“You didn’t show up to family game night,” Jackson says to Jesse, breaking the silence. If you didn’t know they were brothers, you wouldn’t guess it. Where Jesse is blond and easy going, Jackson is dark and solemn.

“Was busy,” Jesse replies, shrugging. I don’t know much about their family, but I do know they used to be tight before Jesse joined the club.

“Well, Pops is having a game night next week so you should come,” he tries again, but Jesse doesn’t respond, just nods.

“Are you going to be checking to see if my wife is in there, Detective, or just chatting about bullshit family game nights?” Chad calls, still leaning against the car.

“Chad, the three officers are on it.”

“Jesus, Jackson, you gonna let this fucker speak to you like that?” I ask, growing more annoyed by him. Who the fuck is this guy?

“It’s better just to let him think he’s got me by the balls. I’ll enjoy it more when I take him down,” Jackson explains, letting us know where he stands. He might be stuck right now but if push came to shove, he would handle the motherfucker.

“All clear, Detective.” One of the deputies comes out a few minutes later.

“Impossible,” the fucker, Chad, calls out, making his way forward. “Just tell us where she is and this will all be over with,” he says, looking smug in his pressed suit, which just pisses me off.

“Even if we knew where your wife was, I wouldn’t tell you,” Beau fires up, pushing off the wall.

“Beau,” Jackson warns, stepping in as the officers walk toward Chad.

“So you do know where she is?”

“Don’t know where she is,” he shrugs, pissing him off more. I move in, not liking this asshole on our turf showing no fear or respect.

“I know you know where she is. Your truck was seen leaving the last place she was at,” he sneers.

“Don’t know anything about that. What I want to know is why are you going to all this trouble to get her back? You clearly don’t love her with all the bruises she’s had in the past,” Beau fires back and sits dangerously close to crossing the line. We need to play it cool here. Not give him any idea we know anything.

“Stand down, Beau,” Jackson grinds out, stepping in front of him.

“Can’t you see these lowlifes have my wife? Who knows what they are doing with her,” Chad has the audacity to accuse. Yeah, fixing her up after he broke her.

“Couldn’t be any worse than what you’ve done to her, hey, Chad?” Beau goes at him again, not giving a fuck that there are witnesses around.

“Beau, calm down,” Nix orders, pushing him back out of the firing range. “Take a breather,” he suggests, pointing over to the side of the parking lot.

“Chad, get in the fucking car,” Jackson snaps, running his hand over his head.

“I know they have her,” he spits, walking back over to the cars.

“Jesus, Jackson. What a fucking mess,” Nix says, shaking his head.

“Well, this is what you're up against. This guy is fucking dirty as fuck. He has his eye set on you. I'd watch your steps for the next few weeks. He's not giving up.” Well, fuck, this guy is a loose cannon and one we don't want hanging around.

“We’ve got it,” Nix nods, heeding the warning.

“And make sure you turn up next week, Jesse,” Jackson adds, turning back to his brother. “I’ll let him know you’re coming.” He smirks before nodding and turning back to the truck.

“No, I’ll let you know,” Jesse argues.

“Be there, little brother, or we will be having words, words you won’t want to have.” There’s no room for negotiation in his threat.

“Fucker,” Jesse mumbles, watching his brother get back into his truck.

“What a clusterfuck,” I say, watching them all drive out of the compound knowing it’s not the last time we’ll probably deal with this shit.

“Tell me about it. I fucking hate games night; always happens on Saturday night, the best night for pussy,” Jesse sulks next to me.

“Not that, you dickhead,” I say, turning and hitting him over the head. “Jesus, Jesse. Stop thinking about your fucking dick for one second.” Following everyone else, I head back inside.

“So, we lay low until this blows over,” Nix says when we get back inside.

“You got a contact for Mackenzie?” I ask, wondering if we’ll know if she needs help.

“None. That's not how this works. We recovered her. She won't come back now. She's been trying to get out for the last two years. This was her only chance at getting free. She’s scared of the fucker.”

Fuck.

“Well, let's hope this blows over. Maybe he'll get a new lead and leave us alone,” Nix says, getting his shit together to head out.

“We done here?” I ask, needing to head over to Ink Me. After taking the last couple of days off, I need to check in.

“Where you going?” Jesse asks, being a nosey fucker.

“I was planning on going to check on Ink Me. Then if it’s okay with you, I was gonna head back to fuck my woman. Need to know anything else?” I ask, walking down the hall to get a bag. I'm staying with her, and if I have it my way, I won't be leaving so I'm gonna need some clean clothes.

“Ha ha ha, fucker. Will you be back for the club meet tonight?” he asks.