End Game (Sinners MC Book 2)

by Jennifer Hanks

  “Maybe Hawk’s holding them back?” Brody suggested.

  “Or he wants us for himself.” Gunner voiced what I’d been wondering.

  “That’s the one thing I don’t understand.” Kyle leaned forward again. “He should be thanking you for getting Viper out of his way. Why would he be pissed?”

  “He might hate anything or anyone that has a connection to Viper,” Gunner explained. “Viper took his father, forced him and his mother to run and change their names. If he couldn’t make Viper pay, he may want the next best thing.”

  “Where does this leave Maggie?” Pike inquired.

  Gunner’s expression hardened, and he focused on Kyle. “He mention Maggie?”

  “No.”

  “Doesn’t mean he doesn’t know who she is,” I pointed out.

  “Or what she did,” Brody added. “She took a huge risk when she provided you with the information on their club.”

  I nodded. “Maggie’s in lockdown at the clubhouse for however long that needs to happen. Nobody can get to her unless they get through all of us, and they won’t.”

  “What about Josie?” Brody asked, and my jaw clenched. “She still a target?”

  “Doesn’t seem like it,” I answered honestly, but then looked at Chris. “But she’s putting herself in dangerous situations.”

  “This why I’m here?” he asked.

  I nodded. “Josie’s main contact at social services is Lucy.”

  “Know that,” Chris confirmed. “Lucy told me they met last week.”

  I took a deep breath and exhaled heavily when I remembered her walking toward that fucking building on Friday night. “I followed Josie Friday night while she followed one of the kids in her program into a shady fucking neighborhood.”

  “Lucy wasn’t there.” Chris sat up straighter in his seat.

  “No, she wasn’t, but I wanted you to have a heads-up. I got Josie out before they spotted her, but that could’ve gone to hell pretty fast. From what I’ve heard, though, they both want to keep this kid out of trouble, and Josie will do whatever it takes. Don’t want Lucy to get caught in the crossfire.”

  Chris nodded. “Thanks, man, I appreciate the warning.”

  “What are you gonna do about Josie?”

  I slid my stare to Pike. “She treats the kids in that program like they’re her own, so until he stops whatever he’s doing, she’s not gonna stop.” I ran my hand around the back of my neck. “I’m gonna find him tonight and have a chat.”

  Pike nodded, but it was Chris who spoke up and shocked the hell out of me. “Need backup?”

  Another sliver of respect for the men in the Dimarco family and for Elite Securities slid into place, but I shook my head. “Already got backup, but I appreciate the offer.”

  Brody stood and faced me. “We done here? ’Cuz I left my woman warm in bed and my kids are at my parents.”

  I grinned and nodded. “Surprised you came at all.”

  Brody studied me for a moment before he responded. “Wasn’t sure about you guys when Pike wanted to forge this friendship, but I’ve sat back and watched, and I like what you’ve been doing to show our community that your club shouldn’t be feared. But the Widows are not the same, and just their presence is bringing that fear back. As far as I’m concerned, we’re all fighting this fight together now.” He walked toward me and slapped his hand against the front of my shoulder. “This meeting stays between us. Luke and Cam need out of this shit before they risk their fucking jobs or their own safety. That happened before, and we won’t let it happen again.” He watched me closely while he finished. “From now on, Elite is your point of contact. That work for you?”

  “We won’t need more than the information Kyle can give us.” I looked past Brody to Kyle, who was now standing. “And if I could convince him to join us, we wouldn’t need you at all.”

  “Sorry, man, I’m staying put,” Kyle answered with a grin.

  Brody dropped his hand and took a few more steps toward the door before calling out over his shoulder. “You need us, you call. Otherwise, Kyle will be in touch.”

  I hoped I didn’t need any more help than we’d already asked for, but I had my doubts. Brody was right. This was quickly becoming a fight to get our community back, and that might just take all of us.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  BEAR

  “That him?” Ritz asked from beside me, and I nodded.

  Dominic.

  The kid who will eventually get Josie hurt if I don’t step in.

  We watched the side of the building where the large bay doors were located. Dominic helped load the last of the four trucks with what appeared to be mattresses and then tapped on the back after he slammed the last door closed.

  “Yeah.” The trucks pulled out and headed in the opposite direction from where we were parked in the wooded area on the building’s far side.

  “He go with them last time?” Ritz inquired.

  “No idea,” I replied quietly. “Couldn’t see from where we were.”

  “What the fuck is this place?” Ritz leaned forward and angled his body over the steering wheel of my truck. I had him drive in case I needed to jump out quickly.

  “Manny runs a shooting range out of here.” I gestured to the other side of the building but then looked back at the large bay doors and frowned. “Thought he owned it, but after Josie’s one lesson, Luke did some checking, and it turns out he doesn’t. He just rents space from somebody else who owns the building.”

  “Who?”

  “Luke didn’t give a name but said it all checked out.”

  When there didn’t seem to be any more movement around the building, Ritz pointed that way. “Think he’s alone in there?”

  I put my hand on the door handle and shoved it open. “We’re gonna find out.”

