Page 23 of Best Laid Plans

“Did he really just fucking say that? The man’s a walking cliché.” Someone chuckles from behind me, making his face flush red, which of course angers him further.

He pulls out a set of cuffs before walking my way.

“I’m not creating a fuss, officer, so unless I’m under arrest, I don’t think those are necessary.”

“In that case.” He steps closer, grabs my arm, spins me around, and pushes me against the side of the cruiser. “Lilian Taylor, you are under arrest for perverting the course of justice and refusing to come quietly.”

He continues to read me my rights. I watch the reflection in the windows as Havoc and G struggle to hold a pissed-off Powers back. When I’m yanked up unceremoniously, I wince, the cuffs digging into my wrists.

“I swear to god—” Havoc snarls.

“You’ll shut your mouth, is what you’ll do. I’ve had enough of bikers thinking they run shit around here,” Smith snaps at Havoc before he can finish. Havoc’s whole persona shifts, like a dragon emerging from dormancy. Only an idiot wouldn’t feel the death vibes coming from him.

Havoc’s eyes move to me. “Don’t say a word. Your attorney will meet you at the station. I’ll be sure to send a copy of everything our cameras just recorded to him, as well as every fucking news outlet if necessary.”

I offer him a shaky smile. “Just look after Powers for me. I don’t trust him not to try and break me out,” I half joke.

Two minutes later, I’m shoved into the backseat of the car, and the door is slammed shut in my face. I stare out the window and swallow at the look of fire in Powers’s eyes. I really hope Havoc does as I ask, or we might just find our police station nothing more than a pile of ash by tomorrow.

“I’ll be there to take you home,” Powers yells. Somehow, god help me, I believe him.

Chapter Eight

POWERS

I watch them take her away, and I do nothing. None of us do. We watch as she looks out the window with wounded eyes. I don’t move until the car is out of view, and then I tear myself out of Havoc and G’s hold and whirl on them. “What the fuck was that?”

“Calm down.” Havoc says, but it’s like pouring gasoline on a fire.

“Calm down? We just let them take her. She’s not even properly recovered from her attack, and we’ve spent the morning interrogating her. And now she’s getting fucking arrested on top of everything else? Tell me, Havoc, why the fuck would she stay after all that? Would you?”

“I get you’re pissed, Powers, but Havoc is your president. This isn’t the way,” G says firmly.

Havoc sighs and steps forward. “Look, if the shoe were on the other foot, I’d be pissed too. But my hands were tied. If we had stopped them from taking her, they’d have charged the lot of us with obstruction. And that would have left all the women vulnerable, including Lil. We have to think smarter because it stinks to hell that they turn up here now, the day after she returns.”

“Someone’s talking,” Kruger grunts, moving closer, his phone in his hand. “I’ve messaged ELM. They’re going to dig, and Nathan is heading down to the station to keep an eye on things, at least until the club lawyer gets there.”

“Wise. I wasn’t happy with how they treated Legs when she was taken in for questioning. Cops in this place seem to have a real hard-on for the club girls. You noticed how Lil knew both of them? Far as I know, she hasn’t had any run-ins with the cops since she’s been here.” Midas looks to the rest of us, and we shake our heads.

Havoc narrows his eyes before he looks over his shoulder at Dice. “Reach out to the old ladies, let them know what’s happening. Tell them not to go anywhere alone. I’m not taking any fucking chances. If one of them leaves without an escort, they’ll deal with me.”

“Got it,” Dice says.

Havoc turns to Hoops. “Track down the club girls and tell them to get their asses here ASAP. I want a word. I think Tina’s been helping out with her sister’s kids, so if she can’t get away, tell her to find me later.”

“Yes, Pres,” he says and heads off

Havoc looks at me. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking the cops in this place give us a wide berth, but that doesn’t mean they do the same for the women.”

“Wouldn’t they say something though?” G frowns, but Havoc laughs.

“Would Amity?”

“My woman’s a superhero. I don’t think we should use her as a baseline here.”

“Delphi wouldn’t say anything unless she thought the kids were in danger. Shit, let me fire off a text to Theo so he knows not to leave until Con gets there to collect him.”