Page 20 of Johnny Gun

Johnny G started to rise, but Stew shook his head. “Don’t get up, man.” He sat, extending his hand toward Johnny G. As they shook hands, Viper held up his beer glass toward Alan. The kid signaled back in agreement.

“Stew, this is Johnny Gun.” Viper gestured at Johnny G. “He and his Garden City brothers rode up to help us with this messy Wolves business.”

Stew folded his forearms on the table. One forearm displayed a single black-and-red eight-point cross tattoo. “You guys did a good thing coming up. The Dalton crew will need backup if the Wolves insist on carrying out their revenge.”

“Have you learned anything new?” Viper asked.

He nodded. “You have a huge problem. In my last conversation with Josh, our prez”—Stew spoke to Johnny Gun— “he let it slip that someone from the Dalton crew is feeding information to the Wolves.”

Johnny Gun stiffened. “What?”

Stew sneered. “A fucking snitch, man. One of your own.”

“You gotta be kidding me,” Viper hissed through his teeth. “Were you able to find out who, maybe get a hint?”

“Unfortunately, I showed too much interest, and Josh shut down. I had no choice but todrop it. He already knows I’m against the Wolves trying to make nice with us.”

“I get it. You don’t want a target on your back,” Viper said.

“And raise suspicions,” Johnny G added.

“Or get blocked from future information,” Stew finished.

“Beer’s coming,” Viper warned. All three fell silent until Alan set a mug down for Stew, then walked back to the bar.

“How does Josh feel about this payback plan? Will he cooperate with the Wolves?” Viper asked.

“He’s being cagey.” Stew raked his brown hair back from his forehead. “I reminded him about the Wolves’ allegiance with Los Emes.”

“So you know about them,” Johnny G said.

“Rover, the Wolves prez, was overheard at a neighborhood bar we frequent. Had to be drunk.” Stew frowned. “Stupid asshole boasted about their association. According to him, the cartel’s involvement assures Isolde’s successful kidnapping and permanent disappearance. Deacon wouldn’t see his daughter again and would regret the day he betrayed Killer. Gotta tell you, the whole thing freaked me out. I warned Josh this was a bad move. Once we go that route, using civilian family members for revenge, the word gets around and we lose respect. We open ourselves to the same treatment from other MCs.”

Johnny Gun growled under his breath. While he listened to Stew, his stomach had twisted into knots. The Knight Enforcer had confirmed his worst fears. The Wolves had every intention of delivering Isolde to Los Emes. His original idea, to take her someplace safe, seemed like the best option.

“You okay, dude?” Stew asked. “You look green.”

“Forget him.” Viper waved a hand. “What did Josh say to you?”

Stew sighed. “Josh is a man of few words. He said, ‘I see your point’ and nothing else.”

“I need to know who the snitch is,” Johnny Gun fumed. “Though I have my suspicions.”

“Easy, dude,” Viper said. “It might not be the most obvious guy.”

“Oh… I see what’s happening here.” Stew squinted at Johnny G. “You have a thing for Isolde.”

“So what if I do?” he snapped.

“If I were in your shoes”—Stew settled his back against his chair—“I’d move her out of the clubhouse to a safe location far from here.”

“Hmm… Let’s say he did,” Viper said slowly.

“Should be done quickly and while defense plans are being made. Use the activity to your advantage. The fewer people who know where you two are going, the better. Don’t come back until this mess blows over.”

“I don’t know my way around these parts,” Johnny G muttered.

“Some of us do,” Stew said. “Give me a day or two to dig around a bit. There’s no reason to stay in the vicinity. Shit, the Tennessee border is just yonder. You can take her north. I’ll text Viper when I find secure locations for you. We’ll meet here again. Pick one and don’t tell any of us.”

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