Ace (Reckless Souls MC 2)

I chose a booth with a view of the parking lot, and her body seems a little tense as she walks toward me. Her cheeks flush and her lips tremble until she finds her smile.

“Mark. Hey.”

“Lookin’ good, McKenna.”

Her smile brightens. “Thank you.” She looks at me and then down at the menu with a sigh. “I changed at work. Sorry I’m late.”

“Relax, Kenna. I’m not going to hurt you.”

She rolls her eyes. “I know that. Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Yeah? Because not that long ago, you were scheming ways to get your sister out of my MC’s clutches.”

“Ugh,” she growls and drops the menu back on the table. “Why are you so stuck on the past?” She manages to hold her serious expression for about ten seconds before her laughter breaks through.

“My bad.” More proof that she doesn’t take herself too seriously.

“Hey there, my name is Lynn,” a chirpy voice says, and I look up as a faded blonde continues. “I’ll be your server today. What can I get you guys?”

I turn to McKenna and let her order first. “Lemonade. Buttermilk waffles with crispy fried chicken and a mixed green salad, please.”

The waitress nods and writes down the order, addressing me without looking up. “And you, big guy?”

“Southwest omelet with extra salsa and avocado slices. Toast and a side of bacon.” I look up, and both women stare at me like I’m a zoo attraction. “What?”

Kenna says with a touch of snark, “Didn’t you just have pizza a few hours ago?”

“Yeah. And?”

“All right. I’ll be back when your order is up.” With a too-bright smile, the waitress rushes away from the awkwardness between us.

McKenna is deep in thought for a second or two before she licks her lips and speaks. “So, what have you found out?”

“Do you remember Grace saying anything about this Nico guy?”

“No,” she sighs. “I would definitely remember if she did. How did you find him?”

“I haven’t found him yet. I just know who he is. I have a few of my guys searching the area for him.”

She swallows visibly and nods. “And then what?”

“And then I’ll get the answers I need.” I can tell what’s going through her mind because every thought is written all over her pretty face. “Ask me what you want to know, Kenna.”

“Are you going to kill him?” Kenna whispers like it’s a huge secret she doesn’t want out.

I smile. “I don’t know yet. It’s unlikely he killed Grace.”

“What?” She smacks her hand on the table hard enough to jostle the napkin-wrapped silverware. “How can you say that?”

“Because if he’s still alive, he’s in hiding, and a man doesn’t hide from his own club. Unless he has a damn good reason. My guess is that Nico and Grace did something they shouldn’t have, or Hector ordered her hit to make a point to Nico.”

“His own club? Are you saying Nico is a biker?”

“That’s what I’m saying, Kenna. He’s a patched member of the Iron Kings. For some reason, his boss chose Grace as his first sacrifice.” It still doesn’t make complete sense, but I think I’m close to figuring it out.

“First?”

I nod. “I told you the Kings promised to keep dumping bodies in the harbor until we give him what he wants.”

“And you’re not going to give him what he wants?”

“Fuck, no. That’s why I need to find Nico. I need answers.”

She nods and accepts her lemonade with a grateful smile and waits for the server to leave us alone. “What do you think he’s going to tell you?”

“I’m not sure, but if Nico can tell me why Grace was murdered, I can probably figure the rest out from there.”

Hector’s motives go beyond getting what’s mine, but there’s something else. I can feel it in my gut.

“Wow.” McKenna sighs and falls back against the booth seat. “Who knew there was such intrigue in biker life?”

Her words tug a reluctant laugh out of me. “Not just intrigue, also politics and violence and money. Lots and lots of money.”

“Drug money,” she insists.

“Some, yeah. But in case you didn’t know, pot’s legal in this state. Has been for decades now. We make a lot of money with legal dispensaries.”

She blinks rapidly, hazel eyes wide with shock. “You do?”

“Surprised?” Her expression says it all.

“I am. I assumed you dealt in cocaine and meth. Hard stuff like that.”

“No meth or crack,” I admit. “But cocaine, mushrooms are big money makers.”

“I don’t know, Mark. Have you ever considered just going legit?”

I laugh. “You mean like your father?”

She nods, just as I knew she would. “Kind of, sure. I mean, why not?”

“McKenna,” I sigh and lean in close. “How do you think people like me can buy businesses and spend all the money we make?”

She blinks, a blank, unknowing expression on her face.

“We’re entrepreneurs, but not like your great-grandfather. We do our own thing. That’s what the MC is about, but the Reckless Souls has standards. We’re a cut above. I can make money and live with myself. I don’t think you want to know anymore.”