Vicious Heart (Desert Kings MC #2)

28. Cam

twenty-eight

Cam

“How is she?” AP pulled a chair out and lowered himself to it with a groan, wincing as he sat.

“Should be asking you about that.” I lit a cigarette and leaned against one of the support posts. I couldn’t sit, not now.

“I’m old as fuck, son. Haven’t slept in days, and my back’s screwed to shit until I get to the chiropractor.”

Jester pulled a bottle from his pocket, shook out a pill, and passed it to him. “To cure what ails you.”

AP popped the pain pill into his mouth and chewed it for faster relief. I flinched. I couldn’t do it. I hated those things. The loss of control wasn’t for me. That’s why I never did more than drink and smoke a little weed.

Dekes leaned back in another chair, steepling his fingers on his chest. “You ain’t going Nomad, kid. I ain’t about to let it happen. We need you here.”

“Not much choice. I can’t sit at a table with him.”

“Brother.” Dekes sighed. “He’s not going to let you do that.”

“Shouldn’t be his choice. It’s a table vote.”

“I don’t know if I can.” This from AP. “It sets a precedent, Cam. If you wear the hooligan patch; that’s heavy.”

The rest of them hung their heads and stayed quiet. Once you’d killed for the Kings, they owned you. I’d earned that patch a long time ago. Before Riley, before I thought of a life without the club. There were other options, though.

I hadn’t allowed myself to think about those, to think what it could mean. Not really, but now I needed to. We all did.

“I can’t do this without you.” Merc spoke up first, from the other side of the carport.

“It wouldn’t be forever, just while he’s at the head of the table.”

“We can change that in a few months.” This from Puck.

Only the four of us knew. Telling the rest of them my suspicions could create a vacuum that would suck up the entire club, then spit it out dirty and broken.

“I can’t be in the same charter as him, regardless.” Because of what I knew. “I’m out, with the patch or without it.”

Dekes closed his eyes tight. Merc swore, but didn’t look shocked.

“The fuck?” Jester was the most surprised. “What did he do that was so bad you’re gonna do that to yourself? Jesus fucking Christ, Savage.”

“I’ve known Archer my whole god-damn life.” AP rubbed a hand over his tired, haggard face. “Ain’t no way he shot himself.”

Panic swelled in my chest. I hadn’t said it, wouldn’t, but I sure as fuck believed Preacher had killed Archer. Now I knew why. And that was something I couldn’t tell anyone. A secret I’d take to my grave to protect Riley.

“He’s got himself into some shit with Garza.” I said it low. “It’s why they showed up last night, why he’s pushing the peckerwoods so hard.”

“And he’s been with Wanda a lot lately.” Merc said before I could. “Then beat the shit out of Ro to bait Cam into doing something stupid. Because he thinks he’s the only one who knows.”

“You’re all your own men.” AP cut in. “Can make your own decisions. But whatever is going on, Archer knew. He talked to me before he died. Was looking for a way to get Preach out, before it blew back on the rest of us.”

That bomb hit and exploded everything I’d ever known, or thought I’d known. AP leveled a hard gaze at me, and I knew that he knew. About the money. About the cartel. About all of it. He was just waiting for us to put it together.

For the same reason I hadn’t brought it to the guys, he hadn’t either.

“This affects more than just the table.”

“And he’s got a lot of friends.” This from Puck, who broke out a bag and started to roll a joint. “Even if we could prove it, I don’t know how we’d convince everyone.”

“But if Cam goes after him for Ro, he’s going to spin it.” Merc again.

“He thought Ro knew where Archer hid a bunch of cash.” I rubbed that itch at the back of my neck, straightened, and pulled my cigarettes from my pocket. “I don’t think he was just after me, but he’s running scared.”

“Can we find out what the cartel wants from him?” Dekes asked.

Jester snorted. “Brother, you wanna go ask Garza? Be my guest. Because he’s going to hold us all accountable.”

He was right. No use kicking up that hornet’s nest until we could hand him Preacher. But none of it mattered, because I was done. I had to be. I thought of Ro, of how beaten and broken she was. We had the money. Preacher at least believed we did. Riley wasn’t safe, wouldn’t be, as long as we stayed.

I’d take that beating a thousand times over to keep Riley safe.

“I’m out of time.” I sighed, took a drag from my cigarette, and flicked the ashes. “If he thinks there’s money, he thinks Riley has it. I’ve got to get her out of here. Only two ways that happens.”

“Nomad or we take the patch.” Dekes agreed now, nodding his head solemnly. “Love is a big thing, brother. Never forget that.”

“Fuck.” Jester jumped up and stormed off.

I understood that sentiment. Felt it down in my bones.