Page 62 of Kansas

“But Payne?”

“He’s proficient, somewhat discrete and can get the job done.”

“He wants you dead! You said so yourself.”

“Yeah. That’s going to be a problem.” I smirked.

“This isn’t funny, Kansas. I’ve heard stories. We’ve all heard stories of his exploits. Shit man, I’m a grown ass adult and the shit Payne’s done gives me nightmares. Where are we going to put him ‘cause I can tell you right now that the brothers won’t allow him to stay at the club! Fuck, Widow, Whisper and Monk will sleep fully armed and at the ready with one eye open.”

“We don’t even know if he will come. My brother said he would talk to him.”

My phone rang.

Pence narrowed his eyes.

Hitting the speaker button, I didn’t bother saying a word. We both knew it was Montana. “Payne will be on the first flight out. Don’t bother picking him. He will meet you at your place. He insists on staying with you.”

I cringed as my brother chuckled. “Have fun, bro.”

Ending the phone call, I banged my head on the desk. “I’m dead. He’s going to kill me in my sleep.”

“Told ya!” Pence snarked, shaking his head as someone knocked on the door. Sighing, I was going to kill whoever it was if they were about to give me more bad news. I hit my limit already with Payne.

Sticking his head around the door, Monk frowned. “Prez, everyone’s here.”

My head snapped up. “What?”

“The families. Where do you want to put them?”

“Monk, there is only your sister and her kids. Who the hell are you talking about? Who’s here?” I asked, getting to my feet. With Pence and Monk following, I walked into the common room and stopped dead in my tracks as Sawyer White, the owner of White’s Laundromat bellowed. “Well, we’re all here. What’s for dinner?”

It took some doing, but by sundown, we settled everyone.

For the first time since we built the apartment building, it was at full capacity. Parents, brothers, sisters, girlfriends, anyone close to the men who snuck into Mexico five years ago were now housed and secured across the street. Even young Ben Taylor stayed in an apartment with his father.

When Kali heard what was going on, she insisted that Vivi and Pence stay with us at the big house, though she wasn’t happy that I gave Trigger and Judd a room.

Hellraiser was ecstatic and Cassidy laid down the law.

The only one I hadn’t heard from was Conroy. I knew he was still processing the scene at Hanover’s place. I knew I wouldn’t see him until he finished. Not taking any chances, I sent Lips and Bongo to escort him home afterwards. As for the rest of the club members, I locked them down at the club. No one in or out without my express permission.

Tired and hungry, I walked in my front door only to land on my ass when Payne punched me in the face. Looking up at the seething man, I growled, “What the fuck, Payne!?”

“We need to talk.”

Eighteen

Kansas

Holding a frozen bag of peas to my face, I glared at the fuming man pacing before me. “Tell me again.”

“His name is Miguel Serrano. He is the personal hitman for the Sandoval Cartel in Mexico.”

“And they want you dead because?”

“Because five years ago, the remaining brothers, along with several civilians, snuck into Mexico and wiped out the Vasquez Cartel. Payback for coming into our home and slaughtering everyone, men, women and children.”

“What’s the connection?”

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