Chapter Twenty-Five

NYCTO

One Day Later

Atomic and I sit in the Chapel, going through the club’s accounts. We need cash fast. With shit going down with Andrés, transporting might not be our steady income in the future, especially if he finds out about Eva and Ivy. Time to find a new business venture. Maybe not fully legit but more legit.

We need a new way of making money for the club.

“We have to think of something unique. Something that’s going to bring us in a steady income but isn’t already in the pipeline in Florida.”

Atomic rubs the back of his neck. “We could boost cars. Open a chop shop.”

“We don’t have the space. It has to be something smaller—something that works to our strengths. None of us are mechanics. Sure, we can find our way around an engine, and Dash is doing his course, but he’s not knowledgeable enough to pull that shit off yet.”

Atomic’s eyes widen. “What if we don’t play to our strengths but to those of the people who live here?”

“You talkin’ gibberish again, brother?”

“Fucking hear me out. We have a club girl who’s practically a qualified chef. What if she comes up with a bunch of recipes with weed in them? A gourmet munchie that could be sold on the street. Hell, we could even open a store, and Trix could sell her baked goods, but out the back, we can have a section for edibles. Even have an internet shopping cart if I can figure out a way to get the point across without alerting the authorities… perhaps the dark web?”

I let out a half laugh. “It could work. We have to get Trixie on board. Let’s go find our club girl.”

In search of Trixie, we head for the kitchen. As always, she’s inside, whipping up something fucking good as we approach.

“Trix, you got a second? We wanna run some shit by you.”

She stops stirring. “Sure, Pres. What’s up?”

Atomic leans against the countertop as I fold my arms across my chest. “The club’s in a jam. We need some help moneywise.”

“I’m not following?”

“What if the club were to create munchies, something delicious and packed full of green? We could buy a store where you can sell your baked goods, maybe even a small café like you’ve always wanted, but then we could store and sell the gourmet munchies for a higher profit and start bringing some income to the club rather than dealing in packages. Of course, the more ‘gourmet’ … ” he uses air quotes, “… products would be hidden from the public. This would mostly be a word-of-mouth, dark web venture.”

“Pres, you gonna buy me a café?” I wink at her. “That’s all well and good, but where are you getting the weed?”

That’s part we haven’t thought about yet!

Atomic pushes off the counter. “The back part of the lower bunker next to the Cell is unused. It’s full of junk. We could brick it off and turn it into a lab. Sure, it’s not the size of a warehouse, but it’s big enough to keep us in crop. We could have plants growing at different rates, so we always have product. All we need is some good quality lighting, air and water circulation, hydroponics, and then harvest.”

“I can brick the wall off, so if we’re ever raided. It will look the same as the Cell.”

“Exactly.”

Trixie squeals. “Sounds perfect, I’m so in. I’ve been wanting to make pot gummies, brownies, and lollipops… but what about savory? I wonder how it’d go in a quiche…”

I glance at Atomic. “Get everything we need. We have to kick this off as quickly as possible. Obviously, our crop won’t be viable for a while, so get on the line to Alpha from Los Angeles and have whatever we need shipped down from him. Tell me when the wine transport truck is in town, and I’ll make sure to send a couple of brothers out to the meeting point with the van to bring in the product.”

“Sure thing, Pres. I think this is gonna work,” Atomic offers.

Trixie bounces on her toes. “Me too. I’m excited to trial the recipes and see what I can come up with.”

“This isn’t your typical trap-house brownies, Trix. We need to think outside the box. Maybe find someone who can give us some idea of what works in the underground edibles industry.”

“Alpha might know someone,” Atomic adds. “I’ll make the call.”

“Leave it with me, Pres, and thank you. I can’t believe I’m getting my own café!”

Those California brothers really know how to hide shit. Just like I hide bodies behind walls, they hide their bodies inside of pigs. People might think I’m strange, but at least I don’t keep pigs as pets for them to eat people. Who am I kidding? If I had pigs, I’d probably do the same damn thing. I guess we Defiance brothers aren’t all that different.

