“What the fuck?” I explode. “I didn’t shoot him. Did you tell Shield about the recording?”
“Yeah, he saw it. He thinks it’s Trask who made the call. If the cops go after Trask while he’s still a member of the Spades, it will be a war. But if you can verify that Trask acted on his own, maybe convince Deion that Trask is a liability, we could save some lives.”
I nod. He’s right. Deion can be an asshole, but he’s fucking loyal. He’d never leave Trask to face the cops on his own. However, if Deion learns of Trask’s involvement with Renee, he’ll be more likely to brand Trask a traitor and turn him over to the cops himself. Or kill him.
“Ok, I’ll make the call. Let me grab my phone.” I duck back inside the room to find Ashlyn stirring. “Hey, baby, Happy Birthday!” I say, leaning over the bed to give her a kiss. “I have to make a couple of calls. Club business. Why don’t you take a shower and then get dressed to spend the day visiting the sites? Pack whatever you need for dinner and for spending the night away from here. I booked something special for us.”
Her smile widens as I give her a preview of our day. Seeing her happy makes me wish I didn’t have to deal with the Spades and their bullshit, but if I hurry, I can get everything done so I can focus on my woman.
I grab my phone and back out of the room. I hear Ashlyn’s phone chime and turn to see her answering with a smile and a thank you. Probably her family calling to wish her a happy birthday.
Killian answers just before the call goes to voicemail.
“What?” He barks. Killian was never much of a morning person.
“Is this line secure, and are you alone?” I ask him.
“Yeah, we’re good. Who is this?” He answers.
“Randall.” I tell him and hear him suck in a breath.
“Why the fuck are you calling me?” Killian asks, and I know he’s seconds away from hanging up.
“Deion has a problem. He could be in trouble.” I rush to tell Killian before he can disconnect. “I think Trask is into something that will blowback hard on The Spades. Unless it’s worse than I thought and Deion is knee deep in human trafficking, too. Specifically selling virgins to sick fucks.”
“What the fuck!” Killian explodes. “No fucking way. Deion would never allow that shit in his gang. You know how he feels about women. Besides, Athena would kick his ass if he ever condoned raping women.”
Knowing Athena, I know Killian is right. She’s a ball buster and a hard ass. She’d have no trouble taking a gun and shooting a man for hurting a woman. In fact, I was fairly certain she’d done that exact thing at least once.
“I don’t believe Deion knows what Trask is up to.” I assure him. “The proof I have includes a video and bank records. They show activity between Trask and a person who we know was selling virgins to the highest bidder.”
“What do you need from me?” Killian asks.
“I may not believe Deion is involved, but I have to know for certain. I have enough to take to the cops, but I don’t want to involve the Spades in a war if it is just Trask.”
“How long do you think Trask has been involved?” Killian asks.
“I don’t know. A couple of years, at least. The video evidence I have is from right before I left.”
“That fits.” Killian responds. “About two and half years ago, Trask stopped asking me to manage his money. He said he found someone he trusted more. Pissed Deion off because he felt like Trask was dissing me, but I didn’t care. Never liked the fucker. I’m still managing the money for everyone else in the club. So, not only do I know where the money goes, I know where it comes from. I know what each of them is doing, even if it’s off the books. Everyone but Trask.”
“And Deion couldn’t hide money without you finding out?” I press.
He barks out a laugh. “Fuck no. I love my cousin. Hell, he’s like a brother to me and Athena. He may know how to manage a gang and plan heists that bring in the dough, but he has no clue what to do with the money once he has it. If it wasn’t for me laundering their money for them, they’d all have gone to jail years ago.”
“Yeah, that’s what I was hoping you’d say. I may have left the Spades, but I didn’t leave because of Deion. Although, I owe him a few punches for putting his hands on my girl.” I tell him about Deion using Ashlyn to trap me.
“What a dumb shit.” Killian snorts. “Although, if you really want to hurt him, tell him you’ll have your girlfriend tell his girlfriend what he threatened.”
“Deion has a girlfriend?” I ask, flabbergasted.
“Yeah. She’s sweet. Too sweet for him. Her name’s Tanya. She’s one of Athena’s patients. Deion wants to find the guy who hurt her and tear him apart. But she won’t tell him who it is. She’ll only say that he’s powerful with several connections and an army of ex-military at his disposal. I think she’s trying to protect Deion.”
I feel my blood go cold. “Oh fuck. It can’t be.” I talking to myself, but Killian answers.
“What are you mumbling?” He demands.
“It could just be a coincidence, but we’re looking into a guy who buys virgins. He’s a minister and we’ve gone up against a couple of few of his men. They’re all ex-military types. What are the odds?”