Page 61 of The Echo of Violence

“He got bail? After failing to show up in court the first time? Who in their right mind would post bail?”

He doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t need to.

“The club.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not. If this is the kind of man they want in their ranks, it’s better to know now. The baby mama?”

“Still in Oregon with her aunt. I’ll do some digging, but far as I know, he hasn’t made contact since she ran.”

“Probably because he’s a lazy fuck. If she’d stayed, I don’t doubt that he would have hurt her again.”

“I know. Men like that don’t change.”

“Some would argue that fact, I’m sure.” Like the Chaos Demons, at a guess.

“They’d be wrong. Men who beat on women and children don’t magically stop. For a man to do that shit, there has to be something missing in their brain. You can’t fix what’s not there.”

“I’m not disagreeing with you, Nico. You know how I feel about this shit. I’m just disappointed, I guess. I was feeling really good about the plans me and Mercy had made, and now…”

“Don’t write her off yet. Maybe—”

“No, Nico, whatever it is you’re going to say, don’t. We can’t open a center that’s designed to help protect women if, behind the scenes, the MC will be condoning that kind of behavior. I should have considered it before, but they don’t wear the one percent patch. I assumed they would be against this kind of thing. That shit’s on me. I know better than to make assumptions.”

He’s quiet as he listens to something Rex says before he speaks again. “He was supposed to be at court yesterday morning to enter his plea. He didn’t show and he’s not staying with his mom like he’s supposed to be. We have intel that says he’s heading back to the Demon’s compound. We can be back in a few hours, but we have no way of knowing if he’s going to stick around or just grab his shit and go into hiding.”

“Or worse, track down his baby mama.” I run my hand through my hair and sigh. “Best-laid plans always get fucked in the end.”

“For what it’s worth, Jinx, I really am sorry.”

“I know. I’ll get ready and head over there now. Do we have anyone available on the B-team to back me up if I need it?”

“I’ll call them and let them know what’s happening. I’ll have them mobilize near the clubhouse.”

“Get one of them to take Scooter off my hands once I have him. If I have to take him in, I’ll mess up his face.”

“What’s the play going to be?”

“No play tonight. I’m going in as me.”

He sighs, knowing whatever happens, if I go in wearing my FRA vest, I won’t get back through the gates again. Not after dragging out one of their own.

“Take Toto with you.”

“I will. Though they might not let me in the gate if they see him.”

“Then don’t let him get seen. I’ve gotta go. Call me later. And, Jinx… Be careful. The last thing you should do is underestimate these guys.”

“It’s not my first rodeo, Nico. I know what I’m doing.”

I hang up before he says anything else and toss my phone on the sofa with a growl. Toto lifts his head from the floor and looks at me with his big old, sad eyes.

“Mama’s fine, sweet boy. You want to come to work with me today?”

He woofs before sitting.

“Alright, I’ll go get ready.”

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