Page 72 of Last One Standing
“Tank would be who you’d want to get this info to,” Kona informed us. “He should be the VP now since the original one died at your shop, and I know sometimes he and Brick argue about the way the club is handled. He might actually believe this, and he could probably convince the rest it’s true.”
“Great. How do we get it to him?” Mason interjected.
“Me.” Kona’s offer was like being struck with lightning.
“Fuck, no!” I shouted, earning an eyebrow-raise from him.
“Excuse you?”
“Kona, if you go meet Tank, he’ll drag you back to Brick, and he’ll kill you.”
Kona rolled his eyes. “Were you all going to let me go undefended, unwatched? No, you’ll be close. I know Tank, and he’s not going to listen to any of you. I’m familiar with him, and while he’s a colossal asshole, he will believe me.”
“How do you know he won’t just shoot you when he sees you?” Gabe scowled. “We can’t defend you that fast.”
Kona lifted his arms up in frustration. “Then this won’t work. You have to trust me.”
“Kona’s right.” Pika had been silent through all this until now. “I don’t want my brother anywhere near the Kings, but Tank is your best bet, and he will listen to Kona. None of you can do it, and he won’t believe a text message or phone call. If Tank sees Kona risked himself to get this news to him, it’ll mean something to him.”
Kona hugged Pika. “Thank you.”
“Fine.” Noel sighed.
“Hold on. There has to be another way.” I wasn’t okay with this.
“Hey.” Kona’s voice was soft. “You won’t let anything happen to me.”
“Kona.” I turned, and he wrapped his arms around my midsection. “I’m not Superman.”
“No, you’re not. But this is the only way. You have to trust me like I trust you.” His expression was determined, and knew I wasn’t winning this.
“Okay.”
Right there, in front of my family, I cradled Kona’s face in my hands and kissed him…and ignored the catcalls that rang out.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
KONA
Tendrils of fearcrept up my spine as I waited in the alley for Tank. He came this way three times a week to get pickups, and I was fairly certain today was that day. Nick and Noel had me wired up. One of the buttons on my shirt was a camera, and when I explained that it wasn’t what I normally wore and no one would believe it, they told me to make it my own and just leave a button at heart level so they could make the camera work. So I did. It wasn’t my best work but a tank top, with the shirt they wanted me in—tied at my waist, open, with tight black pants and boots—would have to do.
A tiny earpiece was wedged in my ear so deep, I really was worried they’d never get it out, but I was guaranteed that wasn’t the case.
“He’s coming.” Nick’s voice came through. Angel and Gabe were around the corner as a precaution, but it was true that if Tank chose to shoot and kill me, there would be nothing they could do.
A beat later he rounded the corner, looked up, and froze. “What the fuck?”
“Tank, I know this is fucked. But I need to talk to you.”
“If you think I’m gonna smooth things over with Brick for you, you’re insane. You’re dickin’ it down with the Saint brothers now. Spreading your legs for any man who can pay to keep you, isn’t that right?”
“You know that’s not true.”
“You turned on us; we’ve lost men.” He advanced on me, his hand reaching for his back.
“Wait.” I held up my hand. “Maybe find out why I’m here first, why I’m risking my life to talk to you before you decide to shoot me.”
Tank clenched his jaw. He was a big burly man, with a bushy beard, long hair he sometimes brushed, tattoos covering most of his body, and a harsh scar across his cheek.
