Joker (Salvation Kings MC Book 2) Read online

  Together, they moved fluently, Zayne going for the man in the forklift while Joker went for the man standing on the ground next to it. He saw Joker coming and threw a punch Joker ducked under. He slammed into the man, sending them both to the floor. He drove his knife in between the man’s ribs. His shout was cut short and Joker hoped it drowned in the noise from the forklift which was backing while Zayne and the driver fought.

  Zayne managed to kill the man and stop the forklift just before it rammed straight into the shelves. Joker walked to Zayne whose chest was heaving as he stared down.

  “You all right?” Joker asked.

  Zayne nodded and said, “Bastard nearly got to his gun.”

  Joker pulled out his phone while Zayne got down from the forklift. Joker checked the cameras, only seeing two people, one by the garage doors and one in the lounge room. The third seemed to have disappeared. He checked the other cameras but didn’t find him. Wade was still in his office, sitting behind his desk while the man with him was standing behind him, looking at Wade’s computer screen.

  They both heard the nearing footsteps too late. Joker jerked his head up just in time to see a big man turn the corner. The moment he saw them, he pulled out his gun, but Joker grabbed it, forcing it upwards. Zayne kicked out the man’s leg and with a roar, he let go of the gun. Joker dropped it onto the ground and got an arm around the big man’s throat, but he managed to elbow Joker in the face, making him curse as he pulled back. The man turned, wrapping his hands around Joker’s throat. Before he could do anything, Zayne slammed his gun into the back of the man’s head, and he crumbled to the floor. Joker rubbed his jaw while Zayne stabbed the man in the heart. The squeaking of shoes made him whirl around. He threw his knife the second he laid eyes on the man. The knife was embedded in his stomach before he could raise his gun. The gun slid out of his hand, landing on the floor with a thud. Then the man took a step back and fell to his knees. Joker walked towards him with fast strides, grabbing the knife and twisting it before pulling it out.

  “Five down. Three to go,” Zayne said as he walked past Joker.

  Joker followed. They knew there wasn’t anyone else in the warehouse, so they made their way to the offices. How the last guy could’ve walked past two bodies without seeing them, he didn’t know. But hopefully, he had, because otherwise, Wade might be expecting them. When they reached the door, Joker checked the cameras one more time, still not seeing the last guy anywhere. Unless he was in the bathroom, he wasn’t in the building any longer.

  They checked the bathrooms and the office next to them without luck. They shared a puzzled look, then went to Wade’s office. He knocked on the door and waited. There were muffled sounds from inside the room and then the door was pulled open and a man stepped out. It was the guy with the ponytail from when he and Gabe had first met Wade. His gun was holstered so Joker grabbed him by his shirt and kneed him in the balls. He pushed the guy to the floor and left him for Zayne to finish off.

  “What the hell was that?” came from inside the room.

  Joker walked inside, his gaze finding Wade who was standing in front of a desk, looking annoyed and about to yell at him until he realized who Joker was. He didn’t give Wade a chance to grab his gun. He aimed center mass and pulled the trigger. Wade fell to the ground with a yell. Joker walked across the room. He kicked Wade’s gun away.

  “You shouldn’t have gone after Gabe,” Joker said and crouched down in front of Wade. “It’s the last fucking thing you’ll ever do.”

  He put his gun against Wade’s forehead.

  “Joker,” Zayne hissed, reminding him that they might still get something out of the man.

  “What’s Ronin’s plan?” Joker asked. “Answer and I’ll make it quick. Otherwise, I’m gonna take my sweet time disemboweling you.”

  Wade’s eyes shot from Joker to Zayne as if he couldn’t believe what was happening.

  “No one’s coming to save you,” Zayne said to Wade.

  “Fuck you,” Wade spat.

  “You’re going to die, Wade. One way or the other. It’s up to you.” Joker noticed Zayne checking his watch. They wouldn’t have much time because of the gunshot. He glanced back at Wade. “Ronin wasn’t just selling you those guns, was he? What happened when you found out he couldn’t deliver?”

