Page 12 of Road to Absolution

Viola quietly replied, “He’s stroking my ego. He knows it’s my weakness.”

Another shuffle took place. Then Tucker was on the phone. “Listen, don’t play dirty—”

“Dirty? No, sir,” I schmoozed, “I’m simply in awe of the man who was handsome enough and brilliant enough to win over Vixen. I mean, that takes a man on a whole different level. Am I right?”

After a moment of silence, I heard V whisper, “What’s going on?”

Tucker sounded dumbfounded. “He’s kissing my ass. I feel like a moth being drawn to a flame.”

Vixen cursed, “He walks on water and he’s smart. What the fuck, Tuck?”

“I know!” said my brother-in-law. “We’re screwed!”

Outright laughing now, I said, “Sooooo… no answers, huh?”

Tucker exhaled, his tone definitely going more serious. “Brother, the less you know, the better.”

That was a shitty answer, making it impossible for me not to worry. “But… you two are good?”

Not convincingly, he answered, “Oh, yeah. Solid.”

“I see.” It was becoming painfully clear I was missing some serious key components. “How deep you in the club stuff now?”

Up to that point, I had believed Diesel had done a stellar job of keeping it all separate from his family. How naïve of me. The club was part of his family.

“Eh,” replied Tucker, attempting to sound casual, “it’s complicated. Haven’t decided.”

Another incredibly vague answer, which was totally not Tucker’s serious and direct usual way of handling things. Hence, my mind searching for missed details. “Hey, wait a minute. Lockdown… I didn’t see you guys for days before Move-in Day.”

“Yeah,” he reluctantly admitted. “That wasn’t much fun.”

“But,” my stomach soured, “why?”

He tried to get me to stop asking questions. “Maverick—”

“How well do you know me?” I asked, daring him to lie.

His low voice was full of regret. “Fuck.”

I smirked again but for a whole different reason this time. “Exactly. You know I’m going to stew on this until I figure it out on my own.”

“Iknow. I know.”

I didn’t like Tuck sounding so torn between me and his wife’s intel of club business. We had been tight for so long. I knew he had loyalty to me, but he was in love with a girl who was attached to illegal activities.

I didn’t believe she was actually a part of them because I knew her brother so well. His whole life had been about making her life that much better. Men like that don’t put so much effort in, only to ask that very person to risk their freedom by breaking the law.

Yet, since it was easy to suspect there were some shady details when it came to the Redemption Ryders, I purposely hadn’t asked questions. Knowing certain things could’ve put me at risk, therefore putting my Lilah at risk.

Never fucking happening.

Now, not being sure if Viola and Tucker were being spared of any involvement, I couldn’t stand idly by and not help my friends. That’s why, while on the phone, I paid to move my plane ticket up a day, to fly home right after the fight.

Not wanting my friend to feel bad for my decision, I teased, “I sure hope you don’t lose your five-hundred tonight because I’m not focused,” but knew I was doing the right thing. Something was up and they needed me.

Tucker chuckled. “Especially since I lied. It’s not five hundred. More like five thousand.”

“What?” I screeched. “Are you nuts?”