Chapter 150
Grayson
After having a huge fight with Christine–one where I probably said shit I can’t take back–I pull up to a bar on the outskirts of town
I just want to drink until I can’t fucking think anymore. Until I can’t fucking feel anymore. Until the burn of whiskey drowns out the rage boiling inside me.
How the fuck did everything fall apart?
First, Christine lying straight to my face, like I’m not her fucking husband. Then Alyssa–my baby sister–fucking King, Niko, and Mason for months, and not a single one of those assholes thought I had a right to know
Not my brothers. Not my wife. No one.
I grip my glass tighter, my knuckles turning white as I swirl the amber liquid inside. The trust I had in them is gone–nonexistent. And the worst part? I don’t even know how to fucking fix it.
དང་ཚེ་བལ་བ ོ་
But right now, I have more important shit to handle.
“Careful, Gray,” a smug voice cuts through my thoughts. “If my prez finds out about all these little meet–ups, he might start thinking you’re trying to poach me”
War
The bastard drops down onto the stool beside me like he doesn’t have a single fucking worry in the world.
Must be nice
He gestures lazily for the bartender to bring him a drink, like we’re just two friends catching up–not a club president and the unpredictable alter of Logan, the vice president of the club I still don’t fully trust. But nothing bad has come from our alliance.
YEL
“You’re late.” I say, sipping my drink.
“Be glad I showed at all. Someone’s been fucking with our supply–had to handle that first.”
No doubt he’s talking about drugs. The Iron Serpents push heavy, at least half the supply in Ohio. Bones is a greedy motherfucker, only ever thinking about the money–even if it means bodies start dropping in the streets.
“Anything we have to worry about!” I ask, raising a brow
“Nah. Hopefully they got the message.”
We drink in silence for a few beats before War orders another round.
I grit my teeth, staring down at my drink. “Did you know!”
He takes a slow sip of his whiskey, his lips twitching. “About your sister and her little freakshow? His eyes flicker to me, gauging my reaction. “She finally told you!“.
My hand tightens around my glass. “Yeah”
War lets out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Well, damn, How’d you take it?”
Im still processing”
“I fucking bet. Now you gotta picture your sister having orgies every night with your best friends. That’s rough, buddy”
I shoot him a glare, and he just grins, unbothered,
Suddenly, the murmur of conversation in the bar dies as the news station on the TV switches to a breaking report. The headline scrolling across the screen catches my attention
“Amanda Phillips speaks on the disappearance of her husband, Chief Gary Phillips
The camera cuts to Amanda’s tear–streaked face. Her voice is thick with feigned emotion, but I catch the emptiness in her eyes,
She doesn’t give a fuck about him, but she’s gotta play the part.
13
4:13 PM
Chapter 150
Smart
“My husband left home five nights ago and never returned home. Please, if anyone has any information on his disappearance, please come forward.” She pauses for dramatic effect before looking straight into the camera. “Gary, if you’re out there, please come home. I miss you, baby”
The news anchor cuts in, reciting a carefully rehearsed script. “Authorities are asking anyone for information to contact local law enforcement. Chief Phillips was last seen leaving a bar in the early hours of the morning. With no witnesses or immediate leads, investigators are treating the case as a possible homicide but have yet to release any suspects or further details”
As the report continues, the chatter in the bar picks up again.
War snorts into his glass. “She wasn’t saying that shit when she was on my dick yesterday”
My head snaps in his direction. “War, keep it down,” I growl.
He smirks. “Why? Who’s gonna snitch?
He’s right. I could stand up and admit I had Phillips killed, and no one here would give a shit. My club’s reputation speaks for itself
If only people knew the truth–we’d be fucked.
Right now,
the Crimson Reapers are fractured. We’re supposed to be a brotherhood, and I can’t even trust my own vice president.
“What did you really ask me out here for? War asks, setting his glass down.
Texhale sharply. “I need a favor
His smirk deepens. “Haven’t I done enough of those lately?”
“This one’s different. I’ll owe you b
| big”
War raises a brow, clearly intrigued. I’m listening”
“Tae Carter needs to go. Before the court date. Alyssa’s pregnant, and she doesn’t need that extra stress, I lean in slightly, lowering my voice. “So, I guess what I’m asking-
You want me to take care of him?
I glance around the bar before answering, noting that no one’s around us. “Bag him. We hold onto him long enough for the heat to die down. As soon as it does, we drop the videos, stir up the chaos, then put a bullet in his head and dump him somewhere. They’ll be so many suspects by then, they won’t even know where to look first.”
“No torture?”
1 shake my head. They’ll pin it on King in a heartbeat, and we can’t take any risks.
War’s lips curl into a devious smile. “King’s gonna love that.”
Yeah, King’s gonna be pissed I went to War before talking to him, but I should’ve stopped catering to his feelings a long time ago. It’s not like he checked in with me before he started fucking my sister. And then invited Nike and Mason to join in
“That’s my problem to handle. Are you in or not?
He tilts his head, considering. “Why me? Why not one of your own?”
Because if this goes sideways, I need someone who isn’t directly tied to the Reapers. War and Logan have their own reasons to want Isaac dead, and that makes them the best option. War might be unpredictable, but he’s loyal to Alyssa because of Logan. And Logan! He’d do anything for her. If shit hits the fan, the Iron Serpents take the fall–not us. But more importantly, I know they’ll do the hit correctly the first time.
“You and Logan want him dead just as much as we do. This isn’t just a club job–it’s personal. And that means I know you won’t min.” I hold his gaze. “Consider this your shot at making sure Alyssa never has to look over her shoulder again.
War’s smirk falters, something darker flashing in his eyes before he nods. “Fine. But you owe me.”
“I know.”
“So, where are we keeping this motherfucker! Somewhere quiet, I assume. Secluded, out of the way. No prying eyes, no loose ends. If we’re do this, we do it right.”
gonna
Before I can answer, my phone rings. I pull it out and glance at the screen–another call from Christine. She’s been blowing up my phone since I dropped her off at the hotel, begging to talk. But I told her I needed time and space.
2/3
4:13 PM c
Chapter 150
My jaw clenches as I press ignore. I’m not forgiving her that easily. She needs to feel this. Needs to understand that lying to me isn’t something
slur’ll ever get away with again.
As soon as the call ends, a text pops up. Habe, please call me luck, We need to talk!!
Another follows immediately after. Please, Gray, Gall me when you see this!!!!!!!!!
Then she seuls a picture,
My whole body locks up as I open the message. A pregnancy test. Two pink lines.
Is that…nral!
1 stare at the screen, my blood pounding in my ears. At this point, I don’t know what the fuck to believe.
My jaw clenches. “I need to go. I’ll send you the location once I make sure it’s ready”
War nods ce
1 slip my phone into my pocket, my head already spinning. Fuck. If she’s really pregnant, that changes everything. But if she’s lying—if this is just another way to manipulate me—this marriage is over.
And this time? She won’t be able to talk her way out of it.
