Page 38 of Sinful Lies
Chapter 23
Tank
“You ready brother?”Chainz slaps me on the back when I approach the other members waiting for me in the common room. “We’re meeting with Damon Moretti. Seems he has information for us.”
“More than ready.” I wink. I’m itching to get my hands on Ben and make him pay for trying to take what is mine. Dia doesn’t know it, but I’ve done some digging of my own and her marriage was never anything but a fraud. From what I can tell, Ben blackmailed her into staying with him all to protect me. All these years she’s been missing out on having someone to love her right, and that’s my fault. And all the more reason to not feel guilty that I stole her back. He could never love her like I can. He’s already proven that.
“Good, then wipe that smirk off your face and let’s do this.” Everyone laughs, including me. I can’t help the smirk that’s plastered on my face. I have Dia back in my life. Naked and pissed off, upstairs in my bed and my cock has never been more satisfied.
The thought makes me smile more as I step out of the clubhouse with my brothers and mount my bike. I’ve got plenty of time to get my game face on. Make no mistake, as happy as I am right now, when the time comes, I’ll be all business.
I open up the throttle and peel away from the compound, falling into formation behind Chainz. Fuel, Cobra, Crusher, Hound and Reaper take their positions and we ride off.
The sun beats down on my back, slicking the inside of my shirt with sweat. It’s a hot day for leathers, but I never ride without them. My cut represents my club, and my club is who I am. I’m proud to show off my colors and patch. I’ve worked hard to earn my spot to the right of Chainz, but with all that’s going on I can’t help but wonder what would have been if I went back for Dia like I promised. I know I’d still be a part of this club. Chainz took a chance on me when everyone else had turned their backs. He welcomed me, taught me how to fight for myself and what being a brother really means. We’re a family, the only true family most of us ever had, and that means something to every one of us. It’s not just about riding, pussy and beer. It’s about having each other’s back, even if we could head into a life-threatening situation.
I’ve never heard the name Damon Moretti before. I don’t know what information he’s looking to share, but it better not be a waste of time. We need to find Ben and the missing girl before it’s too late for her. Hell, it might already be. Desperate men do desperate things and knowing we’re on his heels should scare the shit out of him. If Ben knows anything about the Krymson Destroyers’ reputation, that is.
We follow a narrow dirt road up to an old, abandoned building surrounded by a chain-link fence holding a warning sign to trespassers. The windows are boarded up and graffiti stretches across the cinderblock walls. We turn off the bikes and dismount. Everyone is on edge, meeting out here in the middle of nowhere.
I kick a patch of dirt under my boot and grumble, more to myself than anyone else, “Who the fuck is this guy?”
Chainz draws from his cigarette and lets out a cloud of smoke. “Damon Moretti is the nephew of Antonio Moretti. Crime boss out of Philadelphia. My guess is the kids trying to make a name for himself.”
“After a two-hour ride out here, he better have a damn good reason for being late or the only name he’s going to have is the one on his tombstone.” I growl.
I’m growing more impatient by the minute when a low rumble pulls my focus down the long dirt road heading straight towards us. Nearly twenty minutes late, a sleek black town car coasts down the road. The sun glints off the hood, nearly blinding me as it approaches at a speed even a grandmother could outrun.
“Hurry the fuck up.” The good mood I couldn’t shake hours ago has long past and now I’m hot and irrational.
“Patience, Tank. We’ve come this far, let’s hear him out. Any lead is more than we have right now.”
He’s right. I know he’s right, but I don’t want to be chasing leads. I want to be buried balls deep in my Ol’ Lady or painting the ground with Ben’s blood. Either will work at this moment.
The car comes to a slow rolling stop in front of our bikes. The front window slowly rolls down halfway and the man behind the wheel tips his head toward the back of the car. “Get in.”
Chainz steps toward the car and I grip his shoulder, “No way, Prez. We don’t know this guy. How do you know we can trust him?”
“I don’t, but he probably shouldn’t trust me either.” He reaches under his cut, gripping the handle of his Glock.
The rear door opens, and another man steps out. His hands are on his hips, pushing his suit jacket back to reveal there're no weapons holstered at his side. That doesn’t mean there’s not one in the car or behind his back. Maybe even an ankle strap. This kid can’t possibly think this cloak and dagger routine will intimidate a group of oversized bikers.
“On second thought, I’ll come to you.” He steps toward us. “I’m Damon Moretti and I have information you’re looking for. I was hoping we could negotiate its price.”
“That’s not the way this works, kid. We’re not buying.” This was a waste of fucking time. He may be well dressed and have an ego bigger than the building were standing in front of, but for the nephew of a crime boss, he’s got a thing or two to learn about building allies.
“Let’s start over. I have some things you want. One I’m happy to hand over, the other I’d like to trade for a future favor.”
Chainz looks at me. I look at him. We both look back at Damon. “What kind of favor?” Chainz asks. He’s intrigued by this kid, but I don’t get why.
Damon shuffles his feet. For the first time, showing any sign of uneasiness. “I don’t know yet but you’re the guys I want in my corner if I find myself in a jam.”
Chainz extends his hand toward the kid. “As President of this MC, I accept your terms. When the time comes, my club will honor it.”
“Great. Now can we get on with it. What do you have?” I growl.
Damon reaches into his pocket, pulls out a Polaroid picture of a little girl and hands it to Chainz. “This is what I’m happy to hand over.”
Chainz looks at the picture and his jaw drops. His eyes widen and he hands it to me. One look at the big honey brown eyes filled with tears and my free hand clenches into a fist at my side. “Is that her?”
