Savage Love (Back Down Devil MC #7)(97)

Gaige lowered his gun. “Look, I’m really sorry about your daughter. The police came by the club already. We don’t know what happened, okay?”

“It’s a damn shame that you and your friends don’t understand the power of relationships. What they mean. What they create. Just because I prefer a suit jacket over a leather jacket doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”

“If you need something from me, just spill it. I don’t have f*cking time for this game.”

“Game,” Mr. Strokner said. “Sure. A game.”

Mr. Strokner reached to the passenger seat and waved. Someone put a piece of paper in his hand.

“This is something I’ve been looking at for some time,” Mr. Strokner said. “A large parcel of land, not too far from here. I’m wondering if I can bring some residential and commercial life out here. I mean, why not, right?”

“I’m not in your line of business,” Gaige said.

“I beg to differ,” Mr. Strokner said.

He held out the piece of paper. Gaige looked at it and swallowed hard. The land was where Back Down Devil did a lot of business. And by business, it was where a lot of bodies had been buried. As far as Gaige knew, the land belonged to the club, but he knew Mr. Strokner was powerful enough to get what he wanted.

“My daughter is dead,” Mr. Strokner said. “And it’s funny how her best friend was seen on the back of your motorcycle. Now, I can obsess about this. I can get lost in grief. Or maybe I can just continue my life. In honor of my slain daughter.”

“What the f*ck do you want?” Gaige asked.

Mr. Strokner’s lip curled. “I want to know who did this. Who pulled that f*cking trigger… over and over… bullet after f*cking bullet… and why was my daughter messing around with scum f*cks like you.”

“Hey, f*ck you,” Gaige said.

He took a step and then a gun was pointed at him. A man sitting next to Mr. Strokner leaned across and stared at Gaige.

“Everyone needs protection it seems,” Mr. Strokner said. “It’s a shame the world has come to this.”

“I can’t help you,” Gaige said. “The police are investigating. What more do you want?”

“The truth,” Mr. Strokner said. “I want to look into the eyes of the person who killed my daughter. If you happen to stumble across the truth, I’m sure you’ll be in contact with me. I’ll be busy plotting out that land… you know, it’s kind of funny how all men think they can bury their secrets. Yet all it takes is a little bit of money to bring them to light.”

Gaige stood frozen. Mr. Strokner nodded and then turned his head. The SUV started to creep forward as the window rolled up. It made a full turn and then the back passenger window opened and gunshots rang out. Gaige dropped down and watched the SUV speed away as the gun pointed out the window shot toward him.

“Fuck,” Gaige growled as he stood back up.

He looked at the piece of paper and shook his head.

What a f*cking mess.





sixteen.



Emily was back to work, but still hadn’t recovered from everything. The day before, Rachel was buried. There was no way Emily would ever miss the funeral of her best friend, even if it meant standing there like an outcast amongst family and close friends of Mr. Strokner. Back Down Devil MC were present, but they hid far back in the cemetery. Gaige and Miller came forward to pay their respects and even shook hands with Mr. Strokner.

Emily kept checking over her shoulder, looking for Max. When she heard what happened at the hotel, it made her sick. Max was f*cking with her and probably would continue to do so until he was caught and killed.

Caught and killed.

The words came so easily to Emily’s mind now. It was as if she thought like one of the guys in Back Down Devil. She’d seen so much already, from the wild parties, the raunchy sex, and the ideals of murder to know that they truly did live by their own laws. It was a scary concept but in reality, it made perfect sense. No police would ever be able to help Emily with Max. Their process wasn’t good enough. Emily would wind up dead. But with the MC, with Gaige, Emily would stay alive.

Emily was walking down the hall when she saw Belle approaching. Dressed in all black, her hair pulled back, and light makeup on her face, she looked like she belonged in a clothing catalogue. She was naturally gorgeous.

“Hey,” Belle said.

She never talked to Emily.

“Hey,” Emily said.

“Uh, listen, about the other day…”

“No,” Emily said. “I’m so sorry about that. I’ll take the blame.”

“It’s okay. I explained everything and it’s cool. I know you ride with one of them. But he wasn’t the one that stayed. Just so you know.”

“I know,” Emily said.

“That guy was crazy though.”

“Blaine? Yeah. He’s… different.”

“Is it wrong that I hope he calls for more business?”

Emily laughed. “I don’t know what’s right or wrong anymore. But he won’t be calling. He has his own way of finding what he wants. He kind of stumbles into situations.”

Belle smiled and shrugged her shoulders. “Well, I’m off. Business meeting.”