  Ritz shook his head but pushed open his door and stepped out when I did. We walked through the black of night toward the building, now almost completely shrouded in darkness. A stark contrast from all the activity only a minute ago. I didn’t bother to sneak, just walked straight to the door and turned the knob, surprised when it was unlocked. We walked inside, and Ritz closed the door almost silently behind us.

  The place was empty.

  Just as it had been when I came for Josie.

  Knowing which door led to the shooting range, I gestured toward the other door at the back of the building. One would assume it led to an office, but with this area being swept clean, I had a feeling what and who we needed were both behind that door.

  We padded to the door, and I tried the knob. This door was locked, which only solidified that what was behind it was what I needed to see. We couldn’t knock because as soon as we did, the kid would split.

  Frowning, I gestured back to the door we’d come through, and Ritz followed. We didn’t speak, but then again, we didn’t need to. We exited, and I blinked in the darkness of night. It was going to be hell to see anything, so we’d have to rely on our instincts to lead us. We were about halfway around the side of the building when I smelled smoke. Being cautious of making too much noise, we continued until we were at the building’s back corner.

  And there he was.

  Smoking a fucking cigarette.

  I knew better than to call out to him, so I snuck up behind him and grabbed the back of his hoodie. He whipped around, fist clenched, and I ducked just in time to avoid a punch to the jaw. Ritz moved quickly behind and forced his hands behind his back, stomping out the cigarette that fell to the ground.

  “You alone?”

  “Fuck you.”

  I grabbed him by the front of the shirt and got in his face. “Listen up, you little fucker. We’re here to talk to you, that’s all, but keep pissing me off, and you’ll see how little patience I have. Now I’ll ask you again, are you here alone?”

  “Yeah,” he grumbled.

  “Then we’ll talk inside.”

  The kid nodded, but I signaled for Ritz to keep ahold of his wrists. I didn’t tr
ust this kid not to run. I shoved open the back door and waited for Ritz and Dominic to follow me inside. When the door closed, I looked around and dropped my head. “Son of a bitch.”

  Ritz whistled. “Jesus.”

  Drugs. I thought this was what we’d find or something equally illegal, but I had no idea we’d find this much. “There has to be over a million dollars in supply here.”

  “How do you move it?” Ritz asked.

  “I know you.” Dominic ignored Ritz’s question altogether.

  I turned and faced him. “Yeah, you fucking know me.”

  “What do you want from me?”

  “Right now”—I raised my eyebrows—“I want to know who owns this business.”

  He snorted. “Not telling you that, man.”

  I stepped closer. “I could get it out of you.”

  His eyes narrowed. “You could try.”

  I had to give it to the kid; he was tough. Or at least he talked a good game, but I needed some fucking answers so I could protect the woman who was quickly becoming important to me.

  I glanced at Ritz behind Dominic before speaking again. “I’m gonna assume we don’t have much time.” He nodded, so I continued. “A few nights ago, I followed Josie Carmichael here.”

  His eyebrows drew together. “Ms. Carmichael? What was she doing here?”

  “Following you.”

  He shook his head. “Why?”

  “Because she’s worried about you.” Staring at this kid, I realized he just didn’t get it. I wondered if anybody ever gave a damn about him. Sadly, I doubted it.

  “Why are you here?”

  “Because I’m worried about her,” I admitted.

  He snorted. “Yeah, right. I was there when you fucking yelled at her.” He leaned closer, pulling on the hold Ritz still had. “Didn’t look to me like you cared too much.”

  “She needs to stop putting herself in danger, the same as you do.” I defended myself.

  He slowly stood straight again. “Can’t do that.”

  “Why not?” I crossed my arms over my chest.

  “Need this job.”

  I decided to try a different angle, considering I wasn’t making much headway. “Who’s your boss?”

  He grunted. “He wouldn’t like me telling you that.”

  I shrugged. “So what?”

  His eyes flared. “It’s a big fucking deal if I piss him off.”

  “Why?”

  He opened his mouth and then just as quickly snapped it shut. He wanted to tell me. It was obvious he didn’t like doing this, but something was driving him to stay.

  “What’s he have on you?”

  “Nothin’.”

  “Look, kid…”

  “I’m not a fucking kid,” he growled.

  Ritz tugged on his wrists. “How old are you?”

  “Eighteen.”

  I grunted. “Old enough to go to jail for a long time if you’re caught.” I watched his hard expression crumple a little when I said that. “You ever been to jail?”

  “Have you?” he countered.

  “Yep,” I admitted. “When I was twenty-two. My dad and brother had just been killed, and I was pissed. Did some stupid shit and got arrested. Spent about nine months behind bars.”

  He swallowed hard, and I wondered which part of my story made a dent. “What stupid shit?”

  “Nothin’ near as stupid as this.” I gestured behind me. “You’d be facing felony charges for distributing. That sentence is a whole lot longer than nine months.”

  We heard a ding, and he dropped his chin toward his pocket. “I need to answer that.”

  I nodded at Ritz, who let go of his hands. Dominic pulled out his phone and typed out a quick response before shoving it back into his pocket. “I’m good to go.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Means I can leave.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’m just a loader. I don’t ask questions. They’ll come back, lock up what’s left, and we’ll do it all over again tomorrow night.”

