Page 19 of Pike’s Redemption

“He didn’t like your sunny disposition?” Maddox laughed darkly. As Maddox knew, I didn’t like a bully.

“Holder’s thing was to find some poor unsuspecting guy on their own. Some newbie.” I shrugged. “I just couldn’t go along with that shit, not after everything. He didn’t like the interruption to his way of doing things. I might have locked him in with someone from the Sinaloa Cartel.”

Maddox started laughing. “Jesus. I can see why he’s on the list of people who aren’t fond of you. Where is he at?”

“He got parole and moved to Yuma, which is suspicious. It’s a bit close to the border, but Natasha’s information puts him there checking in. That could be faked.”

Maddox nodded, his eyes dark and serious. “Seems a little bit of a stretch, though, for someone like that to have that kind of vendetta.”

“They fucked him over pretty good.” Holder had been bloody and beaten by the time the guards let him out. The rest of my time in lock-up, I’d had to watch my back with Holder, but luckily, the cartel had it out for him already, so it was all a little more believable.

Maddox waggled his eyebrows. “It sounds like whoever's doing this knows you well, knows your history. That's what worries me."

"Yeah, it's why I can't shake the feeling that it might be Eli," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "He was my responsibility, Maddox. I failed him. If he's alive and doing this, I've failed him again."

"You didn't fail him, Pike," Maddox said firmly. "You were a kid yourself. You did the best you could with what you had. None of this is your fault." I wanted to believe him, but guilt was a heavy burden I’d carried for a long time. The server interrupted with a coffee refill, chattering mindlessly about our food, and the droning of the person’s voice reminded me that life went on regardless of what was happening in my own life.

"Thanks," I muttered to the server before returning to Maddox. "So what's our next move?"

"We dig," Maddox said simply, picking up his fork. "We dig until we find something. I'll help you look into Kent, Porter, and Hubbard. I'll see what I can dig up on them from my end. Maybe there's something we've missed. I have a guy from the service I can ask for help. I know Natasha has her sister digging, too.”

I nodded, grateful for his support. "I'll keep working with Natasha and her sister. They're already pulling everything they can find on those placements." I made a mental note that he knew about Ronnie. I knew I didn’t tell him, but obviously, Dimitri had — not that I didn’t trust Maddox.

"Good," Maddox said, taking a bite of his food. "We'll get to the bottom of this, Pike. And if it is Eli, we'll find him. Maybe he needs help or something else, but we'll figure it out."

The determination in Maddox's voice was reassuring, and I felt a glimmer of hope for the first time in days. After that, we ate in relative silence. The clinking of silverware and the hum of conversation around us provided a backdrop to our thoughts.

As we finished our meal, Maddox leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on me. "There's one more thing, Pike. If this is connected to the club, we need to be prepared. Dimitri said someone followed you? Did you get Cross to help? Do you want me to send an extra man?” The whole meal, he’d watched me with concern. I had to admit to myself that I enjoyed the feeling of camaraderie that I had with Maddox and Dimitri — the friendship. I could feel he cared. I knew I needed to accept his help, even though it was hard.

“Cross and I came up with a plan for extra security measures last night. I wouldn’t mind you looking at them,” I admitted, taking the offer. The Brotherhood was a good club with solid security and members who often had training that some of my men didn’t. The Cobras were a little bit of a looser membership when I was honest about it. While the Cobras were profitable, the Brotherhood constantly pushed a little harder. Under Roscoe Marsh’s lead, they bought land and built quarters for members and a separate club space. This drew serious MC contenders to them — not that we didn’t have good members, but they were on another level. I could admit that.

“You got it,” Maddox said with a nod.

I paid for our breakfast, and we stood, everything feeling lighter. As we left The Duck, the morning sun brightened the streets, but I still couldn’t help but look towards the shadows of the buildings to see if someone was watching. I was starting to get jumpy.

“Let’s hit it. I’ll ride with you over towards Morinrock,” he said. I didn’t have it in me to be anything but grateful.

CHAPTER

NINE

NATASHA

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows as I descended the stairs of Dimitri's house, my heart racing with anticipation. I could already hear the familiar rumble of voices from the kitchen—Ronnie’s soft, soothing tones and our cousin Max’s deep, commanding voice. When Ronnie mentioned it last night, I didn’t think he’d show up here, but I should have known better. Dimitri was going to murder us — like dead and buried. Their relationship was a complex one.

Dimitri had left home at fifteen after Max had shot their father. He wasn’t exactly interested in the whole hoopla of the Bratva. I bit my lip as I rounded the corner. We should have given Dimitri a heads-up. Maybe Ronnie did already, hopefully. I wasn’t sure what Max was thinking either to have come down here to this small town. It wasn’t his usual venue. He would have had to fly to Phoenix and then drive to Haverboro.

As the pakhan of the Volkov Bratva, Maxim Volkov was a busy man, so I’d be grateful for the time he took out of his schedule for us. I always tried to remind myself of this whenever I was annoyed by any of his overbearing ways that anything he did took effort and time. It was a sign of care, and Ronnie and I could use all the family and love we could get. However, inside, I was desperately hoping that Ronnie didn’t tell him about the serial killer. That wouldn’t go over well at all.

I found them seated at the kitchen table. Ronnie was pouring coffee while Max sat with that air of authority he naturally seemed to have that filled any room he was in. Despite his stern expression, there was a warmth in his eyes as he glanced up and saw me.

"Natty,” he greeted, enveloping me in a bear hug. "It's been too long." I rolled my eyes at him, looking over my shoulder at Ronnie mouthing to her. Why is he here?

“Cousin, it’s good to see you.” I kissed both cheeks dutifully, my stomach turning as I thought about how Dimitri would react to him being here. “You just saw me two weeks ago. You didn't have to come all this way."

"Of course I did," he replied, his tone brooking no argument. "Ronnie called, and when family needs help, I come.” He was dressed in a full three-piece suit that looked fresh from the tailor, complete with a pocket square, but his eyes softened for me for a minute. “It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve seen you, and you’re my favorite.”

“You just said I was the favorite!” Ronnie was setting his coffee cup down and gave him a playful scowl. She was definitely the favorite. "It’s so good to see you, Max. I knew you wouldn't let us down."

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