Joker (Salvation Kings MC Book 2)

by Ana Night

  Hawk and Reaper were with them, Hawk was doing a last round of recon while Reaper was setting up his sniper’s nest. Reaper was a former SEAL sniper with over eighty confirmed kills. He wasn’t a man you wanted to get on the bad side of.

  Joker and Zayne stayed quiet until Hawk showed up.

  “Two of the four have gone for what I assume is lunch,” Hawk said. “The time is now.”

  “Agreed,” Joker said.

  “I’ll let Reaper know,” Zayne said and pulled out his phone.

  While Zayne talked to Reaper, Joker and Hawk pulled on the black ballistic vests and ski masks Hawk had procured for them. They were dressed in black, head to toe. They wouldn’t be riding their bikes or wear anything with the club’s colors on it. No part of them would be recognizable.

  Once Zayne was ready and wearing his own mask, they made their way to the house. They’d gone over the plan several times and Auggie had gotten them the floorplan, making it much easier for them to prepare. There were one hostile outside and one inside. Reaper was ready to take out anyone who posed a threat to them, but Joker hoped they wouldn’t have to kill anyone. They couldn’t know if any of the men there was with Ares.

  Viper was standing by less than half a mile from them with a van they could transport the weapons in. They didn’t have much time. They had no idea when the other two would get back and they had to do it now because the only reason Ares knew where the weapons were was because Ronin was planning on moving them as soon as it got dark. It was beginning to become clear that Ronin wasn’t trusting Ares anymore. Having Ares stay on the inside was getting more dangerous by the day. The fact that he was also recruiting people from the club only made it worse. Joker had told King how he felt about the whole situation and his advise to King was to pull out Ares and keep Maya in play.

  Before they reached the front yard, Hawk split from them, taking the other way around the house. Joker pulled out his gun, Zayne following suit. The guard was sitting on a chair on the front porch, half asleep. They were twenty feet from him before he noticed them. He jumped up, pulling his gun and aiming it right at Joker’s head.

  “Don’t move,” he yelled.

  Joker cocked his head to the side with a snort. He had two guns on him and yet he somehow thought he was the one in control? What an idiot.

  “Put your gun down,” Joker said in a calm, low voice.

  The guy took a step back, his gaze moving between Joker and Zayne. The dumbass never saw Hawk coming. It only took a few seconds before he was on the ground, unconscious. Hawk signaled for Joker and Zayne to continue and pulled out zip ties to secure the man. Joker led the way to the door and with a glance at Zayne, he opened it for him to walk in first. He followed closely after Zayne, scanning every room they passed. They reached the biggest of the rooms where they’d suspected the crates would be. They were there and so was the last guard.

  A younger man, probably in his early to mid-twenties was sitting on one of the crates, one leg under him and the other hanging over the edge. He didn’t see them walk into the room, his attention on his phone. He let out a sigh and without taking his eyes off of his phone, he turned and slid down the crate. He glanced up, doing a double take as his eyes went wide.

  “Hands up,” Zayne barked.

  “Whoa. Easy.” The man threw his hands up, nearly dropping his phone, and took a step back. “Take whatever you want.”

  Zayne went to check the rest of the room to ensure that they had the only person who was there while Joker stayed with his gun aimed at the young man.

  “Put the phone on the ground. Slowly.”

  The kid did as he was told and when he straightened, his eyes met Joker’s. “You’re with Ares, right?”

  Joker froze. He couldn’t answer that. He had no way of knowing if he was with Ares or not, and if he wasn’t, he would tell Ronin, putting Ares’ life in danger.

  “It’s all right. There aren’t any cameras in here and I’m the one who told Ares. I know he wants to go against Ronin. All the two of them do is fight because Ronin is a paranoid bastard who doesn’t like to share information. Though it is newer that he doesn’t want to share anything with Ares.”

  Listening to the guy’s ramble was costing them precious time. They needed to get a move on. There weren’t as many crates as they’d thought there’d be, but that wasn’t really a good thing. It meant Ronin had already sold off a good portion.

