Page 99 of The Devil's Revelation
FORTY-SIX
TORQUE
It’s time to start hunting. This bastard is about to find out what the Devil’s Soldiers become when you betray us.
I pull up to the hotel that Zeb is staying at and park. I turn my head and see him eyeing me. Neither of us talked much the entire way here, so I guess that’s about to end. “Say whatever you want and get it off your chest,” I say tiredly.
Zeb stares at me for another long moment. I don’t know if this is his version of intimidation, but I don’t give a rat’s ass. I just stare right back until finally he says, “Izzy tell you about her past?”
“We haven’t talked about it much yet,” I answer honestly. “Everything’s been a bit crazy.”
“Izzy came from nothing. Her entire childhood was spent in and out of foster homes. The people in those homes made sure she was fed and clothed, but none of them really cared about her or made sure she was coping. It wasn’t until she finally aged out that she started realizing just what she was missing. That girl didn’t have anyone until she came to work for me.
“When I first met her, she was this skinny almost twenty-year old and she was green, but I knew then she wasn’t doing this shit for kicks and giggles. You’re in this business, so you know most of the men are sexist bastards. Won’t lie, I had a few moments where I was worried, because some of the guys in my shop were dicks to her. Then she started giving it right back, refusing to let her rattle them, and I knew she’d be okay.
“She worked with me for close to two years on and off for her practicals, and I’d have her back in a heartbeat. I also knew she was lonely. She didn’t have any friends, and the guys at the shop treated her like a little sister after a while. So I took her under my wing, so to speak, and now she’s the closest thing I have to a kid. I will die for her, and I will make sure she’s happy, because she deserves it.
“I might think the two of you are moving fast, but she’s happy and I will not do anything to mess that up. But I meant what I said. If you hurt her, I will make sure she comes home with me and you won’t be able to touch her,” he says sternly, giving me a hard look. “Then I’ll kick your ass from here to Timbuktu.”
I nod. “I know we’re moving fast, but I also don’t plan on whisking her off to city hall tomorrow. I never rush anything, and I definitely won’t rush this. Izzy and I have some work to do to get to that point, but we’ll get there. In this life, when you meet the one, you hold on and don’t let go. You fight, you argue, you storm off, but you always come back and fix it. My parents are a shining example of that. I want the same with Izzy, but we’ll go at her pace.”
“Don’t you two work together?”
I nod. “Technically, I’m her boss, but I don’t care about that. Izzy knows this, and we’ve already talked about it. If we get pissed at each other, then we won’t let it affect our work environment and stay out of each other’s way. And if shit goes south, she has a job for as long as she wants.”
“If shit goes south she’ll come home to me,” Zeb predicts. “I looked into you, you know.”
I arch a brow. “And?”
He smirks. “Not much to find other than your parents were obviously drunk when they chose your name, Harley.”
“Only one who uses it is my mother when I’m in deep shit,” I say drily.
He snickers. “Still, you’ve got a good reputation. I have a few things to do around town and a few meetings to attend, then I’m coming to check out your operation. Maybe we can figure out something mutually beneficial for us.”
My brows hit my hairline. “What kind of deal are we talking?” I ask cautiously.
He shrugs and climbs out. “I’ll let you know. See you later, Torque. I expect an update on Izzy when you pick her up.” Then he strolls into the hotel.
I stare after him before I put the truck into drive and head towards the clubhouse. Crazy bastard, but he’s got me curious.
When I reach the clubhouse, I immediately head up and grab a quick shower before I head to my father’s office. When I walk in, King, Stone, Sniper, Shadow, Cryos, and Dad are all waiting for me. Their faces are grim. I walk in, shut the door, and lock it behind me. “Lay it on me,” I say, bracing myself.
“Nothing showed up on the cameras,” Cryos says calmly. “Nothing. I don’t even see Izzy walking to her room or Rose finding her.”
“What?” I say in confusion. “How is that even possible?
“It’s possible if someone has a certain jamming device,” Shadow says darkly.
It all clicks. “The mole isn’t gone,” I hiss, anger burning in my gut. “He did this.”
“Can’t prove it one way or another, but I’d lay money on it,” Dad says grimly.
“Viper and I found boot prints on the ground outside, below your window,” Shadow explains. “Standard boots that we all wear. Could be someone stood there at some point, sure, but they look far too fresh for my liking. Problem is, whoever it was, they got smart, and they didn’t continue on the grass. They climbed up and scaled the roof. I found another set of boot prints on the other side at the back, but I don’t know if that’s where they originated or ended.”
“No tracks around the area?” Stone asks.
Shadow shakes his head. “Which leads me to believe that we’re dealing with a ghost.”
