Reckless Temptations (Tempted #4)(45)

“Ay,” Pipe said in agreement. “I’ve got you.”

“We’re brothers, that shit isn’t temporary, it’s a bond you take to your fucking grave. Now you may have forgotten that but I haven’t and I will not let you forget it ever again. Got your back.” Wolf said, pausing for a moment. “Always.”

Jack turned to me, raising an eyebrow in question.

This was what I signed up for.

This was what I was born to do.

Ride or Die.

Motherfucker, I’m going to ride.

“I’m in but I want pie when your lady friend is safe and sound,” I said, lifting my head to meet Jack’s gaze as I brought my right hand over my heart. “And I’m not sharing it either,” I warned, my words teased but my actions were my vow.

I’ve got you brother, and this club is my heart.

Bones sat beside me, slapping my back in agreement.

“Let’s bring this fucker to his knees,” Bones chimed in.

We sprang into action, doing what men like us did best, and prepared for war. Even, Anthony and Mike gave their share, contributing to our warfare. We were dispersing responsibilities to each man when Jack’s phone rang.

Every pair of eyes were on him as we waited for him to clue us in. They say Jack’s crazy. They say he’s a loose cannon. I had never seen it first hand, not until I saw his eyes flicker and the darkness take over.

Crazy.

“Son of a bitch,” he shouted, sliding his phone across the table.

“What’d he say?” Pipe asked.

“Nothing, just that he’ll be sending me a video including his demands,” he said, diverting his eyes toward me. “Get a wire on that thing and get it done fast,” he ordered, before pushing back his chair and storming out of Chapel.

Everyone cleared out of the room and I grabbed the phone.

“Riggs,” Bones called from the door.

“Yeah?”

“Whatever happens…” his words trailed off.

“Stay safe,” I finished for him. “You too,” I added.

He nodded in agreement before taking off with Pipe. I hurried up the stairs to get my equipment and work at tapping Jack’s phone. Before I could even get started the message came through on his phone, missing the opportunity to trace it.

Strike one.

Shit.

I ran toward Jack’s room and pounded on the door.

“Come in,” he called as I opened the door.

“Message came through before I could get a tap,” I said, handing him over the phone.

The moment he hit play, the stakes in the game changed. I actually wished I wasn’t the only man in the room with him because I had no idea how to reel Jack in, but then again, he wasn’t Jack.

Jack died when he played that message.

A more vicious man emerged from the ashes.

Now, he was the Bulldog.

Heaven help us all.

“Bulldog…” I started, mesmerized by the transformation. “Jack, man, come on, don’t go there,” I said, gripping his shoulders and twisting his body around so we’d be eye to eye. “You can’t lose it, not now,” I reprimanded.

We needed a leader.

He brushed my hands from his shoulders and shoved me out of the way.

“Get your hands off me,” he bellowed, stalking out of the room.

I ran after him, fucking man was pushing forty but he was a goddamn machine. I needed to lay off the cigarettes…and the pot.

“Stop him!” I shouted, running down the stairs behind him. “Pipe! Wolf!”

“Get out of my way,” he demanded, as they barricaded the staircase.

Thank Christ.

“Jimmy sent the video,” I explained in a huff, trying to catch my fucking breath as I handed the phone to Pipe. Bianci switched places with Pipe, blocking Jack from making a move so Pipe could watch the video. The second Jimmy’s voice sounded, Jack lurched for the phone and I grabbed the back of his cut as Bianci leaned his weight on Jack and we held him back.

How’s that for teamwork?

“Jesus Christ,” Pipe said, as Jimmy’s voice sounded over the phone stating his demands and threats, a quarter of a million dollars in heroin or they die.

Ever see a bunch of bikers go into panic mode? Shit, ain’t pretty.

Thankfully, Pipe was able to hold his shit together and forced us to pull our heads out of our asses and drag them into the Chapel.

“We have twenty-four hours to give him what he wants,” Pipe informed everyone.

“We can’t get the drugs,” Jack hissed.

“I don’t follow, you just told us that was the plan from the beginning. You were going to supply him with the drugs and set him up. What’s the fucking problem?”

And there went Pipe, cracking at the seams. He was doing such a good job at holding it together…until this.

“The problem is that Blackie had the connection to the drugs with a club up north. He’s been controlling the deal with them. There isn’t enough time to go on a run, and even if there was, what are we supposed to carry the product in, our saddlebags?” Jack retorted.

There was no time.

No time and no drugs.

We were fucked.

Then I remembered my extracurricular activities and uncovering the Red Dragons’ stash house. Those naked bitches were cutting mounds of heroin. There was an easy three mill in product over there, if not more.