Page 58 of Calypso's Shield
“A week,” Ponder admits. “I got wind of it three days ago, but I had to confirm it. The prison logs were wiped clean. Officially, Reyes was transferred. Unofficially? The bastard walked out the front door.”
I shake my head, running a hand through my hair. “And you’re just telling me now?”
“I wanted to make sure it was legit before I came to you,” Ponder says, his tone hard. “You think I want to be here? You think I want to be talking to an outlaw about shit my department is too fucking scared to handle?” He exhales sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I know what this means, Dalton. You and I both know Reyes isn’t going to lay low.”
No. He’s coming for me, for Calypso. For my family.
My stomach twists at the thought of him anywhere near her. Reyes isn’t like Dave Train. He’s not some thug looking for revenge. He’s calculated. He plays the long game. And if he’s working under Grant, that means he’s got money, power, and the law itself protecting him.
I look back at Ponder, my voice like gravel. “You got proof? Something I can use?”
Ponder hesitates. “Not yet. But I’ll get it.”
I scoff. “By the time you get it, he’ll have a bullet in his head.”
Ponder stiffens, his jaw ticking. “Don’t be stupid, Dalton.”
“I’m past stupid,” I growl. “That bastard is walking free because your system is corrupt as hell. If you want him back behind bars, you better hope I don’t find him first.”
Ponder curses under his breath, but he doesn’t argue. We both know how this ends. I take a step back, cracking myknuckles. War just landed on my doorstep. And I’m not waiting for it to come to me.
“Get the hell out of here, Ponder,” I mutter. “And do me a favor. Stay out of my way.”
He watches me for a second, then nods. “Be careful, Dalton.”
I don’t answer. There’s no careful in this game anymore. There’s only kill or be killed.
I watch my old partner drive away and head into the Clubhouse. Capone, Blayze, Tiny, Torch, Derange, Aftermath, Red, and Bones are watching me, waiting for me to tell them what I know.
I sigh and take a seat at the table. The Ol’ Ladies and Club Bunnies are nowhere around. It’s just us, so I tell Capone what Ponder told me.
“That was my old partner, Ponder. He found out some information and wanted to tell me about it in person.”
Capone raises a brow. “And?”
“And a man I locked up a few years ago is out, and he’s seeking revenge on me. He’s trying to get to me through Calypso.”
Tiny speaks up. “Who is it?”
“Michael Reyes. He’s a former LAPD detective and the kind of corrupt bastard that makes other corrupt bastards look like saints. I arrested him a couple of years ago, caught in the middle of some dirty arms deal that tied back to the Black Market Railroad. The same Black Market Railroad we just wiped off the goddamn map.” I slam my fist against the table, making it rattle. “I’ve locked up plenty of people over the years, but guys like this, they never stay gone for long.”
“How’d he get out?” Blayze asks.
“Senator William Grant. Grant was a big shot in California politics for years, but before that, he was LAPD brass. Chief ofPolice before he made the jump to the political game, and he’s dirty as hell.”
I glance at Capone. “Look, this is dangerous and could get people killed. I’ll understand if this isn’t something you want your club to get involved in.”
Capone leans forward, arms resting on the table. His dark gaze holds mine. “Are you a member of this Club?” I nod my head. “Then your problem is ours. We will come up with a plan and take care of this threat to our family.”
I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. I’m beyond grateful for this club picking me up when I was lost. Giving me a place to call home and brothers to call family. “Thank you, Capone.”
“Get the fuck out of here and go find your woman. I want you both ready when we have a plan together.”
I leave my brothers and head into my room. Slipping inside, I take off my clothes and slide under the covers. I wrap my arm around Calypso’s waist, pulling her back to my front. Her ass presses against my erection, and she wiggles against it.
Calypso turns so we’re face to face. “What happened?” Her voice is husky with sleep.
“Ponder told me Reyes is out.”
