I rode into the parking lot, the bike rumbling beneath me, Dani’s arms wrapped tightly around me, her breasts pressed up against my back. In any other situation, that would have made me instantly hard. But this wasn’t any other situation. I had an uneasy feeling about this, like we were walking into a trap. Our plan was far from foolproof, and was based entirely on the assumption that Guillermo did not know I’d come back with Dani, or that the club was colluding against him.
Benicio had made a call to Guillermo and told him he wanted to meet, that he was willing to trade everything-all the money-for a shot at knowing his daughter. For Guillermo to buy Benicio’s story, he would have to think Benicio was a total sap. He’d have to believe the man was still so much in love with Dani’s mother that it clouded his judgment. I wasn’t sure if he would believe that or not. I was hoping my feelings about Dani weren’t clouding my judgment.
“It’s like the O.K. Corral or something,” Dani said.
“Yeah, if it had been all bikers at the O.K. Corral.”
Guillermo was there, surrounded by six of his meatheads, six that I counted anyway. I wondered if he had others stashed someplace else, the way we did. He would if he were smart. The club was supposed to do a sweep of the area this morning, but I wondered how thorough they’d been. Some of the prospects were morons who couldn’t find their way out of a paper bag without directions. I expected Benicio and the club to be roll up here any minute now.
I turned to Dani. “You remember what to do, right?”
She nodded, her face tense.
“Ok, let’s go.”
I couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride when Dani opened her mouth, playing her part well. “Daddy, what the fuck is going on here?” Her words practically dripped with outrage. “First I get stuck in some shithole with this biker, and now I’m brought to the middle of nowhere? Someone needs to tell me what the fuck is going on.”
“Dani,” Guillermo said, reaching toward her, and I feared he would hug her and find the weapon. She drew back sharply.
“Don’t-” she said. “Just don’t. This is it. I want answers. Did you find the man who killed my mother? Is that why we’re here? I want him to pay.”
“Yes,” Guillermo said. “He’ll pay.”
“I want to see him dead,” she said, sounding angry. I knew the anger was genuine.
“That can be arranged,” Guillermo said as he turned to me. “Where are your guys?”
“They should be here soon.” As if on cue, I heard the rumble of engines, and a line of Harleys rolled in, one after the other-ten of the club members, with Mad Dog at the helm. Mad Dog sauntered up, with Axe beside him and Tank and Tiny following.
“Brother,” Mad Dog said, greeting me as if he hadn’t seen me last night. “It’s good to have you back.”
He turned to Guillermo. “I’ve brought my men. They’re prepared in case anything goes down.”
Guillermo nodded. “He should be here soon.”
“You want us to take care of him, Boss?” Mad Dog asked.
“I’ll be the one to do it. I want to watch him die.”
“Aren’t you going to tell me what’s going on, Daddy? Who killed my mother?” Dani’s voice cracked, and for a second I worried she might be too emotional, too close to all of this.
I held back with the rest of the club while Guillermo took Dani’s hand, and walked away with her, out of earshot. I glanced at Mad Dog, and he shook his head, the movement barely perceptible. My heart was racing. He wouldn’t kill her, I thought. He’s telling her that Benicio is her mother’s killer. That’s it. But I knew Guillermo was dangerous and not to be trusted. I was hoping we had accurately predicted his moves.
Dani’s hand went to her mouth, and then she wiped away tears, stormed away from her father. I saw her take up position ten feet or so away, crying. Good girl.
When Benicio’s cars pulled up, Guillermo’s expression changed from one of quiet anticipation to seething rage, his his neck flushing red as he waited for Benicio to get out. Benicio stepped out, escorted by six of his bodyguards. Good, I thought. Guillermo had asked us to bring ten guys, so we made sure Benicio brought fewer men. Guillermo needed to think he had the upper hand. He needed to believe Benicio was operating based only on emotion. Our entire plan counted on him underestimating his younger brother.
“Guillermo.” Benicio greeted him as if they were regular business associates and not mortal enemies. I moved in behind Benicio, a few feet away, taking position. Guillermo thought that my position was protecting him. He would be mistaken.
“Benicio. You’ve brought the account information?” Guillermo asked.
Benicio nodded, gesturing toward one of his bodyguards who held a laptop. “You brought Dani? I’m not giving you any of this unless she knows you were willing to trade her for cash.”
“She’s here.”
“Does she know?” Benicio asked.