Page 132 of Ricochet

Cullen Blackburn—Released

Parker’s fingers froze. He didn’t know what was going on now, but Cullen released from federal prison was big news, and it was early. Way too early.This had happened before when he’d wiggled his way out before on a deal. But Cullen did what he couldn’t help doing, and the feds yanked him back inside.

Was this the same deal? Where the hell was Cullen, and who knew? Everyone should know because that was major news, but this was recent and intentionally kept quiet.

Parker cleared his throat, stealing Jared’s attention back to the screen and nodded to the highlighted name and information.

Jared’s lips parted, slack before his dark eyes narrowed. “This can’t be coincidence, but how is any ofit related?”

Parker had exactly zero answers.

“Get Lenora on the phone.”

Parker was already dialing her office number, expecting it to re-route him to wherever she might be or voicemail to pick up, but she answered.

“Now you people are interested in chatting?” Lenora clucked. “I can’t imagine what it took for you to call.”

The tension in the office was high, and the smart-ass routine wasn’tgoing to help. Parker waited for the volcano behind him to explode.

“Start talking,” Jared whispered.

“Where should I start?”

“Mayhem’s hit on Adelia.”

“That seems like the most self-explanatory part.”

Parker could hear Jared seethe and decided it an appropriate time to interject. “Lenora, hey. Parker here.”

“The Boss Man and The Genius, and both of you haven’t put this together?”

Parkerknew Boss Man wouldn’t take the bait and wondered if Jared would simply eat Lenora alive or play nice.

“Why is it,” Jared started slowly. “That you don’t share details, that Adelia wouldn’t be specific, and that Mayhem’s bitching about their banking issues like I’m supposed to give a damn.” He paused. “You’ve got a smart mouth for someone who doesn’t want to break her precious biker code. So,give me a fuckin’ break. She’s not our girl.”

Lenora faltered for only a second. “Colin might disagree.”

“You haven’t wised up enough to see that you’ve caused your own problems.” The corner of Jared’s eyes tightened. “After I saw your guy, I don’t care anymore.”

“My guy? Who?” She clucked. “I have a whole club of guys.”

“Deacon Lanes? On his way to…” Jared rolled his hand, and Parker pulledup their drive history, pulling the map out of scale. “New York?”

“Deacon Lanes?”Lenora’s sarcastic amusement crashed. “He’s dead.”

“And I know about Cullen Blackburn. How much of your BS do you expect me to believe before you stop yammering about what we should know and explain details that will save her life?”

She muttered, and Parker shook his head, mouthing to Jared that he didn’t getthat.

“Spit it out, Lenora,” Jared said. “I’ve had it with Mayhem.”

“I said.” Lenora took a long breath and held it before she let it out. “That son of a bitch is a dead man walking.”

“Which one?” Parker asked.

“Does it matter.”

Jared dropped back into a chair. “Mayhem’s banking problems—they’re not really Adelia’s? Deacon set her up?”

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