Right now, though, I need to find Void and tell him the good news—that I’ve found a way to bring money to the club. I should have run it by him first, but Void’s been distracted lately. Sometimes, one of us has to make a call for the good of the club.

I figure if Void is anywhere, it will be with Ivy, but as I approach her room, he’s not there. Ivy is on her sofa, watching television by herself.

I tip my head at her. “You know where Void is?”

“Haven’t seen him today. He’s gone back to one-word answers and is avoiding me after he came in here last night. I don’t know what I did wrong.”

Yeah, right. I’m pretty sure I know what’s happening. Void doesn’t like to emote. If he’s started to feel something toward Ivy, and he has realized it, he’ll be shutting down. Closing off his emotions.

Getting back to being Void.

No one really knows why he does this, but if he is shutting down, I need to find him before he drinks himself to death.

“Void’s a complicated beast. I’ll find Eva and send her down.”

“I’m fine, honestly. There’s something about this place that calms me.”

Ivy likes living with the dead. She’s one twisted fucker, even if maybe she doesn’t fully comprehend what she’s saying.

“There’s a room upstairs if you ever want it, but for now, you’re welcome to stay down here. Just remember, there might be times when we have to use it for… other reasons.”

She nods matter-of-factly and turns back to her television, effectively ending our conversation. So, I head off to find Void. When I get to his bedroom, I don’t bother knocking. I walk in, and he’s sprawled out on his bed with a near-empty bottle of whiskey in his hand, staring vacantly at the ceiling.

Shit.

I shut the door. “Pull your fucking head in, Void. Only one member of this club’s presidency can have questionable behavior at a time. I’ve filled that quota. I need you to be the sensible one.”

Void brings the bottle to his lips and takes a long gulp. I walk over and snatch the drink away from him, a small amount spilling from the top. He groans as I slam the bottle on his desk, then turn back to face him. “Void, stop! Like Ivy, don’t like Ivy. I honestly don’t give a flying fuck. Just don’t fall apart right now. The club needs you. I don’t know what’s coming our way, but I’m putting contingencies in place for everything. A hand at our backs if trouble comes knocking, cash flow with the help of Trixie and Alpha. Everything’s falling into place, but I need my VP to stand beside me, not fall to the floor in a damn heap.”

“She’s too perfect, Nycto.”

“So this is about Ivy.”

He sits on the edge of the bed, rubbing his face in frustration. “I can’t tarnish her.”

“Then don’t. Walk away. Don’t go back down there. Let her live her life, and you live yours, but brother, if she’s making you feel something, then isn’t that… something?”

His eye twitches. “You said Alpha? What’s the pres of Cali helping us with?”

Avoidance. Typical Void.

“We’re buying some weed until we can grow, and Trix is gonna make gourmet munchies for us to sell.”

A slow smile crosses his face. “You gonna sell them to the hipsters and tweekers?”

I chuckle. “More than likely. Atomic is delving into Trixie running a café and whether we can do some kind of online thing with her extra-baked goods being distributed from there.”

“Sounds risky.”

“Will be dark web, I’m assuming.”

“Makes sense. How do we afford to keep purchasing from Alpha, though?”

“Here’s the clincher. We’re gonna build a lab next to the Cell and grow our own crops. If we purchase semi-mature plants, it shouldn’t take too long. Until they’re viable, we’ll use Alpha.”

“You’ve thought of everything.”

“Hopefully. Now, I need my VP on board.”

He dips his chin. “I’m with you.”

“Then get out of bed, stop your wallowing, and let’s get this club back into action.”

Two Days Later

It’s just after lunch, and all bellies are stocked full of Trixie’s Mexican Fiesta Friday feast. She does this once a month—goes nuts on all the best Mexican food for lunch. We make a real day of it, so I’m glad Eva was able to share this one with us.

