CHAPTER THREE

SIX

Two Weeks Later

The club has been busy with business and trying to get everything running through the holiday season. With an unusual cold snap in our Houston winter, we’re having trouble with our distribution channels because of sleet and other problems on the road, requiring more inventive ways to move our product, Snow White.

But we are finding other options.

Sea shipping.

We know the NOLA guys use ships down the Mississippi, so we’re getting some help with our shit.

With all the chaos regarding our product, we haven’t had time to take in the holiday spirit, but today, I’ve told the club to put aside time to decorate the clubhouse.

I’ve got to think about the kids over the festive season, and even think through the chaos of shipments being caught in storms.

Amber has come into her own these last two weeks. The kids adore her, and though she seems to have formed quite a savior’s bond attachment to me, she is also connecting with everyone else, which is a relief.

Amber stands with the kids decorating the tree as I lean against the kitchen’s doorframe, watching Rebel and the other old ladies cooking up a storm. Their laughter and chatter mixed with the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger swirl in the air. The smell is intoxicating, wrapping itself around the room like a cozy blanket, filling every corner with warmth. The ovens are humming, the countertops covered in flour, as they work together—hands dusted in sugar, cookies taking shape under their skilled fingers. There’s a real sense of holiday magic in the atmosphere, the kind of magic that can only be created in a home that is lived in and loved.

In a clubhouse like Defiance.

I can’t help but smile as I watch them, the familiar purr of the kitchen like a lullaby. There’s something about this time of year that hits me deep in my chest—something nostalgic, something comforting. The kids are running wild, their energy infectious, their laughter bouncing off the walls as they chase each other through the clubhouse. Their little feet pound down the hall, their voices rising in excitement. It’s like a rush of life pulsing through the area, filling it with that electric joy only the holidays can bring.

And then there’s Christmas morning—the chaos, the noise, the absolute fucking epicness of it all.

When the main room is packed to the brim with presents, wrapped in different colors and sizes, spilling over the floor, stacked high on the tables, the kids’ eyes light up as they tear into their gifts, the room charged with excitement. It’s not just the presents—it’s the laughter, the shouting, the festiveness of the morning—that makes it unforgettable. Watching their faces light up, seeing the joy in their eyes, it’s worth everything. It’s those moments that make the holiday season so damn special. Something I look forward to every year.

The fact I get to do this here, with my family, with my brother—it’s simply the best time of year.

“Hey, Pres… you wanna put the star on the tree?” Amber calls out, breaking me from my racing thoughts.

I glance over, seeing Kenna pout, and I smile at my daughter. “No… that’s Kenna’s job,” I reply, stepping over to the table where Wraith and Zero are working on paperwork.

Amber instantly sinks into herself. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t know. C’mon, Kenna, let’s show your dad how pretty this tree can be, huh?” she asks, instantly making Kenna beam in happiness once again.

“Daddy, watch,” Kenna calls out as Amber lifts her high. I make sure to focus all my attention on my eldest daughter and watch the moment that only comes around once a year—sometimes you need to stop and take in the small things.

Kenna places the star on top of the tree, and I start clapping. “Yeah. That’s my firefly!”

Kenna giggles, and Amber places her gently back on the floor. “I did it, Daddy.”

“Yeah, you did. And it looks beautiful, too, baby girl,” I tell her, then take a seat next to my big brother.

Kenna puffs out her chest with pride, then runs off to play with her cousins. The moment seemingly over before it began.

Zero chuckles under his breath, nudging me with his shoulder. “That kid’s gonna have you eating out the palm of her hand when she’s a teen. You know that, right?”

Snorting out a laugh, I roll my eyes in response as Amber walks over to me, her hips swaying probably a little more than necessary, so I turn to the paperwork on the table in front of me.

“Pres?” her soft voice chimes.

Glancing back up, her eyelashes bat, and I answer, “Yeah?”

“I just want to thank you again for letting me stay here. You’ve been so generous, especially because it’s Christmas, and I have nowhere else to go.”

“You’re welcome, Amber. The kids love you. It’s been great having that extra set of hands to watch over them while we work and the old ladies are busy.”

Amber shrugs. “Well, I adore those kids. They’re so charming, each with their own individual personality. Kenna is so much like you. Headstrong and brave. Really knows what she wants.”

