right, Prez.” Ox crossed his arms, leaning a shoulder against the wall. “If we don’t get them what they want, we’ll be battling two rival clubs and the cartel.”
Big T sat forward, resting thick arms on the top of his desk. “Cracker and I leave tomorrow morning, Ox. You’ll be in charge.”
“What about Gunner?”
“Forget him, for now. From what we’ve learned, he’s not getting out anytime soon. I want to know why Zeus and Einstein targeted him instead of another Brethren.”
Ox and Cracker thought the same. They still didn’t know who disrupted the run, killed their men, and took off with the cargo. The Blood and Brethren were the most likely options, but the Disciples had made many enemies. It could’ve been one of several MCs or street gangs who wanted to destroy the Disciples. Territory, power, and money were powerful motivators.
“We’ll be gone no more than forty-eight hours. I’ll know more when we return. Both of you get out of here. I need time to think.”
Leaving Big T alone, Cracker and Ox headed to the bar, both ordering whiskey. Saying nothing, they sipped their drinks, taking in the scene around them.
Late evening always brought out the club girls, those who hung around hoping to one day snag a patched member. Until then, they spent their time doing whatever was asked of them.
Several men were enjoying their company tonight. Others played pool or cards. All drank, including the five who’d put Gunner in the hospital.
“I don’t know why T puts up with their bullshit,” Ox said, tipping his glass in their direction. “This isn’t the first time they’ve ignored his orders.”
“Or mine,” Cracker bit out. “It’s Digger and Mouse. I think Zeus sent them to the new chapter because they’re such screw-ups. He wanted them out of the Vegas chapter.”
“Big T didn’t have to accept them. The final decision was up to him.” Ox tossed back the whiskey, motioning for the member behind the bar to refill the glass. “I warned him about them.”
“Hell, he didn’t need a warning. He already knew their rep. I think Zeus sweetened the pot if Big T took them on.”
Ox lifted a brow. “More money for the chapter?”
“That’s my guess. Doesn’t matter. Mouse and Digger are here, and using their poison on those who don’t know they’re shit.” Cracker sneered in their direction. “I don’t expect them to be around much longer.”
“Big T hasn’t said anything to me.”
Cracker didn’t answer, preferring to study Digger and Mouse in quiet while formulating his plan for their future. Or lack of one, he smirked, finishing the last drop of his whiskey.
Katrina picked at the sweet roll, staring into coffee she didn’t want while Gabriel Chaos Gerritsen sat down across from her. The hospital cafeteria offered few choices at this time of night. Hours old salad and sandwiches, congealed soup, pastries, and packaged crackers spread with peanut butter or cheese.
Unwrapping a ham sandwich, Chaos took a bite, still deciding about how to answer her question about him disappearing after high school. Even without a blood bond, and several years between them, they’d been close. Perhaps closer than most siblings.
Finishing half of the sandwich, he took several swallows of soda, setting the can down. Her silence since leaving the waiting area bothered him. After her short breakdown after seeing him again after so many years, she’d grown quiet, watching him with wary eyes. He didn’t blame her. He’d been an ass, sneaking off in the middle of the night to pursue his future. Had it really been ten years since leaving her behind without a word of explanation?
“How have you been, Kat?”
Meeting his gaze, she shrugged. “That’s a pretty lame question.”
Yeah, it was, he admitted to himself. “Fair enough. You want an explanation. I’m afraid it isn’t going to be what you want to hear.”
“Try me.”
“You know how life was with my dad after Mom left.”
Katrina nodded, her only response.
“He drank at least half a bottle of whiskey every night. There weren’t any club girls he hadn’t screwed the first six months after she walked out. He blamed everyone except himself for Mom’s leaving. I became his favorite target.”
Continuing to pick at the sweet roll, Katrina lifted her head. “I remember, Gabe.”
“It took several months of planning to ready my escape on graduation night. He knew several of my friends were having a party and I wouldn’t be home that night. I had a duffle with clothes, money, and a bus ticket to San Diego hidden close to the