Stopping dead in his tracks, Reaper scoffed, looking at me like I was the stupidest person on the fucking planet. “You’re fucking with me. That cannot be their names.”
Chuckling, I nodded. “Not very inventive, but proficient. The table uses them often. They are good, but apparently not that damn good.”
“I feel insulted,” Reaper snarked, looking back at the storage closet. “My son could have killed that fucker in his sleep and he’s five.”
Smirking, I added, “York’s got a nasty temper. Boy would have toyed with the fucker just for shits and giggles.”
“So that’s the reach of the table, then? A box of crayons.”
“I wish,” I groaned. “The Primary Brothers are one of five groups the table contracts with. We need to find the other two Primary Brothers fast, because when they learn their brother is dead, they will notify the table and then the kill order will go wide.”
“What do you mean, wide?”
“Worldwide.”
“Fuck this shit,” Reaper said, reaching for his phone. “We don’t have time to play the table’s stupid game. I want this shit over with now. The table can get fucked. I’m not going to lose that kid because some fucking assholes want to keep the power they have.”
“What are you doing?”
“Killing two birds with one stone. I’m ending this shit show now.”
“How?”
“The table likes playing games. Let’s see how they fare against the Brotherhood.”
Yanking the phone out of his hand, I snarled, “You cannot call them. Those fuckers are only loyal to themselves. For all we know they could be working for the table.”
Reaper smiled menacingly at me as a trickle of unease had the hair standing up on the back of my neck and that’s when I realized Reaper knew more than he was letting on.
Looking right at me, Reaper grinned. “You want to know why the table stays the fuck away from my club? It’s not because they are afraid of me. It’s because they know I hold the keys to the fires of Hell.”
“Reaper, you do this and it’s game over. The underworld will retaliate. The table is the only thing holding the underworld together. With no law and order, chaos will ensue. It will be a free-for-all.”
“Good,” the asshole snarked. “Maybe a little death and destruction is what this fucking world needs.”
“We can do this,” I growled. “Together. No more games. No more secrets. It’s what you’ve wanted from day one. Well, I’m bending the fucking knee. But don’t make that fucking call.”
Lowering his phone, the asshole took a good long look at me, then said, “We do this my way.”
Swallowing loudly, I growled and handed him back his phone. “Fine. You are in charge.”
Smiling, Reaper chuckled. “Bet that hurt, didn’t it?”
Turning away from him, I sneered, “I fucking hate you.”
Ellery
Silver Shadows’ clubhouse,Diamond Creek, Nebraska.
Two weeks had passed since Danny and Dante departed from Diamond Creek, embarking on a journey to Oklahoma City with Danika in order to seek medical attention from Dr. Melissa Jefferson. When Nav suggested her, I immediately looked her up online, curious to see what she was like. I was keen to understand the qualities and characteristics that set her apart from others and made her so unique. With a therapist already in Diamond Creek, I wanted my friends to stay close by in case they needed me.
I missed them.
Upon reviewing her impressive qualifications and experience, I fully grasped their decision to secure the most exceptional care for their daughter, following the trauma she had endured. Dr. Jefferson, a specialist in pediatric trauma, dealt daily with children whose eyes held the weight of unspeakable experiences. It wasn’t easy raising a child who didn’t speak. The constant worry gnawed at me, and I envied the readily available help little Danika would receive.
The day Ryder and I wed, amidst the celebratory bustle and fragrance of flowers, Tabby uttered her first word in two years—a tender ‘Mama.’ Hearing her little voice nearly shattered my heart to pieces but in the best way possible.
Since then, she had added more words, but only to Ryder and me.