  The blank expression on wade’s face made Joker whistle.

  “Oh, boy. You don’t even know, do you?” Joker couldn’t help but laugh. “That son of a bitch. He had you hooked, thinking you were getting those weapons when in reality we stole them from him several weeks ago.”

  Wade looked like he wanted to scream. Or maybe it was just because he was bleeding out.

  “You’re lying,” Wade croaked out.

  Joker shook his head. “Why would I? I don’t really care if you tell us anything. I’m just here to kill you.”

  Wade must’ve realized Joker was telling the truth because he went paler than he already was and then he let out a slew of curses. All of them aimed at Ronin.

  “I can tell you things. Things about Ronin’s plans. Just save me,” Wade pleaded.

  Joker wasn’t surprised by Wade’s offer. The man had no loyalty.

  “I told you. Your only options are whether you die fast or slow,” Joker said.

  “I’ll get the video footage,” Zayne said and walked out of the room, leaving Joker alone with Wade.

  Sean had told them how and where to get the footage so they could erase any evidence of them ever being there.

  “Last chance,” Joker said and stood.

  “I work for him,” Wade blurted. “I was supposed to get the guns in exchange for helping him. He told me where Sean was, where his stuff was, so I owed him. That’s why I sent someone after you. He told me to. Hell, he’s planning to eliminate your club.”

  “Why? Because we took back what they’d stolen from us? The kidnapping wasn’t enough? It’s a bit excessive, don’t you think?”

  Wade coughed, blood running down the corner of his mouth. “I don’t know. He said something about getting revenge.”

  “That’s all you’ve got?”

  “No. I know his plans. I can tell you, but not if I die,” Wade said.

  Joker doubted a man like Ronin, a man who didn’t even involve his right-hand man, would tell someone like Wade. Wade was just a lackey to Ronin.

  “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to decline,” Joker said.

  He held Wade’s gaze as he pulled the trigger. The sound was loud in the room. Wade’s head jerked back with the force of the bullet. He’d never enjoyed the killing, despite what many thought, but he’d do it without flinching if he had to. Killing Wade, though, was more satisfying than he’d thought it’d be.

  He pulled out a card and dropped it onto Wade’s body. They were lucky their business partner knew a lot of people. He’d gotten them information on Wade. Information on the crazy shit he was involved with. He’d found out the police was investigating him. They were doing the cops a favor by taking out the scumbag and they even left directions for them to find evidence against the people he’d worked with. Because, apparently, Wade kept records.

  He heard Zayne stop in the doorway and glanced towards him. Joker took a last look at Wade, then followed Zayne out of the building. They cut the boys lose and told them to keep their traps shut and run like hell. They walked to their bikes and as they got on, they could hear the faint sound of sirens.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Gabe

  HE WAS leaning against the side of a car in the courtyard at the clubhouse, talking to Bones. He’d asked how things were going with Maya and if Bones knew what King had planned for her. Bones hadn’t answered yet. He’d made a lot of frustrated sounds, though.

  “I don’t fucking…” Bones trailed off with a growl. He shook his head and walked to Gabe’s side. He leaned against the car and sighed heavily. “I don’t know what to do with myself.”

  “Yeah. I get how you feel,” Gabe said.

 
“Sorry, bro. You’re going through your own shit.”

  Gabe shrugged and said, “Don’t be. It’s mostly Joker’s shit I’m going through. And King’s.”

  “That has to suck some serious balls.”

  Gabe nodded. He’d told Bones about him and Joker the day before. Bones had snorted out a laugh, then slapped Gabe on the back and said it was about time Joker got his head out of his ass. Obviously, Gabe thought Joker’s head was still pretty much firmly lodged in that sexy ass of his. The dumbass hadn’t answered any of his calls or texts. The only updates he’d gotten had been through Nash who’d heard from Zayne several times every day. The second Joker got back, he was going to beat some normal sense into the asshole. He certainly wasn’t going to stand for being left like that again.

