Page 33 of Jake's Angel

Pop nods. “Eleanor West will want nothing to do with bad publicity or a scandal. She has a reputation to uphold. She’ll do whatever it takes to maintain the illusion of being in control and business as usual.”

Gabe stands tall, legs wide, crossing his arms over his chest. “Boys, we have a problem. Now that Mack is here, we can lay everything out on the table.”

We all sit up a little taller. Seeing the stress and worry on Gabe’s face has everyone a little on edge. He’s visibly nervous, which is not like our President at all. Nothing scares him. He’s usually the calmest one in the room. The voice of reason. At this moment, he looks like he’s about to throw up. Uncertainty is written all over his face.

We all glance around the room at one another, a silent question passing between us.Jesus, now what?

He takes another deep breath, collapses down in his chair and leans back, rubbing his hand over his chin. “I told you all Mack had a situation he needed our help with.” We all nod. “It appears Marco Cusenza has stepped up his game. We have a dead Garrison employee and a missing girl on our hands.”

“The fuck?”

“Who?”

“How?”

Everyone speaks up at once. Questions and curses charge the now tension filled space.

“Chuck—Charles Sanders—was shot during a suspected home invasion at the West’s mansion. During the invasion, the West’s granddaughter went missing,” Pop fills in.

“Went missing?” Declan asks. “As in kidnapped or ran away? Do we even know?”

“We’re not sure.” Pop rolls his neck. Declan should already have this information since he’s managing Garrison. The fact he doesn’t raises a few red flags.

“Was there a ransom note? Anything leading you to believe she was taken?” Jameson asks.

“Not exactly. Cusenza had already issued verbal threats to Russ regarding his family. He sent a note with a photo of his granddaughter at a graduation party two days ago by courier to our meeting in Florida. He knew Russ was out of town and took advantage of his absence to get someone close enough to her to get the photo. It was taken a few hours before her disappearance.”

“How was Chuck shot?Wasthere a home invasion?” Ethan looks between the three older men at the front of the room. They seem to be trying to decide what information they want the club to know. It’s not uncommon to keep us in the dark about Garrison clients, but there’s something different about this particular incident. The tension in the air and the way both Caleb and Pres seem to visibly restrain their frustration only serves to confirm my suspicions.

“We can’t say for sure,” Pop says, letting out an exaggerated exhale.

It’s Pres who fills in the missing pieces. “We know nothing was taken or is missing from the estate, except their granddaughter.”

Declan appears deep in thought when he tosses out a possible explanation. “Maybe Chuck was a casualty they didn’t expect. It could’ve been a situation where the plan was to get in, grab the girl, and get out. Maybe shit went sideways. Chuck tried to stop them and got shot.”

“There’s more,” Pop adds. “We have reason to believe Sadie may have been involved.” Several murmurs of “what the hell” and “Holy shit” fill the room. Hawk slams his fist on the table next to his laptop, awaiting his instructions.

“I don’t see Sadie taking part in killing someone, especially not someone who could be linked back to the club. The guyworked for Garrison. It’s a direct line to us.” Hawk looks around the room. “She’s reckless. Not stupid.” I follow his line of sight and realize we are all agreed on that last point.

“It’s more likely she would help the girl sneak out than it is for Sadie to help someone kidnap the girl,” Ghost says. “She’ll go to hell and back if you’re a loyal friend. Someone she trusts.” The guys all nod their agreement. “Sadie’s no killer. I know we taught her to shoot, but a gun isn’t Sadie’s weapon of choice. She might fuck with someone from a distance using her keyboard, but I don’t see her pulling a trigger.”

Gabe slams the gavel a few times, calling the room to order.

“We have reason to believe Sadie may have helped shut down the security system, which allowed the girl to disappear.” Gabe says it like she’s an accomplice to Cusenza’s men, but I’m not so sure I believe that. It doesn’t sound like Sadie at all.

“Fuuuuck.” Ethan sighs his disbelief.

“If you believe Sadie’s involved, why isn’t her ass on lockdown at the clubhouse?” Jameson questions Gabe. His tone proves he’s not buying this theory either.

“Because we need her to lead us to the girl,” Gabe says, scrubbing his face with both hands. The weight of everything is evident in his features.

“So, you don’t think someone kidnapped the girl?” I ask, the wheels turning in my head. The last twenty-four hours playing over in my mind like a broken record.

Ah fuuuuck.

“Wait!” Ghost turns his head to meet Hawk’s face, which is currently buried in his computer screen as he’s studying something. I imagine the Garrison Security system since it’s his ‘baby.’ “Are you’re saying you think Sadie fucked with the security system and helped this girl escape? Or do you think Sadie is working for Cusenza? Which way are we leaning?”

“I don’t think she’s working for Cusenza. It’s not like her to help someone harm an innocent girl,” Caleb says. Pop nods. “But it wouldn’t be unlike her to help a friend in need.”

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