The Lies Between Us (The Devil's Dust #4)(72)

“Yeah, we’ll see you soon.” He hangs the phone up, and I swallow hard. Hope surfaces in my chest that I won’t die today, that Lip loves me enough to save me, and I’ll see Piper again.





CHAPTER ELEVEN


LIP


“We’re meeting at the docks. Let’s go,” I inform the boys.

“Let’s take care of business,” Bobby states.

Dani steps forward, taking Piper into her arms. Piper’s eyes shoot to mine in fear. Climbing off my bike, I hunch down so I’m the same height as her and she walks into my arms.

“Don’t worry; I’ll be back and with Cherry. Dani is a real good friend of mine, she’s really nice,” I comfort. Dani squats next to me, holding a picture of Cherry. Piper holds her hand out, taking the picture.

“You like toys?” Dani asks, smiling. Piper nods.

“I have a bunch with me if you wanna come check them out ‘til Cherry gets back.” Piper looks at me, silently asking me if it’s safe, if she should go. My heart grows for Piper, the fact she is seeking me out for security is something I can’t help but love.

“I’ll be back before you know it,” I whisper. Piper takes Dani’s hand, her eyes not as wide as before but still unsure. I hesitate, not wanting to leave her.

“It’s fine; I got Piper. Go do what you have to do, Lip,” Dani states.

I nod and climb on my bike. Starting it, the rest of the guys jump on theirs and we head out.

***

Nearing the docks, I don’t stop, or slow down for that matter. All I see is red, an ocean of red with a tide of betrayal. My brother is a traitor, and he’ll pay for it. My father would roll over in his grave if he knew his two sons were head-to-head.

We drive into the docks, the smell of salt strong and the winds heftier as we pull up to an old building, rusted and decaying, a street lamp lighting a small circle. Within the circle are a bunch of motorcycles and men standing around. I wave my hand, encouraging the guys to follow me in.

I search the group for Cherry but don’t see her. My jaw clenches. I swear to God, if he hurt her bullets will fly.

Parking a few feet away, the Sin City Outlaws turn, facing us.

“Brother, so nice of you to join us,” Zeek announces, his hands tucked into his torn jeans.

“Cut the shit, where is she?” I snarl.

“Cherry, you mean? She sure is a piece of fineness. I can see why you’re so protective of her.”

I reach around my back and pull my pistol out. “You got about two minutes to show me my girl, before your brains are sprayed everywhere,” I threaten.

“First business, then the girl,” he quips, his tone missing its humor.

“I told you before, no deal.” I sniff and look up at him.

“Then no girl.” He shrugs, grinning.

I point my gun, and he quickly pulls his own from his waistband.

Zeek and I, gun to gun. I used to play hide-and-seek with him, play video games with him as a child, and now I’m going to kill him.

“The way I see it, neither of us is going anywhere then,” I sneer.

“What are your terms?” Bull asks, stepping up beside me.

I turn my head, giving Bull a sideways glance, my arm still outstretched.

“No, we ain’t doing business with him,” I add. Bull widens his stance and thumbs his belt loops.

“State your conditions, son,” Bull states, ignoring me.

“I supply, and you make sixty-percent profit,” Zeek replies, his eyes never leaving mine.

“What are we talking about here? Drugs, Guns, Women?” Bull questions.

“Drugs. Pick your poison; I move it all.” Zeek smiles proudly.

“Don’t do it, man,” I warn Bull.

“Why? Why should we go into business with you?” Bull asks Zeek.

“You mean besides getting your bitch back?” Zeek laughs, and the rest of his men chuckle. “‘Cause I got the best shit on the West Coast, and,” he looks at me, “my uncle will not give up until he gets Phillip in our pockets one way or another. He’s blood. He’ll either accept that, or be buried for his betrayal of the DeLuca name,” Zeek threatens.

“Don’t be stupid, man,” Bobby whispers into my ear.

“No! Deal!” I holler. “Your idea of family is not ours. You keep your shitty drugs and the DeLuca’s toxic DNA on your side of the West Coast.” I curl my lip in anger.

Zeek snaps his fingers and the crowd breaks. I see red hair flinging back and forth as two men push and shove Cherry through the group of men.

“I killed our father, my own flesh and blood. The man who brought me into this world. Don’t think I won’t kill your bitch—or you, for that matter.” My eyes widen, and my hand grips my gun harder. I never knew he had anything to do with Dad’s death. I’m shocked; I thought Zeek was dad’s favorite. Goes to show how loyal the DeLuca name really is, and that strengthens my belief to stay the f*ck away from it.

Zeek snaps his fingers again and points to the ground in front of him. A guy kicks Cherry hard, making her fall to her knees and land right in front of Zeek. I step forward, wanting to save her, but the click of Zeek’s gun stops me.

“Not so fast, brother,” Zeek warns. Looking at Cherry, she has streaks of tears marking her dirty face. Her knees are bleeding, and the stitches on her face look to be torn and bleeding, as well. I lift my gaze from Cherry to Zeek. My chest constricts seeing her in such distress, and my hands fist at my side. An urge to hold her and tuck her hair behind her ear surges through me. I love Cherry, no doubt about it. I’ve never cared so much about another person in my whole life. Zeek is a dumb motherf*cker for touching her.