Page 21 of Catch a King (Five Kings 1)

She takes a sip of her coffee and says with a smile. “You made the right decision because Sawyer’s a good Channing, if there’s such a thing. He keeps himself away from the club for the most part and only heads back here when he’s required. I’m not sure where that leaves you though, so be warned.”

Thinking about my own reasons for being here, her words stop me in my tracks as I realize I will soon head home and Sawyer will return to the military. For some reason that makes my heart physically ache and yet I hate him - don’t I? Why do I suddenly feel so devastated at the thought of it?

Ruby smiles sympathetically. “Word of advice, Millie. When that day comes, get the hell out here. Go anywhere else because I would hate to see you destroyed by that animal. Because as sure as Slade’s a bastard, when Sawyer leaves, he’ll take his place and you will also be wearing his badge of honor before the night’s out.”

“Thanks, honey, good advice, I’ll make sure to listen to it.”

There is no more conversation because Griffin heads into the kitchen and sweeps Ruby up into his arms as if she’s a feather and growls, “You’re coming with me.”

She squeals and as they head off, I’m reminded of home. It’s much the same, but the guys are different where it counts the most. They care so deeply for every woman there and would never harm them in any way. They make us strong and better and immediately I think of them, my heart twists at the realization I’ve let them down. I just wasn’t brave enough to see this mission through, and I don’t know what the hell happens next.

Chapter 17

Sawyer

I’m so angry, in fact, I doubt I’ve ever been angrier. Knowing my uncle and brother had some kind of plan cooked up between them is bad enough, but knowing it concerns my father’s death and has something to do with Millie is making the rage inside me a difficult beast to control.

I follow Slade to Axel’s office and see the man himself watching me approach with anger.

“Sit down.”

He snarls as soon as we head inside and Slade says in a dark voice, “He knows.”

Axel leans back and nods. “Good, then you’ll know what’s at stake.”

I fix him with a blank look and growl, “I think you had better start at the beginning, don’t you?”

My voice is even, but inside I’m out of control. There had better be a good reason why they kept this quiet, and I want to hear it for myself.

Axel nods. “The night we found Billy, we had been out on club business. The Dark Lords arranged a meeting to discuss a mutually beneficial job that could net both clubs a tidy sum. Once business was done, we came back and heard several gunshots. It took us all of a couple of minutes to reach him, and Billy lay like a dog on the floor of the bar with a hole in his heart. He was fading fast and it must have punctured his lung because that man was struggling for air. Slade got to him first and shouted for me to dial 911 and when I returned, he’d gone.”

He stops for a moment as the emotion takes hold and I suppose we all feel it, but I’ve learned to block emotion away to deal with another day, when I’m alone. It’s how I cope on a daily basis in the military to keep me sane.

“So, why do you think Millie’s involved?”

Slade says tightly, “Before he died, the name that fell from his lips was Ryder King. He was telling me the man responsible and I know he wanted revenge. It must have been him because that club are bastards and strike when you least expect it. Knowing Billy, he stepped over the line and had a price on his head and the Reapers were sent in to finish him.”

“But why the gold coin in his hand, it doesn’t make sense?”

“We’re working on that. Maybe it’s the reason Billy was killed. Somehow that gold coin has meaning and the only way we can find out what that is, is through the man who killed him.”

“And you think Ryder King is gonna tell you, you’re both deluded. Reapers don’t explain, they act. It’s doubtful you’ll get close enough to breathe the same air as those assassins.”

“Which is why we asked for their help.”

I fall silent as they share a look, and Axel sighs. “Slade came up with a plan to get close to them. I made the call asking for help in finding Billy’s killer, but left out the part where he named Ryder King. I told them we had word that someone was blaming him for Billy’s death and we think we have a traitor in our midst. I’ve had dealings with the Reapers before when they used this club as a base for a mission one night, and I suppose they thought they were returning the favor.”

“They were here?”

Axel nods. “Yes, a while back. They had to rescue some girl not far from here and used this as a rendezvous. We helped with surveillance and got them the information they needed.”

“Billy.” Instantly I know this would have been Billy’s department because of the two brothers, he was the organizer, the commander-in-chief and the brains behind the operation.

Axel nods, and I don’t miss the flash of anger that flares in his eyes at the mention of his brother. “Yes, Billy arranged it and we’re not sure why, but something he did brought about his own death by their hand.”

“So, how exactly are you gonna bring a Reaper to justice? You’re a fool if you think you stand a chance. Let’s say that even if you did bring them here, get them where you need them, do you really think you stand a chance against trained assassins? And what the hell has Millie got to do with this?”

Slade laughs softly, “She’s the honey trap we need.”

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