Page 80 of Preacher

Retaliation would put them and the club in danger.

I couldn’t let that happen.

“I’ve had enough experience to know the kind of fire those bastards rain down when you cross ‘em,”I finally muttered.“Doesn’t mean I’m gonna let him walk away from this unscathed.”

“Agreed.” Sergei looked at me, calm and steady.“But if we aren’t careful, we won’t just be going up against Vasili. It will be the entire Volkov family and the entire Bratva.”

“Then, we do it in a way that won’t trace back.”

“And how the hell are we going to do that?”

I didn’t answer right away. My eyes drifted back to the door, and I thought about watching Tabitha walk out just minutes before. She was bruised, shaken, and yet, she was doing everything she could to keep it together for her boys. I could only image it was something she’d done for the better part of her life, and that thought alone was enough to make my blood boil.

“I don’t know. Not yet, but we’ll come up with something.” I stepped in closer as I snarled, “But if that bastard so much as breathes near her again, I’ll end him.”

“Understood.”

“There has to be something we can do to get Vasili out of the picture without bringing a war to our backyard. Get with your brothers. You boys see what you can come up with. I’ll get with mine and do the same.”

And with that, I walked out.

I was already turning over plans in my head as I started outside. By the time I was done with him, Vasili would wish he’d never stepped foot in Arkansas.

I didn’t go straight to Tabitha.

Not yet.

I needed a moment to collect myself, so I stepped out back and lit a smoke I didn’t need. I took a couple of drags, then pulled out my phone and called Shep. As soon as he answered, I told him, “You were right. He was here.”

“In Little Rock?”

“No, I mean literally. The asshole cornered Tabitha and had the fucking nerve to put his hands on her.”

“Damn. Is she okay?”

“Pretty rattled, but anyone would be after the stunt he pulled.”

“So, what are we gonna do about it?”

“I’m still trying to sort that out. I could really use your help with coming up with something.”

I took a moment to lay out the situation, making sure he understood the risk involved, and once I was done, I said, “I need you to find a way to bury this motherfucker without causing any blowback to us or Tabitha and her boys.”

“It’ll take me some time, but I’ll come up with something.”

“Appreciate it, brother.”

“Are you headed back?”

“Not yet. I’m going to check on Tabitha and make sure she’s okay, but if you come up with something or need me…”

“You’ll be the first to know.”

I ended the call and immediately called Goose.“Get with Shep. As soon as he has you a location for Vasili, I want you and Memphis on him.”

“How on him do you want us to be?”

“Track him, but don’t engage. I want to know every move he makes.”

---