Page 32 of Catch a King (Five Kings 1)

“Looks that way.”

Slade grins. “Not that I’m complaining, she’s up for most things and Axel likes to share.”

I couldn’t hate this club more than I do right now as Slade reaffirms everything that’s bad about it. I toss the cigarette to the ground in disgust and grind the butt under my heel. “Have some self-respect brother, banging your uncle’s woman is as low as you can go.”

Slade hisses, “I wouldn’t have to if you’d let me have our newest employee. Why’d you really step up, you don’t usually get involved with the staff?”

“And watch you ruin another decent girl. I sometimes think we come from different worlds, Slade. When did you sink so low? What made you destroy your life because the way you’re heading, you’ll hit rock bottom soon enough.”

“You think.” I don’t like the sly smile he throws my way. “Then watch and learn brother and see just how low I fell and you know what, you’ll be thanking me for it.”

Axel appears before I can speak and grunts, “Let’s ride.”

As we head out on our steel stallions, I remind myself this is what I love. The freedom of riding on the open road and being part of something that counts. The trouble is, the more time I spend at the Dragon’s Ruin, the more I’m realizing it actually doesn’t count for much at all.

* * *

We reach the Castle,but before I can find Millie, Axel says in a low voice, “My office, now.”

Slade throws me a look that tells me this is news to him and we head off, leaving the guys to hit the bar. As soon as we set foot inside his office, Axel growls, “Close the door.”

We take our seats and he regards us through hostile eyes. “Devon told me word on the street is the Reapers are coming for us. “

“I thought you said they were here already.” I fix him with a hard look and he shrugs. “Aside from the bitch.”

I feel my blood boil as he talks about Millie that way, and yet I keep it in because he has something to say I want to hear. “The reason she’s here is that word got out someone in this club was asking about Ryder King in connection with Billy’s murder.”

“Why should that bother them, it’s just biker talk?”

“Exactly.” Axel looks worried. “When I called him up and asked for help to find Billy’s killer, he said that if I needed help finding them, then why was I shooting my mouth off saying it was down to him?”

He throws Slade a hard look and hisses, “This is all your fault. Devon told me everyone knows it was you, and now the Reapers want to know why. They sent their whore to feed back to them and if we don’t act fast, we won’t have time to prepare their welcome.”

My heart slows as I sense the real reason they called the Reapers and Slade says gruffly, “What’s the plan?”

I’m glad Slade asked for me because I’m not sure I can trust myself to speak.

Axel looks agitated. “We all know the last name on Billy’s lips was Ryder King.”

“How do we know?”

I keep my tone even and don’t miss the look that passes between them as Slade says with an edge to his voice, “I told you, I got there just in time. They were the last words from his lips.”

I nod, apparently satisfied, but he told me with one look what I needed to know. They may have been the words he spoke, but he never actually said why.

“So, what do you suggest, what is this big revenge you’re planning?”

I keep my expression blank and Slade shrugs. “Not sure yet, I mean, we’re talking about the best. Government assassins who won’t be the easiest of targets. We need to think this through. Maybe we should think on it some more.”

“We don’t have that luxury.” Axel’s tone is grim. “Leave it with me, I’ll have a plan by morning. Now go and get wasted, god knows I need a drink.”

We head off to the bar and my mind is all over the place. One thing I know is they don’t stand a cat in hell’s chance of avenging Billy’s death by wiping out the Twisted Reaper chain of command and not for the first time, I wonder about my family. No wonder my father kept his cards close to his chest because he was the real brains behind the Dragon’s Ruin and now he’s gone, God help us all.

Chapter 27

Millie

Spending time with Marina was fun in a weird way. She certainly knows how to shop, and my arms are still hurting after helping her carry her purchases in. Even a couple of the bikers helped, and as I leave her to sort them out, I head downstairs to make a coffee.

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