Page 45 of Dagger

“This is escalating, Sinclair.”

He was right, and I didn’t plan to argue with him. “I still don’t know who it is or could be.”

That wasn’t entirely true. There was someone…

“What is it?” He took another step forward, brows dipped into a dark expression I couldn’t name. “Sinclair.”

I inhaled deeply and let out a long, slow breath. “I told you my dad was a prolific gambler.”

He nodded.

“Well, things got really bad, and he borrowed money from people he shouldn’t have.”

“Loan sharks,” he guessed.

I shrugged. “Something like that. I don’t know and I never asked questions. But one day a man approached me while I was babysitting, said he’d wipe Dad’s slate if I worked for him. So I did, delivering banker’s bags to people across town. I never asked what was in them and I never looked, I was too afraid. But I’d done what was asked and the debt had been wiped and that was it. I just, um, well, I just thought I should mention it.”

“Shit, Sinclair.”

I put up my hands. “I know I should have said something earlier, but, honestly, I don’t think it’s them. My father is dead and there was no tie left between us. I’m sorry I didn’t think of it sooner.” I swallowed hard and looked away, ashamed of what I’d had to do to keep my dad alive.

He shook his head. “I can’t believe you had to do that.” His voice was soft and sympathetic, his big hands gentle on my shoulders. “And I don’t think those guys tracked you down if you don’t know anything.”

“I don’t,” I insisted. “I swear.”

He nodded and pulled me into the warmth of his embrace. “I believe you.” He pressed a kiss to my temple. “We have to figure out who the fuck this guy is, though.”

I really couldn’t think of anyone. My life was too bland, too mundane, too boring to warrant anything like this. But whoever was responsible wasn’t just threatening my peace, they were threatening my happiness.

My right now.

And right now was all I had. It was all any of us had.

Chapter 24

Dagger

“You really think these assholes are the ones terrorizing your girl?” Rebel’s gaze was a heavy weight on the side of my face as we watched the Bloody Devils’ clubhouse. It wasn’t much, just a one-story brick façade building with lit sign that was just a black motorcycle. It was unclear what the fuck was inside, but they’d learn soon enough the error of their ways.

I shrugged at Rebel’s question. “Fucked if I know. Chances are slim, but right now these assholes are the only lead we have.”

“And if it’s not them, we’re back to square one?”

I nodded.

He let out a low chuckle. “I thought you’d be the last to fall, would’ve sworn it would be Falcon before you.”

My brows dipped. “Falcon? Are you fucking serious right now?”

Rebel laughed. “Yeah, I mean he likes women a lot. Can’t get enough of fuckin ‘em whenever, wherever. But you’ve been like a machine, taking only the sex and nothing else.”

He wasn’t wrong. “Yeah, well, I’m figurin’ out I was wrong about some things.”

“That’s good. First step in changing and all that shit.” He pointed to the painted black front door. “Looks like the gang’sall here.” Three more bikers wearing vests with patches stepped inside the clubhouse and minutes later, loud rock music blared.

“Ready?” Thoughts of Sinclair were pushed as far to the back of my mind as possible considering we were here for her.

“Fuck yeah. I hope these assholes don’t make it easy.” He punched his palm and wore a serious expression.

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