Trusting Nicole (The Last Hangman MC #4)(25)

I get out of the car and lock it before heading inside the station. I’m a few minutes late and hear Lewis already laying out the plan for the day. I’m so grateful for her help. I don’t think I’d have been able to do any of this without her. Half of the cops in the station can’t stand me because of my connection to the Last Hangman, but they’d never admit that they’re glad I’ve managed to lower the crime level in the area, thanks to those same connections. Cops from other districts might not appreciate it as their violence and crime rates have gone up, but that’s not my problem. I’m only doing my job by protecting and serving the people of my area.

“Thank you, that’ll be all,” Lewis tells them and they all start to exit the room, glaring at me as they walk past me. They all head outside to the cars provided especially for the occasion. We are all dressed in street clothes and using unmarked cars, not wanting to rouse any suspicions from the Disciples.

“Good job up there, Lewis,” I say as I walk out with her.

“I tried to do my best. I didn’t want to overstep my mark, but you were late so I figured I’d get a head start and explain the plan one last time. Hopefully none of them will f*ck up.”

“Good initiative. You’ll make a good detective.” I smile at her, meaning it.

“Thanks, Sanders.” We climb into a pick-up truck that’s full of an arsenal of weapons and ammunitions.

“I mean it.” I start to drive off, leading the way.

We drive in silence for a while. I keep my eyes on the road, but I'm constantly checking my mirrors to see if we are being followed or if I spot anything that could mess up our plans, whilst Lewis checks the positions of all our teams. Not that I don’t trust them, well I don’t trust a few of them, but we’ve been betrayed before.

I feel bad for not keeping Ant in the loop with regards to what’s happening today, but I didn’t want to involve them just yet. I have a nasty feeling it’s not going to go as planned.

We heard from the Baton Rouge local authorities that the Disciples left last night and were heading our way, but it seems too simple. We have a perfect plan set up. We’re going to block every access coming from Baton Rouge, the MC are on their bikes so it can’t be hard to spot and stop them. I’ve given my men permission to shoot no matter what, but something doesn’t feel right.

A few minutes later, Lewis brings me back to reality.

“This might not be an appropriate time, but you dropped this when you walked out of your office yesterday.” Lewis says looking nervous.

“What’s that?” I pick up the paper she hands me, and my blood turns to ice when I see the very same letter she handed me yesterday. For once, I’m rendered speechless. Either she read it and has looked into me and knows the truth or she didn’t, but considering the look she’s giving me, she knows. I’m f*cked.

“I know everything…”

“Everything?” I sigh.

“Your secret is safe with me. Don’t worry.” she says and for some reason, I believe her.

“Why would you protect me?”

“You didn’t have a choice. Your tracks are covered, just not that covered when you know how to hack into the system or rather, outside of it.” She chuckles.

“Be careful, Lewis. I don’t want anything to happen to you because of me.”

“Don’t worry, I used a secured connection and I didn’t use my own computer.” She shrugs.

“Looks like I’m not the only evil one.” I chuckle humorlessly.

“You’re not evil, you were just surrounded by the wrong people.”

“I guess you’re right. I still don’t get why you’re protecting me.”

She sighs. “It’s a long story.”

“We have time.”

“Alright. My father was one of them. One of the Last Hangman. One of the first nine. Unfortunately, he was killed during a deal gone wrong. I was fourteen when it happened and I swore that I’d become a cop and put every single one of the Last Hangman behind bars.”

“Why haven’t you? There is more than enough evidence that could get them locked up for a long time.” This is interesting to say the least.

“I know there is and trust me, I wanted to, but since you started working with the Last Hangman things changed around here for the better. It’s more peaceful, people are less frightened and even though they are still outlaws, they are still doing some good around town. I know technically they aren’t responsible for my father’s death, they didn’t shoot him, but I always blamed them because it was easier to blame the bikers in front of me instead of the ones who weren’t. Truth is, they are one big family and even though they are still partaking in illegal activities, I can’t bring myself to break that family.” She sighs.

“Showing heart there, Lewis.” I chuckle. For someone who appears to be heartless, she actually has a heart of gold. Not a lot of people would let outlaws roam free just because they can’t bring themselves to tear a family apart.

“I know!” We both laugh.

“I just — I’m not approving what they do, but — shit I don’t even know.”

“There’s more to it, isn’t there?”

“Yes.” She rubs her face and looks out the window.