Wraith and Zero smirk like they’re enjoying this damn interaction we’re having. I, on the other hand, need to get back to these fucking numbers. “Kenna is a handful, that’s for sure… sorry to cut you short, Amber, but we’re in the middle of some shit—”

“Oh yes, of course…” she caresses my shoulder, “… sorry. I’ll talk to you later. Thanks again, Pres.” She smiles wide at me, then turns and saunters off, but my eyes fall straight back to the page in front of me to focus on how we’re going to deal with this shipment issue.

Zero shakes his head as Wraith chuckles, slapping my back. “Ahh, brother… you’re so fucking oblivious.”

“What?” I turn to them, raising a brow.

Zero snorts. “You better watch your six with that one. Definite hero-worship vibes going on there.”

Snorting out a laugh, I shake my head. “Nah, she’s just grateful to have a roof over her head.”

Wraith huffs. “Don’t kid yourself, brother. That bitch wants to ride your cock from here to New York. Just remember how good you have it with Rebel.”

I narrow my eyes on him. “I’d never fucking hurt Rebel like that.”

Zero wraps his arm around my shoulders and nods. “We know you won’t, but does Amber? ’Cause from here, it looks like she hasn’t got the memo.”

I glance over my shoulder to see Amber smiling at me like she’s in absolute awe. She gives me a little wave, causing my entire body to inadvertently shudder. “Well… fuck!”

Zero and Wraith both laugh as I turn back. “It’ll be fine. New girls always have a settling-in period. They love the thrill of being here. The thought of bedding the top dog. Normally, though, the brothers aren’t all tied down with old ladies, or they don’t give a shit if they are. We all broke the mold where that’s concerned. Bikers who don’t stray on their women, who would’ve thought?” I mock.

“You wouldn’t catch me going near another woman. Prinie would cut my balls off and make me eat them if I did. That bitch is scary.” Wraith chuckles.

Zero and I nod because our sister more than likely would do exactly that to him.

“Yeah, well, you married the crazy.” I snort out a laugh as Zero fist-bumps with me.

Wraith smirks. “Yeah, but her crazy matches mine, so it evens out.”

“Really?” I ask, making Wraith glare at me and Zero chuckle under his breath.

“You may be my president and my brother-in-law, but I can still kick your ass,” Wraith states.

I tilt my head, grinning at Wraith. “Yeah, but I can also strip you of your VP patch and kick you out of the club, so…”

Zero bursts out laughing as Wraith smiles wide. “Asshole,” he chimes happily.

Even though we’re family somehow, whether by blood or by marriage, it’s good to know we can fuck around and mock each other and still have each other’s backs.

Zero slaps my bicep and moves his hand over the paperwork to form his version of a point. Even with all the physical therapy he endured after reconstructive surgery, he still can’t extend his finger out fully. Poor bastard. “How’s it looking? Can we make the shipments to NOLA?”

Turning back to what I was supposed to be doing before all this bullshit started, I reply, “Yeah, I believe so. Here’s what I’m thinking…” I scrub my beard. “We get a secure line on the rail system from Houston to NOLA. Maybe even have some Slavers go with the Snow White to reach the destination for added safety. Then, the NOLA guys can meet the product on the other end, transport it to the shipping yard, and get it to where it needs to go. We’ll need to give them a cut for their time, but hey, we can manage that. They’re our brother chapter, and they have been there for us more times than we can count.”

Zero nudges my shoulder. “Now you’re thinking like a president. We go cargo, ask Marcel to use his powers of persuasion to get us the ‘in’ we need with the right people, and we should get the clearances for the nine-and-a-half-hour journey. If we do this right, we can make this a constant delivery, and with Marcel’s help, we can’t get caught.”

Nodding, I crack my knuckles. “Marcel runs everything coming in and out of New Orleans. If he knows NOLA Defiance is in on this, he’ll be on board granting us access to his ports.”

“Exactly. It’s a solid plan. Now, we just have to put it into action.”

Glancing over my shoulder, I spot Scout sitting with his Old Lady, Crimson, and I send out a whistle to gain his attention. “Scout!”

He snaps his head to me with a raised brow before pressing his lips to Crimson’s head, then stands and walks over. “Pres?”

“Take a seat,” I instruct.

He pulls the chair out, turns it backward, places his arms on the top, and sits. “What’s going on?”

