Page 20 of Minus

“That’s what I thought back then, too. But, last night… he seemed confused.”

“Confused, how?”

“Like he’d kind of been bamboozled by Cutter the same way I had. It was like none of this was his choice. Of course, I knew my brother didn’t want us seeing each other, and that Cutter was angry at Minus, but I figured since he never reached out after he moved away, that he simply didn’t care about us.” I let out a frustrated groan. “I can’t go there. If I give him any leeway emotionally, I’ll let him back in.”

Taking the subject off my overwhelming emotions, she asked, “Hatch told me Cutter wants Minus to take over the club?”

“No, he wantsusto take over the club.”

“Bloody hell,” she breathed out.

“Exactly. I think he’s gone a little insane. It’s the dumbest idea on the planet.”

“Yes, it’s a bit out there. Plus, the Burning Saints are one-percenters. They’re all criminals.”

“I know,” I rasped. “It’s a shit show. The thought of Minus going to jail is just too much to deal with.”

“You mean, you don’t want him to do anything criminal that wouldputhim in jail?”

“No. I mean, I don’t want him to get caught.”

“Whoa, love,” Maisie said. “That deescalated quickly. I find it interesting that you were concerned about him going to jail… not that the club or his actions might be criminal.”

“You’ve been married to a club member long enough to know that sometimes you have to bend the law. It’s not as if the Dogs are pure as the driven snow.”

“I hear you, Cricket, but your brother always does the right thing and would never choose violence to resolve matters. And the club’s businesses are all legal, so I don’t have to worry about him going to prison. If you feel that it’s okay for Minus to flat-out break the law, it seems to me you’d be able to justify any red flags that might come up in a relationship with him. And, I’m sure as hell your brother’ll burn theBurning Saints down if you get dragged into anything he doesn’t approve of.”

“Oh, I’m aware.” I sighed. “God, this is sohard. I just wish I knew exactly where Minus has been and what he’s been up to all this time.”

“You know, there’s a way you can find out all the information about Minus that you need,” she said.

“Booker!” I exclaimed. Booker was the Dogs of Fire resident computer guru and finder of all things. “Yes, that’s perfect. I can have him hack his DMV records, utility bills, credit card statements—”

“No, silly girl. You canringMinus and ask him yourself.”

“I don’t have his cell phone number,” I said, figuring that was enough to shut that idea down.

“Perhaps, that’s where you could ask Booker for assistance.”

“I could,” I confirmed. “But Booker will tell Hatch if I ask for information.”

“Oh, sweet, darling girl,” she sang. “You don’t ask Booker… you ask Dani.”

I let that nugget of advice sink in. “You are a devious genius, Maisie. Has anyone ever told you that?”

“Lots of times.” She grinned. “My work here is done.”

“Babe?” my brother called.

“Just in time,” I whispered.

“Kitchen,” Maisie called.

“Is Cricket here?”

“Why don’t you walk your nosy ass in here and find out,” I retorted.

My brother strolled in, making his way to Maisie, kissing her sweetly, before leaning over and kissing my cheek. “You good?”

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