“Didn’t think so.” Sabre’s eyes roamed the room, meeting each brother they landed on for a few seconds before moving on. “The rehab facility called this morning.” The room filled with groans.
“Fucking Gerry.”
“Someone remind me again why we didn’t bury him in the backyard?”
“Prez was trying to keep Flo. That’s why.”
“Are they kicking him out?” Scrub yawned, the dark spots under his eyes clearly visible from where I sat.
“Yes. There was an altercation on Friday that sealed their decision.” Sabre turned his attention on me. “Care to explain?”
He could stare all he wanted, but he wouldn’t intimidate me. I had been a Marine when he’d been in diapers. A prospect of a one percent club when he was a toddler. “Have you talked to B?” I answered his question with one of my own.
“No. He was on his way to bed. What the fuck happened?”
“Liz wouldn’t tell me. She was upset when she walked out, and I didn’t push. Whatever happened, she’s not going back.” I shrugged, not wanting to divulge any details Liz wouldn’t want shared. Her issues with Gerry weren’t club business.
“The nurses heard him scream at her down the hall. They’ve been turning a blind eye to his antics, but even they’re tired of his fucking ass.” Sabre rubbed ahand through his hair and down his face before he continued. “They want him gone by the end of the week. Scrub?”
“There’s not much we can do.” Scrub shrugged. “I can put some feelers out and see if there’s another place. He’s not the ideal patient, and they will ask for his medical records. Bet your ass, the therapist documented everything.” He drew the last word out.
“Gerry’s also meeting with the cartel at night.” I threw it out there and let it sizzle. The chatter in the room rose as everyone talked over everyone else.
“What the fuck? You didn’t think to tell me before now?” Sabre was furious, and he had every right to be. I’d put Liz before the club. It wasn’t as if I’d waited weeks or months. The fight had been on Friday. It was only Monday.
“B knows an aide. She told him Gerry’s getting male visitors in suits after visiting hours. They stay ten to fifteen minutes, and when they leave, a call girl walks in for the night,” I explained, tapping my foot underneath the table for something to do.
“Son of a bitch.” Grizz popped his knuckles, as if he were looking for a fight.
“Men in suits,” How said. “Who’s left?”
We’d removed Diego Lopez when he thought he could attack the clubhouse. His brother, Manuel, was still in Mexico, as far as anyone knew, but there was one possibility.
“El Sombra Roja.” I didn’t explain. I didn’t need to.
“It’s April. You don’t think Krait was actually telling the truth?” Sabre asked Grizz.
“Who knows, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he was. He has everything to gain.” Grizz shook his head, shooting a look at Cyph.
“Don’t look at me. I don’t speak snake, but I can pull the security footage and check.”
“I bet Liz found out Alex”—I spat his name—“is in town.”
“Fucking fantastic. Family meeting.” Grizz grimaced. “If it’s El Sombra Roja, they’re coming for a visit at the end of May. We have about two months to figure this shit out.”
No one moved from their chairs as the room went silent.
Family meeting.
I couldn’t help but wonder what my place would be in all of this. When Liz had first come to live in the clubhouse, I had been her friend, nothing more. She was trying to heal, and I was content being her board game partner.
El Sombra Roja wasn’t just a threat to the club. He could steal Liz, and we’d never find her.
Chapter 4
Biting the Bullet
Elizabeth