Tray (A Hell's Harlem Novel Book 2)

by J. M. Walker

  I nodded. I had a feeling all along that I would have to choose.

  It would either be between my dad or Tray. Two men I loved. One treated me like I was his world while the other treated me like a little girl but loved me just the same. But he was my dad. Nero Wolf was my father. Shadow. A lethal bastard who clearly had every intention of blowing up the place, even after finding out I was there.

  I rose to my feet and left the bedroom.

  “Zillah?” Eve called after me. “Where are you going?”

  I didn’t answer her. I knew the decision I had to make and, either way, I would lose someone I loved.

  BUTCHER WAS DEAD. And one of his sons was still missing. I was shot to shit and we found out that we lost two other members to our club. Sunny and Psycho were standing watch outside Greyson and Eve’s room. So I knew they were safe. Zillah was safe. But we weren’t out of this hell yet.

  “Move Butcher into the meeting room,” I told Catch. I didn’t want his body messed with. Once all was said and done, we would bury him beside his wife.

  Catch did as I said and dragged Butcher’s lifeless body to the meeting room, shutting him inside.

  “I …” Catch cleared his throat, letting out a hard sigh. “Let me help you up.”

  “I’m fine.” But I wasn’t. I needed the hospital. I knew that, but it didn’t mean it was going to stop me from putting a bullet between Shadow’s eyes. Whether it made me lose Zillah or not, I needed to avenge my brother’s death.

  “Do we know anything?” Catch asked as Shade bounded toward us.

  “Fuck, man. We lost two more.” He shook himself. “It’s a bloodbath. Where’s Greyson? And Butcher?”

  “Butcher didn’t make it,” Catch said gently.

  “What?” Shade slammed his fist into the nearest wall. “I’ll kill them. I’ll fucking kill them all.”

  I grunted in agreement but first, we needed to find out exactly who they were.

  “Have you seen anything?” Catch went to the bar and came back a moment later with a pistol. He shoved it into the back of his pants and handed me the smaller one he kept in his sock.

  Shade shook his head. “No. Some of the guys got their own shots in. There are bodies everywhere. I haven’t seen this much death since …” He shuddered.

  I knew how he felt. Several years ago, we had helped Greyson’s step-sister take out a human trafficking compound. It still stuck with us even though it seemed like forever ago since it took place.

  “I need to know if it was Shadow and his crew in on this.” I sat up, wincing as a slice of pain shot through my abdomen. “I need to know.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  My head whipped around, finding Zillah coming toward us. “What the hell are you doing out of Eve’s room?”

  “I can’t stay in there,” she told me. “I need to get answers. I need to find out who killed Butcher and I need to deal with it.”

  “You won’t be dealing with shit,” Catch said. “It’ll be us.”

  “Beauty.” I took a breath, pushing to my feet. “Come here.”

  She rushed to my side, helping me stand. “You need to go to the hospital.”

  “That can wait,” I bit out through gritted teeth. “Right now, I need to make sure you’re safe. That everyone is safe.”

  “Tray.” She cupped my cheek, pressing her other palm to my side. “I’ll kill him for hurting your family.”

  I opened my mouth to argue with her but then I saw the fire hidden in her gaze. There would be no point in arguing. Although she wasn’t raised directly in the biker life, she had it in her blood. You hurt ours and we’ll hurt yours just as bad or worse. It was usually the latter, too. Zillah was out for blood, and I couldn’t say I blamed her. Not one bit.

  “I don’t want you to choose,” I murmured.

  “I already did.” She stood up straighter, kissed my cheek, and headed to the main doors.

  “Where are you going?” I called after her, wishing I had the strength to stop her.

  Zillah paused, looking back at me over her shoulder. “I love you.” She left the house, taking my heart and all the air in my lungs along with her because I had a feeling it would be a while before I saw her again. If ever at all.

  HOLDING TRAY’S KEYS tight in my hand, I headed to his SUV. I knew he was down for the count when he never even noticed me grabbing them from his pocket. With shaky hands, I gripped the steering wheel, stuck the key in the ignition, and was about to drive away when the passenger side door opened.

