Chapter 10

10

ROM

“ P rez,” I greeted Mac as I strode into his office. Our VP, Scout, stood to the left of the door, whispering with his old lady, Cat. Our enforcers, Nova, Dom, Breaker, Hack, and Patch, were sprawled out in the small seating area with a couple of couches and recliners that had been added when Mac married Bridget.

I dropped down in one of the chairs on the other side of Mac’s big wooden desk, nodding at Dax, our sergeant at arms, who sat in the chair facing me. Grey sauntered in a minute later, followed shortly by our road captain, Patriot. They stood leaning against the walls, waiting. There were a couple of murmured conversations until Scout slapped Cat’s ass as she turned to leave. “I’ll meet you and the kids at home, Kitty Cat.”

“Kids are with Dash and Brynn tonight, babe,” she replied, tossing a grin over her shoulder before disappearing down the hall.

Scout turned and stomped over to stand next to Mac, feet spread apart and arms crossed over his chest. “Let’s get this the fuck over with,” he grumbled.

Not one of us could give him bullshit about his attitude because it would make us fucking hypocrites. Instead, we got down to business.

Mac leaned back in his chair and ran a hand over his beard before considering Grey for a few seconds, then Hack. “You both watching the Devil’s Jesters?”

Both men nodded. “They’ve been laying low,” Hack muttered. “Been quiet. Too fucking quiet.”

We’d been keeping close tabs on the MC ever since they’d paid a dirty judge to throw me in jail on trumped-up drug charges. The son of a bitch even managed to forge paperwork that said I’d signed away my right to a trial.

After my brothers made things right, freeing me and messing up their drug business, they’d sworn revenge and blood. But there hadn’t been a peep from them since then. We weren’t stupid, though. We knew this was the calm before the motherfucking storm.

Grey bobbed his head in agreement. “I’ve heard some rumblings from locals in their town, though. Hints that there are internal issues within the ranks. It’s possible they’re keepin’ their heads down while they sort that shit out.”

“Rumor is that the prez keeps a tight fist on the funds,” Scout contributed. His face twisted in disgust. “I’ve also heard he considers himself above the rules of property patches.”

I raised my brow at that information. “Sleeping with the old ladies?”

Scout scowled darkly. “Just a rumor, but I wouldn’t put it past the bastard. No one respects him. They fear him. He’s the lowest of the low. Hit rock bottom years ago. Now there’s twenty feet of crap, then him.”

Mac grunted in acknowledgment, but he didn’t comment.

“What do you want us to do, Mac?” Hack asked.

The prez stroked his beard again, then leaned forward and curled his hands into fists on the desktop. “Something’s brewing. I can feel it. I don’t want to be blindsided by their bullshit.” He turned to Breaker. “Put people on their compound and both businesses. Talk to Bear and use prospects if you need to. I want eyes on them at all times.”

“Done,” both Hack and Grey said at the same time. Then they stood and started talking a tech language none of us understood as they walked out.

Mac’s eyes moved to Patriot. “We’ll tighten security on the compound. You’ll be the first to hear.”

Patriot’s woman, Erin, had a sister who was the old lady of a Devil’s Jester. He’d basically stolen her away from them, which had escalated the animosity between our clubs. Not that a single one of us would change anything. The second Patriot decided to claim Erin, she became family.

They’d been pretty pissed, then add in their hand in having me thrown in jail, only to lose the judge in their pocket…it wasn’t a stretch to assume that they’d go after Erin.

Patriot nodded, his lips pressed into a straight line and his eyes spitting fire. He took a slow breath and changed the subject. “We need to talk about the next two runs this week,” Patriot muttered.

“Two?” Dom asked.

“Yeah. Got the shipment going to New Orleans. Now there’s another situation. Dash was approached at a cleanup—an unofficial job.”

Well shit . Dash owned a company that cleaned up messes. But not typical ones. His people worked mostly on crime scenes. And he and a few other employees cleaned up after the Silver Saints when we had to…mete out our own brand of justice.

“Before you lose your shit, Dash had Grey look into the kid, and he’s legit. He was sent by Sheriff Bartley. He—well, his sister—needs our help, and his contact with us had to remain secret.”

Mac leaned back in his chair. “I’m listening.” Sheriff Bartley was Alyssa’s father. He didn’t condone our activities, but he’d looked the other way a time or two. However, he was aware of our reputation for protecting those who needed it, especially women and children. If he sent someone our way, he had a good fucking reason for it.

“The kid’s sister was dating a guy who ended up being part of a human trafficking ring. She found out, and his bosses told him she had to be killed or sold. She got out and ran to her brother. He’s hiding her, but the boyfriend and his boss put people on him, so he has no way to get her out.”

