Killer sat beside him. “Do you think we should bring her friend?”
“I don’t know. If she calls you can follow to bring Kelsey back with you,” Murphy said.
“I can’t ever recall Tate being like this. She was always so sensible, like her mother. Patricia knew lockdown was not something to joke about. Her mother would be embarrassed by her girl,” Mikey said.
The older man looked scared. It was strange to see considering how much Mikey had lived through. The guy had more battle scars than he and Killer combined.
“Tate means a lot to all of us.” Murphy reached out, putting a hand on Mikey’s.
“Stop turning me into a pussy.” Mikey pulled away, cursing.
“Right, that was Hardy,” Tiny said, getting all of their attention. “Tate’s being collected this afternoon from her apartment. Rose finally talked some sense into her.”
Several cheers went around the room. Murphy wanted to laugh and smile. Instead, he sat and waited for the news.
“Three Lions have been spotted walking through town. They’ve been wearing their cut. The two cops that got killed, their families have been compensated and will be added to the roster for protection. They’re coming in whether they like it or not. Butch and Zero took the van to bring them in. It’s going to be crowded, but it’s needed until we get a lid on everything. The Sheriff is making sure the folks know. Fort Wills is on guard.”
The buzz from the news went around the room. “Do you know any of them?” Murphy asked, talking to Killer.
“No, Whizz and Time are working together some names. They’ll have them to Tiny by tomorrow.”
Tiny and Lash headed toward him.
“You’re getting my daughter and bringing her here,” Tiny said, poking a finger in his chest.
Murphy nodded. In the next instant, Tiny had his face pressed against the bar. He’d been expecting some kind of hurt from Tate’s father and was surprised it had taken this long.
“I don’t know what’s going on between you and my daughter, but I’m going to find out. I know a lot of shit, Murphy. I like you, and I love my daughter. I’m keeping my shit together ‘cause we’ve got other shit to handle.” The pressure increased on his face. “I’m telling you that when this is over, you and me are going to have to resolve some issues,” Tiny said. “Are you hearing me?”
“I’m hearing you,” Murphy said.
“Good. Get your ass out of here and get Tate.”
Murphy sat up, brushed his jacket down and cleaned any mess from his hair. No one was staring at him or Tiny. They must have been as prepared for the shit as he was. He was fucking the leader’s daughter, and no one got away with that.
Heading out of the club, he grabbed his bike.
“Is she worth that?” Killer asked.
“What?” Murphy turned to the other man who he’d started to see as a friend.
“Tate, the daughter, is she worth the trouble you’ll be in?”
“Hell, yeah, she’s worth it. She’s worth every single beating I’m going to get when she finally gives in.” Murphy smiled, thinking about it.
“Why are you smiling?” Killer asked.
“Because when I’ve been beat down, I know Tate’s going to be mine at the end of it.” Straddling his bike, Murphy turned the key in the ignition. “You keep up?”
“Yeah.”
Gunning his machine, Murphy headed to her apartment. Parking outside, he went straight through the front doors. Killer was seconds behind him. He didn’t order the other man to get Kelsey. The only person Murphy wanted was Tate. Going up the three flights of stairs, Murphy knocked on her door waiting for an answer. He grabbed his piece from the back of his jeans and checked to see that it was loaded. A bad feeling was settling in the pit of his stomach. Something bad was going to go down. Tate opened the door. She held a single case in her hand.
“Let’s go,” he said.
“Hold on, what about Kelsey?” Tate asked.
“She’s being taken care of.”
“No, she has to come with us.”
Holding her face between his hands, Murphy stared into her eyes. “She’s being taken care of. Killer is getting her now.”
Taking her hand he led her down the steps toward Kelsey’s front door. Knocking once, he wasn’t surprised to see Killer packing.
“You getting a bad feeling?” Murphy asked.
“Yeah. Something’s not right. It could be me, but I don’t know.” Killer nodded at Tate before returning his gaze back to Murphy. “They’re too desperate, and I think The Lions are going to do something stupid.”