Rogue (Sons of Sangue Book 4) (33 page)

“Thanks, P. I appreciate that.”

“It’s the least we could do.”

Kaleb stood as the prospects brought the whiskey to the table on a wooden tray, along with enough rocks tumblers. He passed out glasses, then handed the bottle of Gentleman Jack to Kane. They each poured a couple of fingers of the amber liquid and passed the bottle onto the next man.

“Let me first say,” Kaleb stated, “that I’m still pretty furious at being kept in the dark about your undercover work. I think I speak for everyone here when I say I apologize for treating you like the shit-head traitor we all thought you to be.”

Damn, but it felt good to hear the club P saying he screwed up, even if he couldn’t be faulted. “I knew what I was getting into.”

Kaleb glared at Cara. “This is on Cara for not trusting us to have your back.”

“Hawk—”

Kaleb cut off Kane from defending her actions. “I’ll have my say, Viper. From here on out, anything like this comes up again, you best bring it to the table. Viper and I will decide collectively if it needs to be kept from the club. Am I clear?”

“I did it for the good of the case, Hawk. It wasn’t about your ego. It was about keeping Draven and Blondy alive.”

One of Kaleb’s brows rose. “Viper?”

“Let’s hope a situation like this doesn’t arise again.” Kane reached over and squeezed Cara’s thigh. “But if it does, I’ll make sure you’re included, Hawk. You’re club P and as so, you had the right to know.”

“Kane is correct. I owe you an apology. All of you. I should’ve trusted you to keep Blondy’s secret. Instead, I caused hard feelings within the Sons. It won’t happen again.” Cara glanced around the room, making eye contact with them all before stopping on Kaleb. “Hawk, you get to know what’s going on from here on out. Providing you don’t keep anything from Kane either. You need to realize Kane’s got your back and I’m not your enemy. Kane was against me not telling you about Blondy.”

“Thank you, Cara.” Kaleb, dropped the matter and obviously satisfied, picked up his glass and held it in front of him. “This matter is done. Let us toast to having Blondy back among us.”

“Hear, hear,” Grayson said, raising his glass, along with the rest of the Sons.

“Salute,” Kane said, and the others followed suit.

Anton downed the amber liquid and set his glass back on the table. “Glad to be home. Now let’s get this show on the road tomorrow and hand these son of a bitches over to the DEA.”

“Glad to have you back,” Alexander said, followed by the rest of the Sons at the table welcoming his return.

Damn, but it felt good to be home.

Anton glanced at his watch as Bobby, Draven, and he pulled into the designated pickup point along the Siuslaw River. Tank hadn’t given them a lot of notice when he’d called about an hour before the drop was to happen. He hoped his call to Cara bought the DEA enough time to set up around the perimeter. There would be no second chances. Once the money transferred hands and the drugs were given to Draven, the DEA would swoop in and all hell would break loose.

DEA special agents had also been sent south to Santa Barbara. Once the exchange was completed, the special agents would be given the green light. The major players from the Devils would be apprehended and taken into custody. First to go down? Spider and Tank. No two were more deserving.

Anton’s job now was to get Bobby Bourassa out of the picture before the drugs traded hands. Better yet, before the boat ever docked. Cara promised to keep his name from the reports. He’d be given the opportunity to start over, a new life. Anton thought he’d be a great asset to the Sons of Sangue, but something told Anton he wasn’t about to embrace the vampire lifestyle any more than Kimber might.

Faith.

The one thing Anton ran short on these days. The ugly truth that he preferred her artery over a thick juicy steak, might just have her packing her bags, selling her house, and leaving behind her blood-sucking neighbor. If she couldn’t handle the truth, then Anton would have no choice but to let her go. He’d be forced to hypnotize her into forgetting everything they had done together. He wasn’t cruel enough to leave her with regrets over a love that wasn’t to be.

Anton took in a deep breath, then blew out a steady stream.

Time to get the show on the road.

