Crown of Ghosts (Lost Kings MC 19)

I glance at it quickly. “Looks similar to the one on the guy who visited me. I figured Big Chief hired someone outside his regular circle.”

“Ooof, good way to buy a ticket on the Reaper’s roller coaster,” Jigsaw mutters.

“Let me see it.” Rooster stands and reaches over the table for the paper. “Rock,” Rooster’s gaze sweeps from one end of the table to the other, “Z, we’ve seen this before.” He holds the square of paper up against his throat. “At Chaser’s anniversary party?”

“Motherfucker.” Wrath sits forward and reaches for the sketch.

“You saying this guy’s affiliated with the Devil Demons MC?” I ask. “Since when do they patch-in baby gangsters?”

“No, not the MC,” Wrath says. “A whole different beast.”

Chapter Forty-Three

Grinder

“It’s one of Quill’s guys. I guarantee it,” Rooster says after Serena leaves.

All the ways the world changed while I was inside just keep on slapping me in the face. “Chaser’s got half brothers? From some cartel guy? What’d Stump have to say about that?”

“Don’t know,” Rock says. “Chaser didn’t seem thrilled about the situation himself. Didn’t exactly share details of the family reunification, though. He made the introduction and left it at that.”

The fuck? “Demons have been an important alliance for years. We need to be careful how we rock that boat,” I say.

“Fuck. That,” Wrath growls. “Anyone who fucks with you, fucks with the whole club.”

“Chaser understands how this works,” Z adds.

“Your brothers have your back on this, Grinder. It’s not even a question,” Rock assures me.

After so many years of not being able to trust anyone inside, it feels good to have the support of my brothers.

“We all heard him promise this thing with Quill wasn’t going to impact us,” Rooster adds. “It’s been what, a minute, and one of these fucks went after a brother and one of our women?”

“No fucking way,” Jigsaw growls, pounding his fist against the table. “We need to hit back hard. Send a message. This won’t be tolerated.”

Rock drills me with his steady gaze. “I’ll make the call to Chaser and set up the meet.”

“I need to be there.”

“You will,” he says. “But you’re not going alone.”

“Hell fucking no,” Wrath adds. “We’ll be there.”

“Easy,” Teller says. “The whole club can’t roll up like we’re kicking off a war.”

“We need to go in hard,” Jigsaw argues.

Rock stares down at the table while a few of the guys debate both methods.

“Teller’s right.” Z holds up his hand to Jigsaw. “I hear what you’re saying, brother. If it were any other club, I’d agree.”

“Yeah,” Rock says slowly. “My gut says we need to play this carefully. Trust me, Jiggy, I’d rather go in guns blazing. But we don’t know exactly what we’re dealing with.”

Jigsaw sits back in his seat with a thump and runs his hand over his chin. “I get it. I don’t fuckin’ like it, though.”

“None of us do,” Z says.

Rock stares at each brother for a few seconds before seeming to come to a decision. “I want Z, Wrath, Rooster, and Dex with Grinder and me when we sit down with Chaser.”

“Rock,” Murphy protests. “Come on.”

Rock glares at him and continues speaking. “I want Teller, Jigsaw, Murphy, and Steer waiting nearby. Just in case.” He glances at Z. “That all right?”

“Fuck yeah.” He raises an eyebrow at Jigsaw, then Steer.

“Rooster’s got the closest relationship with Chaser right now,” Rock explains. “That’s why I want him there.”

“Yeah,” Rooster says slowly, “I don’t know if Chaser’s gonna see it the same way.”

“He needs a reminder that he’s got more at stake here than just territory,” Rock says. “Give him a reason to rein in these brothers of his.”

“Jesus,” Rooster mutters, shaking his head.

“Unfortunately,” Rock crosses his fingers in front of his face, “the two worlds are inextricably linked now, Rooster. For better or worse.”

“Yeah, I get it.”

“Good.”

If I wasn’t so fucking pissed off and worried about Serena, I’d be damn proud of how Rock’s running things. And Z. The two of them together make a fine team. Taking time to assess everyone’s strengths and weaknesses, reassure, educate, but most of all not take any shit. Lot of strong personalities to manage.

“Hold up.” Z raises his hands in the air. “I want everyone not riding with us to stay here and look after the girls.” He glances at Rock. “Lilly’s gonna stay at your place.”

“There’s room at our house for anyone who doesn’t want to bunk upstairs,” Wrath offers.

“This isn’t party time,” Z reminds everyone. “It’s lock it down time.”

“What about Downstate?” Hustler asks. “We need to warn Sway and the girls down there.”

“Fuck.” Z scans the table. “Hustler, I want you, Suds, and Butcher at our place. Tell the girls they either stay at the compound or they stay out. No coming and going.” He smirks. “That goes for Tawny too. She don’t like it, she can take it up with me.”