Page 62 of True North

For the first time since their inception, the Iron Wraiths weren’t having to fight against the corruption in this town. For years, they were who the people of Ashland went to when they needed help, knowing the people who were supposed to be there for them weren’t on their side. I planned on changing that. For that reason, an unspoken loyalty rested between me and the Wraiths.

They might have been on the wrong side of the law at one time, but they were now simply a group of men who wanted the best for their town and the people they cared about.

“You’re working with a bunch of fucking criminals?” Simmons barked in disbelief.

I cut my gaze to him, making sure it was hard as I answered, “Not anymore. I just cleaned all of you out. And if you’re smart, you’ll get the fuck out of my town too. Because the reign of the Brady family is coming to an end, and if I can tie any single one of you to their shit, I’ll have the time of my life locking you up. And I don’t think prison is much fun for former cops.”

“It isn’t,” Pope spoke, drawing my attention. “But I wouldn’t mind testing that theory.”

I looked at the man I owed a great debt to and tipped my chin to him. A new day was dawning in Ashland, and I couldn’t fucking wait.

TWENTY-NINE

TOLLIVER

I sat in my car, watching that stupid whore flounce around town like she owned the place. Like her fucking boyfriend hadn’t taken everything from me.

Bringing the bottle to my lips, I chugged back another shot of vodka as the paper around the bottle crinkled in my clenched fist.

These fucking people. I silently seethed as she walked out of the coffee shop, smiling and waving at one of her redneck white-trash friends. That’s what everyone in this goddamn town was. Fucking trash. Who the hell were they to decide whether I got to keep my position? Those illiterate fucks wouldn’t know what was good for them if it walked right up to them and slapped them in their fucking faces.

And because those fuckers were so goddamn stupid, my father and grandfather had cut me off. Stripped me of my inheritance and trust. Left me with nothing.

And it was this bitch’s fault. Her and her fucking hillbilly cop boyfriend. He didn’t deserve to wear that badge. Didn’t deserve to be called chief. What kind of chief would fire a whole goddamn department, good honest men I put into those positions, and then have a gang of outlaw bikers cruising the streets, policing for him while he did God only knew what. He was so inadequate he even had to bring in deputies from that fucker Holton Clarke’s department.

Worthless piece of shit.

The redhead climbed into her car, and I quickly threw my own SUV into drive to follow behind her as she backed out of the parking spot and went on her way.

I stalked her through town as she ran her errands, too stupid and clueless to realize she was being followed. Stupid cunt, I thought as the rage inside me continued to grow and grow until I felt like it was clawing at my insides, desperate for a way to escape.

As I followed her from one mundane, pointless errand after another, an idea formed in my head, and a smile stretched across my face for the first time since the results of that crooked fucking election were announced.

That shithead Hastings didn’t realize I hadn’t handed everything over when he took my livelihood from me.

He thought he could take everything from me? Well, we’d see how he liked it when I took that piece of snatch from him.

Iris

I walked out of my office building (well, former office building) with my head held high and my chest filled with excitement at the possibility of what was to come.

I’d always hated that job, and after what happened to Angela, I knew I couldn’t stay in an environment that was not only toxic, but dangerous as well. When Angela told me over coffee the other day she was giving her notice, I knew I had to do the same.

And watching Marty lose his shit when I quit was icing on the cake.

But it wasn’t just Angela who pushed me to take the leap I’d been dreaming about for so long. It was also North.

Seeing him fight tooth and nail for his new position, for his purpose, gave me the courage I needed to make a leap of my own. I could very well end up regretting it, but at least I was trying.

“The smile on your face right now, you look like you just won yourself the lottery.”

I glanced over to where Rake was straddling the motorcycle he had parked beside my car. I kind of felt bad for the poor guy, having to follow me around all day, playing babysitter. But I also understood. North wasn’t taking any chances with my safety. He might not have been thrilled to hear that the only Wraith available to tail me all day, ensuring I stayed protected, was Rake, but he’d shaken off his jealousy, and even went so far as to thank him for lending a hand.

“Not the lottery, but I finally found the nerve to quit a job I hated so I can try making a go out of something I love.”

His mouth curled up in a little half-smirk. “Good for you, sweetheart. Good for you. So where to now?”

The sun was already setting, telling me it was later in the day than I thought. I glanced at my watch and decided any errands I had to run could wait. It wasn’t like I had anything pressing on my schedule for tomorrow . . . or any of the following days to come.