Page 81 of A Wrench in the Plan
“Wrench,” Evan called out. His tone wasn’t calm, though. It was if he knew heshouldget me to stop, to think, but he didn’t really want me to. He wanted at the man in the trunk just as much as I did.
“Not out here,” LT said calmly. “This one’s yours. But we gotta handle it the right way.” He spoke so low that I was sure I’d been the only one to hear him.
“Is it him?” I asked. If he wasn’t going to let me see the fucker, then I at least had to know.
He kept his arm against me, body blocking my sight, as he gave me a tiny nod.
“Get him in the garage,” LT called out without breaking eye contact with me.
Twigs and Honey moved in.
I tried to control my breathing. It wasn’t working. Every angry breath I sucked in, I felt LT’s calm hand against me. I knew I could move, but something kept me rooted in place.
I had to trust my Prez.
My brothers walked by me, carrying the limp body of the man that put his hands on Cat.
My eyes tracked him, but I still didn’t move.
Only once Sidekick yanked the bay door closed did LT relax and release me. He slammed the trunk down, then locked eyes with Palmer.
Evan slipped his hand into mine and gave me a squeeze. My body was practically vibrating, but I still waited for LT to tell me to go. He didn’t trust me to step foot in that garage just yet, and yeah, he was fucking right not to.
“Don’t trust you,” LT said, walking over to the now-ex-agent, or so he said. “Don’t know what to do with you, actually. But I owe you a thanks for helpin’ us out.”
He reached his hand out, lip twitching as if he wanted to sneer.
Palmer quickly shook LT’s hand.
“Found a bunch of them at a rundown motel up in Indiana.” He cocked his head. “Appears as if they were all high on meth and killed each other.”
“That so?” LT raised a brow. We knew better. Seven and his crew had taken care of them.
“That’s what the report says.” Palmer’s eyes stayed locked on LT’s as if daring Prez to correct him. But Prez just smiled.
“Shame,” he said shaking his head slightly. There was no sympathy in his tone. “Drugs will fuck you up.”
“That they will.” He paused, taking a moment to pin LT with a stare. “Between that and the accident we came up on where several of them collided with a moving truck, there are only two members that we’re aware of that aren’t accounted for. That one,” his chin jerked in the direction of the garage, “and the VP, Ted ‘Tiger’ Buckford. Just thought you should know.”
“I’m sure he’ll turn up,” LT said.
“Right… I’m sure he will.” Palmer looked as if he knew better.
There was almost a flicker of respect that passed between the two of them.
“Any ideas on what you’ll do now?” LT asked, causing my eyes to narrow at him.
“Find my own way. I know enough to… well, let’s just say I know enough.”
The two men smirked at each other.
LT stepped back as Palmer got back behind the wheel and closed the door.
He drove away, all of us watching until we couldn’t see a trace of his car.
The air was still. Everything was silent around me.
“Let’s go,” LT said, boots crunching loose gravel and shit as he stomped his way past me.