“Shit,” Patch murmured. “I’d better go with you and make sure the motherfuckers didn’t hurt her.”

Patriot’s brow furrowed, and he shook his head. “Willa is about to pop, and if you’re not here when she gives birth, she and my woman will try to kick my ass.”

There was a chuckle at the door, and I glanced over to see Phantom sauntering into the room. “I’d pay money to see that show. Ten bucks says your old lady has her claws so deep in you that you let her win.”

Patriot rolled his eyes. “Of course I’ll let her win, asshole. If you had a woman digging her claws into you, you’d let her win too, before dragging her off to bed so she can dig them in a little deeper.”

I snickered, and Phantom shrugged as he settled himself against the wall. “If you say so.”

“What about Blade?” Nova asked.

“The Iron Rogue’s doctor?” Mac looked thoughtful as he leaned his chair back.

“You gonna be the one to tell Grey?” Phantom asked Nova dryly.

The Iron Rogues were an MC in Layla’s hometown. We had an understanding of sorts. Lee was married to their vice president’s sister. And he just happened to be Grey’s brother-in-law. While things were mostly smoothed over, Grey was still smarting over the fact that Maverick had snatched his old lady not long ago because of a misunderstanding.

“Nope.” Nova jerked his chin in Mac’s direction. “That’s his job.”

“I’ll call their prez. Fox is a scary motherfucker if you piss him off, but he also has a reputation for ensuring the women in and around his brothers are respected.”

Patriot nodded. “I’ll take Dash since the kid already knows him.”

“Dax and I will go with you, too,” Scout announced. “You might need us covering your asses with firepower.” Scout was one of the best snipers in the world, and since they were dealing with an organization that we had no details about, it would definitely be an asset to have him watching their backs somewhere he couldn't be seen.

“Phantom, you’ll handle the product run,” Mac ordered. Since Patriot had recently become our road captain, Phantom had taken his spot as captain.

“Sure thing, prez.”

“Now all of you get the fuck out of my office,” Mac growled.

“I need a minute,” I told him, and he lifted his chin in agreement. The others made a hasty exit, and I waited until we were alone to make my request.

But before I could speak, Mac grinned and folded his hands behind his head. “Need a vest?”

“Yeah.”

“Ordered yours, Phantom’s, and a few for other brothers a couple of weeks ago,” he informed me with a smug expression. “Figured sooner or later…”

“How soon can you have it done?”

Mac stroked his beard with one hand, then picked up his phone and hit a button. Someone picked up, and he growled, “Get your sexy ass to my office, baby.”

“One of the old ladies did one for Grey, but only ’cause Bonnie closed up shop for vacation. Bridget mentioned her yesterday, so she’s probably back, but my wife will know more,” he explained.

We had a few places where we sent out for cuts to be customized, but after several brothers had fallen fast and hard for their women, Mac had started keeping property vests on hand. Eventually, he’d even had the names of the patches who were single already added to them. When Bonnie was available, we sent them to her shop in town to have them custom embroidered.

I could give the vest to Layla as it was, but I wanted more. I wanted to see her name on it, officially branding her as my property and letting her know that no one would ever wear it but her.

“Jared MacKenzie, don’t order me around like a freaking caveman!” Bridget snapped as she marched into the room.

Mac grinned and held out his hand. “Then I’d miss seein’ you all fired up.”

Bridget’s face softened as she went to his side, taking his hand and letting him pull her onto his lap.

Damn, I missed my woman. We needed to wrap this shit up so I could get her home and bury myself inside her tight pussy.

“Bonnie around?”

“She reopened a few days ago,” Bridget answered. Then her curious eyes shifted to me before her mouth spread into a beaming smile. “For Layla? Yay!” She clapped her hands excitedly, and I chuckled. “I just met her, and I already like her! I’m so glad you’re keeping her!”

Mac cleared his throat, drawing her attention again. “How long, baby?”

Bridget’s freckled nose scrunched as she thought for a second. “She could probably fit you in this week. I’ll give her a call.”

I thanked them both, then left before things between the two of them heated up…because they always did. That thought made me smile, though. I had no doubt the chemistry between Layla and me would burn just as hot in fifteen years.

More than ready to have my woman alone, I hurried to the kitchen to find her laughing with several other old ladies. I stopped for a second to admire her beauty, especially when she looked so carefree and happy. Damn, I love her.

I’d fallen for Layla the moment I saw her, but saying the words, even in my head, sent a fire blazing through me. I marched over to the table and scooped my woman into my arms, ignoring her yelp of surprise. “Time to go,” I growled as I stomped from the room.

“Wha—” Layla cut off when she caught the look in my eyes, and her cheeks tinged with pink. Her own chocolate pools darkened with desire, and she whispered, “Okay.”