Page 34 of Saving Helena

“Yep, that’s me. Ready to sling some hash and charm the customers.”

Daisy smiled at Vito, a playful grin on her face. “Don’t scare her off, Vito. We need all the help we can get around here.”

Vito chuckled, turning back to his cooking. “Alright, alright, I’ll play nice. We’ll give her a Duck chance.” He winked over at me. Welcome to the team, Helena. Don’t mess up my orders; we’ll get along just fine. If you have any trouble out front, give me a holler.”

I nodded, feeling a sense of camaraderie settling in. “Got it. I’ll do my best. And yeah, I’ll holler if I need to,” I assured him, although I wasn’t sure that would be my first choice.

Daisy clapped her hands together. “Perfect! I’m so glad you’re here.” I could hear Vito snort loudly.

“Let me break it to you now, blondie. This one here.” He aimed a spatula at Daisy. “She’s a little too cheerful and friendly for her damned good. Daisy stuck her tongue out at Vito and started tugging me away.

“Now, let me show you the ropes and introduce you to the regulars. They can be a bit rowdy, but they’re good folks.”

We grabbed the orders that were up, and Daisy led me out of the kitchen and into the bustling dining area. I took a deep breath, ready to dive into my new role. I couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of excitement.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Maddox

Following the leads that I got from Helena, I had narrowed down the theft to two men in the Brotherhood. I wouldn’t say I liked either option, which was a stupid thing to think. Of course, I didn’t ‘like’ either option. The Brotherhood, to me, should be like my team in the military — tight, loyal. Any crack in that foundation made me itch with this inexplicable burning rage. Running a hand down my face, I looked at Dimitri and shook my head in frustration.

“For fuck’s sake, just do it,” I grumbled in his direction.

Dimitri had Jake’s hand laid out on the table in front of us. The hand spread under Dimitri’s tattooed one, straining against his, the tendons standing out in relief as the digits pushed against Dimitri’s.

“Please, Maddox, please. God, I wouldn’t steal from the Brotherhood. You know me,” he begged. He’d been begging for hours, so I was less moved now than I was when he first started. The words still grated on me, but probably not in the way that he wanted. Right now, instead of pity, I was feeling nothing but anger toward him and a healthy dose of disgust at the whining he was doing. He wasn’t helping the MC with this sort of pitiful display.

I watched Jake's pleading expression, his eyes darting nervously between Dimitri and me. It was hard to ignore the desperation in his voice, but I wouldn’t let sentiment cloud my judgment. If he was guilty, he was a dead man, and he knew it.

"You've been saying that for hours, Jake," I retorted, my tone firm. "But the evidence doesn't lie. Money's been disappearing, and you're one of the two who were in on those runs."

Dimitri tightened his grip on Jake's hand, eliciting a pained grunt from him. I could see the sweat glistening on Jake's forehead as he struggled against Dimitri's hold.

"I didn't do it, Maddox, I swear," Jake insisted.

I sighed heavily, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on me. If Jake was innocent, then I was making a grave mistake. But if he was guilty... then

"I want the truth, Jake," I said, my voice low and steady. Did you embezzle from the Brotherhood?” Dimitri flicked his knife open and pressed it to the skin of his index finger, breaking the top layer of skin. Jake knew how Dimitri operated; he had seen it. There wouldn’t be another moment to confess. Whatever happened next would be up to him.

Jake's eyes flickered uncertainly before he finally broke, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “Fine, yes," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I needed the money... for my aunt. She had some bills. I didn't know what else to do."

My heart sank at his admission. Despite the betrayal, I couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him. But rules are rules, and betraying the Brotherhood isn’t excused.

“Jake,” I sighed. “Damnit, you could have come to me.” It was too late now, and his face was crumpled with the knowledge of what would come next.

“I should have, man. It’s on me, for sure. I covered it up and put the money back,” he whined a little, and I wondered where Jake was. Where was the brother that I put in the Brotherhood? Where was the man I thought was trustworthy?

Frustration mingled with disappointment. "It's too late for apologies now, Jake," I said, my voice heavy with regret. “You stole from the Brotherhood. You know what this means."

Dimitri's grip on his hand tightened further, his expression unreadable as he waited for my command. I could see the resignation in Jake's eyes, the realization of the consequences of his actions sinking in.

"Take him to the holding cell," I instructed, my voice somber. "We'll convene Church tomorrow."

“C’mon asshole. I never liked you anyway,” he said, pulling him out of the room. I should have said something, but I didn’t bother. Jake was as good as dead. Maybe he’d get another day, but there was no doubt about what would happen when the brothers convened for a vote tomorrow. The hammer would fall.

Jake had been stupid to think he’d get away with it. Dumb fucker. Climbing back from the basement and into the Open Road, I returned to the bar. There were things still to be checked on. I had rounds to do and business to handle, and there was the matter of Helena. No doubt she was already starting her shift at the Duck.

“Maddox,” Dimitri said as he returned. “Just a heads up,” he shuffled awkwardly on his feet, which got my attention. Dimitri wasn’t typically what I’d call awkward. He was brooding, grumpy, angry—all of those for sure, but not awkward.

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