Spark of Hope (MacKenny Brothers #3) - Kathleen Kelly Page 0,23

head, I keep moving through the clubhouse and into the meeting room, where I take my seat at the head of the table. Logan sticks his head in, takes one step into the room, and stops.

“Ah, one of the guys says I’m not allowed in here.”

“And yet you are,” I reply dryly.

Logan takes a step back as the others all pile into the room, except for Angus. He’s not with them. Looking up, Logan is now further back from the door, an outsider peering in, but he’s not. Logan is now family. Holding up my hand, I gesture for him to enter. He’s right, the meeting room is strictly for MC, but I’ve made exceptions before. Logan sits toward the end of the table, on his own.

“What do we know?” I ask calmly as my gaze lands on Wheels.

“What?”

“That’s a good question. Anything you want to share?” I ask.

Wheels sits back in his chair, looking puzzled with his eyebrows drawn together. He shakes his head, and his lips turn down. “Not a thing.”

I eye Sean. “Shut the door.”

Wheels throws a hand in the air. “You think I had something to do with this? And you’re going to ream me out in front of the kid?” His voice rises.

Sean shuts the door, and I wait until he’s sitting before I speak, all the while Wheels is looking at Cutter for support. Cutter shrugs at him and gives me his full attention. He’s nothing if not loyal.

“Lola is missing, Smokey is dead, and the head of the Rochas’ cartel, here in our little town, knows you.”

“I told you I know a lot of people.”

My frustrations boil over, and I slam my hand down on the table. “You tell me what the fuck is going on.”

“Nothing!”

“You are fucking lying to me.”

Angus knocks on the door, I give him a chin lift, and he comes in.

“How about we let the whores in here, too? Seems like you’ll let anyone in,” mutters Wheels.

Sean pegs him with a glare. “Take it down a notch.”

“What? You think because he’s your brother that you all get to bend the rules?”

Sean stares at me, and I nod. He grabs Wheels by the shirt and lifts him, slamming him on the table. He’s winded and gasping for air. Sean looks at me, and I nod again. He releases Wheels and sits back down.

I stand up and over him. “Brother, what the fuck is going on?”

Wheels pushes me out of the way and gets off the table, brushes his hair off his face, and has his hands up as though he’s going to hit Sean. Sean leans back in his chair and grins at him. Wheels shifts from foot to foot like a boxer. There’s no way he can take Sean. Sean has at least fifty pounds on him, and he knows how to fight.

“Don’t be an idiot,” I growl out.

“Fuck you, Kyle.” Spittle flies from his lips, a murderous scowl on his face.

“I’ve known you for a long time. You’re my Sergeant-at-Arms, but you’ve got something going on, and you need to let me help you.”

His arms fall to his sides, and he shakes his head, laughter escaping him as he stares at me. “Help me? Now, you want to help me?”

I frown at him. “Brother, I’ve always been here.”

“Yeah, for your real family, but the MC? You haven’t been here for us in a long time.”

“That’s bullshit,” says Sean. “You distanced yourself the moment you married Deedee.”

Wheels puts his hands on his hips, and his gaze drops to the floor. “What would you know?”

Sean and I exchange a glance. We’re both confused by Wheels’ outburst.

“Wheels, I’m sorry you think I’ve let you down. But you’re forgetting who you’re talking to. I’m not your friend right now, I’m your fucking President.”

Slowly his gaze meets mine. “Deedee is hooked. She’s been using for the better part of a year.”

The words hang in the air, and no one speaks. Roughly, Wheels pulls out a chair and sits back down, his gaze rigidly fixed on the tabletop.

“Is that how you know Cristiano?”

He scoffs. “No, it’s how Deedee knows Cristiano. Through me. I introduced them when he had an issue outside of town. She came for a ride.” His face turns red, and he chokes out, “She’s been clean for years.” Wheels sucks in a breath. “I’m at my wit’s end. I don’t know what to do with her.” He stares at me. “I swear to you the club isn’t involved. Everything I’ve done