Taming Blade (Kings Reapers MC Book 5) by Nicola Jane (mini ebook reader TXT) 📕

it actually pains me. This is the third time I’ve fallen for lies and bullshit. Before Eva can answer, I hear the thud of more heavy boots.

“Riggs, you don’t need to yell at me. He’s already done it,” snaps Eva.

“What were you thinking? She’s dating a cop. What if she tells him I have connections?”

“She won’t. Guys, she’s really nice. She likes Blade. She wouldn’t dump him in the shit.”

“Don’t be so fucking naïve,” snaps Riggs. “She’s gonna run straight to him the second she gets out of here. If he’s done any more digging, he could tell her about her dad. It doesn’t take a genius to work out who ended that piece of crap. Once she knows that, she’s gonna come clean about Tyler West. You had a simple job—be nice, make her like the club, and check she wasn’t feeding back. Now, you’ve given her more information to use against us.”

“Sorry, okay. I’ll talk to her,” says Eva.

“Forget it. I’ll get Blade to deal with her.”

Footsteps leave the room and I remain in the cupboard for a few more seconds with my fists clenched and my eyes brimming with tears. What the hell does Riggs mean by getting Blade to deal with me? I begin to shake. Up until now, I hadn’t felt in any real danger, but now, I’m not so sure.

I find the girls and tell them they’ll have to play together because I have a headache and need to lie down. Once I get to my room, I lock the door and try desperately to think of a plan.

Chapter Twelve

BLADE

Chief Super Blasket, the head of police, sits at his huge desk, drumming his fat fingers on the polished mahogany. Riggs places the bag by his feet and we take a seat. “You’re either brave or stupid,” he grunts, “coming in here as bold as brass.”

“I haven’t got anything to hide so . . .” I shrug.

“There’s a team tasked with bringing your club down, Riggs. The order came from someone in CID.”

“But you can put an end to that,” says Riggs confidently. “We had a good relationship with the last mayor and the police chief. I understand we need to re discuss terms, and I’m happy to do that.”

“I’m not sure it’s that simple. They have intelligence. They’re even trying to pin Cobra on you. I can’t shut that down without—” begins the chief.

Riggs laughs. “Oh, cut the crap. You can shut anything down. I do a lot for this community. We both know how this works. I keep crime low and let your men take the credit for that. I don’t have time to sit here boosting your ego. You have the power to dissolve this, so do your thing.” Riggs throws the bag on the table. It’s a sizable donation to police funds.

“I need someone for the murder of Tyler West,” says the chief bluntly.

“I’ll get someone,” agrees Riggs.

“Maybe we could kill two birds with one stone,” I suggest, and they both turn to me. “What if someone saw Cobra leave the area?”

“We both know Cobra is dead, Mr. Archer,” says the chief.

I keep my face poker straight. “I don’t know that, unless you have some evidence?” I wait for him to answer, and when he doesn’t, I smile confidently. “If I give you a witness who places Cobra at the scene of West’s murder, then you’ll put a warrant out for Cobra’s arrest, right?” He nods, and Riggs smirks. “Then I’ll get you a witness.”

We stand and shake hands. “One last thing, Riggs,” he says. “Ms. Edwards, is she still residing at your club?” Neither of us responds, and after a few seconds of silence, he nods. “Well, her friend isn’t buying the lies. She’s reported it to one of our officers in CID who wants to search your premises for her. If she’s being held against her will, then I suggest you release her within the next two hours.”

Outside, I release a breath. “Raven can be our witness,” I say, and Riggs nods in agreement. “She’d already agreed to it last night,” I add.

“You tapping that?” asks Riggs, and I shake my head. “Cos you still got feelings for the cop lover?”

“It ain’t easy to switch that shit off,” I mutter. Living around Tillie for the these few days has been torture. I’ve spent the last twenty-four hours avoiding her cos I can’t stop wanting her. The need is like a compulsion. But she hates me, and I can’t even convince her to try and move past it. I’ve accused her of talking to the cops and basically told her I don’t trust her—she won’t forgive me for that. Since taking Tillie, the club has been doing its own digging. Seems there is no real evidence against me in either Cobra’s or West’s murders, just a hunch that this cop has. We got to Tillie before he could trick any real information from her, but he’s been digging around in all our business, which is why it’s no surprise when we get back to the club just as he arrives.

I get off my bike and head for the door, ignoring him. Riggs shakes hands, even though the cop is reluctant. “What can we help you with today, officer?” he asks.

“Detective,” corrects Ethan, and I scoff at his arrogance. “Do you have Matilda Edwards staying with you?”

“What’s that got to do with you?” I snap.

“Someone’s raised concern for her. We’d like to do a welfare check.”

“Bet it wasn’t your wife raising those concerns,” I utter, and his face hardens. Oh yeah, you arse, we’re on to you.

“Blade, go in and get Tillie so she can clear this misunderstanding up,” says Riggs firmly, and I head inside.

Tillie is in her room, refusing to open the door. Eva stares at me helplessly. “I came to check on her because Molly said she had a headache. But she won’t answer me. I’m worried she’s ill,” she says.

“Tillie, if you don’t