Page 18 of Untouchable

“This isn’t just some run-of-the-mill club meeting. We’re meeting with a guy that’s really bad fucking news. So I need to know you can follow an order and sit in herequietlywhile we deal with him.”

The mocking smirk she gives me makes me uneasy. “Fine. I’ll try not to spontaneously start screaming.”

“Katarina,” I warn, causing the playfulness to leave her as she walks further into my room and sits on my bed. An image I’m still not sure how to feel about.

“I got it, Ace. I’ll be a good girl while I’m locked in your room like a prisoner.” Venom falls off the last three words before she turns her head to look out the window. I grab my cuts from the back of the door, shutting it behind me as I make my way out front.

I know I’ve missed my chance to talk to Lenny first when I see him sitting at his usual table with Striker, accompanied by Mikey and Bodine. I slide up behind them, squeezing Lenny’s shoulder with a smile before taking a seat in the chair next tohim. Some of our other guys are on the other side of the room playing pool or throwing darts, while Striker’s nameless goon leans against the wall by the front door, but our table is far enough away to discuss matters undisturbed.

“There he is!” Lenny announces. “Now that we’re all here, we can get down to business.”

“Business?” I question with my brows furrowed.

Striker speaks next, making my skin prick with annoyance. “Yeah, Lenny and I here were just reminiscing about old times. He didn’t wanna start any serious discussions until you got here.”

I hold my hands out, forcing a friendly demeanor. “By all means, proceed with your business.” Striker looks around the room, then leans over the table a bit with a sinister grin on his face, as his gaze falls back on Lenny.

“I left your boy here a little gift the other day, in hopes that it would show my intentions of generosity with the deal I’m hoping we can work out.” My brow furrows, sharing glances with Mikey and Bodine. He doesn’t mean… “Well,twogifts, actually.” He winks at me, and it takes everything in me not to throw a punch right in the middle of his smug face.

“Gifts, huh? What kind of gifts you been handing out to my boys, Striker?” Lenny asks, completely unbothered as he flicks ashes from his cigarette. I never took up smoking like most of the guys here, but moments like this make me want to start.

“Well,” he drags out, relaxing back in his chair. “I might have had my bike towed to the best auto shop in town with a little surprise in the saddle bags.”

“That shit was yours?” I snap, leaning forward in my chair. Losing the self-control that’s keeping my hands from getting bloody more by the second.

“What was it?” Lenny turns to face me now, his face full of an anger I’ve never seen before.

I lean in closer to him. “A full fucking brick of coke.”

“Jesus, Striker.” Lenny shakes his head, looking at him in disappointment. “What the hell were you thinking?” Striker laughs like a fucking hyena, holding his arms out like a king on a throne. More like a jester about to get a pool cue to the face.

“I was thinking it was a great way to present my proposal.” He finally folds his arms, leaning forward, looking like a madman. “There’s a big opportunity for both of our clubs here in Nashville. We could expand our profit byboundsif we run product through you guys. You’ll get a cut of the profit, of course, and the occasional care package for keeps. What do you say, huh? Let’s get into business together, man. Just like old times.” The pure elation on his face tells me he thinks this is a sure thing. Lenny sighs and glances at me out of the corner of his eye. I know Drengr hasn’t run dirty since Dad passed, but this motherfucker doesn’t seem to have gotten the message.

“We don’t run drugs anymore, Striker. You’ll need to take your offer elsewhere.” Lenny stands, so Mikey, Bodine, and I do the same. Watching disbelief wash over Striker’s face.

He tries again to convince us. “Come on, man. You don’t know what you’re turning down.”

“Look, Striker, I know you’ve always been a little rowdy, so it doesn’t surprise me that you’re running with a rowdy bunch now. But my answer is no.” Lenny tells him, his tone more serious now.

Striker scoffs and eyes me. “Then I’ll be needing that gift back.”

“Good. It’s exactly where it was when it showed up at my shop.” He still looks like he doesn’t believe we’re turning him down. “Guess I can’t get my other giftback, though, now can I? Maybe instead you just let me have a run with your old lady, and we’ll call it even.”

CRACK.

My fist flies into his face, no doubt breaking his nose. I grab him by his cuts, keeping him upright so I can land another, then another, until he can’t keep his feet on the ground. My knuckles are bloodied, but his face looks worse.

“Fuck off. While you still can.” He turns around, pulling a gun from God only knows where and fires a shot before anyone else can even move to disarm him. I dodge the first shot and immediately charge him to knock the gun out of his hand, but it goes off a second time. I slam his wrist down, knocking the gun onto the floor, before giving him an elbow to the face. A few of our veterans come over to handle him as I make it to my feet.

“VIPER!” I hear one of the guys yell. I turn around, the world moving in slow motion as I see Viper lying on the ground, while a pool of blood grows around him at an alarming rate.

I rush over to him while Mikey starts grabbing towels from behind the bar.

“Viper, hey man. You’re gonna be okay. Look at me.” I slap his face, trying to keep his eyes open.

Shit.

“Bodine, I need you over here, man. Stump, call 9-1-1!” I share a look with Lenny, but when I hear a door slam from the back of the clubhouse, that’s the direction I run. As soon as I round the corner, Katarina’s body slams into mine.

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