Page 20 of City of Salvation

Nikki (bombshell with the tasty pussy and killer throw):

Bring zip ties, maybe.

It took all of my willpower not to crush the small devicein my hand, but I knew I needed it to communicate with her. Why the hell would I need zip ties? I was killing the motherfucker.

I made it outside in what felt like a blink of an eye. I wasn’t even sure if anyone had tried speaking to me, but when I looked beside me, Torque was standing at the door of the bulletproof SUV. Usually, that would’ve been Gunner, but he was down in Mexico with Ryan.

“You lead and I’ll follow, brother,” he said, opening the passenger door and climbing in.

I’d taken a liking to the kid over the last year, and it seemed he’d done the same. The engine roared to life followed by the tires kicking up gravel as we tore off through the clubhouse parking lot, rounding the corner faster than I normally would. Thank god there’d been a party tonight and we’d left the main gate open. Otherwise, I might have taken the fucker out in my haste to get to Nikki.

The city zoomed by in a blur of lights and shadows. The gas pedal was practically glued to the floor of the SUV.

“What’s the plan, brother?”

I respected the fact that the kid didn’t ask too many questions. We were alike in that way. You wanted me to know something? Then you’d better fuckin’ tell me, otherwise I figured it wasn’t any of my damn business. Gunner said that kind of detachment was why women didn’t like me—some shit about the fact that theywantedme to ask questions about them.

“Nikki sent me a text. Said she needed a ride.” I paused, turning my head to look at him. “From the Reaper’s strip club.” Torque’s brows hit his hairline.

“Oh, shit. That’s Ryan’s friend, right? Why the fuck is she at a Reaper club?” There was a hint of suspicion in his tone.He cleared his throat, shifting in his seat uncomfortably. “You think she’s setting us up?”

His question hit like a punch to the gut. I hadn’t even considered that. My heart rebelled against the accusation, but my mind couldn’t produce a single defense for Nikki other than her being friends with Ryan. I chewed on the inside of my cheek before shaking my head.

“No. Not Nikki. If she texted me, it’s because she really needs the help.”

“Okay,” Torque responded, with no sign of doubt.

Neon pink shone in the distance. “Just like that?” I asked, pulling into the dirt lot, and kicking up a sandstorm.

“You say your girl’s good people, then that’s enough for me.”

Agitation at how much time had passed bubbled inside, and I threw the car into park. A lot could happen in ten minutes, but we’d gotten here as fast as possible. I just h oped it was fast enough.

I’d taken a spot in the back. We were about to run in there with our fucking dicks out we were so unprepared, but I was hoping we’d be able to sneak in and out through the janky metal door.

Rein it in, Dex. In for four, out for four.

My breathing slowed as I repeated the mantra in my head, my heart rate dropping with each four-count.Thiswas why I was good at my job, because I shut everything down. There was no room for emotion when I was at work.

Precision and ruthlessness.

“Here’s the plan. We walk up like we’re supposed to be there, all casual. I’d rather not have shit pop off there if we can avoid it. Gunner’s not in the FBI anymore, so if we get in trouble with the five-O, we’re fucked,” I said, stripping off my cut. There was averyshort list of acceptable reasons totake off my cut: fucking and avoiding bringing heat to the club. Torque copied me, pulling his off and stashing it in the back seat. He checked his Glock before shoving it back into his waistband and giving me a stern nod.

I broke into a crouched jog, Torque right on my heels, ducking behind a dumpster a handful of feet away. I listened for any signs of trouble. Nothing but shitty music made its way through the cinderblock. My phone screen lit up as I typed out a message to Nikki, praying to every deity I could think of that she was okay.

Me:

We’re here. Your room close to the back door? Any intel would be helpful, spitfire.

The heaviness in my chest eased slightly when her reply came in almost immediately.

Nikki (bombshell with the tasty pussy and killer throw):

Hold on. I’ll be right there.

“She’ll be right here?” read Torque over my shoulder. “I thought she was in danger or some shit.”

Before I could respond, the metal door popped open, and a woman with black hair popped their head out. We stiffened as she scanned the area. Shit. Did someone have Nikki’s phone?

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