Page 149 of Savior
“Focus on your family. The MC’s mission.” Jason says, as if he can read the conflict in my expression. “You’re not going to be able to strong arm me either, brother. The decision’s been made. And it’s final.”
“I think I’m gonna be sick…” This isn’t even the reason I asked him to meet me here tonight.
Jason steps forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Do your thing, then go home and look at your woman. Put your hand on that baby and ask yourself, if they’re worth it.”
“They’re worth everything.” More than I deserve.
He pats my shoulder. “If you still can’t make peace with your conscience, ask Vanna what she’d want.”
“I wouldn’t burden her with this.” I sigh. “I’m not entirely sure she’d ask me to stop.”
“Oh, she will. Especially when that baby comes. Face it, Dean, you’re entering a whole new phase of your life.” Jason says. “When we started this, you had nothing. Priorities change. What wouldn’t you do for Vanna and your kid?”
I shake my head. “Nothing.”
“That’s your purpose now. Your family. Nothing to feel guilty over, brother.”
I glance down at the file in my hand, shoving the guilt I do feel, back down in order to focus on the real reason we’re meeting tonight. Clearing my throat, I tell him, “There’s another reason I asked you to meet me here. It actually wasn’t about our arrangement.”
Jason cocks his head slightly, “What’s up?”
“I’m gonna have to ask you for a few favors. One now. Maybe one later… I’m really trying hard not to stir shit up unless there’s no other choice. The last thing I want, is a War in our home town.”
“Alright.” he eyes me curiously. “What’s this about?”
“The Chrome Demons MC.” I say, removing my cellphone from my pocket and bringing up the satellite arial view of the Demons’ Den. “I know we couldn’t tie them to the brothels directly, beyond patronage. Everyone involved barely received a slap on the wrist. Don’t get me wrong, shutting them down put a dent in their wallets. Maybe helped them see that this county, isn’t the free for all they’ve been lead to believe it was. But, there’s something else I’ve been curious about.”
“Alright. You’ve got me curious now, too.” Jason says, leaning in to look at my phone.
“According to Diesel, this lot was purchased along with the run-down diner the Chrome Demons took up in. These images are a few years old. Got no idea if they’re doing anything back there. Legally, they aren’t. There haven’t been any building permits filed, as of yet. No real renovations on that shit hole diner, either. Our crews haven’t been able to grab him. I thought he might have gone back to Arizona, after Preacher’s funeral. Just to lie low for a while. And maybe he did. But then he showed up for Vanna at her fuckin’ beckoned call… And he just happened to be in the parking lot when she fainted. These weird gifts…” My hand gravitates to the back of my neck, gripping, as my aggravation level rises. “I’ve got three crews watching for him, and somehow, nobody’s seen him? Those raids on the brothels, and not a damned thing trickled back to him?” I try not to grit my teeth, letting my hand drop to my side to grip the handle of my knife instead.
“Why not have Vanna do just that, again?” Jason suggests.
“I’m not using her as bait, for one thing. And he’s smart enough to know it, if she did reach out to him.”
Not to mention, I’m sparing myself the pain of her refusal to cooperate. I can’t stand the thought of her denying my request, for fear of whatever may befall Legion, should I get my hands on him. Chances are, she would do anything I asked of her. Though if she didn’t… If she chose to protect him, it would crush me. I shove the chest tightening emotions these thoughts conjure inside me, back down.
“Maybe he’s holed up on this land somewhere? Or at the very least, maybe we can snatch something that has his prints… Lucinda said he’s got an office in there. Made it sound like he’s real private about it. Worth a shot if you can run his prints off of something I snatch. See if anything comes back. I need to know who this fucker is.”
Jason nods. “When were you thinking about doing this?”
“I’ve been surveilling that shithole.”
Jason lets out a low chuckle, bringing his hands to rest on his utility belt. “Of course, you have.”
I ignore his drip of sarcasm and continue, “Wednesday and Thursday nights, they’re cleared out by three-thirty am.”
“Alright. I get off duty at two. I’ll pick you up at the Twisted Throttle. Let’s go find out.”
I nod, holding up the file. “In the meantime, I’ll handle this prick.”
Dean releases a long sigh, resting his elbows on the table as I collect our plates. He’s barely touched his dinner tonight.
“What’s wrong?” it’s a question I’ve felt the need to ask, far too frequently as of late.
“More than one man can fix…” he sighs. “I know this… yet, I’ve never considered there would be a point in my life, where I would be questioning myself.”
“What do you mean?”
