Lethal Temptations (Tempted #5)(44)

“You know Riggs did the security cameras at Sun Wu’s property on Mott Street. Well turns out that’s how he knew that Wu was keeping a stash house there. He dipped into the feed and caught them cutting and packing the drugs. It was pretty cut and dry when we went in, didn’t have time to work a plan. We shot our way through the front door, and put holes in anyone who got in our way. Somewhere along the way Wolf lost his cool and started shooting the whores and Riggs took his ski mask off,” Jack explained, shaking his head before he sat down and dropped his head to his knees.

I clenched my fist, bringing it down on the rolling cart and sent all the contents to the floor.

“I gotta get out of here,” I ground out.

Jack raised his head, fixing me with a glare.

“Riggs bought us some time. You need to get yourself f*cking straight because I can’t have you strung out on shit, wallowing in your misery because you know just as well as I do, giving that motherf*cker his money was just the beginning,” he fumed.

“Wait. Where did you get the money to give him?”

“Our boy Riggs is a rich boy living life as an outlaw,” Jack said, shrugging shoulders. “Guess money doesn’t make the world go round,” he added. “The Bastards haven’t contacted us for the drugs. If I had to guess that could go one of two ways…they can be pining for you to make this shit right or they could give a f*ck less and looking for a way to end us.”

“Well it shit as sure isn’t the first one,” I grunted, spreading my arms wide. “I’m stuck here, easy to find me, easy to get me, but only people strolling through that door are Knights,” I said.

“I’m sending Pipe and Wolf into the field to sway some of the nomads into joining our charter. The only reason the club is standing is because we’ve had Bianci and the Valente kid watching our backs, pitching in with this whole Jimmy mess but they’re not f*cking Knight’s. We can’t put them on the back of a bike, put an AK-47 in their hands and a cut on their backs.

I crossed my arms against my chest and damned everything to hell.

“What about Lace?” I asked, instantly regretting the question as it left my lips. I watched as he cocked an eyebrow.

“What about her?”

“You put Wolf and Pipe on her ass and now you’re sending them off on a goddam excursion,” I pointed out.

He stepped closer, his eyes darkened making them almost as black as the shirt he was wearing. “What’s going on Black?”

I forgot he was my friend.

I forgot he was the Bulldog, and that I answered to him.

He was just a man.

Just Jack.

And I was a man who had run out of f*cks to give.

“Don’t like her roaming around without protection when there are two f*cking wars about to slam into our territory. I’m sure you don’t either,” I stated.

“Yeah, and I know why I don’t…. not too sure why you don’t,” he questioned warily.

“It’s real simple. She may be your daughter but you made her a part of all our lives,” I ground out. “Can’t order me to protect her one minute and not the next, can’t give me her life, tell me it’s precious then expect me not to put her high on my list of priorities. I’m not made that way and you of all people should know that, understand it, because it’s the sole reason you asked me to look out for all those years ago…you knew I wouldn’t be able to turn that shit on and off so, don’t ask me too now,” I chided. “So, if Wolf and Pipe are going out on the road, someone needs to keep an eye on her,” I added.

He crossed his arms and silently assessed me, letting my words ferment in his head.

“Then I guess it’s a good thing your ass will be out of here soon,” he said finally before narrowing his eyes as he uncrossed his arms and stepped closer. “Let’s pray I can hold my shit together, and keep my business away from her until her knight breaks free,” he said, squaring his shoulders back before turning around. “Another reason for you to get your act together…apparently no one watches out for Lacey like you—not even me,” he sneered, pulling open the door before pausing and looking back at me. “She’s my daughter, Black, mine, my only surviving child. You remember that the next time you question my intentions,” he paused. “Actually, do yourself a favor and don’t question my intentions when it comes to my daughter.”

He turned and strode out the door, closing it behind him.

What the f*ck was wrong with me?

I ran my fingers through my hair, tugging at the ends as I stared at the door.

I was losing my f*cking mind, spiraling out of control like an addict going through withdrawals and for the first time it wasn’t drugs making me unravel.

It was her.

I meant it when I said there was no on and off switch with me. I wasn’t the type of guy that was satisfied with a little, I wanted it all, pushed and pushed until I got it too.

I got my appetite wet with Lacey and now I’d never be sated.

It was that revelation that turned two impending wars into three and the third would be the bloodiest and most destructive.

Brother versus brother.

President versus Vice President.

Two men who only know one side now knew two.

His.

Mine.

I shook my head, releasing my hold on my hair and crossed the room as I pushed the thought away. I couldn’t go to war with Jack…the idea was ridiculous.