“We’re having to change up our distribution paths because of the weather. Rail’s still moving, so are ships right now. The snow is intermittent, but we can’t rely on our trucks out there on the road. Yes, we will still use them, but only for shorter distances for the most part.”

He nods. “Okay. So, what’s our plan?”

“We go rail from Houston to NOLA, then use the shipping docks on the Mississippi to get the Snow White out there like NOLA does.”

“They gonna be okay with that?” Scout asks.

“I have to make the call, but Hurricane should be easy to work with.”

Scout nods. “And you need my guys to transport the product by rail to NOLA?”

“You’re not just a pretty face,” I mock.

He smirks. “Fucker. Yeah, all good. My guys can take it in shifts, seeing as there won’t be as many out driving because of the weather. Those men can go on rail instead.”

“Perfect. Seems like it is settled, then. And I have a call to make.”

Zero grips my shoulder. “Good luck. Want me in there with you in case you need backup?”

Shaking my head, I stand. “I got this. Better ask him president to president.”

Pride washes off Zero’s face in waves, slow and steady, the kind of pride that comes from years of experience, from seeing the bigger picture, from knowing exactly how to handle a room full of men. He’s been the president for so long, a constant in this club, that I sometimes forget just how much weight he has carried. I know, in those rare moments, when I’m still unsure, I can rely on him. I can turn to him for guidance, for advice on how to handle the tough shit, the decisions that come with the title.

But there’s a point when that’s no longer enough.

That point is now.

I’m standing at the edge of it, the weight of the responsibility pressing down harder than it ever has before. It’s not just about riding anymore, not just about the brotherhood. It’s about leading, making choices that will affect all of us. No more half-steps. No more playing the role from the sidelines. I know this now. The club’s future is in my hands, and I can’t keep looking back.

I have to step up.

I have to take this role on with full force.

With that thought solidifying in my chest, I walk toward the Chapel, the familiar sound of my boots echoing in the silence, and I close the doors behind me. The air feels different in here, heavier somehow, like it’s filled with expectations that are all mine to meet.

I walk up to the head of the table—my table now—and as I sit down, the reality of it hits me harder than I want to admit. It still feels surreal. It’s like I’m playing a part in some movie, only the cameras are never going to stop rolling. I can’t shake the feeling of being the new guy, even though I’ve been wearing this patch for years.

You’d think I’d be used to it by now, used to the weight, the eyes on me, the responsibility. But no matter how many times I’ve walked this path, it never quite feels like it belongs to me. Every time I sit down in this chair, the one Zero has filled for so long, it’s like stepping into new shoes. The old ones still fit, but there’s something about them that doesn’t quite feel right.

I wonder if I’ll ever get used to this, if this feeling will ever fade.

Taking a long, deep breath, I pull my cell from my pocket and swipe it open without thinking, my fingers moving on their own. I hit Hurricane’s name, waiting as it rings. The sound fills the quiet room, and I know, deep down, that this is just the beginning of something much bigger than I’ve ever faced before.

I need to make this work for my club.

For Houston Defiance to continue to flourish.

I have to step up and be the president that the other Defiance presidents expect me to be.

The cell finally answers but to the sounds of heavy breathing and a raspy moan. “You better be havin’ a damn emergency, brother, for makin’ me answer my cell while makin’ my woman come.”

Snorting out a laugh, I shake my head. “Emergency, no. Offer? Yes.”

Hurricane groans, the phone shuffling about. “Sorry, Sha, keep that ice cream cold for me. I gotta see what Six needs, then I’m lickin’ that off every damn inch of you.”

Raising my brow, I let out a long breath as I hear his Old Lady, Kaia, giggling in the background.

Too much information, Hurricane.

The cell muffles, then clears, and Hurricane coughs a couple of times, freeing his throat. “Right, you better get to the point fast before I lose a perfectly good erection, Six.”

Cringing, I roll my shoulders. “As I’m sure you’ve heard, the weather down here is being a moody bitch. We don’t know from one day to the next what the hell Mother Nature is gonna throw at us. It’s causing chaos for our distributions.”

Hurricane hums down the line. “I’m followin’… go on.”

“So, while we can’t rely on road transport, rail and shipping are still operational for now. What I am putting to you is… would you be willing to take a cut of our profits and talk to Marcel? See if he will ensure the shipment of our product by rail from Houston to NOLA. Then you guys pick up the product on your end and take it to the shipping yard to go on your boats to be pushed out to our suppliers. Scout’s Slavers will be with our product the entire way, guarding it.”