  “We’ll be taking these now,” Joker said. He took one hand off his gun to pull the zip ties he had in his pants pocket out. “Turn around and put your hands behind your back.”

  “Okay. I’m turning.”

  Once he had his back to Joker, he put his gun away and walked the few steps towards him. He grabbed one of his hands and slid the tie on.

  “You’re not just going to sell them, are you?”

  Joker bit his tongue to keep from answering.

  “I hope not. They’re weapons of mass destruction. Ronin and whoever he’s selling to are the last people I want to see them in the hands of.”

  Joker tightened the zip ties and turned the man around. The big brown eyes meeting his gaze made him think of Gabe. He really didn’t need that right then.

  “I’m gonna put you in the chair over there,” Joker said and motioned towards a chair in the closest corner. “Don’t move or say a word.”

  The kid nodded and said, “Okay. Uh, before you go, would you mind hitting me? Just so Ronin doesn’t get suspicious.”

  Joker ran his gaze over him. He was wearing a tank top, allowing Joker to see his arms and shoulders and it looked like he had enough bruises as it was. He had a kind of innocence to him that reminded him of Gabe. It was something they shared. At that moment, he was fucking elated Gabe was with them and not the Henchmen. He didn’t know what he’d do if he saw a bruise on Gabe—one that wasn’t put there with Gabe’s consent—and it frankly scared the shit out of him. He looked over the man in front of him again, a lump forming in his throat. Gabe might not be with the Henchmen, but right then, he wasn’t a King either. He wasn’t Joker’s. He was gonna have to do something about that and soon.

  Joker knew he would never be able to hurt the kid simply because he reminded him of Gabe so instead, he said, “If we have time, I’ll ask one of the others to knock you out.”

  He walked the man to the chair, and he sat down without needing to be told to. Joker left him there, certain he wouldn’t cause any trouble. Hawk and Zayne were already busy carrying the crates out to the van. Viper came walking into the room and he threw a glance the kid’s way, but Joker knew Viper trusted his judgment and he wasn’t surprised when Viper simply walked to the nearest crate and with Joker’s help, they carried it outside.

  There still wasn’t a sign of the two other men when they’d loaded the last crate. Joker closed the door and gave Viper a nod to let him know he could take off. Then he turned to Hawk and said, “Go knock the kid out.”

  Hawk didn’t question the order, he just turned on his heels and made his way back into the house. Zayne, on the other hand, looked curious. Even with a mask on, Joker could easily read his best friend.

  “I’ll tell you later,” Joker said and started back towards where they’d parked the cage, they’d driven there in. “I’ve got somewhere I need to be.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Gabe

  HE STARED at his phone. No calls. No messages. No contact from Joker. Hell, Joker might’ve not even realized he’d left last night. After all, he hadn’t even been gone twenty-four hours. He hadn’t left to get a reaction from Joker, though he had hoped for one. Was that too much to ask for? Joker had to know he’d hurt him. Even if he didn’t consider them to be in a relationship.

  He’d been trying to rationalize why Joker had let that woman so close. It wasn’t like him. He didn’t like PDA’s and someone gyrating in your lap certainly counted as one. Maybe Joker had been trying to throw someone off their scent. But if that was the case, he would’ve just said so, wou
ldn’t he?

  Gabe let out a groan and dropped his head back on his shoulders. He was making himself crazy with all the what if’s. With making excuses for Joker. He knew he needed to stop. If Joker wanted to be with him, he’d apologize and explain himself. Hell, even if he just wanted to remain friends, he should at least reach out to Gabe. But he hadn’t and probably wouldn’t.

  He startled when his phone rang in his hand. He groaned when he saw who was calling but picked up anyway.

  “Hi, Pops.”

  “Hey, Kiddo. I hate to ask you this, but you’re already there,” King said.

  “What is it?”

