Page 84 of Ghost

“Make that two.” I hold up my hand.

Her eyebrow quirks at our orders. I doubt many bikers ask for water when they come here, but we still have to make it back to the clubhouse, and I’m beat.

The bartender slides two glasses across the bar. “Let me know if you need anything else.”

Steel takes a long drink, and I turn around, leaning my back against the bar and scanning the room. Everything reminds me of Luna lately, and when I glance at the VIP hall, I can’t help picturing the last time we were here.

Pulling out my phone, I check the cameras at the clubhouse. Luna is sitting in the main den, talking to Tempe and smiling. It calms my nerves that she’s fine with me gone.

Steel stands, and I look over to see Rick Zane walking straight toward us. He owns half the casinos on the Strip, so I’m not surprised to see security on either side of him. But when a couple of bikers wearing Iron Sinners cuts come into view, I slide off my stool. We’re well aware he’s been funding our rivals for some time now, but bringing them into our club is blatant disrespect.

Steel points at the bikers. “If they don’t get the fuck out of my club, this meeting is over.”

Zane smirks. He had to have expected it. But, given his arrogance, I’m sure he wanted to see how far he could push it.

“Leave us.” He glances over at one of the piece-of-shit Iron Sinners before looking back to Steel. “But my security stays.”

“Fine by me.” Steel crosses his arms over his chest as Havoc and Chaos make their way back to the front of the club. “This way.”

Havoc waits for the Iron Sinners to leave the club before leading everyone to the conference room upstairs.Chaos trails the back of the group to keep his eyes on Zane’s men.

They’re smart enough not to do or say anything as we take seats at the table.

Steel and Zane sit across from each other, both waiting for the other to speak. It’s a long silence before Zane can’t handle it anymore.

“Hope you didn’t ask me here just so you can stare deeply into my eyes, Steel.”

“I’d rather put a bullet between them.” He smirks.

Zane shakes his head, adjusting his cufflinks. He’s wearing a suit that costs more than any of the girls downstairs make in a month, so I’m not surprised that he’s unaffected by Steel’s threat. No one gets that much money and power and manages to keep their hands clean.

“Let’s talk then.” Zane smiles like the cocky asshole he is. “How was New Mexico?”

Steel leans forward, lacing his hands together. “Funny you should mention our trip, seeing as no one should have known we were gone.”

“I have my sources.”

“I’m sure you do. The question is, why do you care about old territory, Zane? That’s Road Rebels land now.”

“It’s not the territory I’m interested in.”

“Don’t tell me you’re baiting my allies to switch sides. They’re smarter than the Merciless Skulls were. They wouldn’t be stupid enough to accept your help thinking it wouldn’t bite ’em in the ass.”

“Don’t know what you’re implying.”

“Yes, you do.” Steel narrows his eyes. “The Iron Sinners were on your books when they pretended to help out the Merciless Skulls last year. Tell me, why did you care about a club operating out of New Mexico? We both know you’re expanding West, not East.”

“Let’s just say I was protecting my interests.”

“You mean the interests of the Iron Sinners. They’re the ones who picked up trafficking routes and resources after the Merciless Skulls fell. They even got themselves a new tech specialist to try and level the playing field between our clubs.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Zane says. “Maybe you should check with Titan if you’re so interested in day-to-day biker operations. I’ve got more important things to worry about.”

“See, that’s the problem, Zane. Titan is on your payroll. So, while you sit in your casino and pretend to have your hands out of this, we both know you don’t. It’s your money, and you’re not stupid enough to give him unilateral control over that. He might think he’s still in charge. But we both know you’re the one calling the shots. You keep the Iron Sinners funded, and they help protect your dirty interests.”

“My businesses are above board. Ask the city.”

“I’m not interested in the politicians you pay to let you get away with shit. I’m more curious why you’d waste so much money funding a losing battle. Until I realized something.”

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