Page 12 of Maverick

I wiped blood from my face and spat it on the floor. “Yeah, I can. So, what the fuck do you want from me, Kingpin? Spit it out, or I’m done.”

He flicked a glance around the wrecked bar, broken tables, shattered glass, splintered stools. We’d done a number on the place. Merc was muttering curses, but no way in hell was he going to try to throw us out until he and Kingpin settled up. At least I wouldn’t be paying for this shit.

Kingpin lifted a sore shoulder. “I needed to remind you who’s in charge. But more than that, I got a job for you.”

“A job?” I let out a harsh laugh. “Since when am I your goddamn errand boy?” Why wasn’t he ordering me through the Road Monsters' chain of command?

He cracked his neck, wincing. “Since you realized I could’ve had you taken out for kidnapping my wife and child. But I didn’t. Not only that, I gave you new names and let you live in peace in Alaska for a while. I don’t owe you a damn thing, but it sure seems like you owe me. So even if I wasn’t technically the boss of you, which I am, consider this mission a chance to make good and stay alive a little longer.”

I sneered, my fists still trembling from the fight. But he was right. I owed him in a twisted, fucked-up way. And if I didn’t do what he asked, I’d have a target on my back. “What’s the job?”

Kingpin lowered his voice, glancing at Merc like he didn’t want the old guy to overhear this. “We’re heading out to a rally in Anarchy, California. The Royal Bastards in Charleston and Nashville are both wanting to see this club in action. The Kings of Anarchy MC. Rumor has it they’re hosting an event that could open some doors or close ’em. The Road Monsters are interested in alliances. Some of the top clubs are always looking for ways to expand or shift power. It’s all talk right now, but talk can turn real fast.”

Chapter 7

I frowned, trying to keep up. My head still throbbed from the beating. “So you want me to come along on a field trip? That’s it?”

He gave a dark chuckle. “Not exactly. There’s a woman out there, goes by Dirty Diana. She’s a whore with a knack for collecting secrets. She’s blackmailing some of the top folks in the biker world, or at least threatening to. I’m not about to let her hold shit over my head. I need someone to get close to her, find out if she’s talked to anyone. If she’s messing with my name or my club, I want to know. I want you to handle it.”

Despite myself, I gave a short laugh. “You want me to babysit a whore who might spill secrets about you? Sounds like your problem, not mine.”

“It becomes your problem if you want to keep your Road Monsters' patch and your head attached to your shoulders. I can make sure good things come your way. Or I can make sure you’re cast out as a traitor and a pig to the entire MC world. Take your pick.”

My jaw clenched. I glanced at Merc, who was still standing near the bar, shotgun lowered but ready. This was too big to blow off. I’d pissed off a lot of folks over the years, cops, criminals, people in between. Having Kingpin’s protection, twisted as it was, had probably saved my ass more times than Icared to admit. “Fine,” I said finally. “I’ll shake down this Dirty Diana. But I’m not killing someone.”

“Hold on, I didn’t tell you to kill her.”

“What’s her story?”

“She’s a tricky one,” he announced, his fingers brushing his beard. “Money talks. She pays for her men, young men, buys them new gear, the works. Half of them, she manipulates and steals their secrets. Then sells them to whoever’s got the biggest checkbook. She’s not as physically dangerous as she is cunning. But word is someone wants her real quiet. Someone’s aiming to kill her, and it isn’t me. But there’s talk. Diana saying something to do with me could be her ace in the hole. Could be the same people who want her dead, want to blackmail me, and she’s willing to sell me out. I need you to keep her alive long enough to find out.”

I studied him, anger still smoldering in my gut. But I had nothing else going for me right now. Sky was gone, voluntarily or not, she’d walked away. I’d lost everything, even my illusions that the Road Monsters were truly independent. They answered to hidden puppet masters like Kingpin, one of the Four Aces. Bastard. “So be it,” I bit out. “I’ll go to California and deal with your problem.”

Kingpin nodded slowly, as if sealing a truce. “Good. The rally’s happening soon. You’ll ride alone. And watch yourself. This business has a lot of shit swirling. The Royal Bastards are restless. The Road Monsters want to expand. It’s a big fucking pot, and we’re all throwing in chips. Don’t get caught in the crossfire.”

My anger flared again. “And if I decide to blow your cover? Tell everyone you’re the Ace of Spades running the show behind the scenes?”

He bared his teeth in a feral grin. “Then I’ll kill you where you stand. Simple as that.” His gaze flicked to the shards of glass around us. “I’m giving you another chance, Pig. Take it or leave it. But you know which choice ends with you breathing tomorrow.”

I forced myself to swallow the words I wanted to hurl at him. Instead, I gave a short, tense nod. “You have my number. Let me know when and where to meet in Anarchy. I’ll do the damn job. After that, I’m out.”

He smirked. “Sure, Maverick. After that, you’re out. If that’s what you want to believe. You can’t run from the biker world. Ask Monster about that.”

My mind spun with hatred and self-loathing all at once. Monster had tried to run, and they skinned him alive. He was a Road Monster like me now. The fact gave me some hope. Kingpin didn’t want us all dead.

I’d always prided myself on being one step ahead, first as a detective, then as a runaway, then as an outlaw. But Kingpin always seemed ten steps ahead. Why he let me live, I never fully understood. Surely, it was because I’d done the dirty work for him. Perhaps he saw some twisted reflection of himself in me. Or more likely he just enjoyed holding something over my head, so he could get whatever he wanted.

I turned to leave, ignoring the protest in my ribs. Every part of me hurt like a motherfucker. My face was swelling, my lip split, and blood trickled down my arms from random glass cuts. I felt half-dead.

Before I reached the door, Kingpin spoke up one last time. “You better be ready to ride soon. The Nashville chapter is rolling out next week. We’re meeting with the Charleston group,and potentially some from other chapters. Could be that we all end up wearing fresh cuts soon.”

I glanced over my shoulder. “You do what you gotta do. I can’t say I give a damn about your business.”

He raised a brow, dabbing at the blood on his split lip. “Don’t kid yourself. If we patch over, that changes the entire dynamic for the Road Monsters. The four Aces might shift alliances, might even rearrange leadership. Hell, you might find yourself taking orders from a whole new set of scumbags. Keep your ears open.”

I remained silent. I’d had enough of his voice for the night. I jerked the door open, ignoring Merc’s curses about the damage. Didn’t even bother tossing him a tip for the trouble. Kingpin was undoubtedly going to handle that. One glance back at the bar. I saw Kingpin leaning on the counter, exchanging some low words with Merc. He had that gleam in his eye that said I was just another piece in his chess game.

But I was too tired to fight it anymore.

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