“This is a brother’s life we’re talking about. I don’t give a fuck how long it takes.”

He steps back. “I’m tracking them down as fast as I can. That’s what I was working on when Shadow started in with this Vipers nonsense.”

I let that sink in for a second. “He know what you’re working on?”

“Of course. He’s been helping me go through them when he has time.”

My gut screams Shadow shouldn’t be anywhere near that task. “Have Jigsaw and Huck help you. Tell Shadow it was a dead end.”

Rooster stares at me.

I cock my head. “Did I stutter?”

“No, Prez. I got you.” He hesitates and glances away. “I’ll recheck the ones he went through.”

“Good.”

Murphy knocks and pushes the door open. “What’s going on?”

“I’m gonna go talk to Jiggy,” Rooster says, brushing past Murphy as he backs out the door.

Murphy watches him go, then shuts the door.

“Teller with you?” I ask.

He swivels his head from side to side, like he’s searching for an invisible Teller. “We’re not attached at the hip you know,” he says once he’s finished the theatrics.

“Since when?”

Shaking his head, he pulls out his phone and sends a text to, I assume, Teller.

“What’s got you so cranky?” Murphy asks. “Thought you’d feel better after your chat with the politician.”

“Better. Fuck no.” All I felt was rage that I couldn’t gut him on the spot. I motion Murphy closer. “Shadow insists DeLova is meeting with the Vipers tonight.”

“Jesus. What’s his hard-on for the Vipers about?”

“I don’t know, but if I ignore it, and it is happening, I look ineffective. We go poking around where we don’t belong, I’m going to look incompetent.”

“Fuck me,” Murphy groans. “Let’s grab some brothers we trust and check it out.”

“We’re all sitting down at the table. I’m gonna let Shadow take the lead. Explain what information he has to all the brothers.”

“So, it’s his ass if this goes wrong.”

“Right.”

“We’re still checking it out though, right?”

“I don’t think I have a choice.”

“What’s the emergency?” Teller asks, pushing into the room and closing the door behind him.

“You fucking kidding me?” he bitches after I explain the situation.

“Do I look like I’m in a joking mood?”

“He’s really crabby,” Murphy says with a straight face.

I give him a quick shove, knocking him into the desk, and he laughs. “Lighten up, Prez. We’ve got your back either way.”

“Yeah, I feel the love.”

“Who else do you trust to go with us?” Teller asks.

“Steer, Jigsaw, Hustler, and Rooster. I don’t trust Shadow, but he’s definitely going so I can kick his ass when nothing comes of it.”

“Good call,” Murphy says.