She’s currently over with Trixie, Freya, and Pepper talking about God knows what. I’m amazed at how well she fits in here. She’s walking around like she’s a part of the family. Even when she found out I lied to her and she fell apart, she still came back. She’s strong. It’s what makes me sure she belongs here—her resilience. The fact everyone respects her without question helps as well.

Atomic slides into my side, distracting me from my obsessive watching of Eva as he pushes his iPad across in front of me. “Alpha’s confirmed the shipment will be here within the next day or so.”

“Good. Then we can get everything underway and start bringing in an income.”

Crow steps in behind me and slaps my back. “This is a good move, Pres. Being the eldest member here, I’ve seen more than most. Our club getting involved with Andrés was never right. But this… partnering with LA and having Trixie at the helm? Well, I’m proud of you, Nycto. This club is finally moving in the right direction.”

I dip my chin. “Thanks, old man. Appreciate it. I’ve listened to your opinions all through this. Maybe you were right all along, but we had to get to a point, and we have. I’m glad I stuck it out this far, though, or we wouldn’t have gotten Eva and Ivy.”

Crow glances over at Eva and smiles. “She’s a breath of fresh air. Shame Ivy didn’t come up for the feast. Think it has anything to do with our VP?”

Atomic chortles, and I tilt my head in response. “Yeah, so I keep hearing. Will be interesting to see how that one plays out.”

“For sure. Right now, though, I need beer.” We chuckle as Crow takes off toward the bar. Is he… whistling ? No, that’s—

An explosion rocks through the front of the clubhouse, sending me flying with the blast of the shock wave. My ears ring as I stumble to my feet. Dust and debris fill the air, clogging my eyes. My head vibrates and pounds. Concrete and rubble trip my feet as I stagger, trying to gain my bearings. Daylight smacks me square in the eyes, blinding me as it streams inside the clubhouse for the very first time. Part of the front wall is gone. What the fuck?

I pant for breath and cough, my lungs and throat filled with dust and the taste of metal. Bringing my blood-soaked hand up to shield my eyes, I take in the chaos. The entry of the bunker has collapsed. Under the rubble, a pair of legs stick out. There’s no way whoever is under that slab of concrete is alive.

My heart rapid-fires in my chest as I realize my club is under attack in the middle of the damn day. Whoever is behind this is banking on my weakness. I’m forced to fight while being blinded by daylight.

“Defensive positions,” I bellow to anyone still alive.

The back of the bunker is intact, and I rush back, ushering dust and blood-covered survivors with me to find some form of cover. My eyes flash over to the kitchen, where Eva is with the club girls. They’re huddled together behind a sofa, dirty but seemingly unharmed. “Trix, get all the women downstairs, n ow !” I can’t fight and think about Eva. Trixie and Pepper each grab one of Eva’s arms and start rushing her toward the stairs, and Stacey and Freya follow. Eva screams out, fighting the girls, but they’re stronger together and move her fast.

“Nycto!” Eva’s shrill voice churns my stomach as I pull out my gun. “Nycto, please… be safe!” she yells.

Trixie yanks her down the stairs and out of my sight. All I want right now is to protect her and tell her everything’s going to be all right, but it may not be. We’re in the open, under attack. I have no idea what’s coming. I don’t have time to call Torque for backup. We may all be dead before he gets here. I don’t want Eva to watch me die fighting for her.

Judgment day has arrived.

Void slides in at my side, and we upend the pool table. I take note of my other brothers’ positions around the room, finding shelter where they can. All have their guns drawn.

My eyes shift to Void. He ducks as the first bullet rings through the air. Gritting my teeth, I check around the side of the reinforced pool table as Andrés’s lackeys swarm the clubhouse. The sun shines brightly behind them, casting their faces into shadows. My eyes sting from the intrusion of light, so I squint, trying to calm my nerves.

Andrés has done this on purpose.

Daylight.

It unsettles me.

Rattles me.

