Desolation Road (Torpedo Ink 4)

Savage indicated the array of tools to Destroyer. Destroyer took his time. There were several types of wicked-looking whips, some with serrated edges on the leather. There were branding irons and piercing tools. Canes. Thin long strips of wood with holes drilled every few inches. Others with nails sticking out. A cattle prod hooked up to an electrical device was very prominent. The condoms the men had brought were scattered in plain view for them to see.

“We’ve got plenty of time. The clubs don’t close down until two and then it’s at least another hour until the others will bring us the night managers so we can work on them. Take your choice. Let’s see what you got,” Savage encouraged.

Destroyer looked over the various tools of the trade and chose a long, lethal-looking bullwhip. He tested the weight in his hand. “Nice.” He shook it out and then cracked it.

Holler yelped, jumping, his skin jerking, and he hadn’t been hit. Wings snickered, a nervous giggle escaping.

Savage chose a smaller, wicked whip, one that cut deep when wielded properly. He was a master at delivering a proper stroke. He indicated Destroyer start. “Warm up. He looks a little cold to me.”“We’re looking at a first-class setup, Czar,” Code said.

“Cameras positioned every twenty to thirty feet, all trained on the entrances and exits to the clubs. There are new emails exchanged between Haley Joico and the president of the Sacramento chapter of the Diamondbacks. Assurances are made that her club will be torched, and she’ll sell to them once she collects the money. She allowed them to install cameras both outside and inside the club and she’s been feeding them information on what the Venomous club is doing as well as the whereabouts of their managers. Of course, she doesn’t know they were picked up and delivered to Savage and Destroyer. She’s been their source in spite of making money off the VC. She’s playing both sides.”

“She’s going to end up dead,” Czar said. “Diamondbacks know she can’t be trusted.”

“Look to your left. Pierce is there, up on the roof across the street. He’s not Sacramento chapter. Why would he be here?” Code asked, not looking at Alena.

“Because he’s screwing me,” Alena said, before anyone could answer. “They think he’ll spot one of us before anyone else. They’re wrong.”

Czar glanced at Absinthe. Absinthe fucking hated it when Czar gave him that subtle sign to check on one of their own, but he had no choice. He shifted closer to Alena and kept his eyes on her.

“Has Pierce heard anyone refer to you as Torch?” Czar asked.

“No one calls me that ever unless we’re together in the clubhouse as just our family. You don’t allow that anymore, Czar,” Alena pointed out. “As far as I know, no one’s ever broken that rule in front of him.”

Absinthe waited until Czar again shifted his gaze just for that millionth of a second and he nodded. Alena wasn’t lying.

“He’s just doing his job for his club,” Alena added. “The same as any of us would do, Czar. He’s not betraying me. He has no idea I’m here. They want proof of what we’re doing so they can run us. That’s all. We’d do the same thing.”

“I didn’t say he was doing anything wrong, honey,” Czar said gently. “You don’t need to defend him. I’m asking to protect you, that’s all. Your protection comes before anything or anyone else. That’s the way it works in our club and that’s the way it always will. You know that. You’re getting too sensitive and I’m not sure why.”

Alena ducked her head. “I’m not sure either,” she admitted. “I’m feeling very scattered, all over the place. I think, sometimes, I just need to go somewhere quiet and be really still.”

Absinthe flashed her smile. “I go to the library. You need to find your place, babe. Go to the beach alone. Cooking used to help you, but you turned it into your business. It won’t work the same for you anymore. You need to find a new way to still your mind.”

She nodded. “I know. I’ve known for a little while that I was starting to have trouble. I’ll work on it, Czar.”

“You need help, honey, you come to me,” Czar said.

Ice slung his arm around his sister’s shoulders. “I should have been paying more attention to you, Alena. I’ve been so wrapped up in Soleil lately, I haven’t looked outside us. I’m sorry.”

Alena rubbed the back of her head against her brother’s shoulder. “Don’t think that way. I love that you have Soleil. I love her for you. I want Storm to find someone that’s equally that perfect for him.” She looked up at the roof across the street. “When I’m around Pierce, I think things are good, but he’s Diamondback and I’m Torpedo Ink. That’s never going to change. There he is on that side and I’m over here.”