Page 9 of Sinful Lies
“It’s not that, Tank. I know this shit with Dia’s got you fucked up.”
I laugh at his confession, it’s the second time I’ve heard that today. I must put out some fucked up vibes. Still, it’s nice he cares. Brothers take care of each other. “Let’s not get all touchy feely here. I’m fine.”
“I got some shit to do but I’m here if you want to talk again.” Corbin heads to the common room while I make a left down the hallway toward Church.
He’s a good kid. After one too many drinks one night, I spilled my deepest regret to him. He didn’t judge. If it wasn’t for Corbin, I would have never asked Hound to track down Dia. I would have never called her. Hell, maybe that’s where I went wrong. If I hadn’t heard her voice, my head wouldn’t be all fucked up right now.
I drop my phone in the box by the door and enter Church, taking my seat to the right of Chainz.
Chainz lowers the gavel, calling the meeting to order. “We all know why we’re here, but before we hash out the details, let’s get old business out of the way.”
Chainz nods at Freedom, the club’s treasurer, sitting at the far end of the table. Freedom reaches under the table and starts pulling out envelopes, flinging them around the table. One for each of us.
“Everyone’s cut from the last gun run for the Demon Sons,” Chainz says. I eye the envelope, it’s thicker than usual. “There’s a little extra. Diablo appreciates our efforts exterminating his rat problem.”
“Not that I don’t mind the bump.” I pick up the envelope, feeling the weight of at least an extra grand. “But if that shit went down here, we’d dish out our own punishment.”
“It was a fair trade in my eyes, the rat for his guns. I wanted to make an impact on our guest. It worked.” Chainz laughs and then schools his twisted humor. “Speaking of Agent Adam Ward. He might not be a threat to Raven or the club anymore, but the shit he was involved in needs to be dealt with. I won’t tolerate women being raped and sold into sex trafficking. This club is making it our mission to derail The Black Market Railroad and with the Savage Saints as allies we have a path to do that. Tank, fill the brothers in on what you learned in Michigan.”
“Their beer is cold and the club pussy’s wet,” I joke. The brothers laugh and Cobra leans across the table, knocking fist with me. “Kayne’s agreed to help us on this end in exchange for what you learned about Steam. They’ll be down in a few days.”
I pause for a moment, gathering myself for the conversation that needs to be brought up next. “He also confirmed that Ben Cross is working with Steam and this Russian Mikhail Vladimir. They’re using Cross Shipping to transport. I need to get Dia out before this gets deadly. I can’t have her caught in the crossfire or used for retaliation.”
Chainz steeples his hands and lets out a deep breath. I know I’m not going to like what he’s about to say, but there’s no way in hell I’m not going after her. There’s not a brother in this room who could ask me not to. “I understand the urgency for you, Tank, but we need more information before we can make our move. The Russian who tried to run you guys off the road was working for Steam, which means he knows we’ve taken an interest in their operation. There’s lots of moving pieces that need to be lined up just right. Dia is the best way to make that happen.”
My eyebrows shoot up.He can’t seriously be asking me not to go after her.I grip the armrests of my chair, trying to keep from lunging over the table before I hear him out completely. He is my President. I owe him that respect.
“Dia is working at Cross Shipping and if the intel we’ve seen is correct,” Chainz pauses. “It’s her signature on the forms authorizing transport and verifying inspection of the containers.”
“That’s fucking bullshit.” I slam my fist on the table so hard the table leg lifts off the floor and crashes back down. “There is no way she is in on this shit. Ben’s using her to keep his name clean. This is even more of a reason I need to get her away from him.”
“I know, brother, and I promise you we will. We don’t take a single shot while she’s in the line of fire, but we need proof only she can get. If she loves you, she’ll help. There’s no one else on the inside that we can trust. Planting someone in that office will take time. Time, we don’t have without risking more lives.”
I can’t believe what Chainz is asking from me but he’s right. She might be our only way in and what the club needs has to come first. If I act irrationally, we won’t get anywhere, and I could lose her forever. “Let me run point. I don’t want you fuckers to scare her. She’ll talk to me.”
Chainz pauses, considering my request, before speaking again. “I know you want her out, Tank, but we need her where she is for now and that includes her relationship with Ben. Can you do that?”
Running my hand over the day’s growth on my chin, I wonder if I can. The thought of leaving her with that man rubs me the wrong way. I let out a deep breath, “I don’t see any other way.”
I don’t mean it, but it’s what Chainz needs to hear, or he won’t let me anywhere near her and that I can’t accept. I have to see her. I need to know she’s alright. I need her to know that I’m coming back for her. Whether she believes me or even still wants me is another question. One I’ll have to worry about later. “How do I get to her without raising Ben’s suspicions?”
“You got my request all wrong.” The grin on Chainz’s face gives me hope. “I don’t give a fuck if he’s rattled. While she’s gathering intel, we’ll tighten the noose, make him feel the squeeze. Hopefully, he’ll lead us to the Russian.”
Hound slides a newspaper in front of me. I read the caption of the article about a fundraiser in the city and glance back to Chainz. “What’s this?”
“It’s how we get you access to Dia and let Ben know we’ve got him in our crosshairs. The city's wealthiest players will be there and when they see him with us, his business partners will question what he’s mixed-up in.”
I sit back in my chair, studying the article. “Security will be tight. They’re not just going to let the likes of us walk in there and tear shit up.”
“Got that covered. Cal and Brie will be there, he’s having us added to the guest list.”
The idea of being in the same room as the assholes that left me with a murder rap is unsettling, but it could work. At the very least, it’ll be fun crashing the party. Maybe it’ll remind Dia of the rebellious streak that made her fall in love with a man like me in the first place. “I need your word that the first sign Dia is in any danger we get her out.”
“You’ve got my word. Before this is over, we’ll get your girl back. All in favor of moving forward with the plan?”
Everyone’s eyes land on me, waiting for my vote. This isn’t what I had in mind, but it’s what my Prez is asking me to do and what’s best for the club.
I swallow hard and nod my head, “Yeah.”
Yeahs follow around the table, and Chainz bangs the gavel. “It passes. Get some rest, there’s a party to attend tomorrow.”