The three alighted from their bikes, under his directive, and headed for the docks. Anton had purposely parked the motorcycles out of sight from the pickup point. He’d send Bobby back to the bikes on a fool’s mission before the vessel ever arrived. With any luck, Bobby would be miles down the road before the DEA descended and arrested Anton, Draven, and the entire boat’s crew. Once at the sheriff’s office, and word came of Tank and Spider’s arrest, then Draven and he would be free to go.

Following his release, he’d contact Bobby, hoping his MC brother might see reason. Anton was giving him a shot at a better life, whether that included the Sons of Sangue or not. Hopefully one free of the Devils, though.

Reaching the dock, Draven fidgeted like a mouse in a snake tank. His gaze continued to look toward the mouth of the river. The envelope with the DEA’s cash was tucked into the inside pocket of Draven’s black leather jacket, Anton having put it there himself. The barkeep’s hand patted the breast pocket, no doubt making sure he hadn’t dropped it on the ride.

Anton did a quick sweep with his gaze of the area, hoping the feds had yet to arrive. It was all in the timing. He needed Bobby free of the area.

Shoving his hands into his jean pockets, Anton cursed. “Fuck. Preacher, I need you to do me a favor.”

“What’s that?”

“I must’ve I dropped my phone back at the rest stop where we all met earlier. I made a phone call.” Anton rubbed his nape and grimaced. “I don’t answer when Tank calls, I’m dead. Can you make a quick trip back there and see if you can find it? I’ll stay here with Draven, just in case the boat arrives.”

Bobby raised a brow. “Why don’t I watch him and you go back find your own damn cell?”

“Draven doesn’t trust you, man. I’ve known him longer.”

Bobby looked at Draven, who shrugged. “No offense. I’m not trusting all this money to someone I barely know. I’ve known Rogue for a few years. I’ll take my chances with him.”

Draven had been filled in earlier on Anton’s undercover work and how the sting was to go down. He did his part perfectly. Bobby grumbled something about it being
a bad time for clumsiness
before heading for the motorcycles. Moments later, Anton heard the bike’s engine, followed by the tires spinning gravel. He caught site of Bobby heading down the dirt path leading to the road. Mission accomplished.

“Let’s hope the DEA gets here before the boat arrives. Preacher should still be gone. And if he’s smart,” Anton continued, “he’ll see the place swarming with cops when he returns and hightail it the hell out of here.”

“I doubt he’d be stupid enough to stick around.” Draven pulled the envelope from his breast pocket and slapped it against his palm. A heavy sigh escaped his lips. “Too bad we have to hand all this cash over.”

“Don’t even think about it, Draven.” The two fell into a moment of silence before Anton asked, “Everything okay with you?

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

He shrugged. “Don’t know. You tell me. Last couple of times I’ve been around you, you’ve been jumpy as hell, man.”

His gaze stayed on the river. “Nothing to worry about here. Just want this damn case over with like you.”

Anton clapped his shoulder. “Then let’s get this over with.”

Moments later, the boat’s engine caught Anton’s attention, long before the bow came into view. It made its slow trek around the bend. Anton glanced about, his keen sight picking up a couple of special agents moving into position. Luckily, no stray pedestrians lurked about. The gloomy day, with the threat of rain, likely kept most away. Bobby may have passed some of the special agents on his way out. He wasn’t wearing colors, and since he wouldn’t be here during the drop, they’d have no reason to suspect a man on a motorcycle. “Showtime.”

“Let’s do this.” Thankfully Draven’s case of the nerves seemed to have evaporated as he walked out onto the short pier and waited for the boat to dock.

Anton stepped up behind him. One crew member jumped from the boat to the dock and tethered it. The captain killed the engine and silence ensued. Taking the tan fisherman’s cap from his head, the dark-skinned man steering the vessel headed in their direction. He stuck his hand out as he reached Draven, who shook it. Anton had never seen the man among the Devils before. He couldn’t help wondering if he might be from the La Paz cartel.

“You have something for me?”

Draven nodded and handed the captain the white envelope.

He opened it, quickly counted the money inside, then looked back to one of the crew, giving a short nod. Two other men emerged from the stern, carrying a large shipping crate, one that might ordinarily be used to carry fish. A thin layer of ice spread across the top. The men set the crate at the captain’s feet, then stood closely behind. Anton hadn’t missed the guns stuck into the back waistband on their pants.

