Innocence Burned(21)

“That’s the risk we all take everyday. You think he didn’t risk his life in the Corps? You’ve seen his jacket. He may have been taking most of his targets out from a mile away most days, that didn’t mean he was safe.”

It boggled his mind how much information JD could get his hands on. Telling him something was classified was useless. If there was information to be had, he had a contact to get it for him.

“He severed ties with us a decade ago. What makes you so sure he’s going to come back now? Even for her?”

JD smiled. “The club is in that boy’s blood just like it is yours. The Corps may have given him an adequate substitution while turning him into an adrenalin junkie, but that ended the day the IED hit him. The Corps don’t give a shit that he’s mostly functional. On paper he doesn’t met regs, that means he’s out. I’ve seen this bullshit a hundred times. Someone like him is going to need an outlet. We can give him that.”

Axel wasn’t so sure. Houston cutting them out of his life had been a betrayal he’d never forgotten. He didn’t fully understand why the Pres wanted him back so much. The club was flush. Business was going great and they had more recruits than they could handle. Babysitting someone he wasn’t sure he could trust did not sound remotely like a good time.

JD clapped him on the shoulder. “Stop thinking so hard, son. The decision’s been made. Make the offer and go from there. If he wants our help then you make sure he’s in. All in. Otherwise he’s on his own.”

Hardening his jaw, Axel nodded to his Pres before turning away. Fuck it. If the rest of the club was on board then so be it. He’d make sure there were eyes on him at all times until he was convinced. He jerked the pack of cigarettes out of his cut and yanked one free. He and Houston had a lot to talk about. It seemed unlikely his old friend would take the deal just to save some snatch he barely knew.

Axel pulled the game room door open. They’d left Houston on ice in this room while key members of the club discussed the situation. Just because they voted to help him find the girl didn’t mean it was going to be easy.

“Hey.”

Houston pressed the off button on the television. “Hey,” he said.

“Looks like this is your lucky day or unlucky depending on what you think of the deal.”

Houston neither flinched nor cracked a smile. Fucker kept his face blank, making it impossible to read. He smelled like whiskey.

“You sober?”

“Sober enough. What’s the deal?”

“Club has a spot for someone with your skills and training. You know how this works. The club is already indebted to your family for life and we’re here to back you up as much as we can, but we won’t risk going to war for you unless you sign on permanently. And make no mistake, getting involved in Mazzeo business for no good reason other than pussy means war.”

Houston nodded his head. “Done. I figured as much before I even turned wheels onto the compound. I’ve already made peace with the past.”

Axel tried to keep his calm. He wasn’t sure his ass of an ex best friend was taking his commitment as seriously as he should. Peace didn’t come in two Goddamned days. “That ain’t fucking all, asshole.”

The other man stilled, narrowing his eyes. “What else?”

“Sit down. There’s some things about the organization you need to understand.”

“Axel, come the fuck on. I know this club. I grew up in it same as you, remember?”

“I remember you walking away just as fast and vowing never to come back. You seriously think shit don’t change in ten years?” He was losing his patience.

“We’ve got the rest of my Goddamned life to go over business. Time is not on Izzy’s side right now. We’ve got to find her soon.”

“Pussy that good? Seems crazy to be so wrapped up in this girl so fast.”

“Don’t. Go. There. You’re starting to piss me off and I don’t know how much longer I can hold my temper. So unless you want your head bashed in I suggest you stop before it’s too late.

Axel really wanted Houston to swing the first punch. Whatever was up his ass needed to be removed. Air needed to be cleared. “I’m going to give you a pass on threatening me just this once. Do it again and the service end of my pistol is getting shoved in your face. You got me?”

Houston’s face turned red, but he managed to keep his mouth shut.

“JD and the rest of the crew have already left for Seattle.”

“What?”

“He got a quick meeting with an associate of Frank Mazzeo who happens to owe us big time for some shit that went down a couple of months back. Don’t know what’s going to happen but if anyone can strike a deal with him JD can. Him and this guy go way back.”