Page 23 of A New Era

“You do what you feel you need to do, but I’m warning you now, I ain’t being locked up again. And you can’t get us legally so trumping up charges is your only option. And my only option will be to end you. I’m not my father, I don’t give a shit if you buzz around town, but if you buzz around my club, I’ll squash you like the dirty fuckin’ gnat you are.” Staring her straight in the eye, I add, “You stay out of my way, and we’ll stay out of yours.”

I start my bike, Shane doing so too, ending this shit show.

“Are you so far from the law you think you can threaten a sheriff?” she hollers over the roar of our engines.

But I hear the wavering in her tone, and I grin.

“Who the fuck threatened you? Me? I made you a promise.”

I ride off and watch in the mirror her kick at the side of her cruiser. Fucking bitch thinks she has power over me. She’ll soon find out how wrong she is.

* * *

In the office, I pull out the folder Slade put together on our sheriff and fall into the chair behind the desk. Flipping through the scarce papers, there’s not much on her.

“Prospect!”

He doesn’t keep me waiting and appears in the doorway seconds later.

“What do you need, boss?”

“Get Zach in here.”

As fast as he appears, he disappears, and Zach walks in five minutes later. He slumps in the chair opposite me and tips his chin.

“What’s up, Prez?”

Tossing the folder on the desk, I jerk my chin for him to have a look and I tell him, “There’s not a lot of information on the sheriff. Do a deeper search. I want to know everything there is about her. Everything.”

With one nod, he takes the folder with him and leaves. Glancing at the old clock I’m surprised is still working, I have two hours and fifteen minutes till Effie’s deadline is up. I should’ve declined her offer hours ago, but something is stopping me and until I know what that something is, I can’t place the call. Shoving up from the desk, I grab my smokes and walk out of the bar. The more I think about it the more moving to the club was a good idea. Knowing Holly is close, knowing when I return after a run and head for the club, I’m heading to her, it’s just… meant to be.

Finding her on our porch, I lean on the rail and feel my dick stir at the sight of her in her short shorts and tight top.

“You were out of the house early today,” she says.

“I went to see Slade and Kristen.”

Her chest heaves with a long sigh. “How did that go?”

“Pretty well, they understand.”

Relief washes through her and I grin. I knew this would bring her peace.

“Good, I’d hate to tell her one thing and do another.”

Say one thing, do another? An idea forms and I ask, “Have you seen Luca?”

“He and Victoria went over to your parents not so long ago.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

Crossing the short distance, I knock once and step inside my parent’s house. I hear mom instructing Victoria with the baby for what I’m certain is for photos. I poke my head into the living room and sure enough, there’s a photo frenzy taking place. Dad and Luca are hiding out in the kitchen.

“I need a word,” I say to my brother.

I take a seat at the table. I remember where I am and keep my cigarettes in my pocket.

“We’ve got two hours before Effie’s deal expires,” I begin. “I’m going to call her after I leave here and tell her to go fuck herself.”

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