Page 55 of Wildcard's Wager

His comment reminds me of something. “My friend Abby. Did Misha find her?”

“No, I did. She’s safe. Made sure of it before I came out here. Found her standing in her living room, pissed as hell because these assholes made a mess searching it. She pulled a gun on me.” Sully chuckles. “Hell of a woman.”

I smirk at the bemused look on the Detective’s face. Abby is a hell of a woman. “She is. Can you have her call me?”

“Will do. As soon as I get back to Boston with these bastards.”

“How are you getting back? You aren’t taking them alone, are you?”

“Nah. Got help from the feds. They should be here soon. I called them and told them about the plan as soon as Rafe filled me in. Haven’t ever teamed up with bikers before. You guys put on one hell of a show. Had me fooled. It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Brooks.” Sully sticks his hand out to Puma, who has joined us.

“Puma. Don’t really answer to Brooks any longer. Thanks for taking the filth out of our city. If you ever need help, just call. We have a Chapter in Boston. Havoc is the President. He’s a good friend to have.”

“I’ll look him up.” Sully and Rafe lead the prisoners out of the room. Viper and Chill following close to provide backup.

I lean against Wildcard. “Is it finally over?”

“This situation? Yeah,” Puma says. “We still have the problem with Walt Turner to deal with. Hear you’re our new HR Manager. Welcome. We are very grateful, especially Chill. She was a disaster in that role.”

“Probably shouldn’t have made her do it, huh?” I tease Puma, who barks out a laugh.

“No, I shouldn’t have. I’ve made mistakes. That was one of the worst. But I’m making up for it later. We’re having a big party later. Lots to celebrate.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: WILDCARD

Watching Brigit step into the room where Misha waited for her was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Harder than leaving her behind in Boston. I couldn’t have done it if I didn’t know Trouble, Chill, and Viper would keep her safe.

Trouble’s plan is good, even though I hate it. We vastly outnumbered Misha and his men, but that doesn’t matter when the woman you love goes up against a member of the Russian mob. I didn’t want her in the same room as him, but the plan required it. I’d much rather she hid with me behind the partition.

After Viper called Rafe and Puma, she and Chill took Brigit shopping. Puma and Dice arrived first. We were all surprised when Sully showed up with Rafe. But that surprise was nothing when Sully explained his real reason for being in Vegas. He knew all along that Misha killed Mike. He pushed the investigation towards Brigit in order to protect her. Who would have thought I’d be grateful to a cop? Especially him?

When Reggie escorted Misha and his men into Route 66, we were all waiting in the PCH Conference Room. A thin partition separates the two spaces so we could hear everything going on in the other room. I hated not being able to see Brigit. Mishaadmitting to killing Mike was all Sully needed. Now, we can put this behind us. Brigit may need to go back to Boston to testify. But she won’t be going alone and afterwards she’ll be coming back here to stay.

“Ready to go?” I ask Brigit. I want to get her back to the clubhouse and our son. All I want to do is curl up with the two of them and watch a movie, but I’ve still got work to do. Walt is probably pissing his pants in The Pit. If not, he will be when Chill starts on him. We need to know what that bastard has been up to under our fucking noses.

“We’re taking your bike?” I nod, so she continues. “Then I want to change back into jeans. What should I do with the dress?”

“Keep it.”

She scrunches up her nose. “It’s a gorgeous dress, but I won’t want to wear it again. It will remind me too much of Misha and what happened.”

I shrug. “Bring it back to the clubhouse. We have a room full of clothes for the kutte bunnies to use. Or we can donate it.”

“Okay, I’ll change and be right back.”

“Wash the makeup off your face, too,” I remind her. “I hate seeing it looking bruised, even if it is fake.” Trouble had the makeup artists at the spa fix up Brigit’s face, so she looked battered. It was part of the act to keep Misha thinking Trouble was an ally instead of an enemy.

As soon as Brigit changes, we head downstairs to get my bike. Puma and the others waited for us, so we all ride in formation back to the clubhouse. I’m behind him to the right, Chill to my left. Viper and Dice bring up the rear. When we get to the clubhouse, we find all the Old Ladies, along with Desdemona, Claudia, and Gramps decorating the clubhouse for the party. The kids are running around ‘helping.’

“What’s the party for?” Brigit asks, laughing as Colt and Mal let loose balloons they were filling with helium and watching them fly away. They’re laughing like loons. Guess it didn’t take long for those two to make friends.

“We’re having a patching in party for Max,” I tell her.

She beams at me. “Max is getting his patch?”

“Yeah. He doesn’t know. Puma thought tonight would be a good night for it after what happened at 1%. He spoke with Max earlier. Max is beating himself up for what Walt was doing.”

“How could he have known?”

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