But I need to be strong. I won’t let this bastard get the better of me.

I pull my sunglasses out from the inside of my cut. By some miracle, they’re still intact. A smirk crosses my face as I put them on a gunfire rains through the bunker.

Void holds his hand out to me, and we fist bump, then take off on either side of the pool table.

I draw my gun high, aiming at the first asshole I see. One of Andrés’s lackeys turns to face me as I rush past him, aiming my gun at his kneecap. Before he registers what’s happening, I pull the trigger, and his knee explodes. Needing to get my hands dirty, I run up behind him as he screams in pain. Blood gushes from his knee as I move in, grip him in a headlock, then snap his neck before he has a second to react. The crack resonates up my body, sending a wave of pleasure rolling through me. I drop his corpse to the floor as a bullet whizzes past my ear. I turn quickly, pull my gun up, and shoot. The bullet lands in the middle of the second shooter’s chest. He grasps at his chest and falls.

I keep moving.

Anarchy surrounds us.

Brothers fighting Andrés’s lackey assholes.

Bullets pummeling into bodies.

Punches being thrown.

It’s a cacophony of chaos.

Blood splashes on my cut as Void shoots a lackey at close range next to me, his brain matter exploding all over my president patch. Another one bites the dust. Void dips his head as I flip him the bird. He chuckles, then takes off in the other direction.

Suddenly, my head snaps to the side as a fist slams into my face. Blood and spit fly out of my mouth, and my glasses shatter as pain explodes through my cheek and jaw. I try to fight back, but the lackey is too quick and slams a punch to my stomach, followed by his shoulder pushing me back. I let out a loud grunt as he winds me, almost knocking me over. His body pushes me up against the wall, slamming my back into the concrete. Sunlight beams into my eyes, blinding me from seeing the next punch, which smacks me right in the side of my head. I hunch to the side, the pain reverberating through my scalp. This fucker is getting me good, but I won’t let him beat me .

I can’t see.

The sun’s too bright.

But I aim, hoping for the best. If I get this wrong, it could end badly. I point, clench my eyes, and pull the damn trigger. Blood sprays over me as the lackey’s head is blown apart. He falls to the floor, and I bring my hand up to wipe my face. “Fucking hell. The things I do for you, Eva,” I murmur to myself.

I push away from the wall, but as I do, more of Andrés’s men file through the opening they created. It’s like an endless stream. There’s no damn way out of this.

We’re dying here today.

But if I’m going out, I’m going to try like hell to get to Andrés first.

I search the room. The fucker is sitting down with lackeys surrounding him like a human shield, helping himself to a drink at my fucking bar. He thinks this is a walk in the park. Well, I’m going to put this dog down.

With a steely determination, I head toward Andrés. A lackey moves closer, but before he fires, I shoot him in the eye. His body spins, then falls to the floor. Another rushes over, and I unload two rounds into his chest, but then three more surge forward.

Fuck.

I pull out a knife from its position in the back of my jeans. With a gun in one hand and a knife in the other, I steady my stance as they start circling. They aim their guns. I don’t know why they’re hesitating, so I lunge forward, slashing at one of them with the knife. It connects with his chest, slicing right through his torso. He groans as the other two make their move. I aim my gun at one of them and manage to shoot him as the other kicks out my knee, making me stumble, then pushes me toward the bar. The bullet ends up in the lackey’s arm. Another pins me, holding me down, and rips my gun from my hand. I fight against them, but it’s no use. My heart rate is so fucking rapid I can hardly breathe.

Andrés steps in front of me.

I curl my lip, staring at him while the fighting continues around the room.

“Leave this one for me,” Andrés instructs, pointing his gun at my head.

I tense as the lackeys let me go, then step aside.

My brothers around me fall, wounded or dead.

This is my fault.

Eva and Ivy will be taken and sold.

The blame lies squarely on my shoulders.

So, I look down the barrel of the bastard’s gun and accept my fate.

“ Do it! ”