Outlaw Revenge (Back Down Devil MC #1)(35)

Gaige helped Emily to her feet. She was shaking. She looked at Gaige as she was ready to burst into tears.

“This is life, beautiful,” Gaige said. “I can’t f*cking control it. I can only protect those in it that I care about. That I love.”

Emily slid her arms around Gaige and hugged him.

“Bro, we have to get out of here,” Blaine said. “I know it’s touchy…”

Gaige nodded. “We’re ready.”

Everyone got back on their motorcycles and peeled away from the scene of the crime. They rode back down to where they had their meeting with the Coast Road crew. Of course, those guys were all gone, obviously afraid to get involved with any bullshit. It pissed Gaige off but he kept his sights focused. He needed to get Emily back to the clubhouse and get her to feel safe.

When they pulled into the compound lot, Gaige found Chief Jerry standing at his cruiser, a cigarette hanging from his mouth.

When Gaige stepped off his motorcycle he pointed to Blaine and Nate. “I need a favor.”

“Anything, bro,” Blaine said.

“Take Emily inside to the bar. Get her a drink. We’ll be right in.”

Blaine looked at the chief and shook his head. “This guy needs to mind his own f*cking business.”

“Give it time,” Gaige said.

Gaige kissed Emily on the cheek and put his lips to her ear. “Beautiful, go with these guys. You’re safe, I promise.”

Gaige walked toward Chief Jerry and stood with Miller. Shay and Griffin walked slowly to the clubhouse, leaving Gaige, Miller, and Chief Jerry alone.

“What do we owe this honor?” Miller asked.

“Funny how witnesses see one thing but remember another,” the chief said.

“I see you’re smoking again,” Gaige said. “What’s the old lady think of that?”

“She doesn’t know,” Jerry said.

“Long nights with that baby I bet,” Miller said.

“Beautiful long nights,” Jerry said. “Nothing like being a man who provides for his family. An honest living.”

“Honest,” Miller laughed. “Nothing in this world is honest.”

“Yeah. Well, the junkyard over there had some blood in it. Really fascinating shit. Our victim’s blood was there. Other blood, too. Too much for us to afford to test, but I’m sure someone with deep pockets wouldn’t mind. Someone brokenhearted.”

“Strokner,” Miller said.

“Bingo. He’s pulling in heat, gentlemen. I’ve done my job as far as I’m concerned. We’re investigating with the resources we have. But Strokner…”

“You have to stall him,” Gaige said. “Keep him happy with something.”

“Why?” Jerry asked. “The bikers are going to solve the crime?”

Miller put a hand up. “No need to get heated here.”

“That dead girl’s best friend just climbed off the back of your motorcycle, Gaige. What does that say?”

“That says nothing,” Gaige said. “Our business is private.”

Chief Jerry nodded. He pushed from the car. “Well, Strokner wants a bigger investigation on this. I can’t speculate much but if he pulls in bigger power…”

“We get it,” Gaige said.

“We appreciate your concern,” Miller said. “But I feel our consciences are clear right now.”

The chief let out a laugh. He tossed his cigarette to the ground and then pulled a mint from his pocket and popped it into his mouth.

“Gentlemen,” he said. “Have a good day.”

Once Jerry was in his cruiser, Miller leaned down and smiled. “Just to let you know… we were on a nice ride near the beach and I heard some gunshots. You might want to check that out.”

Miller patted the roof of the cruiser and walked away. He smiled and then Gaige smiled too. They walked back to the clubhouse together. Gaige looked over his shoulder and saw the chief peeling out of the parking lot.

Good luck, Chief.





nineteen.



Emily’s hands kept shaking. She was stuck between two bikers and she didn’t feel safe. She couldn’t help but feel like someone was going to just walk up and put a gun to her head. In her heart she swore she trusted Gaige and she trusted Back Down Devil MC, but a guy like Max would sacrifice his own life just to make sure Emily was dead.

“Drink up, babe,” Blaine said. “I’m telling you, it’ll calm your nerves.”

Emily lifted the shot glass and the whiskey burned her lips the second the liquid touched her. She shook her head.

“I can’t.”

“Sure you can,” Blaine said. “It’ll go down hard but that’s just life.”

“Cheers,” Emily whispered.

“Cheers, babe,” Blaine said.

Emily closed her eyes and took the shot. It was horrific and it burned all the way down to her stomach. She groaned and started to cough. Blaine gave her his beer. Emily drank from the bottle and then put it down. She blinked through the tears and looked at a smiling Blaine. There was actually a sense of sincerity in his eyes, for as sick as the man was.

“I don’t blame you for Rachel dying,” Emily said.

“Whoa,” Blaine said. “We need another shot.”