Page 103 of Devil's Due

“You’re missing something,” Demon states. “We’re talking about the Warped Jokers. They’ll still end up in court whether or not the state’s prime witness is there. Could go either way, may still be enough evidence to convict them. Half of their gang is already in jail awaiting the trial. Already she’s caused more trouble than they can handle. It may be they’re out for revenge, and not just to silence her. Remember what Cray and Seeker told us.”

For a moment I can’t speak.

“Their skin trade,” RIP breathes. “She could go into their pipeline, disappear forever, and spend the rest of her life wishing they’d taken her out.”

Fuck. He couldn’t have said anything worse. What was it Cray had said?A blind woman wouldn’t care who’s between her legs.

I remember how different it was to make love to a blind woman. The same thing I found a turn on, wanting to give her pleasure by touch, could arouse men for a totally different reason. A woman they could torture because she couldn’t see what was coming. I turn, my hands smashing down on the table, tears from my eyes starting to run down my face.

“We’ve got to find her!” I yell in frustration, feeling so useless. This morning I woke up and Stevie wasn’t there, but at least I hoped she was being looked after, that someone was watching out for her. It wasn’t much, but it was some comfort at least. Now we know fuck all about where she is, only that she’s been missing for twenty-four hours.

“Why now, Devil? Why didn’t you tell us yesterday? Before any trail went cold?”

Devil’s eyes turn icy when he lays them on Drummer. “Because it’s marshal business. Lennox didn’t inform me until today. Updated Drummer as soon as I got here, and he got on to Mouse. We haven’t been sitting twiddling our thumbs, Beef. Until a few hours ago, I thought my update was simply that she was safely in the hands of the marshals. Got Sean looking into it. Just before I came in I got the update that he couldn’t locate a body.”

Not yet.But I’m not hopeful they won’t. All my dreams and plans. Yeah, I knew I’d lost her, but I was going to get her back. As Judge had suggested, if all else had failed, I’d been planning on turning up at court. One way or another I’d get her back. Or at least, give her the chance to come back to me.

RIP and Chaz have been muttering together, in such a low tone I can’t distinguish their words. Nods, chin raises, shakes of their heads tell me nothing. I’m expecting the two Soulz’ prez’ to get up and walk out, saying it’s our problem and nothing to do with them, when Chaz bangs the table and surprises me.

“Drummer. You and I go way back. Sent us some lucrative business not too long ago as well.”

I remember the drug trade we didn’t want to dip into but passed on the tip to the Arizona Soulz. I frown. I’d been close to death at the time. Now inside I feel all over again that I’m dying.

For a reply, Drummer raises his chin.

Chaz continues, “I fancy myself a trip to LA. Let’s go capture us a Joker. Get info on their houses where they take the girls. If they’ve got her stashed there, we’ll find her.”

“Stinger might help. I’ll call him, see if we can get a step ahead in this game,” RIP offers. Then seeing my confusion reminds me gently, “The LA Soulz prez.”

“Jokers will have gone underground, now you’ve taken away their charter.”

“Not so sure of that, Drum. They’re not the brightest tools in the box. No. I think RIP and Chaz are onto something. Anyway, us going to LA is better than kicking our heels here.”

“You want in on this?” Drummer asks Devil, sounding surprised.

Devil’s eyes blaze. “You know me, Drummer. I’ve seen enough of the trafficking business. The thought of a helpless woman being caught up in that, and for nothing but wanting to stand up and tell the truth? Yeah, I’m with you.”

“We’re in too.” Four heads, two prezes, two VP’s are all nodding at RIP’s words. “Just need to get to LA. If she’s with them, that’s where they’ll have her.”

“Been a bit of time since I’ve been in the thick of the action,” Chaz confirms.

Devil holds up his hand. “One, I can get a private plane to take us all down there. We might even be ahead of them if they’re driving her down. I doubt they’ve got the resources for a jet and won’t be able to take her commercial. Two, get Stinger spreading a net. Three, just in case she got free herself, I’ll keep Nessa and Sean searching.” He pauses as though to gather his thoughts. “I got a couple of men I can get on the ground there too.”

“Mouse and Cad will work with Sean,” Drummer confirms.

“Expected that.” Devil nods, then looks around. “Am I missing anything?”

“Only that if she’s got free, she might contact Beef,” Wraith suggests.

I shrug. “I’ll have my phone, but she doesn’t know the number.”

“She knows the club owns businesses. She’s resourceful enough to find one of their numbers. I’ll get everyone listening out for a call for help. We’ll get brothers to her if she makes contact.”

“You staying here, Demon?”

“Yeah. Just in case she tries to get here. I’ll send Thunder with you, Beef. You need to have a brother with you.”

I’ve already got two. Myrealbrothers, Drummer and Wraith. But I appreciate the gesture and that Demon has started to see me as one of his own. Won’t for long, of course, I’ll be headed back to Tucson as soon as possible. I frown. Without Stevie at my side, I can’t see myself anywhere.

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