Page 113 of Soul
“Is safe. She’s back at the clubhouse with Tempe.”
Emery pulls back, looking at me. “You’re here, Hayes. How is that possible? Tanner said there was no way you’d get out. Eli told me he made sure of it. How did this happen?”
My teeth clench as I admit the truth. “Your uncle pulled some strings. He needed our help getting you back, so he bargained for our assistance.”
“No.” All air leaves Emery’s chest. “He doesn’t do favors. He’ll expect something in return.”
Fear widens her eyes, but I set her on her feet, brushing her hair back in reassurance.
“He’s not going to get it, freckles. He’s not getting anything from us,” I promise. “We’re ending this for good. Steel’s putting ideas together now.”
“Ideas to take him down?” Her eyebrows pinch, and I nod.
“He’s working on it as we speak.”
Emery bites her lower lip, glancing at Eli’s lifeless body behind me. “I think I have an idea.”
40
Soul
Zane is grinning whenwe walk into the warehouse. I’m tempted to plant a bullet between his eyes and get this over with. For Steel’s sake, I hold back.
He glances from me to Steel, frowning when he realizes it’s just the two of us.
“We had an agreement. I get you out, and you bring me Emery.” His eyes narrow.
“That was awfully trusting of you.” I grin, pausing in front of him. “Why would I bring you my wife?”
Zane opens his mouth to argue, but Steel holds up his hand, cutting us both off. “Technically, our agreement was that you would help us if we brought you your family. I’m prepared to hold up that end of the bargain.”
A door at the other side of the warehouse opens, and Zane straightens, fixing his jacket as Mason strides through.
He shares his father’s cold eyes, but for entirely different reasons. Other than that, he doesn’t look much like him. Mason’s blond hair is nothing like Zane’s dark strands, which are now more salt and pepper than anything.
Mason tucks his hands in his jeans; his shoulders are relaxed. The only sign of tension is his lethal glare aimed at his father.
It’s no secret that Mason hates Zane. Emery said Zane was worse to his children than he ever was to her when she was growing up. Add that to the fact that Mason blames his father for his sister’s death, and it explains why they haven’t spoken in a couple of years. Mason lives in LA now, working at a tattoo parlor and avoiding the life he left behind in Vegas.
He’s only back now as a favor to Steel to help tie up loose ends.
“It’s been a while, son.” Zane’s eyes narrow as he scans Mason over.
His disappointment is evident as he takes in the tattoos now covering Mason’s arms and neck. He always had a good amount, but now, they cover every inch of exposed skin.
“Of all my family wanting to build bridges, I didn’t expect it to be you.”
“I’m not here to repair anything,” Mason says, crossing his arms over his chest.
He came to town a couple of days ago, but we made sure Zane didn’t know about it. Mason’s wife, Reed, has been at the house with Emery, while Mason has beenhelping the club get things in order before our meeting with Zane.
Zane shakes his head. “This isn’t what we agreed to. Where is Emery?”
“With our daughter,” I answer. “Another person you’re never going to see again.”
He takes a step forward, and Steel reaches for his gun. “I wouldn’t do that. Especially when you don’t have any backup.”
“Did you really think I’d come alone, Steel?” Zane smirks. “You couldn’t possibly believe I’d agree to those terms. This place is surrounded.”
