Page 66 of Brutal Boxer

“Hey, I didn’t rat out the girl. Where’s this coming from?” David genuinely sounded concerned.

“It’s not like we’ve been close or anything. Calling you was a real act of faith. If you betrayed me, we’re finished.”

“Storm, I didn’t betray you, son. I swear.” His voice shook. For a second, he sounded like Granddad Frank.

“You better hope you didn’t. If I lose my men and the women because you led that maniac to them, I’ll kill you myself.”

Hero glowered, angry as hell. It was no secret within the council how my father behaved for most of my life. Beating my mom, fucking as many sweet butts he could, sending me to Uncle Matt like I was a piece of shit. The latter had been the best thing he’d ever done.

Uncle Matt had treated me like a son. He loved me. Groomed me to take over the club in the event of his death. Cancer fuckin’ sucked. Still, my old man might as well have tossed me into a dumpster.

David was silent for a long beat. “I swear. I wouldn’t betray you. I’ve changed. I want to be in yours and Madeline’s life. You’re making me a granddad. Jane is over the moon about the baby.”

Shit, if the sincerity in his voice didn’t temper my rage.

“Somehow, Casso gotta tip they’re in your state.”

“Not from me. We’ll move them. Send Casso on a wild goose chase until we can get him. I’ll handle it myself.”

My gut told me David was on the up and up. Still, somebody was to blame. If there was a mole in my club or his, this would be new territory for us. Every member had been vetted. If their loyalty had changed, I wasn’t sure how we’d find out who it was.

I gripped the back of my neck. “No one else. Just you.”

“Done. You can trust me, son. Just tell me what you want me to do.”

The call ended shortly after I told him my expectations. David’s club was an hour away from the safe house. He needed to get a move on and fast.

Hero scrubbed his cheek. “Jesus. They need to get out of there before Casso gets to them.”

“Tell me about it. I feel fuckin’ helpless.”

“You were right about having them split up. Boxer will probably flip his shit.”

“Probably. He has no choice. It was his decision to go instead of Lynx.” I’d told my old man to leave it up to Boxer whether he kept Hollywood with him. I could’ve ordered him, but I heard my Angel telling me they had stuff to work out. I didn’t like it, but I wouldn’t interfere.

“They’ll be okay,” Hero muttered, opening the office door. “We’ll get him.”

I wasn’t as optimistic as my SAA that they’d come out of this unharmed. However, I was confident we’d get Casso. Boxer wanted him taken alive to the dungeon. I didn’t want to imagine what he’d do to Aspen’s capturer. It wouldn’t be pretty or gentle. My brother was brutal when he tortured the scum of the earth.

“Let’s go bring the others up to speed.”

A ruckus broke out from the kitchen.

“What the fuck!” Hero ran.

I followed as dread poured down on me.

21

Aspen

Cabin fever hit with a vengeance. I wasn’t allowed outside. We didn’t have electronics to watch movies or listen to music. I’d already read all the books Sugar had bought. All I had to occupy my time was a deck of cards, Jill and Hollywood.

I was going out of my mind with the walls closing in, thick tension swirling in the air. I feared for my life and the lives of everyone I’d inadvertently put in Casso’s path. I was beyond guilt-ridden. If I could surrender myself to save the rest from any harm, I would.

But the Knight’s Legion MC wouldn’t hear of it. I wasn’t entirely sure why other than I was Jill’s best friend, which I didn’t feel was enough reason for all the turmoil I’d brought.

Since coming to the safe house, we were totally in the dark about Casso. I couldn’t believe he hadn’t shown up at the cabin with an army of men.

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