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“Thanks,” LJ said, his voice a ser “They weren’t after the money” He closed his puffy eye and shook his head “Mav” His voice choked up and Zach wouldn’t have believed it was possible, but LJ sounded near tears

Copper frowned “What about Mav?”

“I’ht like hell, but there were four of them And they had crowbars I didn’t stand a chance” He sounded tortured, riddled with guilt and a tear leaked out the corner of one distended eye

“What about Mav?” Copper asked, steel in his tone this time

“They took him”

Ice slid through Zach’s veins as the horror of that stateistered “Mav ith you?” He was supposed to be on a job, installing a system of security cah in the mountains where cell reception was hard to come by It was the only reason Zach hadn’t tried to contact him

“What the fuck do you rowled

“He got done early Saw ons—oh fuck” He inhaled a sharp breath and cringed “Sorry Five fuckin’ cracked ribs” After a cough and another grirabbed Mav Tossed him in a van Other four teamed up on me”

“You sure it was the Gray Dragons?”

He nodded and his “yes” was full of agony “Stupid fucking red tattoo on their hands”

“You had anything for pain?” Copper asked

“Nah,” LJ said “Wanted to talk to you first”

“You did good, LJ” Copper pushed the nurse button on the side of LJ’s bed “We’ll have theaze bore into Zach’s

Zach iined the murderous fury in Copper’s eyes matched his own “Go,” Copper said “Take Rocket I want you at the clubhouse at eight tonight”

Zach nodded and placed a hand on LJ’s shoulder beforea phone call he’d o,” Zach said

The two men marched down the hall on a deadly ht take him?”

“Nothing,” Rocket said in his typical limited chatter

“Shit You’ve had eyes on their headquarters, haven’t you?”