Chapter 14

Dalton

"This shit is fucked up, Prez," Axel comments from beside me on his bike, the faint glow of his cigar is the only thing to be seen in the alleyway.

I grunt, agreeing with him as I watch federal agents surround the area a block over at a crappy apartment complex. Dom brought a moving van to the warehouse, and we loaded up the scared women and children in there while making sure our faces were covered with the skeleton masks. It makes me sick to my stomach seeing their dirty, hollow faces. At least these people have a chance now, a new life they can make for themselves.

"I'm heading out. Going to meet Logan. Watch and make sure it all goes smoothly," I order, clapping Axel on his back as I rev my bike and pull out onto the street.

The wind whips in my face and the bike vibrating beneath my calloused hands calms my thoughts for the brief moment I have before I arrive at my destination. Downtown Chinatown. Tonight was a clusterfuck. Every single time… every goddamn time I witness Jin's sex trafficking ring, I feel more and more helpless. I've known Nicky for a long time now, and I've seen what his father's business does to him. It eats you alive from the inside, rotting and festering until not much is left. I'm sure if Nicky didn't have us growing up, I wouldn't even recognize who he'd be to this day. Probably just like Jin.

There was a while there, I feared he was turning out like the stone-cold monster his father is. I think my little bitch brought back that spark of hope with her strength and the ability to move forward in life, no matter what is thrown her way. She's it for me, and I'll be damned if someone tries to take her from us. I'll strike a match and watch everything burn without remorse just to have her at my side.

Seeing her tonight on that fucked up display stage filled me with so much rage. I was seconds away from snapping necks and leaving a trail of bodies in my wake. The only thing that stopped me was the power she held over everyone, no one could look away. They were captivated as she knelt at Nicky's feet, but in reality, she was standing taller than anyone else in that pit. Seductive, with a lure you can't help but want to touch to make sure she's real. I know she can handle anything, even when her body shakes with vulnerability or the fear that grips her tight. In the end, she's always going to come out standing, and that right there is power. Something Jin or Franco will never have.

I know why she ran onto that stage and protected that little girl. It's in her blood to keep fighting, but now Jin has his sights on her even more. She ruined his business tonight and made him look weak, and that's not going to go over well. We need to bring them down faster before it's too fucking late.

That cocksucker is a coward. My old man used to say the same thing. He hides behind his business and lets everyone else do his dirty work. The Feds won't get anything from the women and children about who kidnapped them. Jin never showed his face. Even tonight, he was the voice of the show but stayed in the shadows. The moment gunshots went off, he disappeared and left his son to handle the rest. Little does Jin know, Nicky has been tipping off the Feds for years, telling them whenever someone was sold.

Being a hacker comes with its perks. You can hack into anything without ever showing your face, and spill secrets that most people wish they could take to the grave. Jin's days are numbered, and I can't wait to see Nicky take over the triad, his father watching as his son gains power just before his death.

I stick to the backstreets, going the speed limit because wearing a Hell's Devils vest is a beacon, and the last thing I need is to be pulled over by a cop who isn't on Franco's payroll.

Before long, I'm pulling into the crowded streets of downtown Chinatown. I figured it would be deserted, but no. People stroll by, the smell of food permeating the air and bright lights giving the illusion it's not one in the morning.

I pull up to the curb outside another one of Jin's buildings. This is where most of the drugs ship out from, and his office is above the restaurant that he owns. Shutting off my bike, I run my hand over my hair with a sigh. Showtime.

Striding into the restaurant, everyone turns to look at me with suspicion as they eat their meals. Most are the Triad taking up space to watch who's coming through the door, but if you live in this neighborhood, you know to look the other way if you aren't working for Jin. I don't bother looking at anyone, instead, I walk into the kitchen like I own the place and ignore the hateful looks thrown my way. Yeah, they don't like bikers and it's very obvious.

Pushing through the swinging doors, I take the stairs two at a time and roll my eyes as I reach the top. Jin's minions line the hallways leading to his office and a few guards reach for their guns when they spot me. I smirk, knowing they aren't going to do shit. I'm tempted to sucker punch one of them and see how many I can fight off or kill. I'm not picky.

