Page 33 of The Devil's Reward
“A few might be loose and his fingers are going to be sore for a few days,” Viper replies with a slim smile. “Though, before I did that, I asked him for information.”
I glance at him sharply. “And he saw something?”
Viper gives me a curt nod. “Saw one of our guys meeting someone late one night, but it was dark, and he was in the shadow drunk as a skunk, he couldn’t make anything out. Just remembers the patch on the back of his cut.”
“Fuck,” I snarl, frustration eating at me. “That’s the second person to see this bastard, but never clear enough to give us anything to go on.”
Viper hums low in his throat. “Probably on purpose. If it is a brother, he knows our informants; who to avoid and who to be in front of, because chances are they won’t be able to identify him. Still, the description of the man he was talking to matched one of Dmitri’s foot soldiers. Cryos can get us more information on him when we get back to the clubhouse.”
“That’s something, at least. Did Frank say where he saw them? Maybe we can figure out which business is involved.” Another longshot, but I’ll take anything.
“Over near the deli,” Viper replies. “Busy spot, and full of bars and restaurants, so it could be any of them.”
I make a mental note to check out a map of the area. “I’ll look into it and then run them through Cryos.”
“I let Bullet know, and he said he’s calling Church in a couple of hours. Said to keep the intel from the informant to ourselves, but we can update them on checking into local businesses.”
I nod. “Smart plan. Our mole could get nervous and start killing off witnesses, and as much as Frank and Louie are pains in the ass, they’re valuable.”
“But also easily bought off,” Viper points out grimly. “If the mole doesn’t kill them, Dmitri will try to use them for himself. Keep us off his tail.”
He has a point. “You tell Frank to keep to himself for a few days?”
Viper nods. “Doubt he’ll listen, but with his sore face and fingers, he’ll be nursing a bottle more than hassling people, I’d say. Speaking of which, Ms. Holt alright?”
I nod. “I walked her down to the ice cream shop before you texted. She was a bit shaken, but relaxed when I left her.”
“Mhmm.” He’s quiet for a moment. Then he gives me a sideways glance. “Are you going to admit that you like her, or do I have to pretend I can’t tell?”
I look over at him sharply. “What?” I bark.
“Oh, come on, brother,” Viper sighs in exasperation. “You seriously can’t think it’s not obvious that you two have chemistry. It’s not that explosive kind like with King and Sage, or Bullet and Rose, but it’s there, simmering under the surface. Not to mention, she has that adorable blush whenever you’re around, even as she tries not to stammer and act all awkward around you.”
I know exactly what he means, and that’s part of the problem. She’s far too endearing. “Chemistry is normal,” I argue. “It’s not like I can do anything about it anyway.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Have you already forgotten about our mole problem? Or that this mole likes to go after the women of the club? She has a five-year-old. I can’t risk her getting hurt.”
Viper is quiet for a long moment. I start to think he might let it go, but then he says, “I hear what you’re saying, but are you sure you want to let the chance slip by? We all know how much you want a woman of your own. It’s not exactly a secret.”
He’s right, but it’s not my priority. “Yes, but I don’t think she’ll be a good fit.”
“Why not? She seems smart, has a stable job, a kick ass kid by all accounts, and she supports Vets. In my book, she’s damn near perfect.”
I snort. “Then why aren’t you asking her out?” I drawl.
He gives me a cool stare. “Because we both know she’s not my type, but she is yours. You want someone who needs you, and someone who isn’t crazy like Rose or Sage. Quinn is that to a T. Or are you only holding back because she looks like your dead teammate?”
I stop cold and turn my head to stare at him. He holds my stare, eyes far too perceptive, and I have to stomp down the urge to tell him to fuck off and walk away. Mostly because I know he’ll ignore me then chase me down. “What did you just say?” I ask, tone dangerous.
He doesn’t so much as flinch. Instead, he widens his stance and crosses his arms over his chest. “I know the two of them looking alike is messing with your head. Especially since you keep running into her. Are you avoiding asking her out because you’re afraid you’re going to lose her too? That you won’t be able to protect her?”
With each sucker punch of a question, I harden even more. My entire insides are steel, and I want to punch the look off Viper’s face. How dare he question me. He doesn’t know shit. Doesn’t know what it’s like to lose his entire team, including a woman he’d wanted but couldn’t have. Doesn’t know what it’s like to lose the only future he could see.
My tone a frigid shard of ice, I answer him. “Sam is dead, and Quinn is not Sam. Yes, they look alike, but in every other way, they are exact opposites. Do not assume you know what’s going on inside my head, Viper. You don’t know shit.” I turn on my heel and storm off, not caring if he follows.
Bloody hell, today is a fucking disaster. First it was the messed up search, next was running into Quinn almost being mugged, and now Viper sticking his nose in where it doesn’t belong. I don’t need this shit. I have a hell of a lot more important problems to handle than my reaction to a woman that I have no business thinking about.
