Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 69993 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69993 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
“That’s bullshit,” Shades growls. “Sounds like you want to die today.”
“No,” he shakes his head. “I don’t want to die. I’m telling you the truth.”
This guy, this so-called man of the cloth, isn’t just a liar, but he’s also a prick. He’s willing to sell Letty and Gia out to yet another MC just to save himself.
“Braden, let me give it to you straight,” I say.
He nods. “Preacher, you have to believe me.”
I nod as if his bullshit words hold weight with me. “Actually, I don’t. But if you don’t tell Ace everything you know, where the money went, how you did it, and make sure it is the absolute truth, then I’ll personally make sure you and your wife are buried together, fighting for the last gasps of air inside the same coffin. Understand?”
He nods quickly. “The absolute truth,” Braden promises.
“And why should we believe you?” I press.
“I have no reason to lie to you,” he insists. “I just want to get out of here alive.”
We all exchange glances, and I can tell that Coop and Ace are both thinking the same thing I am. We need to know what’s really going on with the Kings and the church before making any decisions.
“Start with Gia,” I add and stand tall, taking a few steps back to give him room to think.
Braden’s shoulders fall forward. “I may have misspoke,” he says, and his head falls.
“You think?” Coop asks, and I can see the anger boiling just below the surface.
Ace steps up next to me, and I know he’s thinking the same thing I am. “What do you want to do with him?” I ask.
Coop looks at Braden and then back at us. “We can’t just kill him,” he says.
“Why not?” Shades asks. “He’s a liability. He knows too much.”
Coop shakes his head. “No, we need to find out what he knows first. Then we can decide what to do with him.”
Ace nods his agreement, and I know Coop is right. But as much as we all hate to admit it, we need Braden alive for now. At least until we can figure out how much of a threat he really is.
Coop nods. “Agreed.” He looks at Braden. Ace drops a hand on my shoulder and steps toward Braden. “Okay, Frank, let’s take a break. When I come back, you’ll be ready to tell me everything you know. Right?”
Braden nods, and I can see the fear in his eyes.
But Coop is right. We need to find out what he knows before we do anything. Hopefully, he’ll be more cooperative when we come back. Otherwise, we may have to resort to more…extreme measures.
He nods in resignation, and we all follow Ace out of The Chamber.
“Are you seriously going to listen to a fucking word he has to say?” Shades’ face is red with fury.
“I am. Preacher put the literal fear of God into him with that bit about his wife, so I think he’s ready to talk. But I’ll hold off on life or death until we know what he knows. We don’t even know what he doesn’t know. Let’s give him some time.”
Ace turns to me. “Thanks for that, Preacher. It’s exactly what he needed to hear.”
I nod at Ace’s compliment. I don’t want to kill Braden’s wife. Hell, I don’t want to kill anybody. I don’t want any harm to come to her, but I have no problem using my words to make sure he knows that we mean business.
“I’ve spent enough time with him to understand him, a little anyway.” It’s a fact that doesn’t sit well with me, understanding a dirtbag like Frank Braden, but we all have our parts to play in this MC, and this time it’s on me to step up and say or do whatever is necessary to get the information we need.
We leave The Chamber and the last thing I hear is the sound of Frank sobbing as I turn the key in the lock, sealing Braden inside.
Chapter Thirteen
Gia
“The police aren’t giving me any answers, Gia. Can you call them?” Mom stares at me with that pleading look like she didn’t just tell me she wanted me to leave so she and her married boyfriend could live without me.
I shrug. “I don’t know what you want me to say, Mom. Frank is a creep and you’re better off without him.”
“He’s not a creep! He’s just… misunderstood.”
I snort. “Yeah, misunderstood. That’s one way to put it.”
“Please, Gia. Just call the police and ask them what happened. I need to know he’s okay.”
“No, Mom, I can’t.” I know she’s worried and spoiling for a fight, but after last night, I’m not ready to give her what she wants. “I’m still pissed at you.”
“I don’t care if you’re pissed at me, Gia. This is more important. Frank could be hurt or in trouble and I need to know what’s happening. Please just call the police and ask them what happened.”