“Yes, but we got him.”
“You what? Where? Are you okay? We need to call the police.”
“Slow down. Everything’s okay. He’s out cold and tied up in the kitchen,” I explained and paused, unsure of how she’d take the next part. “It’s Shane, so I’m going to call Copper first. He’ll probably want us to bring him to the clubhouse instead of calling the police.”
“Okay,” she said, sounding reluctant.
“Get dressed and wait in here. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
I walked back to the kitchen and called Copper, grimacing when I noticed the time.
“What happened?” he asked immediately.
“Shane just broke into Aspen’s house. I’ve got him tied up in her kitchen.”
“Son of a bitch. Bring him to the clubhouse, and I’ll meet you there. Is Aspen okay?”
“She’s pretty shaken up.”
“I’ll bring Layla with me. See you in a few.”
“He wants us to bring him to the clubhouse,” I told Game. “But there’s no way I’m making Aspen ride in the truck with him.”
“Toss him in the truck bed,” Game suggested.
Ten minutes later, we were on our way to the clubhouse with Aspen bundled in the front seat next to me, and Shane tied up in the bed of my truck with Game watching over him from the back seat.
Layla was waiting by the front door when we arrived. She opened her arms wide, and Aspen went right to her. “Let me make you a cup of tea while the boys handle business.”
Once they were out of sight, Game and I carried Shane into church. He’d woken up somewhere along the way, but for the first time since I’d met him, he was keeping his mouth shut.
Bronze arrived a few minutes later, and he was pissed. “Boy, I was already tired of your shit, but now? Now, I’m done. Your ass is going back to Cherryfield one way or the other, but what you say next will determine the condition we send you back in. Got me?”
Shane’s eyes widened with fear as he slowly nodded his head.
Bronze scoffed. “We’re not going to pull it out of you. If you want to save your ass, start talking.”
“I wasn’t going to hurt anybody. I just wanted the box.”
“What box?”
“The one that was delivered to her house. It wasn’t hers, and she took it inside. I was just trying to get it back.”
“You mean the packages Aspen has been getting are yours?” I asked.
“No, not exactly.”
Bronze growled and smacked Shane across the face. “That’s the only warning you’ll get. Tell us what we need to know.”
Shane inhaled deeply and dropped his head. “I guess it doesn’t matter since I’m fucked anyway. The box belongs to my dealer. It’s cocaine.”
“Fucking hell!” I shouted. “You mean there’s a box of cocaine inside Aspen’s house right now?”
Shane nodded but kept his eyes focused on the floor.
“Why’s it being sent to her house?”
“It’s the easiest way to move it without getting caught. Have it mailed to a house no one lives at and pick it up once it’s delivered.”