Page 49 of Mensa's Match

Fire burned through Mensa’s torso. “Did I hear you right, Brute? We’re gonna let the Corrupt Chrome MC come into our bar and open fire? The way my questioning went yesterday, shit’s getting pointed in my direction. We have to retaliate against that, and it’s wrong that they’ve been threatening Dontrell for so long.”

Brute locked eyes with Mensa. “We’ll draw a shitload of heat if we lash out at them. As for Dontrell’s problem, we can’tpolice shit like that. We don’t have anything to do with that restaurant,” Brute said.

Mensa tilted his head. “No, but how long before they go for Bayou Moon Pizza? Or Tiny’s meat market?”

“Or even Twisted Talons?” Cynic chimed in. “Hell, they could be behind those vagrants who’ve been setting off our alarms.”

Brute sat back. “Fine. Point taken.”

Har wobbled his head. “Brute’s caution is well-intentioned. This will get ugly, and none of us are going to jail.”

Block tapped a pen on the table absentmindedly. “What are we gonna do? Not like we’re gonna ask for a sit-down after a direct attack.”

Cynic shook his head. “Word at Bike Week was that they’re more vicious than the Devil Lancers.”

Roman, Gamble, and Tiny nodded their heads.

Cynic continued. “Hate to mention this, but I also heard they make in-roads with street gangs. Though the idea of the Miscreants giving them an assist is ludicrous.”

Block tossed the pen onto the table. “That won’t factor. Inch will stay out of a beef between two MCs – especially since we have nothing to do with drugs any more.”

Mensa ran a hand through his hair. “Might be just the angle for us to use with Inch. He helps us, it could help him.”

Har’s lip curled up in disgust. “I don’t want to owe the Miscreants in any way if we can help it.”

Brute caught Mensa’s gaze. “You said the asshole who opened fire had the road name, Rod. We got nothing on the asshole who came after you on his bike though, right?”

“Right.”

“And the cops didn’t recover any security footage before the fire at Dontrell’s?”

Mensa shook his head. “Not to my knowledge, but I spoke to Dontrell yesterday afternoon. He’s got a security service, and he’s going to see what they can give him.”

Brute’s lips tipped up and a mischievous gleam hit his eyes. “Can your new girlfriend find out what the cops have?”

A few brothers chuckled and Mensa blew out a quiet sigh. “Not likely, but I’ll ask. She resigned, so she doesn’t have pull like she used to. I first thought she was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but my gut’s telling me she might have been targeted no matter what.”

Brute’s brows shot up. “Why would you think that?”

“Rod offered to help her find her stolen car before all hell broke loose.”

“What does Corrupt Chrome gain from targeting her? Seems like bad timing if you ask me,” Cynic said.

“Somebody tossed her apartment, but it doesn’t appear as though anything was taken. My gut says they might have done the opposite and insteadplantedsomething to frame her. And, if they did that, it could even implicate me depending on what their end goal is.”

Har stared at Mensa. “Do the detectives suspect you or her still?”

“Not to my knowledge, but I’m supposed to stay in town.”

“Do you have a plan?” Har asked.

Mensa grimaced. “I’d love to do unto them what they did to Twisted Talons and Dontrell’s restaurant, but I’m planning to approach Rod.”

Cynic’s eyes went wide. “You’re taking a brother with you, right?”

Mensa tipped his head in agreement. “My gut says Corrupt Chrome must have something to hold over Dontrell, though.”

“Or they’re threatening his weak spot,” Block suggested.

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