Chapter 4

Logan

"How much longer?" I grip the steering wheel, taking a deep breath to stay calm, but it's not helping.

For the first time ever, I have this rising panic, a thick weight in my chest, thinking that we aren't going to get there in time. What if we're too late? What if we walk into Loco and both of them are already dead?

Fuck. I feel my harsh breath rushing faster and faster out of my mouth as my thoughts swirl. I place my gun on my lap before I end up shooting one of us by pulling the trigger accidentally while driving like a maniac.

"Turn left. Two minutes out," Nicky says in a robotic voice, but I can hear the tightness in his tone.

He's not doing so good either. We all aren't.

I press my foot down harder on the gas pedal and turn sharply left, shifting the sticky gear shift to speed up. I don't even care that Tillie and Tey's cum is on my hand, or her blood. I just want them back. Nicky slams his computer shut, throwing it in the backseat without caring where it lands, and opens the glove compartment to hand me a gun while he takes one for himself.

"I messaged Jin. He's already there. Apparently, he was in the neighborhood." Nicky shifts his gaze towards me, our eyes communicating to not say what we're really thinking out loud.

We need to check all the cars and our houses for bugs. There's no way Jin just happened to be in the east side neighborhood. He's either listening in or having someone watching us. Fuck. I quickly change the subject just in case.

"Are you sure she knows about Paris?" I grind my teeth together, knowing she's going to jump to conclusions and not trust a damn word out of my mouth.

I can't blame her. We all don't trust easily, and however she found out what Nicky and I were up to… it's going to look bad.

"Well, I saw Paris today and she looked like she had been through a blender. My guess is Tillie beat the shit out of her. Not surprising really. It was only a matter of time since Paris thinks she sits on a pedestal and loves to make everyone feel beneath her, especially our girl. Paris is obsessed with you too. Did you see this turning out any other way? We should have told Tillie, but no. You didn't want to involve her, and now it's blowing up in our face." Nicky shakes his head in disgust as he leans over, throwing his Glock in the glove compartment in anger, and clenches his pants legs in his fists as he sits back.

"You're right." I heave out a breath. I can't believe how much I fucked up. "I promised her no more secrets, and I already screwed it up because of my pride. I just want to keep everyone I care about safe!" I shout, suddenly punching the steering wheel, thanks to all the raging emotions and guilt bubbling up inside of me.

I see the sign of the Mexican restaurant down the block and try to gain some of my control back. It has to work out. She'll have to forgive me once she knows everything.

"You about done? Get your head on straight. Besides, if she really thought we cheated on her… she would have killed us or left instead of having sex in my car with Tey. They both know I can't stand messes, but this kind of mess, I really don't mind. I would love to paint both of them in my cum, soaking into their skin so they smell like me for days. That's the kind of mess I want." Nicky checks the bullet chamber, clicking it back into place, and acting like he didn't just admit something out loud that's never easy for him.

Tillie is really changing us all for the better.

Nicky is starting to not give a shit about what Jin thinks.

Tey is letting his psycho fly and loving life.

Dalton's rough edges have calmed down, as if he's found peace with this life.

I… Nothing else matters to me except my family. The people who aren't blood but all the same. They're my brothers and the woman who makes my cold heart beat again.

"I'm proud of you, Nicholas." Just saying the words feels as though they were ripped from my soul, but the minute they were out, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.

"Shit. Don't start getting emotional on me now. Our people are in that building. Be the Logan who we need, then afterwards you can go back to being a sap." I turn my head to see Nicky wiping away the smirk that just formed on his face.

Looking back at the road, I pull into the restaurant's parking lot and slam on the brakes so hard that we jerk forward in our seats. I don't bother turning off the engine, better to leave it running, just in case. Stepping out, I flex my stiff fingers around the trigger of my gun and straighten my suit as I quickly take in our surroundings. Jin's freaking limo is already in the parking lot, and Dom's car is parked closer to the back of the restaurant.

Good. Both exits will be watched if shit hits the fan. It's one thing me and Dom have in common; taking over a situation without hesitation and looking at all outcomes.

