Page 15 of Xane

CHAPTER SEVEN

–XANE –

“But is he dead yet?”Spence asks for a second time.

“Not yet,” I fire back.“He will be once I’m done.”

Spence releases a sigh while I keep staring at the motherfucker who is bound to a chair.There’s no way he’s going to keep breathing, not with what he did to Zora.Fucking hell, I can still see her sitting in that booth next to that sick and twisted idiot.I’ve seen a lot of shit over the years in my line of work, and I damn well recognize the look in someone’s eyes when they think all hope is gone.

My chest tightens at the thought of that fucker walking away without paying with his life.“I don’t care what comes next, Prez.He’s a dead man.”

“She’s a civilian, Grayer, and Ramiro is the son of the main suspect in the case you’re working on.We will need to keep him alive in case we have to use him.She also needs to press charges so we have the right to hold him.We might be above the law, but we do have paperwork to fill out.You might be the president of that MC, but you’re undercover and still a member of my club.Don’t let the lines blur if shit gets too personal, Grayer.”

“She’s not just a civilian, dammit.Fuck,” I snap and start to pace.

Ivy is inserting an IV into Ramiro’s vein to administer some fluids.She glances up at my outburst and gives me a small nod.Ivy is Chopper’s old lady.They are from the older generation of Broken Deeds MC and a part of the chapter Spence’s father used to be president of.Thank fuck they were nearby when I needed a female doctor.

Zora clearly needed medical help and I’m not sure she would have wanted a male doctor.Ivy is older and has been keeping a close eye on Zora for hours.She gave me a small update but refused to share personal details.I can respect that, and a thought comes to mind.

Without thinking I blurt, “I need your mother.”

“Say what now?”Spence bristles.

“Your mother.I need her to come here.”Lynn is the strongest woman I know and doesn’t give a shit about rules.

Not to mention, the woman fights hard when it comes to injustice and has a fierce protective streak when it comes to females linked in some way to a biker of Broken Deeds chapter.She’s also helped Spence’s woman, Penny, overcome a lot of shit.

“I admire what you’re trying to do here, brother, but it’s paperwork hell if you involve her.You would know if we did a patch over so your ass would be on the line...damn, you know what?That’s not a bad idea.We handle undercover shit, but your father’s club has a peacekeeper reputation.I’m going to reach out to my contact in the government.Roux and you did a thorough background check on the handful of members the club still has since the older ones left.All have a spotless reputation.So, we’re all good there.Unless you don’t want to keep the club up and running or want to pass it down to someone else and come back here after you’ve closed the case.”

The offer he just threw out there sounds like a great solution.It means I get to stay in my hometown, close to Zora.

Decision made.“I’m not leaving this town, Spence.Reach out to your contact, get it done so the paperwork will be on me.Tell your mother I need her ass on a plane to come here.”

I hear a snort and then Lynn’s voice fills the air, “My old ass is already in New Jersey, Grayer.So, where exactly do you need me to come?Unless it’s on your cock.You know how obsessively protective my old man is.I haven’t been allowed to so much as...”

“Ma!How many times have I told you not to barge into my office,” Spence snaps.“Fucking hell.Grayer, I’ll bring her over myself if she doesn’t want to go voluntarily.She’s been here half a day and already getting on my last nerve.”

“Shut your curse hole, Spence.I raised you better,” Lynn snaps right back.“Be glad this old grandmother still has some fire in her old bones to harass you youngsters, and to make sure someone keeps you on your damn toes.”

“Fire in your old bones?”Spence snorts.“I’m pretty sure you’re a damn phoenix, flame on to regenerate and shit.”

I can hear the smile in Lynn’s voice when she says, “Oh, I will rise from my ashes once I’ve died and been cremated.It’s in my Last Will and Testament so you fuckers don’t spend all my money.”

A muted, “For fuck’s sake,” sounds through the phone and I can practically see Spence rub a hand over his face in frustration.

Movement catches my attention, and I’m reminded of the fucker tied to a chair.The one who I know beat, tortured, and might have even raped Zora for days to make her the shell of a person I saw today.

“Lynn,” I croak.