Page 55 of Saving You Losing Me

The men nod and Tanya says, “Come with me, Lucy. I’ll get you a drink to steady those nerves of yours.”

As they walk away, Jet faces me with a hard expression. “I don’t need to remind you that if anything happens to that woman, I’m holding you personally responsible.”

Fuck! This is the last thing I need, so I stare at the girl’s retreating backs and say firmly, “She will be safe here. We mean you no harm and want to help.”

I jerk my thumb toward my office door.

“Perhaps it’s best if we continue our conversation in private.”

I’m wary because a Reaper’s reputation proceeds them and if one is in town, it means shit is going down and I hope like hell it’s not anything we’re in the frame for. They are known as assassins and go in hard and fast.

I waste no time with pleasantries and as he takes a seat in my office, I say coolly. “So, how can we help you, Jet?”

“What can you tell me about Michael Santobello?”

I catch Razor’s eye and say carefully. “What can’t I tell you? A small-town mobster who runs this town. He’s into everything and anything and has more people working for him than any large corporation in the city. He’s low-life scum and we keep well away. Why, what’s he done?”

“He’s hassling Lucy to work for him. If she doesn’t, he’ll make her life hell.”

Razor looks surprised. “Why does that concern a Reaper?”

I lean forward. “He makes a good point.”

Jet shrugs. “Personal reasons.”

Razor grins. “I see.”

His expression doesn’t change. “Dominic Riley. What’s his story?”

I raise my eyes. “Dirty politician in the making. Tight with Santobello and just as unscrupulous.”

He says gruffly. “Tell me something I don’t know. Something I can use to bring them down.”

Razor whistles. “Man, that girl must be something else for you to want to face that shit storm.”

“She is.”

There’s a tense silence and I lean forward. “I’m not sure what information you think we have, but all we can do is offer back up. Those creeps leave us alone all the time we stay out of their business. Now, we respect your club, but won’t start a war unnecessarily. You’ll leave us behind with trouble we don’t want or need.”

He stares me straight in the eye. “What if they both go down and leave this town open? I’m guessing life would be a lot easier for you then.”

I laugh softly. “Like I said, we keep ourselves to ourselves. We don’t want any trouble and don’t deal in the shit they do.If it’s not them, it’s someone else and sometimes it’s better the devil you know.”

I sense his frustration because it’s obvious we don’t want to get involved, and I say with a sigh. “We run a small operation and mind our own business. We don’t start wars that could continue long after you leave town. We are here at your disposal, but that’s all. I don’t want any heat on my club. It’s not worth the risk.”

Jet appears frustrated and, to be honest, I don’t blame him. He’s here for a reason, but if he wants help, he has a clubhouse full of bikers back home. It’s not in my interest to take Michael on because I wasn’t kidding. If it’s not him, somebody else will take his place and won’t be so ignorant of our activities.

“Come. Let us drink to your success and if you need information, we can try to help with that, but that’s all there is on offer. I’m sorry.”

We head back to the bar and make small talk while we down a beer and then Jet sighs and glances around him.

“Thanks, Atom, but I’ll be leaving now. Fetch Lucy and we’ll leave you good people to your evening.”

I nod and snap to a nearby prospect, “Fetch the girl.”

The guy races off, eager to make the step up to a club member and I stare at Jet keenly. “Send my regards to Ryder.”

He smiles as the prospect races back, looking agitated. Immediately, I sense something’s wrong and say angrily, “What is it?”

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