Page 8 of Two Tricks

“You’re all so fucked,” I purred, smirking at them.

“Who was that you were on the phone with? Anyone we know?” the apparent leader asked, stepping forward.

Okay, it might have helped that he had a “president” patch over his heart, which made him Enzo. The guy gave off an alpha male vibe like crazy. He was a good foot and a half taller than me and trying to use his height to intimidate me. His sharp features reminded me of a hawk or some other bird of prey, his chocolate-colored eyes tracking me as if waiting to pounce. His dark brown hair was buzzed short on the sides, but the top was long and styled straight back. The outline of a beard along his jaw was much lighter than his hair, but somehow it worked.

My smirk turned into a full smile when I saw what he was trying to do. Mr. President started to frown, not liking my reaction to him. Too bad for this group it wasn’t my first rodeo with being ambushed. Sure, no one would know, seeing as they all the previous assholes who’d tried it were dead, but that just worked out more in my favor. Keeping my eyes on them, I slipped out of my heels. A broken ankle was the last thing I needed.

“This might go faster if you just tell me what you want or make a move. This posturing is getting boring,” I said faking a yawn.

“Is this cunt for real?” one of the others by the door asked with a faint British accent.

My eyes snapped over to him, my temper rising at the slur. I knew it wasn’t the Latin loverboy, because he already learned how much I disliked that kind of language. My money was on the scary-looking motherfucker leaning against the wall. I tilted my head, taking him in and deciding how I was going to make him eat his words.

He had shoulder-length hair that was curly and haphazard, but once side was shaved off to show his scalp tattoo. His blonde beard was thick and well looked after, but what made him scary was his icy blue eyes. They seemed to be lacking what I would call “humanity.” This man could take a life and lose no sleep whatsoever. The tattoo of the word oblivion over his left eyebrow might have also added to his feelings about things in general. My eyes drifted to his vest, where the word enforcer announced his role in the merry gang of men. I couldn’t have agreed more. From one enforcer to another, he was a good pick.

“Since we don’t know each other I’ll give you a pass, but watch your goddamn mouth when you’re talking to a lady,” I said with a soft smile, but I held his eyes so he knew I wasn’t fucking around.

Much to my surprise, his lips twitched like he was amused by me, which pissed me off even more. I hated to be underestimated.

Enzo took another step forward, awarding him my full attention.

“You know what we want. We had our people reach out to you,” he said, stopping as my gaze landed on him.

“Ah yes, your sister did come to see me.” Everyone stiffened at that. Hmm, seemed they didn’t like me knowing that tidbit of information. “This is where I’m confused. I already told her that Tricks wouldn’t meet with you. Tricks doesn’t do business with MCs.”

Enzo growled, clenching his hands into fists. Please tell me this is where they decide to use their fists instead of talking me to death.

Another guy stepped forward, and just by the look of him I knew he was the president’s brother Teo. He had longer hair and a fuller beard, but the common features between them were undeniable.

“What can we do to change his mind?” Teo asked, seemingly the level-headed one out of the bunch so far.

Never had a group been so intent on changing Tricks’ mind about the rule against MCs being allowed to do business. I decided to give something a try, because I was curious about them. I walked over to the bed and perched on the corner. Crossing my right leg over the left, I could feel them all staring as my dress rode up slightly higher. Hopefully they would just think I was tired of standing and not that it gave me better access to the knife on my thigh.

“Answer me this,” I said, looking at them before I carried on. “Let’s say one of your members took the fall for your president here and ended up in jail for two years. While in jail, he was forced into working with a rival drug ring to survive. Upon him getting out of jail and coming back to the club, what would you do?”

“What the fuck does that have to do with anything?” Enzo demanded.

Giving him a bored look, I just waited, letting out a heavy sigh when they continued to just gawk at me. “Feel free to powwow if you don’t have the answer, pres.”

Enzo snarled, lunging forward, but Teo grabbed his arm and stopped him. I didn’t even flinch, knowing that I had the upper hand in this. They needed me, not the other way around.

“Did this member get forced into taking the fall, or did he do it willingly?” a soft voice asked behind the brothers.

They parted to glare at the Thor lookalike that had spoken. His long, golden blonde hair was in a careless bun, and his intelligent green eyes met mine. The shortest one of the group, as well as the youngest looking, was road captain. Interesting. I grinned at him, seeing his train of thought and asking such an intelligent question.

“He did it himself, no coercion needed,” I answered.

Enzo muttered under his breath, but the guys turned to talk in hushed tones as I looked down at my watch. I smiled, as I saw Wes was still listening to the whole conversation. Lord, I loved that man. He always seemed to follow whatever crazy plan I came up with. I also knew he was on his way to get me, but he was still twenty minutes out. I needed to hurry things along if I wanted to get out of here to meet him.

“We have an answer,” Enzo said, interrupting my thoughts.

“Do share.” I rested my head on my right hand, letting my left drape over my leg where my knife was. Never could be too safe—I was surrounded by a biker gang, after all.

“While I am thankful that this member took the fall for me and served his time in jail, I wouldn’t take him back. You can’t have two loyalties. If you are part of our family, then you ask us for help. You don’t turn to a rival,” Enzo explained.

His answer told me more than he thought it would, but sadly, it wasn’t the answer I was hoping for. Even though he claimed that this hypothetical member was family, he would still turn his back on him. As far as loyalties, he was right—you couldn’t be divided, and that is what drove everything that I had done since Devin died.

Standing, I grabbed my phone and shoved it back into my wristlet, not wanting to leave it behind. “Well, boys, this has been fun and all, but I can’t help you.”