  My eyes widened. “What are you doing?”

  Catch sat beside me, closing the door behind him. “I’m going with you.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Because that man in there loves you and I love him. I know it’s not going to be more than that, but he is my family. Those people in there are my family. And now that you’re here, you are my family too. So, I’m going with you to protect you.”

  “You think you can protect me against my father?”

  Catch chuckled. “Little girl, you have no idea what the fuck I’m capable of.”

  I shivered at the threat in his voice. “Did Tray tell you to come with me?”

  “Nope.” Catch nodded once. “If you want to make good time, I would take the main highway. Less deer that way.”

  I let out a huff and sped the SUV out of the driveway. I should have gone to my father in the first place, but I didn’t think he would actually go after Hell’s Harlem.

  My phone rang but I just ignored it. The vehicle speaker rang but I ignored that too. I had to concentrate. Did I know what I was going to say to my father? No. Not at all. But I had to make him listen. To see reason. And now that Catch was with me, I had no idea what the hell to do anymore.

  “I was stabbed,” Catch said, breaking the silence. “Just over a year ago. I thought I’d never see him again. Or any of them for that matter.”

  My gaze slid to his before looking back out at the road ahead of us. “What happened?”

  “A crazy bitch lost her shit after Tray and I gave it to her good and hard.” Catch sighed. “Listen, we’ve all had shitty things happen to us.”

  “Have you ever had your father try to kill the man you’re in love with?” I scrubbed a hand down my face. “Didn’t think so,” I added when Catch didn’t respond.

  “Tray told you not to choose. But you did. Who did you choose?”

  My jaw clenched, my hands white-knuckling the steering wheel.

  “You know, it’s funny. I didn’t like you at first. Before I even knew your name. Or hell, before I even knew you existed. I didn’t like you.”

  My gaze flicked to Catch. “That’s supposed to make me feel better?”

  He shrugged. “But he loves you. I see that now. I’m sorry for being a dick.”

  “Have you had an epiphany in the last twenty-four hours or something?”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, I can definitely see what he likes about you.”

  “Is he okay?” I asked, my palms becoming sweaty.

  Catch rubbed the scruff on his jaw. “Sunny and Shade left right after us and took him to the hospital after we double-checked that there were no more of your father’s bastards on the premises.”

  I blew out a slow breath. “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “He’ll be fine, Zillah. The shots were clean. He’ll just need surgery to close them up and double-check nothing vital was hit.”

  “Okay.” I nodded. “That’s good.” I thought a moment. “Sunny and Shade? Really?”

  “It fits.” Catch shrugged. “And Sunny is definitely not a sunshine kind of guy.” He laughed at his own joke.

  “Why are you really here? Are you wanting to make sure I don’t backstab Tray? Or do something stupid?”

  “I told you, Zillah. I’m here to protect you.” Catch shifted in his seat. “I won’t lie to you, though. Tray is my family. Whatever history we have, his friendship comes first. And I don’t give a shit who gets in the way of that
, I’ll drop them to their motherfucking knees first.”

  I nodded, blowing out a slow breath. “Have you ever met my father?”

  “No. Heard about him, though. I think we all have.”

  “He’s like Greyson. His name gets around.” My heart sped up the closer we got to the city. Once the skyline came into view, I was almost tempted to turn around. But I didn’t. Too many lives were at stake and we’d already lost Butcher. “Who were the other guys who died?”

  “Saul Grady, Paddy Young, and two more who weren’t even members of the club yet. They were new. They were all new. Not that it matters. A life is a life. They were part of our club. And your fucking family took them from us. And Butcher. He died …” Catch’s voice cracked.

  Reaching over, I cupped his hand. Much to my surprise, he didn’t pull away.

  “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything. I never meant to bring this to your home. I’ve seen my dad lose his shit before, but I’ve never seen him like this. At all.”

  Catch grunted. “He’s kept you out of the life for so long but yet, you’re still technically in it. You have a target on your back because of who your dad is, but you don’t seem concerned.”