Nicky gets out of the car and looks over at me with a perfectly raised black eyebrow once he notices I'm already looking at him.

"I'm going in alone," I say, noticing his jaw tightening at the order.

"No." His lip curls, breaking out of his stoic facial expression.

"No? You're going to lose your cool walking in there, seeing Jin treating this like a business meeting. You know I'm right. I'm going to get them out of there," I promise him, seeing the indecision in his gaze until he kicks his tire and rounds to the trunk.

"Fine, but the moment anything goes south, I'm coming in guns blazing. The moment we learn the truth of everything, Lo, I'm done holding back," Nicky vows, opening the trunk to pull out a rifle under a hidden compartment.

"We'll all have that day very soon." I slap him on the shoulder and head towards the entrance of the restaurant without looking back.

The moment I enter the building, the smell of cooked meat and loud, upbeat Mexican music hits my senses all at once. If this place wasn't a hangout for dipshit fuckers, I'd eat here on a taco Tuesday. The atmosphere is low lighting and family-oriented. Too bad it's all just a front for gang members to hang out. We should really blow this place up, just because.

I scan the seating area, looking at families sitting in booths and eating without a care in the world, not knowing that any minute someone could draw a gun and it ends up being a shoot-out. I spot the back of Jin's head near the rear of the restaurant in a dark corner, sitting at a table, and across from him sits Carlos.

I walk over to them slowly, like I have all the time in the world, and try to keep my facial expression clear of any emotions. Carlos glances over Jin's head and smirks, raising his tequila glass at me before throwing it back.

"Logan. What brings you to my neighborhood, cholo?" Carlos asks innocently and gestures for me to take a seat next to Jin, but I stay standing instead.

Like hell I'm going to sit at a dining table with him. My mother always said a kitchen table is where friends and family gather.

"Let's cut to the chase, shall we? I have places to be. Where are they?" My eyes bore into his, waiting for him to look away first.

"Logan, where are your manners? Didn't know Franco raised an animal." Jin speaks up for the first time since I got here, glancing over his shoulder at me as he grabs a handkerchief out of his suit pocket and starts wiping down the table in front of him like it's dirty.

"Apologies, Jin. How are you?" It takes everything in me to not spit the words at him, but my voice comes out sincere and pleasant as I turn my head to look at him.

"Good, good. Just having a business meeting, although I expected my son to be here." He doesn't look at me as he talks, a sign of disrespect, and Carlos is eating it all up.

"He's busy doing some gun inventory with Dalton at the moment." I smile wide and walk around the table to the other side so Jin can see me.

"Shame." Jin grinds out, absolutely not pleased that he didn't get his way. "Carlos was just telling me that he wants to make a deal, but I haven't decided if it's worth it. Why don't you share, boy?" Jin still hasn't looked at me and I know it's intentional to act like he sees me as someone who isn't important.

Fuck him.

Carlos' smile gets tight around the edges at the boy comment, but he leans back in his chair in a slouched position to appear like he's unbothered.

"I found two strays that you could sell in your auction… for a price, of course." Carlos lazily flicks out a cigarette and lights the tip, blowing the smoke towards me.

"I have plenty of merchandise, why would I be interested, as you say, in strays? Isn't one of them Nicholas' pet, Logan?" Jin glances at me with a sly smile, clearly already knowing the answer and trying to rile me up.

"No idea. Though I'm sure Franco would be upset to learn his stepdaughter was being traded like cattle with a lower drug dealer from the hood. Really? What is the world coming to?" I gesture to Carlos with a nonchalant shrug, noticing him sitting up straighter out of the corner of my eye as I disrespect him on his turf.

"You fucking Italians think you're so much better than anyone else. I'm going to pop a cap in your ass." Carlos stands up, his chair falling to the ground along with his cigarette, but he doesn't notice as he leans over the table to get in my face.

"Carlos," a deep voice snaps from behind me, making my shoulders stiffen at being exposed. "These are your guests, no? How about a fair trade? To show our respect to the triad and the police chief by protecting his precious stepdaughter, we can leave them in your hands."