  “Have you heard from Joker?” Bones asked.

  Gabe let out a sigh. “No. How're things going with Maya?”

  Bones gave him a dirty glare, but the man had already tried to avoid answering the same question once. Gabe wanted to know what to expect. Did Bones think she thought they were on to her or did she seem blissfully unaware?

  “Fucking someone you hate can be fun, but it gets old quickly,” Bones grumbled.

  Gabe pulled a face and said, “That’s gotta be awful.”

  Bones shrugged. “I’ve chosen to see it as my own personal payback for what she’s done to us.”

  “Just take care of yourself,” Gabe said with a hand on Bones’ shoulder. “Don’t let her hurt you more.”

  The sound of motorcycles nearing made Gabe stick his fingers in his ears. The loud sounds were still too much for his poor head, but he’d recovered quicker than the doctors thought he would. He turned away from the noise until it disappeared. He put his hands down with a relieved sigh. He turned back and the second his eyes landed on Joker who was just getting off his bike, his heart skipped a beat. He stood frozen, staring at Joker, not knowing what to do. King hadn’t told anyone about them, and Gabe had only told Bones, though, obviously Nash and Zayne knew, too. But, really, it was up to Joker.

  Nerves hit him as he watched Joker pull his helmet off. He hadn’t even considered that Joker might choose the club over him, which was fucking stupid. Joker lived for the club. He couldn’t exactly blame the man if that’s what he ended up doing. He’d hate it and he’d probably bawl like a baby, but he’d already made his choice and Joker knew it. Now it was Joker’s turn.

  Joker turned around, his gaze clashing with Gabe’s. He couldn’t read Joker’s face, so the nerves only got worse as Joker made his way towards him. But Joker didn’t stop. His body damned near crashed into Gabe’s as he grabbed Gabe’s face in his hands and brought their lips together. He felt the relief coursing through his body as his limps loosened and he melted against Joker.

  Their tongues tangled, tasting and savoring, and he held on tightly, clutching at Joker’s shoulders. When they separated in need of air, Gabe took a second to just look at Joker, taking in those gorgeous blue eyes staring at him lovingly. Then he put his hands on Joker’s chest and pushed him away.

  “You’re an asshole,” Gabe snapped. “Why didn’t you answer my calls or at least text me to let me know you were all right?”

  Joker didn’t look surprised at his outburst and he just grabbed Gabe by the arms and pulled him closer.

  “Nash was keeping me updated on how you were and, frankly, I couldn’t afford the distraction. If there’s one thing that can distract me, it’s you,” Joker said.

  Gabe clenched his jaw, glaring at Joker for a while before he let out a breath.

  “You’re still an asshole.”

  A smile found Joker’s lips as he said, “I know.”

  Gabe shook his head with a snort and put his mouth over Joker’s in a sweet kiss. Gabe pulled back, smiling as he met Joker’s gaze. Joker reached up to tuck a tuft of Gabe’s hair behind his ear.

  “I love you,” Joker said, making Gabe’s heart soar.

  “I love you, too.”

  Someone cursing made Gabe glance to his left. Bones and Zayne were both standing by the bikes, but their attention wasn’t on Gabe and Joker. Gabe followed their line of sight to the garage where his father was standing right outside the door, glaring their way. Gabe took a step back, detangling himself from Joker.

  “Pops.”

  King’s glare was centered on Joker and he didn’t seem to even notice Gabe as he stormed towards them. Joker had turned around and was facing King, so Gabe moved to stand next to him.

  “Pops. Please try to—”

  The second King reached them, he pulled back a fist and hit Joker square across the jaw, sending the man to his knees.

  “Pops,” Gabe yelled.

  He went to reach for Joker, but arms wrapped around him from behind, dragging him away. He fought back until he heard Zayne’s voice by his ear.

  “Let them figure it out. If they need to fight, let them,” Zayne said.