Hurricane hums down the line. “So you’re tellin’ me all we have to do is get Marcel on board and then do a pickup and delivery from the rail yard to the shipping yard, and we get a cut for that?”

“Name your price, Pres,” I tell him.

He’ll be saving our asses if he does this. So I need to let him make the first call.

Hurricane chuckles audaciously. “Forty percent.”

I snort out an insulted laugh. “Fuckhead! Fifteen,” I counter.

“Twenty-five?” he replies, more like a question this time.

I laugh. “You’re an asshole. Twenty… no more.”

He bursts out laughing. “Deal. I woulda done it for ten, so twenty percent is a fuckin’ score.”

“You’re a cunt, you know that?” I snicker.

He chuckles down the line. “Yeah… I know. I’ll talk to Marcel, get him on board. He’ll wanna cut of the profits too. And ’cause my dick is still hard, I’ll let him take it outta my twenty percent. See, not such a cunt now, am I?”

“I’m more focused on the fact your dick is hard while talking to me. There something you wanna confess to me, Hurricane?”

He snorts. “You wish, brother. Right, I’m goin’. The ice cream’s a meltin’, and my woman is gettin’ antsy. I’ll call you when I talk to Marcel.”

“Okay, see y—”

The call ends before I have a chance to say anymore. Letting out a chuckle, I shake my head.

Brother is eccentric, got to give him that.

Feeling accomplished, I stand, knowing this is the right move forward for the club. We’re going to be continuing over Christmas. The damn weather won’t keep Houston Defiance down.

Walking to the Chapel door, I make my way back out into the main room to see Rebel strolling out with a tray of cookies. The cinnamon smell filters through the air, and it instantly warms me through. I wander over and pick one right off the tray, and Rebel glares at me. “Hey, these are for the kids!” she snaps.

I smile. “Just a bite?” I bring it up to my lips and crunch on the delicious gingerbread cookie. The zing hits my lips, the same one I get every year when she makes these treats. I let out an oversexualized moan, and she grins while shaking her head.

“That’s not fair, Six.”

Licking my lips, my eyes meet hers. “But, baby, you did so fucking good. Mmm…” I tease her again while taking another bite.

Her teeth clamp down on her bottom lip as her breathing hitches. “Koda, unless you plan on taking me to our bedroom, you better stop with the sexua—” I grab her around her waist and pull her to me. She gasps before she places the tray of cookies on the table beside us.

“I’ll fuck you right here on the table if you want me to. Wanna live up to your name, Rebel?” I ask.

She lets out a stuttered breath, linking her arms around my neck. “Fuck, I want to. But somehow, I don’t think a show like that for everyone to see would go down well. Plus… the kids.”

I glance over my shoulder at the kids playing by the craft area and frown. “Yeah, they’re a little young to see their first porno.”

Rebel shakes her head, leaning in and pressing her lips to mine. “I love you.”

“I love…” I pause, and smirk at her, bringing the gingerbread back up to my mouth and taking a bite, “… your cookies,” I tease with my mouthful.

She scoffs, pulling back from me, though she’s smiling, knowing I am joking. “Asshole. Fine. Eat your cookie.”

I reach out and pull her back to me, pressing my lips to hers more forcefully this time.

I fucking love my Old Lady.

I don’t care who knows it.

“Ahem!” Someone interrupts, and regrettably, I pull back from Rebel, turning to see Amber standing beside us with Kenna.

We separate quickly and straighten ourselves out.

“Daddy! Amber said I should show you my drawing.”

Rebel scowls at Amber, but I squat down to Kenna and grab her drawing. “Okay, firefly, what have you got for me?”

She brings up the piece of paper, and from what I can tell, it’s a drawing of Kenna, Kinzley, Rebel, and me, but then there’s a woman next to me holding my hand. My stomach churns as I glance at Amber, an uneasiness washing over me. “Kenna, can you tell me who these people are?”

She giggles. “Of course, silly, that’s Kinz, and me, that’s Mama, and that’s you and your friend, Snow White.”

My eyes bug out of my head while standing abruptly, turning to look at Rebel, not really knowing what to say.

“I thought you might like to see this,” Amber states, and I dip my head.