  “There’s a factory Washington. Ares just sent us the address, but he doesn’t know what Ronin’s keeping there. We need to find out. I need your help.”

  Gabe shook his head, unsure if he’d heard right. “You want me to do it?”

  “You can say no. You can always say no, Gabe.”

  He was already shaking his head, though his father obviously couldn’t see it.

  “No. I’ll do it. Send me the address.”

  “All right. Thank you. Be careful.”

  “I will,” Gabe said and hung up.

  He put his phone in his back pocket and looked up to find Emery standing in the doorway, an excited look on her face.

  “Did we just a secret mission?”

  Gabe blinked at her. “You’re not coming with.”

  Emery crossed her arms and gave him her best you-can’t-tell-me-what-to-do glare.

  “Like hell, I’m not. You need me. I know the city and I work in security.”

  “Cybersecurity,” Gabe drawled.

  She shrugged. “It’s still security.”

  “If we get caught…” Gabe trailed off.

  “Let’s make sure we don’t. Besides, I doubt anyone there is going to call the cops on us.”

  She had a point. He also knew she was good to have as backup. He sighed and gave her a nod. Emery gave a little squeal.

  “Let’s load up, then,” she said and turned on her heels.

  Gabe frowned as he followed her into the living room. Emery walked to the wooden chest by the couch and opened the lid. When he stepped up next to her, he looked down into it.

  “Is that a gun safe?”

  “Yep.” Emery pulled a handgun out and looked up at Gabe. “I take it you know how to use this?”

  He took the gun and stared at her.

  “Why do you have guns in your apartment?”

  Emery pulled another gun out of the safe before shutting it. She stood and arched a brow at Gabe.

  “As I said; I work in security. I’m an obvious target. I’m also the sister of an outlaw biker. Shit could go down. But, for your information, I own these legally.”

  “Let’s hope we don’t have to use them, then.” He pulled a face. “How are we even supposed to get there? Don’t say take a cab ‘cause in that case, I am gonna go alone.”

  Emery didn’t have a vehicle and he didn’t have a pillion seat on his bike.

  Emery tsked at him and said, “Don’t be silly. We’ll just borrow my neighbor's car.”

  “Borrow or steal?”

  “Hey, I’ve left those days behind me.”

  Gabe snorted in disbelief. Emery’s mouth dropped open on an outraged gasp.

  “You don’t believe me? You ass.”

  A chuckle escaped Gabe and he shook his head at Emery. She’d been on the straight and narrow for years, though he knew she’d been a bit of a troublemaker when she was a teenager. They’d done a few illegal things together back when she lived in Baltimore. He kinda missed those days.

  Emery gave him a light push all the while laughing with him. When they’d first met, despite her being four years older than him, they’d gone on like a house on fire. They’d gotten into trouble a lot and mostly it was Emery’s fault. She was the one who’d come up with all the crazy ideas. He’d just happily followed along.

  “I’ll go get the car keys. There are holsters in the bottom of the guest room closet if you want one,” Emery said.

  Gabe went to grab a holster, finding three different ones. He carried them all to the dining room where he laid them on the table. There was a small one that looked like it went around the thigh and it was more likely for a knife than a gun. There was one shoulder holster and one hip holster. He shrugged into the shoulder holster, figuring Emery would probably want the other one. He adjusted it to fit him and then he holstered the gun.

  He heard the front door open and close and then Emery walked into the room. He handed her the hip holster, saying, “I thought you might prefer that one.”

  “Thanks,” she said and gave him a smile.

  They got ready and Gabe watched Emery with raised brows as she packed enough ammunition to take out a small country. She pushed the bag she’d packed it in into Gabe’s arms. He carried it down to the car which turned out to be an old beat up, once white, Toyota Corolla. At least no one would really notice them in that.

  He opened the trunk and put the bag in, then walked around to the passenger side. He got in and buckled his seatbelt, surprised the car wasn’t too old to have them. Emery drove out of the parking lot.

