Twisted Pieces (Back Down Devil MC #5)(32)

“Let it go,” Blaine whispered. “He’s got shit on us. He’s just afraid. We’ll fix this.”

Back Down Devil got back on their motorcycles and started back toward the clubhouse. The ride was fast and Jace’s thoughts were even faster. He knew what he saw and now it was proven true.

Coast Road MC was dealing smack too close to Frelen. They were probably using those shitty back roads to get into the rundown towns and then traveling the interstate for distribution. No matter what, it was complete bullshit. Even if drugs weren’t being sold directly in Frelen, it was still something Back Down Devil didn’t stand for.

Once they arrived back at the clubhouse, Miller jumped off his ride and put his hands out, instructing Jace and the guys to stay on their rides.

“We need to talk about this,” Miller said. “This is serious shit.”

“I said it,” Jace said. “That day I got taken in. Coast Road was getting a delivery from that boat.”

“Then I guess we start cruising along the coast,” Miller said.

“Right into enemy territory,” Griffin said. “Again.”

“We have to make it known we know,” Gaige said. “They won’t know how we know. And if they find out about those bodies, it’s going to rattle them.”

“We’re trading one war for another,” Griffin said.

“What’s the choice then?” Miller asked. “Tell me, Griffin.”

“There is no choice,” Blaine said. “I think Jace is right on with this. There’s a connection between the drugs, Coast Road, that judge, and Strokner.”

“Easy now,” Miller said. “One piece at a time.”

Miller turned and walked away and the rest of the guys followed. Blaine patted Jace on the back and kept moving.

“You know,” Gaige said, when he and Jace were alone outside, “you took a hit for me, man. To protect Emily from Strokner. He wanted her. He wanted to do to her what’s happening now to Jordyn.”

“Yeah. And you’re okay with it.”

“I’m not okay with it,” Gaige said. “But I have to fix what’s wrong. And I have to keep my club in order.”

“All this my talk,” Jace said. “Last time I checked, your patch still read Vice President.”

Gaige smirked. “Yeah, it does. I trust you, Jace. When you say something, I listen. You brought Jordyn to us as though we could use her. But then I saw the way you looked at her. That’s the way I look at Emily, bro. You get that?”

“I’m not having this conversation,” Jace said. “I just don’t want her to get hurt. I’m sick of innocent people getting hurt. After seeing so much shit in prison. Shit on the street. Fuck, this Strokner thing started because his daughter was somewhere she didn't realize she shouldn't be. I’m done with it, Gaige.”

Gaige touched Jace’s shoulder. “You’re only done with it because you found something else to care about. There’s nothing wrong with that. Just like you didn’t hurt the judge’s kid. You could have though, right?”

“He was already getting the shit beat out of him, man. The work was being done for me.”

“Fuck that,” Gaige said. “You didn’t do it because you had something else to care for. Dude, it’s not a bad thing.”

“And how does it end?” Jace asked. “Tell me. How does it f*cking end? With us getting sent away? Getting killed? And you want to drag Emily through that?”

“She’s here because she wants to be here. And she knows I’ll give her every second and breath I have.” Gaige let go of Jace’s shoulder. “I trust in what you say, Jace. We’re going to find out what the f*ck is going on and take care of it. We’ve been through a lot and I'm sorry it’s not slowing down. But when you're the most feared and the best at what you do, there’s always going to be someone wanting us dead.”

Gaige started to walk away. Jace gritted his teeth. “I did it for the same reasons I am now.”

Gaige stopped. “What?”

“What I did for Emily. I couldn’t imagine her being ripped away and taken advantage of by Strokner. I knew she meant something to you. But now I have to sit back and watch Jordyn walk away right into his arms.”

“It hurts, doesn’t it?”

“What if I say it does?”

“Then I’d say you care more in your heart than your dumb mind will admit.”

“I promised to protect her, Gaige.”

“So then protect her,” Gaige said. “And thank you, for what you did with Emily. You saved her, bro. I trust you will keep Jordyn safe.”

The night settled in and darkness swept over. Jace stood outside alone for a while. He had no interest in drinking. No need to shoot pool, make jokes, or even f*cking laugh. He wasn't even sure he wanted to see Jordyn.

Jace forced himself to go into the clubhouse. As he passed the bar, he was handed two cold beers. His plan was to sit and talk with Jordyn. Tell her what had just happened with Gaige. It couldn’t hurt to open up a little more. Tell her he cared about her. Maybe that would get her to stop this. To refuse to go back to Strokner. The only way he knew he could protect her was if she was right there with him at the clubhouse.