Page 27 of Gotta Dig Deep
“Because you’re being dense, brother. They picked you not because they thought you’d cave, but because if they could get you to bend even a little, they’d have the ear of one of the most influential FRMC members. You’ve ins with not just FRMC, man, but Rebels, and another dozen different clubs and RCs. Making your way across the country as you did, treatin’ every club with respect and leaving them better than you found them? That’s a hella lotta sway.” One corner of Duane’s mouth ticked up higher. “Dumb as a box of rocks, apparently, but a box with a fuckton of sway.”
Horse held his tongue, turning his gaze from Duane to Blackie, where he found a matching maniacal grin. “You believe this too?”
“It’s not a fairy tale, Horse.” Myron’s amusement came through clearly, his chuckle loud enough to rattle the speakers on the phone. “I could name probably ten clubs that if you picked up the phone and made a call, on behalf of the FRMC or just yourself, they’d answer in a heartbeat.”
“So then, what did the Diamante want? Their messages were not the easiest to understand.”
“Not the Diamante, this was a splinter group. Not one Fury was in charge of, either, so I don’t think he’s blowin’ smoke on this. Calling themselves the Monster Devils MC. Seems they were looking for a money base, thought they’d strongarm your mother. When that failed and she refused to pony up their protection ‘fees’”—Blackie made air quote marks around the last word, showing his disdain for the tactic—“they turned their focus on you. Without good intel, either, because while they knew you were FRMC, they somehow simultaneously also thought you were in Jersey.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.” He shook his head slowly. “I don’t have anything to do with the bar anymore, haven’t for years at this point. Why would someone commit to something with such potential to go sideways without at least doublechecking their information?”
“Pending interrogation, we’ll hopefully understand more soon.”
He straightened, glaring at Blackie. “I want in on that.”
“Not happening.” One corner of Blackie’s mouth curled down. “Much as it pains me to say it, the process will go faster without your involvement.”
“They beat on my mother.” Horse shoved his chair back several inches, pushing away from the table. “Bloodied her fuckin’ face, brother.”
“Hold on.” Myron broke in before Horse could continue. “I just got notification that the interview is concluded. Unfortunately for your desire for retribution, I can confirm that the ones involved won’t be answering any additional questions. I’ll debrief folks better in a bit, and then can have a final report in your hands before end of day, Blackie. This wasn’t expected, but things happen in the heat of the moment.”
“They’re dead?” Horse couldn’t decide if he were disappointed or glad the men who’d mistreated his mother might be beyond reach.
“Very. They’re sending me images now and there’s no way someone’s still breathing with that kind of damage.” Myron made a tsk sound. “I’m convinced this was an unsanctioned action and the ones responsible have been dealt with.” In the brief pause, Horse could hear the clacking of a keyboard. “And your mother just left the hospital. She called a cab and signed out AMA. Strong-willed woman.”
“Yeah, she’s always liked being the captain of her own ship. She wouldn’t stand for someone telling her what to do, even if they wore white coats and had M.D. after their name. Doesn’t surprise me.” Horse propped a knee against the edge of the table. “What’s next, Myron? Is there anything left for me to do, or did you organize everything?”
“Wouldn’t say I covered it all, but hopefully I got damn close.” Myron chuckled and Horse felt a wry grin lifting one corner of his mouth.
“My gratitude, brother.” Horse lifted his eyes from the conference phone to find Blackie’s approving gaze on him. “Rebels need anything from me personally and it’s mine to give, you’ve got it.”
“Love accepting those markers.” Myron’s voice held a note of amusement. “Blackie, Mason said to tell you this one was free.”
“Fuck that,” Blackie barked, brows lowering. “FRMC pays their own way.”
“Take it up with the big man next time you see him, then.” The clacking keyboard sounded again. “He also recommends we pitch you the app, just to make things easier going forwards.”
“Done. Send me the info.” Blackie slapped the top of the table, the crack of his palm meeting the surface loud in the closed room. “Been wanting to test drive that puppy for a while.”
“I’ll send you a few devices. How many you want to start with? The three of you?”
Blackie flicked his gaze from Horse to Duane and nodded. “Yeah, sounds good, Myron. I’ll echo Horse’s gratitude, brother.”
“Always a pleasure to come out on top.” The sound on the call muffled and got quiet. Horse strained and could just make out two voices talking in the background before the quality returned. “I gotta go, Blackie. Be well, old man. You’re a good’un.”
“Back atcha, boy.” Blackie tapped a button on the phone to disconnect the call. “Questions from you two?”
“Not Diamante?” Horse chewed on the inside of his cheek as he waited for confirmation.
“Nope. Fury’s Diamante, which is why he reacted with extreme displeasure at their antics. They didn’t claim the name but still threw it around enough that—splintered group or not—it was in his best interest to nip it in the bud.”
“Scorched earth?” Shaking his head at the phrase Myron had used, Horse leaned back in the chair, hooking an elbow over the top rung. His heart still pounded, but the adrenaline in his body was ebbing away. “I’d say he was displeased.”
“Like I said, he’s a decent dude, just hung up with some bullshit clubs so far. You can tell a man who hasn’t yet found his home, and Fury strikes me as exactly that. We’ll need to keep our ear to the wire for anything else with the MDMC, but for now, it’s done and dusted.” Blackie gave a jaw-cracking yawn. “I’m headed home. Time to take over from Momma for a bit, give her a rest.” The smile on his face said it wasn’t the hardship his words might have made a person think. “Call me if you need me, brothers.”
“Will do.” Horse lifted half out of the seat and reached across the table, grabbing Blackie’s extended hand. Holding tight, he pushed as much earnestness into his voice as he could. “Thank you, sincerely. Thank you.”
“As Myron said, it’s my pleasure.” Blackie squeezed and released, then yawned again. “Headed out now. See you later.”