  “I’m not.” I pulled away, leaning my left elbow on the windowsill. “Maybe I’m naïve. Who knows anymore but I’ve never been scared. Men have come and gone from the shop I work at and I’ve never once thought they would do anything. My dad was more concerned with that, I think.”

  When we finally reached the city outskirts, Catch leaned forward. “Something isn’t right.”

  “I know.” Tray and I have been feeling it. I think we all felt it. “I don’t know what I’m doing, Catch, but I do know that I will do anything to protect Tray and the rest of you.”

  Catch only nodded.

  Once we were in the city, we drove in silence for another ten minutes before I pulled up to Shadow’s. We weren’t out of the vehicle for five seconds before my dad’s crew was on us.

  Guns were shoved in our faces. Catch was pushed up against the side of the SUV but he was smart, and didn’t say anything.

  “Zillah,” Ripper growled, coming toward me. “You have a lot of nerve showing up here.”

  “I have a lot of nerve?” I repeated, a laugh escaping me. “You showed up at my boyfriend’s house and shot up the place. People died. Are you guys stupid? Are you wanting to start a war?”

  “Careful, little girl.” Ripper came toward me. “Your daddy isn’t here to protect you.”

  I swallowed hard, never seeing this side of Ripper aimed at me. “Where is he? Where’s Kian?”

  “They’re around.” Ripper looked over my head, nodding slightly.

  Catch yelled out.

  I rushed to him when rough arms grabbed me around the waist, lifting me off my feet. I screamed, shoving against whoever had a hold of me. “Let me go, asshole.”

  A deep chuckle sounded behind me. “Do you kiss your boyfriend with that dirty mouth?” Warm lips caressed my ear. “If you’re wanting a daddy, Zillah, I can help you out with that.”

  My stomach twisted, the fight in me suddenly stopped.

  Ripper laughed. “Tray’s fourteen years older than you, isn’t that right? So, is that what you’re into? If I would have known, I would have made my move much sooner.”

  “What do you want?” I regretted the question as soon as it left my mouth.

  “You’ll find out soon enough.” Ripper held me against him and started barking demands. “Put him in the cooler with that fucker’s kid.”

  Sammy. “Please, Ripper. I’ll do whatever you want, just let the boy and Catch go.”

  “Oh, you’re right about that, Zee. You will do whatever I want. But I do hope that you fight me as well.” Ripper kissed my cheek, heading to the side of the clubhouse and dragging me along with him.

  Two guys had a hold of Catch with his hands behind his head. His gaze met mine. Fury rolled off of him. He was put in this mess because of me. They were all in this shit because of me. And I had no idea how to fix it.

  “RIPPER, PLEASE. PLEASE don’t do this.” I hated the sound of the begging leaving my mouth, but I was desperate. He didn’t say anything as he dragged me farther behind the club. Once we reached a door at the side, he unlocked it and pulled me in front of him.

  “I suggest not fighting me right now. As much as it makes me hard—” he pushed his pelvis into my ass “—it wouldn’t be a good idea.”

  I wanted to ask what he meant when he shoved me forward.

  “Down the stairs, Zillah,” he demanded.

  I did as I was told, walking down into the basement of the club. It smelled damp, like the basement hadn’t been finished and was just used for storage. A sudden scent hit me, making my stomach churn. It smelled like … death. So much death. I shook my head, warding off the impending nausea.

  “Keep going.” Ripper pushed me forward.

  I picked up the pace, but I couldn’t see anything. There were small lights on the ceiling, but it did nothing for the dark hall we were walking through. “Where are you taking me?”

  Again, he didn’t answer.

  “Why are you doing this? My dad trusted you,” I threw at him. “I trusted you.” He was like family. An uncle. He had my back when my dad was being too pigheaded to see reason. But now, I understood. I got it. My dad was protecting me. Not just from outsiders but from the men inside his club too. Did he know all along what would happen? “Ripper. Please. Just tell me that the boy and Catch are okay.”

  In a quick move, he had me against the wall and his face mere inches from mine. “Shut the fuck up. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll be quiet.”

