“We could just kill him,” Declan shrugs.
“It’s an option,” Leo allows.
Kassie and I lock eyes, alarmed at the idea of our guys killing the prospect. He may be a whiny little shit, but he was working under duress. He doesn’t deserve to die for what he’s done, no matter how much fear and heartache he caused us. We’re safe now, and unharmed. Why end this thing in bloodshed if we don’t have to?
“Don’t do it,” Kassie says, laying a hand on Declan’s arm.
“It’s not worth it,” I add, taking a step toward Leo.
“It was because of him that you were taken,” Declan says to Kassie, pulling her close, “Don’t you want him to pay?”
“I’ll bet he was even the one who left the Forty-Five Club unlocked the night Buck snuck his roofies in,” Leo says, “Do I have that straight, kid? Did you roll out the welcome mat for us?”
Tot can’t bring himself to speak, but his sorrowful eyes tell us everything we need to know. He set this entire fiasco into motion. But does he really deserve to die for that? It’s not like he was the mastermind. His father and uncles were the ones out for revenge and a little compensation, after all.
“The retaliation from the Lorenzo family isn’t worth the satisfaction of...dealing with him,” I say, setting a hand on Leo’s chest, “You’ll only be hurting yourselves if you hurt Tot.”
“That’s true,” Kassie jumps in, “If you kill one of their own, they’ll come after both your clubs with full force.”
“But if you just let them know that Tot ratted...” I go on, “He’s the one they’ll be after.”
“Either way, I’m a goner,” Tot says, his voice hollow, “Whether you kill me off yourselves or hand me over to my family. It’s all over.”
Despite everything he’s done, I can’t help but feel bad for the kid. He’s a baby, only nineteen years old. God knows I did things I wasn’t proud of at that age. He’s a sniveling little weasel, but it’s not like he’s the one calling the shots. Kassie and I are both safe, now. No permanent harm done. That has to count for something.
“Let him go,” I say softly, my eyes intent on Leo’s face.
“He’s no good to you now,” Kassie continues, holding Declan’s gaze.
“Just give him a little head start, so he can maybe escape his family,” I say, “If they catch him in the end, it’s not on you anymore. But what harm could a little mercy do?”
Leo’s unreadable expression starts to clarify. Like a beam of sunlight cutting through the heaviest clouds, a sliver of compassion for this kid shines beneath his anger.
“They’re right,” Leo finally says, looking over at Declan once more, “Our best bet is to let the kid walk. We don’t gain anything from getting his blood on our hands.”
“You’re sure you want us to turn him loose?” Declan asks Kassie, “Even after everything that happened to you?”
“I’m sure,” she insists, “Maybe the Lorenzo family will be satisfied with a truce, if you let their kid walk free. It’s our best bet.”
“Should we vote on it?” Leo asks the Wraiths.
“All in favor of letting the kid go?” Mac prompts.
The eight Wraiths announce their consent as one. John Baxter turns to look at this own club members.
“How about you lot?” he asks.
Dante’s Nine’s eight patched members match the Wraith’s vote. All sixteen men have decided to let the prospect walk. My heart is full of pride as they choose to cut the little guy a break. Yes, he should have known better than to mess with the Nine and Wraiths, but he’ll have the rest of his life to regret it. And with the Lorenzo family after him, that might not be such a long time anyway.
“Congratulations,” Declan drawls, snapping open the cuffs, “You’re a free boy.”
“You’re one lucky little sonofabitch is what you are,” Leo says, pulling the prospect up by the scruff of the neck.
“You...you’re really gonna let me go?” Tot squeaks.
“Really truly,” Mac laughs unkindly.
“Thank you,” the prospect breathes, his eyes filling up with tears as he looks between Kassie and me, “I’m so sorry—”
“Yeah, yeah. Get the fuck out of here before we change our minds,” John Baxter snaps.
He certainly doesn’t have to tell the kid twice. He sprints for the exit like a bat out of hell, discarding his cut as he flees. Ollie rushes to catch the leather garment before it hits the ground, and the door bangs shut in the failed prospect’s wake. For a moment, we all just stare after him, amazed by all that’s come out into the open between us.
“I don’t know about the rest of you,” Leo says, finally breaking the silence, “But I could go for a shot right about now.”
Everyone bursts into relieved laughter, happy to put this conflict to bed. Declan steps up to Leo, hand outstretched.
“Water under the bridge?” he asks.
“You know it,” Leo replies, taking Declan’s hand in his, “You understand, then?”
“You did what you had to for your club. Of course I understand. You’ve always been a good friend to me, Leo,” Declan says, “I’m sorry this had to happen. When Sam died—”
“I feel you,” Leo nods solemnly, “If it had been one of our guys, we would have been a little off, too. I’m sorry Kassie got dragged into this.”
“I knew you weren’t going to hurt me,” my best friend puts in, slipping her arm around Declan’s waist, “Thank you for making sure I was safe. And for the whiskey.”
“Anytime,” Leo laughs.
“So, that’s it?” I ask, lacing my fingers through Leo’s, “Everything’s good, just like that?”
“Almost,” Leo says, leading us all over the bar, “We have to drink to it, first.”
My man pours out a round of shots for the men and women of the Wraiths and the Nine. The members carouse happily, clapping each other on the back as we all raise our glasses.
“To peace,” Leo says, holding his shot high, “For as long as it ever lasts.”
“To peace,” we all chorus, downing our fiery promises. It’s surreal, seeing all of the guys together after such a tense week. But I guess this is how they must have been before this craziness began. There’s no true business-as-usual in the MC life, but I guess this is as close as outlaws ever get to normal.