The Wild Wolf Pup (Zoe's Rescue Zoo #9)(50)

“Remove the gag,” I order.

Leaning close, Blackie whispers so only I can hear his words.

“Got real spooked when he saw Charlie outside the precinct,” he informs me.

“Ouch!” Ronan cries.

“Oh, you’re such a pussy,” Riggs hisses, balling up the gag and throwing it into the center of the table.

“You got our attention Ronan, time for you to talk and before you even ask I’ll clue you in on some shit. I don’t give a fuck if you’re broke, if you and your family are living off white rice. Don’t give me some shit that your son’s medical bills are hammering you; this is the face of a man who doesn’t give a fuck. I don’t want your sob story I want your motherfucking truth and if you think you will walk out of here without giving it to me, then you’re more fucked than I thought because my man Riggs is itching to pull the trigger on your ass.”

“Just waiting for the nod of your head boss,” Riggs adds, pulling his gun from his leathers and placing it in front of him on the table. “Bang! Bang! Motherfucker.”

“Kill me because I’m as good as dead anyway,” Ronan cries. “And not because I owe Charlie sixty grand but because he saw me with you guys.”

“Ronan, start at the beginning,” Blackie demands.

“I’m not saying shit until I have your word you will protect me,” he replies crossing his arms against his chest.

Riggs lifts his gun and aims it at him, pulling back the safety.

“Shit,” Ronan whimpers. “Fine, Charlie’s been building a new club with whatever Bastards are left, you know the ones you didn’t kill?”

“Smartass,” Blackie mutters.

“Keep talking!” I shout.

Ronan swallows hard as he stares back at me. I wasn’t sure what he was looking for—remorse? I’ve got none. Was he trying to size me up and call my bluff? That shit wouldn’t happen. I mastered the art of staring a person down and if this motherfucker was waiting for me to blink he’d be waiting a long time. A person’s whole world can change in the blink of an eye and with the number of enemies I have chomping at the bit I know better than to close these fucking eyes—not even for a half a second.

“About a month ago Charlie showed up at my house, he had copies of Brandon’s medical bills and swore he’d help me get rid of them. He told me that the Corrupt Bastards were very much alive and under his thumb, he was rebuilding the club with the help of some guys in pretty high places. He gave me a business card and on the back was a website to a brand new gambling site he created. He offered me a credit of fifty grand,” he explains.

“They don’t have that kind of cash flow,” Pipe interrupts. “Charlie has to be working with someone who has serious dough, someone who doesn’t have a paper trail and easy access if he can rebuild and offer a credit of fifty grand on the strength of a couple of months.”

“Brantley got a call when I was there, before Jones brought me down to the holding cell and he walked outside. Ten minutes later he comes downstairs and releases everyone, we go outside and find you talking to Charlie,” Blackie says, lifting his eyes to mine as he works out the scenario.

“What you getting at Black?”

“Brantley was stalling until Charlie showed up so we would see him and know he was the fuck behind this whole thing,” Blackie explains.

“He was waiting at the station when I pulled up,” I comment, scratching at the scruff lining my jaw.

“It’s bigger than Brantley, maybe he’s got Officer Dickhead in his pocket but he’s got someone giving him cash to rebuild and it ain’t no cop,” Pipe adds.

“Um, guys…” Ronan starts.

“I’m getting too old for this shit and I think we all agree this club has seen enough surprises to last a lifetime. We need to find out who the fuck he’s working with and we need to find out quick,” I order, reaching into my pocket to grab the pack of gum—fucking gum.

I let out a growl, shaking my head as I pop six Chiclets into my mouth.

“Fucking hell,” I sneer. “Riggs get a tap on Charlie’s lines. Pipe, you look into his books and one of you start tailing Brantley,” I boom, pointing between Linc and Deuce, deciding which one I was going to pick. I focus my eyes in on Linc. “You. You stick to the cocksucker like a fly to shit,” I order. “He so much as blows a light I want to know.”

“What if he takes a shit?”

“You tell Blackie,” I reply.

“Hello?” Ronan whines, raising a hand.

“Did anyone tell you to fucking talk?” Riggs barks back at Ronan.

“That motherfucker is too cocky. Whoever he’s working with is a big fucking name,” Blackie says, still mulling it over.

“We’re going to need someone on the inside,” Wolf adds. “Gotta put life inside that clubhouse.”

“Hello! Guys! You’re forgetting something.” Ronan exclaims.

“What’s that?” I huff as I pin him with a glare.

“I need protection from your club,” he demands.

“Now why the fuck would we do that?” Blackie asks, finally leaving his thoughts on the table and joining the land of the living.

“Charlie saw me with you guys which makes me dead meat. I owe him money and he’s going to think I went to you looking to settle my debt,” he rambles.