I slowly turn around, trying hard not to pull my gun out and shoot this fucking biker in the head and balls. A Demon Jokers patch rests right over his breast pocket, the black leather of his vest worn and used with wrinkles. I stare into his dead, blue eyes and have a cold feeling sweep through my body. His dirty blond hair is unkempt, greasy, and long, hanging down over his wide shoulders. He's just about as tall as me and his muscles are just as built. Everything else about him screams off, like a body without a soul. You only have to look into someone's eyes and see their thoughts. Even Nicky, the one person I know who can turn off his emotions like a switch, has a tell that he still feels things. It's the way his eyes look deep into your own, accessing what kind of human you are.

This fucker in front of me… I get nothing. His stare is so blank, his face so relaxed that I can't tell what he's thinking.

"What?! I'm not giving—" Carlos starts to yell, slamming his palm on the table, but Jin cuts him off.

"How very generous of you. A businessman, I see. That we have in common. You have my interest, what do you want in return?" Jin asks, intrigued as he gives his full attention to the biker, eyeing him with respect, and Carlos just huffs in annoyance as he sits his ass back down.

Fuck.

"Drugs. Selling, running them on the streets, getting them into the hands of lowlifes and teenagers to feed their future addiction. We want in. Demon Jokers already trade in cocaine. Why not work together, and Carlos' gang can come in handy, having more of his people on the streets." This fucker lights a cigarette and holds Jin's stare with a crooked grin that looks fake as shit.

"I could always use more people to run my product." Jin ponders before standing up and reaching to shake the biker's hand. "I didn't get your name?"

"Cruz," he says as he clasps Jin's hand in a firm shake before letting go to turn towards me but I stop him from moving.

He doesn't even blink as I whip out my gun without thinking about the consequences and put it to his temple. Images of him hurting my baby girl, touching her, and raping her with other bikers flips through my mind at rapid speed. He's the one who broke her, before me and the guys came along to pick up the pieces. Just the thought of his dirty fingernails on her beautiful skin has my hand trembling, making it obvious that my emotions are all over the place as the gun shakes slightly in my grip.

"Do I know you?" Cruz says without even trying to defend himself, turning to look at the barrel now between his eyebrows. I don't notice anything else around me, it's only me and this fucker. I'll kill him.

"No, but you're about to," I grind out through my teeth, digging my gun harder into his skin.

"Now, now, boy. What would Franco say to this behavior? Put the gun away, Logan," Jin orders, sounding amused before he turns back towards Cruz to address him. "We are having an auction Thursday at the docks PointCross starting at nine o'clock at night. Why don't you join us so we can all discuss business and give you a chance to meet Franco?"

My finger tightens on the trigger, seconds away from shooting Cruz in the fucking face.

"Carlos and I would be honored. Wouldn't miss it for the world," Cruz replies, holding my gaze and puffing smoke into my face.

"Logan, put the gun down." Tillie's soft voice reaches my ears, bringing me out of the static and ringing that was pounding in my eardrum.

I don't lower the gun, not breaking my stare with this fucker as he looks over to the right. There it is. Emotion. Cruz's neck starts to turn red, the vein on his forehead pulsing, but the look in his gaze actually terrifies me. I see someone who looks at something as an object, wanting to keep it locked up and away from everyone except himself.

Obsession.

Greed.

Ownership.

Over my dead fucking body.

"Mine." My voice comes out menacing and deep, making no mistake about what the fuck I mean.

Tillie is mine, not fucking his.

Cruz whips his gaze away from Tillie, staring at me with a snarl on his face as he steps closer, the reek of his breath stinging my nostrils. He doesn't say anything while he brings his hand up and stabs the burnt end of his cigarette onto the collar of my white shirt. I grit my teeth, embracing the burning pain seeping into my skin, and smirk when he notices he won't get the reaction he's looking for. The scars on my back from being beaten over and over by a belt through the years proves that I can feel nothing when I shut off my mind.