Logan stands by the door at the end of the hallway and looks at me with a blank face. He can't fool me. His left eye always twitches when he's pissed off. I hope it's a murderous twitch because I could do some more killing tonight. We didn't kill enough of the bidders tonight, too many got away from the gunfire.

Shame.

"Lo." I cross my arms and raise a brow while glancing at the closed door of Jin's office.

"He and Franco are having a little chat," Logan grinds out, his eye starting to tick some more.

"Yeah. Fuck that. I don't take orders from anyone," I state with a snarl and shove past him, throwing open the office door without giving a shit if I'm interrupting their little powwow.

I'm the fucking president of the Hell's Devils. Nothing and no one tells me what to do.

Fuck them.

My gaze connects with Jin first. The smug fuck is nice and safe behind his desk as he counts money into piles. The only way you can tell he's mad is the small tick in his cheek, otherwise, he looks like it's just another day in the office.

The office smells of some sort of incense and the aroma of food from the restaurant underneath. It's also hot as hell in here. There's only one running fan by the window, but I think Jin just likes to make people sweat. It makes you uncomfortable and nervous as your stomach sinks with that sick feeling.

"Where's my son?" Jin asks in a cold, dead voice and reaches for another stacked pile of money to flick through as he counts.

Logan comes to stand beside me, his hands clasped behind his back, but I would bet my motorcycle he's palming his gun that's always in his belt at his lower back. We both stand there, not saying anything, covered in fucking soot from the fire. I hope my dirty boots leave stains on his flooring.

"Busy. He's on-site at the warehouse to make sure everything runs smoothly," I reply gruffly, staring him down with my arms folded over my chest.

I'm not scared of him, and he's going to learn one day that he's just a man who will be staring down a barrel.

"Is that so? I just got off the phone with Franco and he was asking where you all are." Jin slaps his hand on the hard surface of his desk in anger and grabs the TV remote, turning up the volume.

I look at the screen and grit my teeth when I see Franco on the news giving a statement, acting like the concerned Chief of Police.

"As of right now, we don't know how the fire started or how many casualties. We are looking at the scene and will know more soon. There's been raves around these parts, so we are hoping just a few kids were messing around. I care about this city and its safety. We will find answers, and in the coming days, the drugs on the streets will be seized."

Franco's voice drones on and on about bullshit, answering every question the reporter has with an easy smile. He's charming, saying the right words, but he's a lying bastard. The people of Los Angeles don't know this, they see someone who can clean up their city. He's going to make it to governor, it's a gut feeling I have. We'll have to move plans up faster before that ever happens.

"How about you start again and move out of my guest's way? You're blocking the door." Jin gestures behind Logan and I as he hits mute on the TV again.

My shoulders tense. I don't like knowing someone is standing behind me without them making a damn sound to alert me. Moving away from the doorway, my nostrils flare as Cruz steps into the office with purpose. I look out of the corner of my eye at Logan, his pupils are dilated and eyes narrowed on his target with death in his gaze. Shooting my hand out, I clamp it on Logan's shoulder and squeeze so tight that I'm pretty sure I'm crushing his bones.

"Not here, brother. It's not your kill. Remember that." I whisper so low that only he can hear me.

Logan shrugs my hand off and straightens his suit jacket before clasping his hands behind his back again, but I can hear his teeth grinding.

"He's busy. Did your clients make it out?" Logan asks, changing the subject to something that's going to have Jin blowing a gasket.

I can't take my eyes off of Cruz, watching as he plops himself down on the couch under the window and lifts his feet up onto the coffee table. He meets my gaze with a smirk, like he knows something I don't.

If you look past the dead, blue eyes of his, you can see the murderer's rage underneath the surface. I refuse to break eye contact first, letting him know who's the fucking alpha in the room.

"My clients are either dead or never doing business with me again," Jin states calmly, and that raises my hackles. "But luckily, Cruz can help with that situation. He's agreed to supply me with new, shiny merchandise that anyone in the market looking for fresh meat won't be able to resist."

Motherfucker!

