Wirth (Dirty Aces MC Book 5) by Lane Hart (carter reed TXT) 📕

I blurt out Nash’s secret. “Just take care of him, okay?” I tell her with a nod of my chin at Fiasco’s prone form on the bed.

“I’ll do my best,” Joanna says before I walk back into the living room.

Chapter Eight

Maeve

I don’t sleep at all after my brother finally leaves. I just lie in bed angry at myself for being a part of Cormac’s ploy that hurt three men.

It’s been years since I’ve been to church. I haven’t been since my father used to make me attend Mass like a good, little, Catholic girl. Eventually, when I was old enough to call him out on his hypocrisy of being a church-going mob boss, he stopped making me go.

But this morning, when I give up on sleep, I get up, take a quick shower, and then go to the chapel to get on my knees and pray to God that those men live.

I may have only known Hunt for a few weeks, but we’ve been as close as two humans can get many times. At first, I was just playing the part, trying to get on the inside to give Cormac information. But Hunt and some of the other men grew on me. I would consider Hunt a friend, and I know he would protect me and the other club girls from anything.

Then there’s Wirth’s two friends. I can’t imagine what he’s going through, seeing them both injured. The one outside took two bullets and left puddles of blood behind on the concrete in the alley. He’s probably the one who will struggle the most to overcome his injuries.

Once I finish my prayer, I go over to the votive stand and light four candles – three for the injured men and one for my brother’s soul. Rian is so hard-headed and cocky, like my father. He thinks he was born to lead. That path will only end with him in the ground, losing his life before he ever gets to have one.

If my brother can’t be reasoned with, that means I have to go to someone who will.

Cormac.

Since my car is still busted up on the side of the highway, I have to take the bus to get to the Irish pub on the other side of town.

I bust through the front door and start down the hall toward Cormac’s office where a gigantic man with a shaved head that I’ve never seen before is standing guard.

“I need to see Cormac.”

“He’s not to be disturbed,” the man replies with a voice so deep I can barely make out the words.

“Too bad,” I tell him when I slip around him and try the doorknob. Since it’s locked, I bang my fist on the door while yelling, “Cormac! Let me in! We need to talk!”

“He’s not in his office,” the giant informs me. “He’s still asleep.”

“How can he be asleep after what he did last night?” I demand, going down the hallway and banging on each and every door until one finally opens and the asshole steps out…tying the belt on his maroon silk robe that I’m guessing has nothing under it.

“Feeling fancy this morning after a night of attempted murder?” I snap at him.

“Maeve, it’s too fucking early for your dramatics. Come back later,” Cormac says as he rubs his hand over his bearded jaw and then his temple like I’m giving him a headache.

“How could you let my brother do your dirty work last night? He could’ve been killed!”

“He was wearing a bullet-proof vest,” he replies.

“Was there one on his head too? Because if there wasn’t, all it would take is one shot to kill him!”

Groaning and refusing to even look at me, Cormac says, “Jesus. Do you think I’m that reckless with my men? He was also wearing a helmet.”

“Oh. Well, that’s still not good enough,” I tell him. “Are you trying to get him killed? Have you decided that would be the easiest way to get rid of him?”

“I’m not going to get your brother killed,” he says simply. “But he’s not a child anymore. He wants to be a part of this, and you have no right to try and stop him.”

I gasp indignantly. Lowering my voice, I remind him, “Oh no. No, Cormac! We have a deal, remember? You promised me that once the Knights were gone, he was gone!”

“That was before I knew the Knights were getting protection from a bigger MC! Getting rid of the Knights now is going to require more bloodshed.”

“I hate you,” I tell him through my gritted teeth. “You’re going to end up getting Rian killed; and when you do, I’m going to come after you!”

Suddenly, I’m hefted off of my feet and am dangling from the air thanks to an arm banded around my waist.

“Show her out, Cletus,” Cormac says to the giant.

“We weren’t done talking!” I exclaim when I am turned around against my will, and then we’re headed to the door.

“Yes, we were,” Cormac says while I’m carried outside and dropped.

“Don’t come back, Miss Maeve. I don’t want to have to hurt you,” the giant says before he slams the door in my face.

“Assholes!” I shout.

Wirth

“I now call this joint meeting of the original Dirty Aces and the new Wilmington Dirty Aces to order,” Malcolm says without the least bit of enthusiasm. We’re all tired after a long-ass, bloody night. Fiasco and Hunt are still at Joanna’s house, in too much pain to make it to our pool hall. I think Hunt’s issue is more vanity than anything now that he’s missing a huge chunk of his ear. He doesn’t have to say it for us all to know he feels guilty, like he should’ve done more to protect his people and ours.

“Let me go ahead and say what everyone else is thinking,” Nash starts. Looking to the four new Wilmington members at the other end of the table, he says, “You guys may have a rat problem.”

“Are you fucking kidding?” Preston yells. “How