“Yeah, definitely. Thank you, Amber… Kenna, what makes you think I have a friend called Snow White?”

She shrugs. “I hear some of the guys around here talking about her sometimes. I mean, I have never seen her, but I think it’s reeeal cool that you know her, Daddy. She’s super pretty in the picture books.”

Fuck.

If she goes to school or anywhere, for that matter, telling people we’re hiding Snow White out at the clubhouse, every-damn-thing could turn to shit. Our whole operation could go up in smoke.

“Kenna, the thing is, Snow White, she’s very special. And if anyone found out about her outside of the clubhouse, anyone at all, she would be in a lot of trouble.”

“That’s why she hides?” Kenna asks, her eyes wide in curiosity.

Rebel nods. “Yes, sweetheart, she has to hide to keep herself safe from the evil people, the bad guys.”

“Like the Evil Queen?”

I smirk at how young and na?ve my daughter really is sometimes. “Yeah, Kenna. We have to keep her safe. Can you do that? You can’t tell anyone that Snow White is here, not your friends at school, and especially not the teachers . No one.”

She zips up her mouth like she is keeping it sealed, then pretends to throw the key to the floor and then stomps on it for good measure.

I exhale. She sure is a firecracker, my daughter.

“Secret’s safe with me, Daddy. Can I put my drawing on the fridge, though?”

I snort. “Yeah, firefly, go on.”

She bounces on her toes and then runs off in excitement. Amber goes to take off after her, and I reach out to grab her arm. Her big eyes turn to me, full of hope, and I quickly remove my hand as I dip my head at her. “Thank you for bringing this to our attention. You did good, Amber.”

A slight flush crosses her cheeks when she smiles, then takes off after Kenna.

I shift my eyes to Rebel and widen them. “Jesus Christ,” I murmur.

Rebel exhales. “I know. Did you see the way her cheeks flushed when you complimented her?”

I jerk my head back looking at Rebel. “Thayleah, I think the important thing to focus on here is that we’re all talking too much business around the kids. Not Amber’s schoolgirl crush.”

“So you do think she has a crush?”

I groan. “Rebel, c’mon… it’s harmless.”

She folds her arms across her chest. “Maybe you like the attention?”

I scowl. “You’re being a brat. I only like your attention.”

“Fuck, okay. I know you would never do anything, but it scares me that she might try. We have a family, Koda, and a brotherhood to care for. This is so much bigger than just you and me.”

I wrap my arms around her and pull her close. “I promise you nothing is gonna happen. If Amber even looks like she’s gonna try something, she’s out on her ass. The kids love her, she needs a place to get back on her feet, that’s it. How ’bout this… once she’s got herself sorted, we can ask her to move on. I’ll even get Neon to start helping her look for part-time employment out of the club to help her get some money together?”

Rebel sighs, pressing her forehead to mine. “I mean, I feel bad… but, okay. Let’s do that. I just don’t like how she looks at you. It’s like she wants to eat you.”

I waggle my brows, trying to lighten the mood. “You look at me like that.”

“Exactly my point, baby.”

That hit right where it was meant to.

She sighs. “On top of all this drama, we need to talk about Snow White. We’ve got to keep that shit away from the clubhouse, Koda. Think about it, having fucking cocaine here, at the clubhouse, with our babies around? That’s just asking for trouble. You’re smarter than that. I know right now with this weather, it’s making everything harder, but, Six, if we get raided by the heat, do you want your girls to see you being shoved to the ground and put in cuffs?”

My stomach tightens hearing those words. She’s right. She’s so fucking right.

“You need to send it back to the distribution center… for the kids’ sake.”

I nod and press my lips to hers, a gentle reassurance, before pulling back. “I hear you… on both counts. Amber will be gone by the new year. Let’s give her enough time to get on her feet with a steady job. Can we do that?”

She exhales like she is conceding but nods. “Yeah… I can do that.”

“As for Snow White, that’s club business, but I’ll bring it up with the brothers and try to get it off clubhouse grounds as soon as I can. I promise you, Rebel. I’m not watching my kids grow up from behind bars.”

She smiles but says nothing more, threading her fingers into the hair at the nape of my neck. “Now, the kids are occupied, so I want you to take me to our room so you can really taste how good my cookies are.”

I widen my eyes and smile. “Fuck, yeah!”