"When you see my son, and he's done playing with his pet, I want to see him. I want that fucker, Dom, dead, his head on a spike! I know it was his gang that interrupted my auction. I'm putting a price on his head," Jin demands harshly and snaps his fingers just before he gets back to counting money.

Barely-clad women enter the room with silver trays of cocaine, offering some to Lo and I, but I just glare until they walk away in their high heels. One of them bends down to Cruz and cries out in pain as he grabs her wrist, dragging her down until she's sprawled out on his lap. He grabs a baggie of pure powder and dips his pinky in, holding it to the girl's mouth until she opens up. He rubs the cocaine along her gums and draws a straight line on the top of her breasts before snorting it.

"Tell Tillie I'll be seeing her soon. I have to take a road trip but I'll be back before you know it," Cruz says, not even bothering to look our way as he watches the girl on his lap sway from the drugs before pulling out a knife from his pocket.

It takes everything in me to not launch across the space separating us and snap his neck. Logan walks stiffly out of the office without saying another word to Jin because we were clearly dismissed. I see the first glimpse of blood and a swipe of the knife on her skin with the curve of the letter C.

"Leave," Jin states darkly, and I feel like my boots are full of lead as I walk out of the office without a backwards glance.

I follow Logan, not saying anything as we walk down the stairs and back through the front of the restaurant until we're outside. His stride is stiff and angry as he walks to his car that's parked in front of my bike.

"Lo," I say and watch him take a deep inhale before looking over his shoulder at me. "We'll get them."

He nods and hops into his car, speeding away with tires screeching. I didn't ask where he's going because I already know. I follow on my bike through the city and into the rich neighborhood until we're pulling into Dom's driveway through the guarded gates. I feel like if I don't see Tillie's face right now, I'm going to go crazy and start hitting anything within my reach.

I shut my bike off, swing my leg over it and jog through the doorway Logan has left wide open for me. I don't hear anything at first until I walk farther into the house, heading towards the kitchen where men's voices are talking in a low tone.

Standing in the doorway, I choke on my spit and hold back a laugh as Tey talks to Dom, buck naked. Tey's naked in Dom's kitchen, holding a bottle of wine and a package of cubed cheese.

"My cupcake deserves the best of the best. She needs pampering, amigo. Don't throw a fit. I'm heading to your master bathroom to give our girl the most amazing bubble bath she's ever had," Tey declares cheerfully while pulling the already-open wine bottle cork out with his teeth, spitting it at my feet with a grin and taking a swig.

"Jesus. I love my queen and know she deserves it all, but don't make this a thing. My fucking eyes burn." Dom gestures to Tey's naked backside and strides towards him to grab the wine bottle while heading out of the room.

"Bro… it's like you have a death wish. Cover your junk, man. Did Lo come through here?" I ask worriedly, sounding like an old, cranky grandma, but I saw the look in Logan's eyes tonight.

He's fucking mad and a bit unhinged, and I'm worried he's going to go guns blazing without telling anyone. He's gonna get himself killed.

"Told him Tillie is naked and in Dom's bathroom." Tey shrugs and tears the cheese package open as he strolls out of the kitchen.

Everyone is losing their damn minds around here, and I'm the only one who is san—wait. Did he say my little bitch is naked? I turn on my heel and run to catch up with Tey just as he rounds a corner and walks into Dom's bedroom like he owns it. I hear Logan and Dom arguing before I even see them. I roll my eyes as I step into the bathroom that smells of lavender and vanilla, not the least surprised that these two are bickering like clucking hens. It's a bromance in the making and entertaining as hell.

"I don't give a fuck if you're surrounded by an army at your disposal. Jin just put a price on you. Anyone and everyone will be gunning for you now. Fuck!" Logan shouts, pulling at his hair until it sticks up at every angle.

"Don't worry about me, little Russo. You're about to see how the big boys play. I can handle myself and keep everyone safe in this house," Dom says calmly, cursing in Spanish as he yanks at his cufflinks in frustration before collecting himself.

Scary fucker. I shiver. It's always the ones that are in control, on a tight leash, that break first. God help anyone in their path. I've been waiting years to see Logan break. That day will go in the books.

"Lo." Tillie's voice is soft and sweet, coming from the mountain of bubbles hiding her naked body from me in the tub. "Get in so I can hold you."