  Gabe reluctantly relaxed in Zayne’s arms. His eyes were on his father and Joker. Joker was on the ground, on all fours, when King kicked him in the stomach. Joker groaned loudly and rolled away. King walked towards Joker but got to close and got his legs cut out from under him. He landed hard on the ground, making Gabe wince.

  Joker got to his feet, his gaze on King who was staring right back up at him.

  “If you think I’m not gonna fight for him, you don’t know me very well,” Joker sneered. “I just took out Wade to ensure his safety.”

  King made a sound from deep in his chest and pushed off the ground to swipe at Joker. Gabe’s heart was beating like crazy. He glanced around, seeing several people who’d swarmed outside at the sounds of the fight. They were all watching curiously but no one tried to stop them.

  He tried to shut out the sound of fists hitting flesh, keeping his gaze averted. He remembered a time not so long ago when those relied on each other, and he hated that he was the thing that had come between them. Hated that they chose to fight it out instead of talking like normal people.

  Gabe clenched his jaw and glanced up. It had gone on for too long now. They weren’t going to resolve their issues by beating on each other.

  He ignored Zayne’s attempt to stop him and walked up to them. They were both on the ground, Joker on top of King. He didn’t even think about it, he just used his foot to push Joker off of King. With them both lying in the dirt on their backs and him standing above them, he put his hands on his hips and glared down at them.

  “That’s enough,” Gabe said, his voice low but stern. “I’m done seeing you two hurt each other.”

  He could feel how everyone else was holding their breaths for him, expecting King and Joker to get pissed at him. But he knew they wouldn’t. If they had only one thing in common, it was that they both loved him.

  “You two need to get over yourselves and make up, ‘cause frankly, I’m done being fought over. I’m done feeling like a fucking princess. I’m not a goddamned princess. I’m also not choosing one over the other.” He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at King, then at Joker.

  “Fix it,” Gabe said and walked off.

  Joker

  He stared after Gabe, a frustrated sound pushing past his lips. He got up and considered lending King a hand but the look on King’s face quickly made him think better of it. He glanced around at the people surrounding them. They all looked much too curious.

  “What’cha looking at?” he yelled. “Fuck off.”

  Everyone scampered back into the clubhouse, including Zayne. Joker ran his fingers through his hair with a curse, then turned to face King.

  “We fucked that up good, didn’t we?”

  King’s glare would have sent any other man running, but Joker wasn’t scared of King. He was, however, still pretty pissed at him.

  “He’s my son. How the hell did you expect me to react?”

  “I expected you not to give your son ultimatums,” Joker said.

  In one of Gabe’s voicemails, he’d talked about ho
w King had expected him to choose between Joker and letting Joker stay at the club. It was a shitty move. He knew Polly had slapped King for making it.

  King grumbled something under his breath.

  “What?” Joker snapped.

  “I’m supposed to be able to trust you. I have trusted you. With my family. With everything.” King turned his gaze on the ground. “The worst part is that I never saw it coming. I’ve been fucking blind where Gabe’s concerned. My own damned wife had to tell me Gabe’s had a crush on you for years. That he’d talked to her about it many times. I should’ve seen it.”

  “Why? So you could’ve put an end to it before it happened? You of all people should know better. So should I. There’s no stopping love.”

  “This is fucked up,” King said. “I should have your patches ripped off. Go back to kicking your ass.”

  Joker snorted and motioned at the shiner King was sporting. “I’m pretty sure I was doing most of the ass-kicking.”

  King arched a brow and glared at Joker.

  “I’m sorry I lied to you,” Joker said. “I never wanted to break your trust, but I knew how you’d react.”

  King stared at him for a long time, then he rubbed his hands down his face.

  “Fucking hell,” King mumbled. “At least I know you’ll protect him no matter what.”

  “You’re damned right I will. I didn’t exactly count on falling for him. Hell, I tried my damnest to stay far away. But I was fucked the second he moved in with me. I know now that it was just a matter of time. It would’ve happened eventually. He is stubborn as all hell, after all.”

  King grunted. “I still don’t like it.”

  “You seriously think I want to be in love with my president’s son?”