Page 117 of Manny

“You expect me to walk right into the lion’s den?” Mateo smirks.

I’ll take my hat off to Hustler, he doesn’t bat an eye. “Don’t see how you’ve got much choice. Lace is a part of this club, and we’re not letting her go anywhere with you, or be questioned without the club present.”

He nods slowly. “I like this structure you have going on. It’s so rare to find loyalty these days. Maybe I need to shift operations down to New Orleans?” He gets more than one pointed look before he makes prayer hands. “I’m kidding. But what I do need are men like you who fight for not only the women in their club, but each other. Looks like my trip wasn’t in vain after all.”

“Don’t be so sure,” Manny cuts in. “Terrorizing Lace wasn’t the smartest thing to do.”

“Why do you think I came here, instead of our usual modus operandi?” He draws out the last couple of words. “I could’ve kidnapped her off the street when she arrived at work, or last weekend when she was with the two of you. If I wanted her dead, she would be.”

My eyes go wide. I think quickly, trying to deflect. “We had a lot to celebrate.” I don’t want to tell him that Lace is protected and why, because frankly, what goes on at our clubhouse is none of his goddamn business. He’s got a lot of balls, I’ll give him that.

I can feel Manny’s eyes on me, and I know he’s thinking the same thing that I am; what the fuck is going on?

The whole thing is making me uneasy, and I’m scratching my head trying to think of why Lace wouldn’t tell us something like this. The fucking mob?

I grind my teeth, trying hard not to see red. She put herself in immediate danger and said nothing.

We turn at the kerfuffle in the doorway. Four more men in dark suits arrive behind Cash, Ryder, Riot, Jett, Rock, Harlem, Tag, Bronco, Hawk and Nevada. Cash looks furious as our eyes meet through the glass.

“This oughta be good,” Hustler mumbles, moving over towards the door. The goons don’t try to stop him, but the two by the door have their guns drawn. Cash is already on top of it, following suit as Hustler raises both hands toward Cash when the door opens. “We’re on top of it. No need for things to get ugly, boss.”

“What the fuck is goin’ on?” He looks between all of us waiting for an answer, Riot pushing past everyone as he points at me.

“Where is Lace?”

I thumb behind me. “In the kitchen with Audrina and the other staff.”

“My mom’s back there?” Nevada strides across the cafe, not waiting for an answer.

“She’s good,” Hustler calls after him as he takes off.

Riot moves closer, pulling me by the lapels of my cut. “You were supposed to be lookin’ out for her, asshole! The fuckin’ mob, you didn’t see them comin’?”

“I didn’t know she was involved with the mob,” I grit back. “And she had a prospect on her. Pipes arrived just after she got to work.” It feels lame even saying it.

He turns to glare at Pipes. “Clearly you were too fuckin’ late if he got into the cafe and slid into a booth with my fuckin’ sister!” His bellow is so loud it can probably be heard at the other end of New Orleans, but nobody moves.

“This isn’t his fault,” I say. “I should’ve been here. It’s not on him.”

Riot pulls his arm back and punches me in the face. I take the brunt as I see Tag and Harlem move towards us in my periphery, but it’s Manny who steps in front, pushing Riot back as he stumbles.

“What the fuck?” Riot balks.

“Don’t.” Manny holds him away with both hands planted on his shoulders, keeping him off me. “Let’s just talk about this rationally before anyone else gets hurt.”

“You think because you’ve got a patch on you that makes you some kind of fuckin’ hero?” Riot barks.

Manny shakes his head. “No, but it’s a cheap shot and you know it.”

“Everyone calm the fuck down!” Cash roars. “I want to know exactly what the fuck is goin’ on and why Lace is caught up in all of this.” He turns to look at Mateo. “Now!”

“We need to move outta here sooner rather than later,” Hustler’s voice is firm but low. “Had customers in here when shit went down, surprised the cops are not already here. He’s agreed to meet at the clubhouse, right, Mr. Judice?”

All eyes are on Mateo as my fingers itch to see Lace. Like an apparition, she comes out of the kitchen door, staying behind the counter.

“I’ll help you with anything you want,” Lace says. “Just don’t bring the club into this.”

Riot turns, pointing at her. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were working for the mob!”

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