I shook my head as I stood next to her. “No, I’ve got painkillers and tissues; that’s all I need. I’m going to dose up and go back to sleep.” I wanted to ask her more about the police, but my pain was so extreme and tiredness had washed over me again so I left it for now.

Tomorrow. I’d be better tomorrow and I’d follow it up then.

Surely she was wrong.

Surely the police were looking into something else.

7

Scott

I splashed water on my face and stared in the mirror of the clubhouse bathroom. We’d arrived in Adelaide a couple of hours ago and at the clubhouse about fifteen minutes ago. Tired eyes stared back at me. The trip had been exhausting and my body craved rest, but we had shit to take care of. There would be no rest. Not now, and not until we’d taken care of Julio once and for all. Patience and I were developing a relationship, but it wasn’t one I wanted to pursue. With each passing day, my restlessness grew. I needed Julio dealt with, and yet, we had to make sure we did it right. His connections ran deep and the last thing Storm needed was a pissed off connection.

“Scott, you ready, brother?”

I turned to face J and nodded. “Let’s do this.”

He returned my nod and we headed out to the main area of the clubhouse where Bourne waited for us.

Bourne’s eyes met mine as we entered and I struggled to figure out what lay behind them. In his forty years, he’d clearly perfected the art of hiding his thoughts and emotions.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of Scott Cole visiting me?” he asked as we approached.

I didn’t have the time to beat around the bush, nor the inclination. “Can we speak in private?”

His eyes narrowed at me before he nodded. I left Nash and J with the Adelaide members and followed Bourne into his office. After he’d shut the door behind him, he crossed his arms over his chest and said, “Spit it out.”

Not much ever changed with this man – he wore grumpy like a second skin and always had. At least he was predictable in that respect. In other ways, he had to be one of the most unpredictable men I knew. “Julio Rivera. You know him?” I watched carefully for any level of recognition in his eyes.

He nodded once. “Yep. He owns the drugs in this state. I’m not a fan of the man.”

“You’ve got an agreement with him?”

“I do. But I don’t like it.”

“Why?”

“Why the fuck do you think?” He unfolded his arms and pulled out his phone. After scrolling through it and finding what he was after, he said, “I want the asshole gone so Storm can have his territories.”

“You’re looking to expand?” It wouldn’t surprise me – he’d always had a God complex.

“I want the entire State.”

Of course he fucking did. I raked my fingers through my hair. “How the hell are you planning to do that? From what I know, Julio has a strong hold on it and everyone in it.”

He watched me like a lion watched its prey. “I figure you and I are gonna work on that together.”

My brows pulled together. “How the fuck do you figure that?”

He placed his phone in his palm and played me a recording of two people discussing the fire at our restaurant, Trilogy. In particular, they were discussing the fact they were responsible for the fire and what they had hoped to achieve by setting it – Storm getting rid of Ricky Grecian. When the recording finished, he eyed me and shared, “That was Julio and his right hand man.”

I stood in silence while I processed what he’d just shared with me. “How did you get that recording?”

“Does that matter?”

“As far as I’m concerned, it does. You’re indicating your desire for me to work with you to take Julio down – I’m hardly gonna get into bed with someone unless I know their information is right.” I’d never trusted Bourne, and I struggled to trust him now.

He scowled and threw his phone on the table. “Jesus Christ, Cole, you’re just how your father described you - a fucking pussy who refuses to take an opportunity when it presents itself.”

My body tensed as anger heated me. “See, that’s where my father went wrong in life. He didn’t pay enough attention to the details. The devil’s in the fuckin’ details, Bourne. Call me whatever the fuck you want, but I’m not taking your word for anything. You give me what I need and we’ll go from there.”

Shaking his head at me, he muttered, “Fuck.” He then settled against his desk and folded his arms across his chest. “I planted a guy in Julio’s crew and he’s been feeding me the information I need. If you want to talk to him to verify that, I’ll line up a meet. He can give you whatever information you want on Julio.”

“Line it up for today. I’m heading home tomorrow.”

He raised his brows. “You rode all this way, gave up almost a week of your time, just to talk to me and this guy? You couldn’t do it over the phone or send someone else?”

“Never can be too sure, Bourne. I needed to see you myself.”

He pushed off the desk. “I’ll let you know what time.”

As I watched him walk out of the office, I knew this was his signal that we were done until later. Suited me. The less time in his presence, the better.

“Hey, baby,” Harlow greeted me when I rang her a little while after seeing Bourne. Even though she sounded happy to hear from me, I could discern the act she was putting on for me.