That's all she has to say for Logan to growl like an angry bear as he throws off his jacket, but struggles to loosen his tie and grows impatient with his buttons. Tillie is leaning against Nicky's shoulder on one side, and on the other side is Tey with a goofy grin on his face as he cuddles into Nicky's neck. Nicky is just sitting there with his arms crossed over his chest with a blank expression, like he's some badass, but his lips keep twitching as Tey feeds Tillie cubes of cheese.

Logan finally groans and barrels into the tub with his button-down shirt and pants still on. He sits on Tillie's other side and drags her into his arms, looking like he doesn't plan on letting go anytime soon. He's going to need her for the moment, I think, given the worried look Nicky and Tey are throwing at him.

I glance at Dom and shrug before stripping down to my black boxer briefs and getting into the water, sitting across from our girl. I grab her foot and start massaging the arch with the pad on my fingertips. Moments later, Dom climbs in naked as well with the wine bottle. He tips it back and swallows a gulp before passing it around to Tey.

Who in the fuck has a tub this huge? Did he foresee a future where he would need one this big to fit a tiny woman and a group of big dudes?

"So, bubble bath group time is a thing, I'm taking it?" Dom says slowly, staring at Tillie with a fond expression on his face as she scoops up bubbles and blows them in his direction with puckered lips.

"Oh yeah. With five of you and my poor vagina, I'm going to need to rest the girl as much as possible. I'm sore as hell. They wrecked my pussy," Tillie comments as she runs her hands through Logan's hair while staring at Nicky and Tey with a sated grin.

"Damn it! I missed the double dipping," I groan out miserably, tilting my head back against the tub's ledge.

"Don't worry, big guy, you can take her ass next time," Tey coos and coughs as Tillie splashes him with a gasp.

"Absolutely not! Sorry, baby, but that monster dick of yours isn't coming anywhere near my ass," Tillie admonishes, her dark eyes sparkling with mirth at my horrified expression.

"We'll see." I narrow my eyes at her in challenge as I tip my head towards her, drinking in her tan, smooth skin that has a soft blush from the steam of the water.

"Logan, you ready to hear what we found?" Nicky breaks the easy, light mood, and I know it has to be discussed but damn.

"Just tell me," Logan mutters into the crook of Tillie's neck, as if he wants to bury himself under her skin.

"We found a file in Jin's office. I'm sorry, brother, but it was never Dom's father who killed your mom. Jin already knew about Franco sniffing around his drug business. There were photos of you and your… mom in the file. He had the triad following Franco, learning everything about him, including his weaknesses." Nicky pauses, clearing his throat like he's unsure if he should tell him the rest.

"He killed her, didn't he?" Logan rasps out, his body shuddering as he squeezes Tillie closer.

"I'm sorry." Nicky takes a deep breath. "Jin framed Dom's father and killed her himself instead."

No one says anything after that. Logan's whole body is stiff, except for the small shake in his shoulders. I hate seeing my brother in pain. Tillie whispers quietly in his ear, stroking his hair until he finally lifts his head with red eyes pinning us all on the spot.

"He dies." That's all he says as he takes turns looking us each in the eyes as we nod until he lands on Dom.

"They will all pay for their sins by our hands," Dom promises, passing the wine bottle to Logan, as if a peace offering.

Logan reaches over and chugs until the bottle is almost empty before placing it on the tub ledge and cuddling back into Tillie. She looks worried as she stares at him before gazing over at Dom.

"Thank you for getting those women and children out of there tonight," she warmly replies, leaning over to stroke her palm down Dom's cheek.

"Always," he simply promises, as if he'd do anything for her.

"They're safe with the Feds," I announce, reassuring her, rubbing my hand up and down her calves as silence settles over us

"We need a fun day. It's decided! Tomorrow we forget all this shit and pretend that hell isn't raining down on us. I know the perfect thing. I did promise you a dance, didn't I, pudding?" Tey breaks the thick tension in the air and glares at anyone who dares argue with him.

Well, it seems bubble baths with a bunch of naked dudes is in my future, and whatever fucked up shit Tey's planning for tomorrow.

I can hardly wait.