry. I will. I’m going to do right by you, show you that you’re safe with me, no matter what kind of monster you may think I am.”
She cups my cheeks and purses her lips. “You’re not a monster, Lip.”
“Stay here, Cherry. I mean it.” I demand.
“Lip! Let’s go!” Bobby hollers.
I pull from Cherry’s grip and point at Kane. “You protect her, or I’ll break your face,” I threaten. Kane smirks, not fazed at all by my promises.
“You got it, brother.”
LIP
We follow Shadow for what seems like forever, passing the ramps I met Cherry on until eventually we pull up on a nice, three-story house. There are lights shining upon it, and the landscaping looks expensive as hell. This must be the judge’s house. Shadow stops a block away, turning off his bike.
“There’s no other way in. He has the place armed, and I can’t seem to hack through it.” Shadow shrugs.
“So what, we just go knock on the fucking door and say ‘excuse me, but we’re here to fucking break your knee caps’?” Sarcasm drips from my voice.
Bull laughs.
“Pretty much.” Shadow chuckles.
We pull into his driveway and park. I shake my head; I can’t believe we are just going to walk up to his front door. As we go, we pass a koi pond and a camera on the side of the house.
“Should I just knock?” Bobby shrugs.
“Nah, ring the doorbell.” I smirk, jutting my head toward the lit-up doorbell button.
“This is humiliating.” Bobby shakes his head and rings the bell.
Minutes later, the door slowly opens, and the judge is scowling at us. He’s bald and has on little glasses. He’s sporting a beer gut, with a white shirt and suspenders attached to some black slacks.
“The Devil’s Dust, I’ve been expecting you,” he greets. “Come in.” He turns and Bull steps into the house.
“Have you now?” Bull states.
“Seems someone went back on their deal,” Judge Calhoun scoffs, sitting down in a high-backed brown leather chair.
“Yeah, well, I know the girl and just couldn’t do it. I tried to keep her out of your hair, but what can I say—she’s a mother wanting her daughter.” Bull shrugs. Judge Calhoun nods and looks at the floor.
“Right, I understand. That’s why I hired out this time. She will be dealt with,” Calhoun threatens. I step forward angrily.
“Sorry, but that’s not going to work.” Bull sits in a chair across from the judge and crosses his legs.