  Nodding, I glanced at Ritz before facing Dominic again. “Get your bike.”

  “Why?”

  “You’re coming with us.”

  “Where?”

  I breathed in deeply before exhaling. “Our clubhouse so we can figure out how the hell to get you out of the shit you’re in.”

  He didn’t respond, but he did drop his head in defeat. We followed him outside, where he grabbed his bike from against the outside wall and pushed it toward the door. He pulled keys from his pocket and locked the door before walking in front of us. I pointed at my truck, and he headed that way with us close to him. I still didn’t trust that he wouldn’t try to run.

  But he didn’t.

  After we loaded his bike and got in, Ritz drove us back to the clubhouse in complete silence. I didn’t want to question him when I couldn’t see his expressions, and I thought he might need the break.

  Arriving at the club, we all jumped out and headed inside. There was no one on the door tonight. There didn’t need to be, considering nothing was going on, so the building was locked up tight. Ritz unlocked the door, and we headed inside.

  I pointed at a stool in front of the bar. “What do you want to drink?”

  “Beer,” he replied, and I grinned while I walked behind the bar. Again, I had to give it to this kid.

  “Soda or water?”

  He slid onto the stool, but his eyes were wandering over the large room. “Water.”

  Ritz leaned his hip against the corner of the bar and shook his head when I offered him a water. I opened the cap on a bottle and slid it toward Dominic, who grabbed it and took a long drink.

  I waited until he set it on the bar before speaking. “You doin’ this for money?”

  He looked defeated. I recognized the expression well. It was as if he spent the ride here coming to terms with the fact he was fucked. We knew too much about the operation by just getting inside the building. He was smart enough to know that.

  “Yeah.”

  “Why do you need money?” Ritz asked.

  He wrapped his hands around the bottle and rolled it between his palms. “’Cuz I graduate this year.”

  I nodded, and it finally dawned on me why he would want money. “You lose your foster home when you graduate, right?”

  He lifted his eyebrows but continued staring at the bottle. “Yep.”

  “Lot of ways to make money, kid,” Ritz pointed out. “Don’t gotta push drugs.”

  He snorted and lifted his head to face Ritz. “Doin’ what? Working at a gas station for minimum wage? That ain’t gonna get me what I need.”

  “What do you need?” I asked, but he remained silent, so I moved on. “You got any skills?”

  He sat back in his seat and looked between Ritz and me. “Took some mechanic classes in school.”

  “You still in them?”

  He shook his head. “Lost my spot for this year.”

  “How?”

  He shrugged. “Skippin’ classes last year.”

  I lifted my eyebrow. “You skippin’ this year?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  He grunted. “Ms. Carmichael’s on my ass all the time.”

  I grinned and noticed Ritz doing the same. “Can she get you back into the program?”

  He shrugged again as if he didn’t care, but it was obvious he did. “Probably not. They got limited spots. Usually, once you fuck up and they throw you out, you stay out.”

  “Did you like it?”

  He reached forward and grabbed his bottle again but just held it between his hands. “Yeah.”

  “Then why the fuck did you skip?”

  “Had to work late. Usually just overslept.”

  I tilted my head slightly. “This job worth all that?”

  “I need the money.”

  “What for?” I held up my hand. “And don’t tell me the same shit. What’s the real reason?”

  He took a deep breath,
and I recognized the moment he decided to give in. Breathing out slowly, I waited for his answer. “Want to get my little sisters outta foster care. If I have enough money saved, I can do that sooner.”

  “They in the same house as you?”

  “Yeah,” he replied quietly this time.

  “You think your foster parents will keep you after you graduate.”

  He snorted loudly. “No way. If they ain’t gettin’ money for me, they ain’t feedin’ me.”

  I asked what I already knew the answer to, hoping he would tell me more. “You worried about leavin’ them behind?”

  “Just want them with me.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “Why? Something going on in that house?”

  “No, but I’m thinkin’ if I’m not there, it could.”

  That pissed me off, and I could tell by the look on Ritz’s face that he felt the same. But I needed more to go on. “Why do you think that?”

  “The foster dad gets high a lot, takes shit out on me right now when he’s pissed or high. No one but my sisters left to take it if I’m gone.”

  “He the reason you had a black eye the first time I met you?” I asked, knowing his answer was going to piss me off.

  “Yep.”

  I controlled my anger, but just barely. “You tell Josie?”

  He shook his head. “Nope, and I won’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “They investigate and move us, we’ll get separated. At least where we are, we’re together, and I can take care of them.”

  “How old are they?”

  “Ten.”

  Ritz whistled. “You sure you want to take on two little girls as an eighteen-year-old, assuming they’ll give them to you?”

  “They’re my family,” he said, his eyes hard on Ritz. “My only family and I want to make sure they’re safe.”

  I shared another look with Ritz. He grinned, already knowing what I was going to do. I just hoped this shit didn’t come back to bite me. “I got a garage here. You want a job, I’ll pay you.”

  He set the bottle on the bar and sat up straighter. “Doin’ what?”

  “Workin’ on cars.”

  He frowned. “Wasn’t in the program long enough to learn much.”