I can’t get the conversation I had with Rock out of my head. “Anyone you can think of who’d want to make a play for your patch?”

He stares at me too long for my liking.

“I can think of one or two people who might benefit.”

I meet his gaze head-on, daring him to say it out loud.

“But I just can’t see it,” he finally finishes.

Sway trusting me is a relief. Although, it still leaves me looking for the shooter too close to home.

“Was Shadow pissed Priest put me in charge?”

“He hasn’t said so, but how would you feel?”

Not too good. Which is why I’ve been firm but cautious with Sway’s crew. Taking over downstate has been all sorts of tricky.

“Is there any chance he shot you?”

It’s a rough question. Sway helped Shadow patch-in to the club. Promoted him to Vice President. They’ve worked side-by-side for a long time. But one thing I’ve learned over the years is that power and greed can corrupt even the best of relationships.

“Before National, I would’ve said no. But the trouble he got into down there and the way he handled himself…” He looks me straight in the eye. “I honestly don’t know.”

Chapter Nine

Lilly

“You’re sure you don’t mind?” I ask Z for the third time.

“Is it how I want to spend my evening with you? Not really, but fuck knows I ask you to spend an awful lot of time with my friends and family.”

Not exactly reassuring. “Ted’s leaving tomorrow morning.”

“So, you said.”

“Z.”

“Lilly, it’s fine. You sure Alex doesn’t mind watching Chance?”

“No, we talked. Sorted some things out.”

“Tell me about it later? I need to run.”

“Sure.”

I’ve barely said goodbye before the phone rings again. It’s Mara, and eager to find out what she knows about the subpoena I received, I scoop up the phone.

“Hey.”

“Good news!” she practically shouts into the phone.

“Thank God. Tell me.”

“Damon got the subpoena quashed.”

“Oh, thank God! That’s great. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. He had it thrown out on a technicality. They’re supposed to get you to sign something for that kind of subpoena. So, there’s a good possibility they’re going to try and serve you again.”

“Fuck.”

“You have somewhere you can hide out? That sexy beast of a man of yours lives in a pretty remote area.”

Unsure of how much I can tell my friend about Z taking over the downstate charter, I choose my words carefully. “Actually, he’s working a little farther south for a couple of months, but he rented a house for us. Chance and I are supposed to move in this week.”