"Little bird escapes her cage again, but what will happen when I clip off those wings you love to spread?" Cruz flicks his cigarette, turning his head to stare at what's mine.

"Eyes on me. You don't get to look at her," I growl, about to shoot him in the head before a soft touch pulls me out of my rage of vengeance killing.

"He's not yours to kill, Logan. I want to leave, please," Tillie whispers in my ear, standing at my shoulder as she strokes her thumb over the top of my hand holding the gun.

She's right. I know this, but the urge to just end this waste of space is so strong. He doesn't deserve to live.

"Well! This has been entertaining, gentleman, but I have places to be. Cruz, Carlos, we'll see you Thursday." Jin claps his hands together, standing up as he buttons his suit jacket and squeezes my shoulder as he passes by me. "I'll be in touch with Franco. Don't worry, boy, I'll tell him all about today."

To anyone else, he would sound helpful, but he knows just how mad Franco is going to be when he finds out I went into gang territory without him, causing a scene in a family restaurant, and showing my emotion for Tillie.

I don't watch Jin leave, or the men in black suits that seem to come out of the shadows to follow him. Will those in the Triad follow Nicky like that too when Jin isn't around anymore? We can only fucking hope.

"Bro, we need to leave. Now," Tey demands, slapping Carlos hard on the back as he passes by, almost causing the gang leader to topple out of his seat. "Good seeing you, Carlos! What service! I'll give the restaurant a review on Yelp lata."

"I'll be seeing you real soon, little bird," Cruz promises, not once taking his stare off her as she tugs on my arm and gets me to slowly lower my gun.

"Can't wait," she says in a strong voice. I wish I could see her face, but I don't want to take my gaze off Cruz until I know she's safe.

I push Tillie behind me, seeing Tey out of the corner of my eye come over to lead her towards the front of the restaurant with his hands on the small of her back. The whole place is silent and I'm wondering if everyone left when I pulled out my gun, or the moment I reached their table if they could feel the tension in the air. I know the moment she's left the building as Cruz glances back over at me and just stares with dead, frigid eyes.

"Just remember this to help you sleep better at night. I had that juicy ass first. Her screams are mine." Cruz has the last word before he walks away and grabs Carlos' collar to drag him into the kitchen.

I don't waste time, quickly leaving and banging through the front entrance with my gaze swinging everywhere for her. I briefly catch Jin talking to Nicky as he disassembles the rifle and puts it back in the trunk of his car. The moment his attention is back on his father, Jin slaps him so hard on the cheek that his head whips to the side. Nicky licks his lip as he slowly looks back at Jin, his eyes cold and his whole body stiff with pent-up rage. I don't hear what Jin's saying to Nicky, but I do know there will be hell to pay for both of us. Jin takes off after that, getting into his limo as Nicky stares at me from across the back of the car before he looks over at the back of the building, off to the right. Looking over, I see Tillie wrapped up in Dom's suit jacket and being cuddled into Dalton's arms as he strokes her hair. He whispers something in her ear and passes her to Dom, who sweeps her up into his arms and strides over to his car before placing her in the front seat. Tey says something to Dalton then jogs over to Nicky and I. If I had the energy, I'd be rolling my eyes at his peach underwear, but I can't even crack a smile. Dom drives by, nodding his head as he starts to pull into traffic. My eyes connect with Tillie's for a split second, but all I see is hurt and pain before she dismisses me.

"You both have some explaining to do. You're lucky I've known you fuckers for a long time. You hurt her. She knows about Paris, Lo. Your favorite journalist did an article about you guys online at Dom's club with her." Tey blows a raspberry and shakes his head in disappointment as he stares at Nicky.

Nicky kicks his tire and gets into the car, slamming the door behind him.

"Shit." I run my hand through my hair before getting into the passenger side as I call myself an idiot over and over again for fucking up the one goddamn good thing in my life.

"Yup!" Tey states cheerfully, popping the P as he gets in the backseat and leans forward over the console. "So, somebody better start talking before my feelings get hurt and I get stabby. Who has my unicorn, by the way? I'm having withdrawals."

I hate this day.