Draven crouched, fished through the ice, and pulled out a plastic bale of heroin. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small switch blade, flipped it open, then cut a small hole into the plastic. He dipped his pinky into the cut, then took the brownish powder to his tongue.

Standing, Draven nodded at Anton, before looking back at the shorter, dark-skinned man. “We have a deal.”

Anton turned and gave a short nod of his own. He and Draven bent to retrieve the shipping crate. Before the man on the dock could begin to untie the boat, the DEA agents swarmed the area, circling the docks, guns drawn. One of the crew standing behind the captain pulled the gun from his waistband and aimed at Draven. Anton dropped the heroin to the dock, moving lightning quick and grabbing the man’s gun arm, twisting his wrist, feeling the snap of the bones. The man cried out about the same time Cara and Kane appeared. The normal eye wouldn’t have picked up Kane’s speed as he apprehended the second man, yanking his gun arm behind his back and dislocating his shoulder. The gun dropped from his hand and thudded to the dock near Kane’s feet.

Moments later, all four men were in custody and Cara had put in the phone call to the special agents in Santa Barbara. The heroin and money were safely in the hands of the DEA. Robbie Melchor stood next to his vehicle, taking all the credit from the DEA special agent heading the case.

“The man’s ego has no bounds. Maybe now he’ll get the hell out of my state.” Cara grumbled, disconnecting her call. She walked over to Anton. “Tank and Spider will be taken into custody soon, Blondy. Looks like your job is done. I can’t thank you enough.”

Detective Hernandez stepped forward and shook his hand. “I know the last year couldn’t have been the easiest. I wanted to thank you before I head out. Someone needs to speak with Captain Melchor and send him on his way. I sure as the hell ain’t letting Detective Brahnam anywhere near him. She’s liable to castrate the idiot. Not that he doesn’t deserve it.”

Hernandez winked at Cara. “See you back at the office, Brahnam. Good work.”

“Thanks, Joe.” Cara smiled, obviously pleased with how things had gone down.

They may not have gotten the kingpin or shutdown his operation, but Kane would still one day get his revenge on Raúl Trevino Caballero, without the help and knowledge of the DEA. The Sons of Sangue would handle this one personally, without being under the scrutiny of the law.

“Get what you need from your rides, Anton.” Cara walked with them toward the parking area. “Then I’ll take you and Draven into custody. I’ll have Xander come out with the box truck to pick up your motorcycles.”

Anton couldn’t be happier to have his job undercover finished. Once he left the sheriff’s office, he’d get his life back. Hopefully, he’d talk Kimber into being a part of it. No more secrets. It was time to come clean.

Just as he and Draven reached their motorcycles, movement near the highway caught his notice. Bobby straddled his bike, arms crossed over his chest. From the distance, Anton couldn’t judge his temperament. He no doubt watched the DEA take the boat crew into custody. Instead of waiting for an explanation, Bobby kicked up his bike stand, turned the bike and headed down the road.

“Fuck.”

Anton fished his cell from his backpack he had left with his bike, having known it was there all along. He found the name Preacher and hit
SEND
. Bobby never picked up, not that Anton expected him to.

“Problems?” Cara asked.

“Nothing I can’t take care of.” Anton held his hands out for Cara to cuff. “Let’s get this the fuck over with, Brahnam.”

* * *

Kimber finished tidying up the library, placing the final books on the shelves and clearing off the main counter. Chad had gone home a couple of hours ago, while Tena had the day off. She didn’t mind closing. It gave her a few extra hours of reading time during the slow hours, once the night shift duties had been completed. Draping her purse handles over her forearm, she picked up the romance she had been enjoying and headed for the door.

A quick glance around proved everything was perfectly in its place, ensuring her an easy opening the next morning. She flipped the switch and doused the lights, before walking out the door. The heavy steel and glass door closed behind her. Sticking her key in the lock, she secured the deadbolt, listening as it clicked into place.