Page 80 of Monster Mania

“Razor's father was my commanding officer,” he said. Bishop glanced toward Razor. “He recruited me into an intelligence unit that didn't officially exist.”

Ghost snorted. “Sounds legit.”

Bishop almost smiled. “It wasn't.”

“What did they do?” Angel asked.

“Started small, with just information. You know, which clubs were moving guns. Who was transporting drugs. Which businesses were laundering money,” Bishop said.

“That sounds like police work,” she said.

“It was supposed to be,” he agreed.

“What changed?” Ghost asked.

“Money changed things,” he said.

Monster nodded. “Usually does.”

Bishop continued. “Mercer realized information was worth more if he sold it instead of using it.”

“Who did he sell it to?” Monster asked.

“Everyone,” Bishop said. Angel thought about what Razor had said about what was in the ledger. Clubs had been named along with cops, judges, and business owners.

“The network,” she said.

“Yes,” Bishop agreed.

“And the Nomad Knights?” she asked. “They were involved?”

“They were useful,” Bishop said.

Her jaw tightened. “My father's club.”

“Viper didn't know what was going on,” he said.

“You're sure?” she asked.

“I am.” Bishop glanced toward Crow. “Mateo wasn't a saint.”

“No shit,” Angel said.

“But he had rules that he lived by,” Bishop said. She knew that. Her father had done illegal things—violent things. She'd never pretended otherwise, but he'd believed in loyalty and family. He protected women and children and never trafficked or hurt kids. Viper would never betray a brother for money.

“The network started using the Nomad Knights' routes,” Bishop continued. “Sometimes without Viper knowing. Elena noticed numbers weren't adding up.”

“That’s the reason for two books,” Angel guessed.

“Yes,” he said.

Angel looked at the ledger. “So she started keeping records.”

“At first, she wanted to prove someone was stealing from the club. Then she realized how big it was,” he said.

“And she came to you,” Angel filled in. Bishop nodded. “Why?”

He looked at her, and Angel knew the answer before he said it. “Because we were already involved.” Jackhammer's hand tightened around hers, but Ghost remained perfectly still.