Page 42 of Havoc

Celt gave a sly grin and jerked his chin. “We’re stealthy feckers. If we do this, Ace’s old lady can keep the meds at her clinic. She’s always helping folks with no insurance.”

Storm nodded sharply. “Dr. Cassandra Harper is our distribution plan. She’s got the patients, the know-how, and the discretion. She’s patched us up plenty over the years. I trust her.”

Havoc perked up, sitting straighter. “So we’re really doing this? Robbing from the rich and giving to the poor? Real Robin Hood shit.”

For the first time since Gran’s death, I felt genuine hope crack through my grief. “We’re doing the right thing, even if it’s not the legal thing,” I said fervently.

Hacker’s face lit up with the most confident grin I’d seen from him yet. “Then I guess we’re all in.” He reached over and picked up a hefty black external hard drive. Holding it up, he said, “This baby has every single thing I’ve uncovered on both Slater Jr. and Sr.—bank records, call logs, voicemails, emails, wire transfers. And yeah, the video your friend took? I uploaded that too.”

“Jesus Christ,” Havoc whispered. “That’s the holy grail for bringing them both down.”

The three men shared a look—grim, electric, and united. For the first time, I didn’t feel like an outsider among them. I was part of this. We weren’t just planning revenge. We were planning a revolution.

Chapter 14

Havoc

When we all broke apart, it was dinnertime at the clubhouse. The smell of steak wafting from the grill out back, and my stomach growled on cue. I was nothing if not a carnivore. I didn’t have to ask if Riley was hungry—she hadn’t eaten since morning. I guided her out to the back patio and straight towards the grill.

Riley took her time surveying the offerings, whispering for me to go first.

I stepped up and greeted my favorite prospect with a grin. “Alvin, do they just keep your ass chained to this grill or what?”

He grinned right back. “The other prospects can’t grill to save their lives. Me? I can make bourbon steak cooked to perfection.”

“It smells fucking fabulous. Better give me a big slab before I go caveman and start grabbing meat off the grill with my bare hands.”

He laughed and slid the biggest, juiciest steak onto my plate, ladling an extra helping of bourbon sauce over the top.

“Want a baked potato and grilled veggies with that?”

“Load me up, prospect. I’m in the mood for carbs.”

“You got it.”

He scooped on a baked potato and scattered some broccoli and carrots across my plate. Then he turned to Riley. “What’ll it be for the lady?”

She stepped forward and pointed. “That bourbon chicken breast looks pretty good. I’ll take that with a baked potato and veggies, too.”

He loaded her plate while making polite small talk. We both grabbed flatware and drinks before settling down at one of the picnic tables to eat. Riley dug in with enthusiasm, and I matched her bite for bite.

A few minutes in, she said, “You have a wonderful sense of humor. It’s very down to earth and genuine.”

“You’re just full of compliments these days, Riley. Don’t go stroking my ego too hard—I could get addicted to that shit.”

“What, unconditional positive regard?”

I pointed my fork at her, making a slow circle. “Yes. But not just that. I could get addicted to the whole package with you.”

She teased. “Yeah, I’m a great catch.”

I glanced over, caught the playful glint in her eye as she pressed her lips together to stifle a laugh. I liked this version of Riley—playful, warm, teasing. It was a far cry from the woman who had trembled in my arms earlier. So, I played along.

“Oh really? Tell me why you’re such a good catch.”

She poked at the food on her plate like she was weighing her answer, then lifted her gaze to mine. Her green eyes were deep pools of warmth, grief, and quiet resolve.

“I’m smart, resourceful, and loyal. More importantly, I know what it’s like to fail someone I love. I tried everything to save my grandmother, and none of it mattered. Watching them lower her into the cold, dark ground tore a hole in me. I want to protect the people around me—whether I know them or not—from knowing that kind of pain.”

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