Cullen looks at Archer.
Archer nods.
“We have paths that cross,” Cullen says. “Plenty of paths that cross. That’s how our world works. There’s a lot moregetting alongthan there is fighting. It’s all for balance. And sometimes that includes Seth’s world.”
“So you both knew him before me?” I ask.
“Not personally,” Archer says. “We know of his family. Everyone knows of the Vossenax family. Their fake attempt at a motorcycle club to look tough. They’re street trash.”
“But they have a purpose for us,” Cullen says.
“Yeah, to send them out to do your dirty work” I say.
“It wasn’t like that,” Cullen says. “You want the truth, Jaci? I’m going to tell you the truth. There were issues on the street level for us.”
“You and Archer? Working together?” I ask.
“Not working together,” Archer says. “Just a common interest.”
“And it just so happens it tied into Vossenax too,” Cullen says. “He could have just done it outlaw style. Gone rogue. Figured it out. But our support. Our… blessing…”
“What does that mean?” I ask.
“Jaci,” Archer says. “We make all the rules. We say what can and cannot happen. Someone was fucking around behind all our backs. Drugs. Okay? That’s what it’s all about. Drugs.”
I think about Rosa.
I start to panic.
“Really bad drugs,” Cullen says with a nod to me. “Stuff that can make a lot of money but stuff that can ruin a family in a second. We don’t want that anywhere near us. Not to mention the competition that Vossenax faces with it. It was the easiest move to make.”
“And yet you tied it into this place? You made him think he was going to-”
“That was never going to happen, sweet thing,” Archer says. “We talked to him. We worked it all out. We kept everyone safe from it.”
“The bomb threat,” I say.
“Had to be done,” Cullen says. “We needed to know everyone was in place. Everyone was safe.”
“Fuck that,” Archer says. “We needed to know you were safe, Jaci. That you weren’t going to take off and chase him down. And you would have.”
I clutch my pillow tighter.
“I know this is a lot to take in,” Cullen says.
“Nope,” I say.
I toss my pillow to the side and jump out of my bed.
“Okay, now I know,” I say.
“That’s it?” Archer asks.
“That’s it,” I say. “What am I going to do about it? It’s done and over with. Someone fucked up and got what they deserved. You two put Seth up to it because it made the most sense.”
“You’re anHeir, love,” Cullen says to me.
He reaches for me and I grab his wrist.