Page 51 of Catch a King (Five Kings 1)

It’s so good to have my family around me. We pull into the yard and I just hope the party’s over because god knows what the Reapers will make of it when they head inside. Ryder looks around with distaste when he sees the peeling paint and trash everywhere. “You live like this?” He turns to Sawyer who shrugs. “They live like this; I prefer to live elsewhere.”

“Not surprised.” Snake growls, “This place should have been torched instead of that disused bar. What a fucking disgrace.”

Ryder looks at me apologetically, “I’m sorry, darlin’, I never knew it was so bad.”

I laugh softly, “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

The look on his face makes me giggle as we head inside and as we pass the bar, we see the evidence of the party and Snake whistles, “Bonnie would have a hissy fit if she saw this place.”

Sawyer groans. “Then be thankful you didn’t make it here earlier, if you think this is bad.”

The Reapers fill the Castle and look around them in disgust. Bikers are half dressed, many with their pants down, collapsed on the floor, over couches and leaning on the bar. The women are mainly naked and either still under the men or sleeping it off, and the air reeks of sex and sin. As they stare around them in horror, Axel appears looking sheepish and holds out his hand. “Mr. King, it’s an honor.” Ryder actually growls at him. “You should be ashamed of your club, Axel. What the fuck would Billy think if he was here now?”

Axel pales and Ryder snaps, “Sort this shit out, clean this place up, and then we’re out of here.”

The guys fall out and we hear groans of protest as they haul ass and prepare to sober up a bunch of dirty bastards and their women.

Axel says quickly, “You may be more comfortable in my office.”

We follow him to the end of the hall and as we pass, he calls out, “Marina, get our visitors some beers.”

“Coffee will be fine.” Ryder shakes his head and Axel nods. “Coffee, make it quick.”

Snake mutters, “Fucking asshole, is that how you talk to your old lady?”

Sawyer pitches in, “Come on, we need to talk.”

As we crowd into the office, it becomes a very small space and Snake and Brewer slouch against the wall, watching through hooded eyes as Ryder helps me onto the couch and then sits in a chair opposite Axel’s desk. Axel takes his usual seat, and Sawyer and Slade sit either side of me on the couch.

Ryder says wearily. “Tell me what you know.”

Axel starts at the beginning and when he finishes, I don’t miss the look that passes between Ryder and Snake as Ryder says quickly, “Show me the coin.”

I look with interest as Axel opens his drawer and removes a gold coin that appears to be inscribed with some lettering. Ryder reaches out and takes it and proceeds to spin it in his hand, looking thoughtful.

“And this was found on Billy, any idea where it came from?”

Axel shakes his head and I say quickly, “Avery murdered Billy and she told me it was to provide a reason to bring you here. Apparently, she told Billy just before she shot him that Ryder King said ‘hi.’ That’s why he spoke your name because he was telling Slade the only thing he knew.”

“What was her reason?”

Ryder throws me a sharp look and I say firmly, “She told me she was paid a lot of money to set this up. Some guy in Vegas gave her the stuff she needed and the cover story. She was to come to the Dragon’s Ruin and kill Billy and then frame you for his murder. She used the Dragon’s grief to drive revenge.”

Ryder glances at Slade who looks destroyed as he sits silent and he says almost kindly, “Tell me what you know.”

Slade runs his fingers through his hair and says gruffly, “She told me you killed my father and she could help my revenge. She knew powerful men who would only be too happy to help. The plan was Avery’s. She told me to get Axel to ask for someone to help find Billy’s killer. When Millie arrived, she told me to use her to lure you here and we would rig the deserted bar with enough explosives to blow you to hell. She…”

He looks so angry I almost hide behind Sawyer as he growls, “She told me her friend would make sure we were protected. He would send an army to destroy your compound and disband your club.”

Snake growls, “It’s all clear at the Rubicon, Maverick called and closed ranks. It’s secure.”

Ryder nods and looks at Slade angrily. “So you were prepared to kill us, our families, our children and destroy our lives out of revenge for your father’s death, without knowing all the facts?”

Slade almost cowers on the ground as he feels the force of Ryder’s anger. Then he turns to Sawyer, “And you went along with this?”

Sawyer shakes his head. “I didn’t know until it was too late. They told me the night I claimed Millie.”

“Claimed - what the hell is going on here?”

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