Page 57 of Fire Meets Fire

As a wave of what can only be described as pure hatred floods over Helo’s face, I can only think to myself,huh?

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

HELO

Chet Netherton?After being shocked into momentary silence, I look around the room. No one else seems to be reacting to the name that fills all those who serve with horror and derision. Even Ogre doesn’t appear to understand the impact his announcement has had.

Perplexed, I raise my eyes to meet those of Chaz. “Chet Netherton?” I ask, as if me repeating it would form some connection in his brain. When that doesn’t work, I offer his title. “SenatorNetherton?” A slight frown and a quick shake of his head shows there’s no recognition.

“Don’t have much truck with government,” Bull enlightens me. “Citizens might get tied up in politics but what matters to us is our club, our rules.”

It seems like a lesson is needed. Taking a breath, I proceed to educate them. “Netherton is a minor senator who holds extremist views on how the military should be run. He might not have much power, but he can hold up or delay procedural votes with his outdated views.”

When I pause, Iron prompts, “Like?”

“Like no woman should be on the front line or in command, and only serve in administrative roles. He still holds out thatonly card-bearing heterosexuals should be allowed to join up, and heaven help anyone who’s trans.”

“Bit like us,” Claw states, closing his mouth quickly when Chaz shoots him a frown.

Ignoring him and raising an eyebrow, I address myself to Ogre. “Surely just me being female isn’t enough for him to want me underground?”

The prez of the Dominators shrugs. “Didn’t stop to ask him the whys and wherefores, just accepted the contract that would make us two million richer.”

“Delivering me dead or alive.” I scoff. “Is there anything you won’t do for money?”

“He’d sell his own mother if he thought he could make bank,” Slugger helpfully explains.

Again Ogre’s shoulders raise and lower as if he’s not disputing that fact.

Shaking my head, I turn away from him and start to pace, tuning out the murmuring behind me and try to focus. I know the who, suspect the why, but surely just because I was a serving female isn’t enough for a senator, albeit one with extreme views on women, to want me dead.

My steps cease as I near Legend. “Can you check the names of the people who died on the Night Hawk, and also the personnel on the ground?”

“You’re looking for a connection?” He catches on fast, while wasting no time extracting his ever-present laptop from the rucksack he’d brought in. He spends a second finding a table where he can sit and get to work.

Once he’s planted himself in the best he can find that would fit the description of a quiet corner, I leave him to it after putting in another request that he finds the location of the man who so clearly hates me. Then I hear Ogre shouting out for the prospectsto bring in another round of beers as well as some shots, but I correct him, using my best commanding officer voice.

“Coffee.”

Ogre snorts. “What the fuck? You don’t get to demand anything.”

A few strides takes me right up in front of him, and my finger comes out, only just stopping short of prodding his chest. “I intend to ride to confront the man who’s put a price on my head. I suggest if you want any chance of getting your payment, you prepare to ride with me.” I glance around. “And that’s best done sober unless you want to lose any of your men on the way.” To me it wouldn’t be any great loss, but my hastily evolving plan involves flummoxing old Chet with my own brand of army.

Holding his belly, Ogre bursts out laughing. “You’re signing your death warrant. Or how the fuck else are we getting two million? You, me, in the vicinity of Chet? Only one outcome, sweetheart.”

Moving faster than I thought was possible for a man of his bulk, Slugger is facing him before I can blink.

“The only ones getting money out of this are fuckin’ Soulz,” he growls in an admirably menacing voice.

The two face up to each other, but I get between them. As my hands hold them apart, I speak fast. “There’s more than one way out of this, and one which means I don’t forfeit my life. And,” I add quickly in appeasement, “I reckon Netherton will pay quite a lot to keep whatever his part is in this quiet.” I let the sides of my mouth turn up. “I think four million would just about cover it.”

“Knew there was a reason I liked you,” Slugger imparts, while I muse I’ve not had reason to feel that vibe from him.

I’ve clearly caught his interest, but am unsure about the other man.

“Four million?” Ogre probes cautiously.

I spell it out. “Two million for each club.”

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