I shake my head. “Word around the bush is old man Webb died. His daughter is taking their business legal. Not sure what our brothers are going to do once that happens.”
Razor takes another drink. “Not sure why this is making you so uneasy.”
“I’m getting old, boys. Got to start thinking about a life after all this.”
King looks absolutely horrified. “Dude, are you dying?”
“Not today.” I sigh. “We’re standing at a fork in the road. Weed’s always been our income. I don’t want to replace something that’s harmless with something that kills people.”
Razor replies, “You do realize there are other drugs we can move, right? A buddy of mine told me about some shit he took. It’s new, but no one’s died from it. We can get a sample of it and see if it’s worth our time.”
I nod. “Yeah. Get a sample. As long as it’s harmless, I’m good with trying something new.”
King says, “I’ll get with my source about the warehouse, too. See if we can get that going.”
Razor makes a face. “A lot of the guys aren’t going to stick around if that’s the direction the club heads in.”
“Then they aren’t the type of men I want to have my back.” I sit, leaning back in my chair. “When I took over after my old man died, the club grew. Some would say we grew too fast. Might not be a bad thing to trim the fat.”
“If that’s how you feel, then fine. But know that trimming the fat means some of the other clubs in the area get bigger. Like Psycho.” He holds up his hand. “I know he’s a dick, but are you sure you want to piss off his brother?”
Psycho’s brother is the Vice President of a rival club that we’ve had run-ins with in the past.
That makes me frown. “Put some feelers out to see if they have an open spot and if they’re willing to take him. If not, then I still want him as far away as possible.”
Razor curses, but nods. “Fine. And the Mississippi club said they’ll take Psycho, if it comes down to that.”
“Good.” I stand. “I’m going to bed. Don’t bother me unless it’s life or death. Bash, be at her place at ten.”
Feeling lighter, I head to my room, where I strip down and crash, letting sleep take over.
9
Olivia
There’s a tap on the door, so I go to answer it. Lucy has been in and out all day with her parents, moving her stuff out of the dorm. Maybe they’ve forgotten something, though it’s already eight. I can’t imagine why they’d still be hauling boxes from one place to another.
Opening the door, I find Agent Hill looking down at me. He’s pissed, if the scowl on his face is any indication. For some reason it makes me mad that he’s mad.
“Uh, hi.”
He pushes past me, coming right in. I close the door and turn to face him. His arms are crossed as he stares at me.
“Can I get you something to drink? We’re basically down to water.”
“I’m not here for water, Olivia,” he snaps. “I’m here to find out why you’re trying to back out of our deal.”
Calmly, I reply, “I’m not. I explained it all in the text.”
And then I slept better than I have in years.
“According to my sources, you’ve already cashed the check I gave you. Did you think about that?”
“I can pay it all back.”
I haven’t even spent very much of it.
“You’re dealing with the Feds, Olivia. Anything that comes from us comes with interest.” He looks around. “And I highly doubt you can pay us back.”
“Th-this is blackmail, Agent Hill. I told you why I can’t do this anymore.”
My eyes well and I blink back unshed tears. It doesn’t seem to affect him, though.
“Ms. Mayhem, it’s not blackmail. We had a deal. In fact, what you’re trying to do could be considered a federal crime. You made an agreement with us on your own free will. No one forced you.” He exhales loudly. “Now, are you going to go back to the club tonight? Or, do we have a problem here?”
He moves the gun at his hip, and it catches the light. I know better than anyone that people will believe whatever he says and say I’m the one in the wrong. And he’s right – I did agree to help him without asking what I was getting into. Once again, I’m the fool.
“Olivia?”
I nod once.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you.”
“There’s no problem, Agent Hill. I’ll go to the club tonight.”
“And be sure to keep your ear to the floor.”
I nod again.
“Speaking of, did you hear anything last night that’s worth mentioning?”
I shake my head. “No. I left early.”
“Why?”
“Saint told me to.”
“Any reason why?”
“One of the guys there got in my face. Said some things and Saint punched him.”
Why do I feel like I’m tattling on Saint? Oh. Because I am. And, Agent Hill should know most of this, since I included it in my text.
Agent Hill nods. “Very good.”
“You think it’s very good that someone was so rude to me that someone else deemed it worthy to punch him?” I let out a little huff. “That’s messed up.”
“That’s how those men live, Olivia. Fighting is second nature to them.”
“And you didn’t think to mention that to me before asking me to go undercover there?”
This cuts deep. He knows my past and-
“I didn’t think it was important.”
I cross my arms. “Okay. So tell me this. Why am I undercover at a gay bar?”
“Gay bar?” His voice rises with each word. “Who said it was a gay bar?”
When I don’t answer, he says, “I can assure you, it’s not a gay bar. Not even close.”
“Then what is it? And why am I there? And don’t say just to listen.”
He glances at his watch, as if I’m boring him.
Feeling brave, I say, “Agent Hill, I’m not going in until you answer me.”
“Such courage from a scared little girl.” He snorts. “You want answers? Fine. The club you’re bartending at is the clubhouse and home base of the Devil’s Regents, one of the biggest motorcycle clubs in the great state of Georgia. Hell, maybe in the country.”
He goes on, “As I’ve said, you’re there to listen, but you aren’t the only eyes we have on the club. We’ve been trying to take them down for years. It’s only a matter of time before they slip up.”
“But why?”
“Why? Because these are very bad men, Olivia. And they won’t be happy if they find out that you’re there, spying on them.” He looks me over. “Of course, if they were to find out about your past, they might employ you in another… manner.”
Another threat.
“So I suggest you do as I say and go to work tonight. I’ll be in touch soon.” He goes to the door and pauses. “And Olivia, this better be the last dramatics I see out of you.”