  “Why are you doing this?” I asked him, my voice shaking.

  “Why not?” He took a step back and waved in front of him.

  I continued walking.

  “I watched you grow up,” Ripper said, breaking the unnerving silence between us. “I met your father before you were even born. And when you were, I watched you grow up into the beautiful woman you are today. I never wanted you until you hit puberty and you started wearing those sexy as fuck little sundresses.”

  Bile rose to my throat at his words. My dresses had never been little. Not like he let on. And I always wore Shit-Kickers with them. “Ripper, you don’t want to do this.”

  He chuckled.

  We finally reached the end of the hall, stopping in front of a set of doors. “Yes—” he opened the door “—I do.”

  Ripper shoved me inside so hard, I fell on my knees and landed in something thick, something sticky.

  When the lights turned on, I saw what I was kneeling in. My gaze moved around the room, taking in the horror before me.

  Ripper chuckled from behind me. The sound cold and vile.

  I screamed.

  (Tray)

  My vision faded in and out. The pain slipping through my body enveloped me in an onslaught of utter agony. But I welcomed it with open arms. It reminded me that I was still, in fact, very much alive. I needed Zillah. I needed my girl back. She left, and I couldn’t run after her.

  “Go with her,” I begged Catch. “Please. I don’t trust those bastards, no matter how much she does.”

  He had only nodded and did as I asked. I could never thank him enough for that. I just prayed with everything in me that it didn’t backfire on any of us.

  “Tray, open your eyes.”

  My body stiffened at the deep voice, my gaze landing on … Butcher?

  He smiled down at me.

  “You’re … What the fuck.” I tried sitting up, but my body was too heavy. “You’re dead,” I whispered.

  Butcher shrugged. “Maybe so, but it doesn’t mean I can’t stop by for a moment.”

  “I’m clearly dreaming.” I shook my head. “What’s going on?”

  “Zillah needs you.” He sat his large body on the metal chair by the bed I was lying in. “Everyone needs you.”

  “What are you going on about? You’re acting like I
’m the one who’s dead.”

  “No, but you are fighting for your life.” He tapped the machine standing beside me.

  “I …” My heart thumped hard behind the walls of my rib cage. “I can’t …” Zillah. My eyes suddenly popped open. Butcher was no longer in the room with me. I was at the hospital. Lifting my hand, although heavy, I pulled the tubes from my nose and took a deep breath of fresh air.

  Sitting up slowly, everything spun around me. I was so damn weak. What the hell happened?

  A nurse came into the room, stopping short when she looked my way. “Oh, you’re awake. I’ll get the doctor.” She rushed out of the room and came back a moment later with an older woman wearing a white coat.

  “Doctor?” I asked, my voice rough.

  “What gave you that impression?” She smiled down at me. “I’m Doctor Kelly.”

  “What’s going on?” I asked, breathing through the sudden rush of pain.

  “Your friends brought you here and we rushed you into surgery. The wounds weren’t deep, and they didn’t hit any vital organs.” The doctor patted my hand. “You’re lucky.”

  Lucky. Right. “Where is everyone? I need …” Fuck, I needed Zillah. I needed to know that she was okay. That she was still mine.

  Suddenly, Greyson appeared in the doorway.

  “Grey.” I swallowed hard. “Tell me.”

  He glanced at the doctor.

  “I’ll be back in a bit.” She gave him a curt nod and left the room.

  “Tell me something.” I sat up higher on the bed, breathing through the pain. “Anything.”

  Grey sat down in the same chair that Butcher had sat in during my dream. “Catch and Zillah.”

  “What about them?” I had sent Catch off with Zillah to protect her. They were going to confront her father from what I assumed. Nothing could have gone wrong, right? God, I was so damn naïve to think Shadow wouldn’t put his club first before his daughter. “Greyson.”

  “We haven’t heard from them,” Greyson finally said. “It’s been almost twenty-four hours. I have my contact tracking their phones, but he hasn’t been able to pull up anything. These guys are good, and I think it goes beyond Shadow.”