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56
ARSEN
“We’re just gonna roll up with no backup?”
“Youarethe backup, Dom.”
“Well, gee, I’m flattered you chose me to die by your side,” he grumbles. “The Skulldraggers may be small-time nobodies, but they do have a reputation for being sneaky little fucks. How do we know this isn’t a setup?”
Because the dealers who were chasing Jasper were so green, they didn’t even recognize me until I gave them my full name last night. I trust, in the day since we last spoke, they’ve done their research. They won’t risk moving against me and compromising their entire operation.
For the sake of Dom’s nerves, I stick with the facts. “Because they wanted this twenty-five grand enough that they went back home and waited for me to show up with it today. They’re broke and desperate.”
“Not unlike the asshole who got us into this mess.”
Dominik can’t help but take shots at Jasper, and I don’t blame him. He was right about him from the start. I’m gonna be hearing “I told you so” for the rest of our natural lives.
I park the car on the corner and kill the engine. “Come on. I want to be in and out of here in under ten minutes.”
Dominik retrieves the suitcase of cash from the backseat and we walk together to the seedy pub that serves as The Skulldragger Motorcycle Club’s headquarters.
The windows are blacked-out, so I have to squint into the gloom when we step inside. Slowly, the ambience takes shape, and I decide I might not mind being blinded, after all.
The walls are murky red, the air is stale, and cigarette butts litter the stained floor. A man stands at the bar, bearded and skeletally thin. I recognize Cranium—whose name makes me roll my eyes; no one will ever accuse The Skulldraggers of being clever—by the dim glow of the cigarette hanging between his yellowed teeth.
When he sees me, he spits the cigarette on the bar top and crushes it with his palm, then jumps to his feet and dips his head. “Mr. Adamov.”
“I see you did your research.” I tip my head towards the suitcase. “I’ve got your debt right here.”
“Let me show you to a private room. Our boss wants a word.”
Suppressing a sigh, I follow Cranium, Dominik close at my heels. He takes us through a door behind the bar. The room is small. Mildewing boxes are stacked against the walls, and a bare bulb hangs over a rusted metal table.
“You sure we aren’t being murdered?” Dominik mutters under his breath.
Cranium waves an arm towards a rickety chair like it’s a throne. “Have a seat. My boss will be out in a moment.”
“I only have a moment, so tell Bones to hurry the fuck up,” I bark.
Cranium hurries out of the room and Dom leans on the table, the metal squealing under the weight of his elbows. “Why was it so important that you showed up in person?” Dominik asks. “These guys are not fit to be in the same room with you.”
“I need to send them a message. They need to know that if they continue to come after Jasper, they’ll be coming after me, too.”
Dominik’s jaw drops. “After everything he— You’re still protecting that stupid bastard?”
“I know you don’t understand.”
“You bet your ass I don’t understand!” Dominik snaps. “Whatever debt you think you owe him, you’ve paid it. Ten times over. You don’t owe Jasper anything.”
I know he’s right, but every time I come close to closing the door on Jasper, I hear Laila’s words in the back of my head.
Sometimes, loyalty pays off.
“He’s hit rock bottom, Dom. I can’t turn my back on him now.”
“Even if he drags you down there with him?”
“I won’t let that happen.”
