Torch (Great Wolves MC) - Jayne Blue Page 0,47
I’ll let you know when we can reopen the club.”
“Torch,” she said. “I don’t have any other source of income. My rent’s due.”
I came prepared for that. I reached into my jacket and pulled out a wad of cash. That was my job today. I had to make sure the friends of the club were taken care of. Then I needed them to fade into the woodwork for a while.
I peeled off a thousand dollars and handed it to her. “That should cover you for a little bit. You go to Amy if you need something.”
Tears fell down her face as she took the cash. It was all I could do for her.
“Now, I need you to go inside. I’m gonna talk to Sydney now. You good with her staying here for now?”
“Of course,” Shannon said, wiping her eyes.
“Thank you. No matter what happens, the club doesn’t forget.”
Shannon’s face went a little gray. She disappeared into the house and shut her front door.
I didn’t like it here. It was too out in the open. I’d asked Shannon for privacy, but I knew she’d still watch from the window. The only thing was if I put Sydney on the back of my bike again, I didn’t know if I’d have the strength to do what needed to be done.
I scanned the street. Shannon lived in an old neighborhood built right after WWII. At the end of her street was a bridge that went over a small viaduct. On the other side was a playground. Just three blocks. Far enough away to talk in peace. Close enough, she could walk back if she wanted to.
“Come on,” I said. Without questioning me, Sydney climbed on the back of my bike. I took her to the bridge and cut the engine.
I dismounted and walked to the bridge. The playground was empty now. It was supposed to storm within the hour.
“Torch,” she said. “Amy told me they found heroin in the beer shipment that got delivered yesterday. The club is being framed. Right?”
I turned to her. “It’s not us. You have my word on that. But it’s bad. That’s about all I can tell you. Things are going to get ... cloudy for a while. You need to be prepared.”
“I am,” she said. “Amy filled me in on all of this. She thinks the feds will reach out to me for questioning.”
“They might,” I agreed. “So you tell them everything you know. You tell them the truth.”
“I don’t know anything,” I said. “Plus, I’ve worked for my uncle. I’m not even sure I can talk to anyone about club business. I’ll check with Uncle George, but I think it might be protected under attorney-client privilege anyway.”
“Stay away from George,” I told her. “None of this changes what he did to you. I don’t trust him where you’re concerned. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“Torch, I love you, but you can’t dictate how I deal with my own family. I want to help. I don’t care if he’s pissed at me for seeing you. He was starting to rely on me. I might be able to see angles he can’t.”
“This isn’t your problem,” I said.
Sydney took a step backward as if I’d delivered a punch.
“Not my problem? Torch, I’m yours. You’ve told me that a dozen times. I am. But you’re mine too. I’m not bailing out on you.”
I turned toward the water. I kept my hands clasped together. I needed to turn back to stone for this. It was too easy. I could almost feel my veins hardening.
“I need you to go back to your parents,” I said. “That’s the best place for you. Lincolnshire is over. You tried it. It didn’t work out.”
“What?” she shrieked. “What the hell are you saying?”
The monster was there inside of me. I’d used it to protect myself. I’d used it to protect someone else. Now, to protect Sydney, I’d have to hurt her.
“You were right,” I said. “You don’t belong here. I can’t be distracted anymore. It was fun while it lasted, but I have to go back to work, Sydney. I have to go to war.”
“Distracted? I’m a distraction? Bullshit, Torch. You don’t have to do this. I know how to take care of myself.”
“No,” I said. “You don’t. You like to pretend you do, but you’re still getting by because other people are carrying your water for you.”
I couldn’t look at her. I gripped the bridge railing.
“That’s not fair.”
“It’s not?” I asked. “You’re homeless, Sydney. Shannon’s