Scythe’s face fell and he stumbled back onto the desk, sitting down cautiously. “Tank already figured out who you are? Why doesn’t that surprise me? That man was a legend at figuring people out. But seriously, are you sure it was someone from the Armada?”
“Yes, I’m sure. Bullet wounds don’t lie.” I took off my shirt and showed him the scar from where the bullet went right through me. I had a matching scar a few millimeters lower where it came out the other side.
Scythe hissed at the sight of it.
“The doctor’s said if the bullet had stayed in me, there would’ve been no way I could’ve ridden to the hospital that night and survive everything I had been through. I got lucky, and trust me when I say this, getting shot fucking hurts.” The residual aftermath of the memory created a pulsing pain deep in my chest. It was like I could feel the wound all over again, dripping with betrayal and oozing revenge.
Scythe grimaced. “What I don’t understand is why someone from the club would want you dead?”
“I thought maybe you could help answer that. Or at least I was hoping you could. Tank seems to think it had something to do with getting me out of the equation.”
“Why?”
“Because I had things other people wanted.”
“Do you mean Faith? Does he think it was Switchblade?”
“Switchblade’s name was one of the names Tank threw around, but he also thinks it wasn’t just about Faith, it might’ve been about rank because he seems to think that I would’ve been in line to be next VP.”
Scythe nodded, “You were. There could’ve been a million reasons why they chose to take you out instead of other members. All I know is that if someone in the club tried to kill you, then we need to figure out who it was and fast.”
“Yeah, before your sister kills the president of the Saints.”
“Fuck. Is that why she’s been fucking Diego for all this time? After Switchblade told me what she was doing, I didn’t want to believe him. I didn’t believe it until I saw that shit with my own two eyes. Word around town is that he’s calling her his Old Lady now, and you know what that means . . .”
I did know what that meant. If Diego was calling Faith his Old Lady, then it was only a matter of time before he showed up here to bargain for her. Diego wasn’t the kind of man who liked to share his women. Not with other men, not with other clubs. Since Faith technically belonged to the Armada, Diego would have to strike a deal to have her join his club instead. If Scythe declined whatever he offered, shit was bound to get bloody. There wasn’t anything in this world that Scythe would sell out his sister for, and it sounded like there wasn’t anything Diego wouldn’t do to have Faith by his side.
“Is there anything we can do?”
“Stop her before she does something stupid. When she dropped you off, did she say anything?”
“Only that once she got the information that she wanted about who killed Midas she was planning on killing Diego. That shit scared me, Scythe. The Faith I knew wouldn’t hurt a fly, but I could see a thirst for blood in her eyes. She’s dead set on getting her revenge. I almost told her who I was right then, but she’s so fucked up that I was afraid it would break her and send her into a tailspin.”
“Your murder really did a number on her. My dad and I tried for years to console her, we even sent her to counseling, but nothing worked. She’s gotten more secretive and reckless since mom died. I’m afraid if she doesn’t stop now, she might end up dead herself.”
Hearing those words come out of Jimmy’s mouth made my blood run cold. I wouldn’t let that happen. Nobody was going to harm a single hair on Faith’s head, not while I’m still alive to protect her.
“Well, we’re going to have to stop this then, before it gets any worse,” I quickly said.
“I agree. Which is why I’m officially putting you on babysitting duty.”
“Me? Isn’t that the job of a more seasoned club member? Technically, I’m just a prospect.”
“Yeah, but technically you already know how to do details and trail people without being noticed. Besides, prospects usually end up being club babysitters anyway, only this time you’re not watching bikes for me or running errands, you’re keeping my sister out of trouble.”
“Switchblade isn’t going to let me get near Faith after today, and after pissing her off earlier, I doubt she will either.”
“You’ve gotten pretty good at hiding in shadows. Hell, I had no idea you were standing outside the bar until you sucker punched me in the jaw. If you can be near me without being noticed, you sure as hell can tail Faith without her seeing you. Follow her for a while, if you see her doing something you know she shouldn’t then intervene, but only step in if you absolutely have to. Nobody knows that you’re a part of this club, and for now let’s keep your real identity a secret, it could prove useful later on.”
I cut him off. “Cipher knows who I am, too, he’s the one who found me and told me that Faith was in trouble.”
“Figures. That guy is a technical whiz kid. I thank the stars every night that we found him before another club. He’s amazing. Well, since Cipher and Tank both know, we need to keep your secret limited to just us four. If Switchblade or any of the other original club members figure out your identity, there’s no telling what they’d do.”
“Probably finish the job they couldn’t seven years ago.”
Scythe patted me on the back. “Trust me, Brother, as long as I’m around, I’m never turning my back on you again. They’ll have to go through me to get to you.”
“It goes both ways, Jimmy. I’ll always have your back as well.”
We embraced for a few seconds before quickly dropping our arms. We were men after all—real men don’t hug for too long.
“Alright, head on out there and finish up whatever bullshit job Switchblade has you doing. If Faith is gonna do something it will be later tonight when she thinks everyone is either asleep or too drunk to care.”
I nodded. “On it.” I turned to walk out the door, but Scythe stopped me.
“JD, I’m glad you’re not dead.”
“I’m glad I’m not, too.”
I didn’t tell Scythe about Guerrilla. I didn’t want him to act any differently toward him and throw a wrench in what I was doing. For now, I’d let him be suspicious of everyone who was in the Armada when I was still a member. It was the only way to flush Guerrilla out and take him on once and for all.
Chapter Seventeen
Faith
I didn’t immediately head to Diego’s club like I wanted to. I actually drove home, took a shower, changed into some sluttier clothing and waited until almost six before I drove over there. Diego’s club didn’t open until it was dark, but I could usually find him inside the club around this time. He was a creature of habit and the club was his safe place, which is why he never left it unless absolutely necessary.
“I need to see Diego,” I demanded when I got to the club’s doors. Rodrigo was standing at the door again, and like always, he rolled his eyes at me.
“He’s not here.”