Page 89 of Riot

“Now and again, you get a zinger. Like this. All of the Mancini revenge trail leads back to corruption and deviants. Politicians who had a slice of the pie. Mafia ties and fuck knows who else.”

“Word on the streets of Chicago is the Bratva are moving in, but who fuckin’ knows. They need to shut this asshole down before things really get out of hand.”

“Not sure there’s any more assholes to kill. Senator Cartwright was shot dead two nights ago; allegedly he had money tied up in a drug trafficking organization that Mancini was spreading through the underworld. We know how deep drug trafficking goes.” He shakes his head. “We also know how deep vendettas go.”

“I’m gonna talk to Cash about a couple of the prospects lookin’ out for the club, my family, as well as Halo. Just until the Bratva gets on top of things.” I mean, I’m not going to fuckin’ Chicago to deal with this mess. This mess ain’t mine. That’s what I keep telling myself, even though I know a big part of this is to do with me. A very big part. I fuckin’ shot the guy.

“Good idea. Giggs and Rodeo will be up for it, and the new guy, Dawg. I know Bandit has some free time now he’s only workin’ nights. We’ll all pitch in.”

That’s the thing about this club, we all pitch in. When Star needed help in Mississippi and Nevada wasn’t letting her go alone, Cash okayed us to go in and help. Granted, it wasn't our fight, but Tilly was kidnapped in New Orleans. In our neighborhood. Our territory. That doesn’t fly. We will do all we can as a club to make sure that it never happens again.

“Thanks, brother, appreciate it.”

“I’d also not be botherin’ Cash if you can help it. Caprice is teethin’ and both he and Deanna look exhausted.”

“I’ll check with Ryder and Tag. They’ll be at the auto shop.”

Most of the guys come and go between all the businesses, but usually Tag is the one that handles the prospects and keeps them in line, so I can run shit by him if I need to.

“I’ll keep watchin’ Chicago. If anythin’ else happens, you’ll be the first to know.”

I rise out of the stool I’m perching on. “Sounds good.” We pound hug and I head out to my motorcycle to ride over to the garage.

When I get there, Stella greets me and I frown. She’s dressed in overalls and has a grease stain across her cheek. This is new. “What you doin’ here?”

“Just helpin’ out.” It’s no secret that Harlem’s daughter is a tomboy and has always wanted to get into mechanics. It’s not like anyone’s opposed to it, but Indigo gave her a job working at the bakery. It seems like she’s still favoring changing tires instead of slapping butter frosting on cupcakes. I know what I’d prefer to be doing.

“Tag or Ryder around?”

She thumbs behind her. “Tag is. He’s extra grumpy today, just so you know.”

“And you stayed to help out?”

“He’s only letting me do easy shit. JJ, Chains and Hawk are all down with the flu.” She shrugs. “And I know some shit.”

I laugh. “Uh huh.”

She slaps me on the shoulder. “Hey, don’t laugh. I bet I could change a tire faster than you can.”

“I don’t doubt that, sugar. Any chance there’s coffee goin’?”

She snorts. “You see a woman in a mechanic shop and the first thing you ask for is coffee?”

“I had a hard night.”

She makes sarcastic cooing noises. “Awww, poor baby. Is your new girlfriend keeping you up too late?”

“Very funny. You gettin’ paid by the hour?” She lets me by and I look around for Tag. It takes a second, but eventually I see him under the hood of a car.

“I’m gettin’ paid penalties, as luck would have it. I guess that’s what happens when you send a woman to do a man’s job, right?”

I laugh. “I guess.”

“You gonna yap all mornin’ or get that oil change done?” Tag barks at Stella.

She blows him a kiss. “You’re so cute when you're angry, Beast Man.”

He looks up at me. “You helpin’ out or have you come to yap your tonsils too?”

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