  “Do you have a carry and conceal permit?” Gabe asked.

  Emery glanced at him for a second before returning her gaze to the road. “No. But I’ve got boobs.”

  Gabe snorted, shaking his head as he chuckled.

  “I don’t think that actually works nowadays.”

  “If mine doesn’t work, surely, yours will,” Emery said.

  “My boobs?” Gabe asked with a cocked brow.

  “Your charm, darlin’.”

  “Yeah, I wouldn’t count on that.”

  Emery pulled up at a red light and turned to look at Gabe.

  “Guess we’ll have to be prepared to run from the cops, then,” she said with a twinkle in her eyes.

  Emery was ever the thrill seeker and he knew she had a penchant for trouble. She was quick on her toes, though. There wasn’t one thing she hadn’t been able to either talk her way out of or gotten away from. He wasn’t entirely unhappy about having her at his side in this.

  “How come you’re armed to the gills but doesn’t have a single bulletproof vest?”

  Emery huffed and said, “This is America, sweetheart. We believe shooting back is the only way to protect ourselves.” She pressed her lips together, but one glance at Gabe and she burst into laughter. “I have one at home. I just like to live life on the edge. Besides, it wouldn’t have been fair to wear it when I don’t have one for you.”

  Gabe shook his head at her, a smile teasing his lips.

  Emery parked at the curb a few houses from the address. She grabbed the bag from the trunk and then they made their way towards the factory. At first, Gabe didn’t see anyone around which wasn’t all that weird seeing as it was a Saturday. But then a truck arrived fifteen minutes after they had. It backed into the lot and the driver jumped out to open the back doors. Two other men came from inside the factory to help transport whatever was in the truck.

  Emery shoved the bag into Gabe’s arms, saying, “Hold that.”

  She pulled out a pair of binoculars which Gabe didn’t even know she had. He waited, trying to see what they were transporting but they were too far away for him to get a good look.

  “I can’t see what’s inside,” Emery said with a huff and handed Gabe the binoculars.

  A black car drove into the lot, parking next to the truck and when Gabe looked through the binoculars, he could see the driver and passenger get out. A chill went down his spine when he recognized Wade.

  “Shit,” he mumbled.

  “What?”

  He gave her back the binoculars and said, “See the guy in the dark blue suit? That’s Wade. He’s bad news. Works with the Henchmen. He tried to kill the club’s forger and take over his deal with us. All for Ronin.”

  He knew Zayne had warned Emery about the Henchmen and Ronin, so he didn’t think he w
as really breaking any rules telling her.

  “That’s fucked up,” Emery said.

  Gabe nodded. “Yeah, I know.”

  They waited to see what was going to happen, but it wasn’t long before Wade walked back out and got in his car. He and the guy with him drove off and then the truck driver came out and got behind the wheel. As soon as the truck was on the road, Emery stood.

  “Let’s go see what they were transporting,” she said.

  “No way.” Gabe shook his head at her. “If anyone’s going in there, it’s gonna be me.”

  “I’m not letting you go alone.”

  Before Gabe could really argue his case, two other men walked out of the factory and closed the door before taking off, too.

  “How likely do you think it is that they were the last ones here?” Emery asked with a raised brow.

  “Enough that I’ll take the chance.” Gabe glanced at Emery and sighed. “Let’s go.”

  They made their way to the factory, making sure to stay where they’d be most hidden from view. There was a door on the side of the building and after glancing around, he tried to open it but as he’d expected, it was locked.

  He started to turn while saying, “Do you have—”

  “Move,” Emery said, pushing past Gabe to kneel down in front of the door.

  Gabe held back a chuckle. “It never gets old to see you pick a lock. I take it you didn’t put that particular skill on your resume when you applied for your job?”

  Emery snorted, shaking her head. “That would’ve gone over really well.”

  Gabe heard a click and then Emery stood, turning to look at him with a smirk on her face as she pushed down the handle. The door opened with a loud, creaking sound, making them both grimace.