Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37111 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37111 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
It had been two days since I’d first claimed Chloe. She was starting to lose some of her reluctance about meeting the club members, especially the ol’ ladies. They’d taken her in like one of their own, and she’d flourished under her reassurance and friendship. Even Magenta had come to meet Chloe and welcomed her with open arms. We’d all been puzzled when Iron Tzars hadn’t showed yet and hadn’t answered Data’s messages.
“They know Chloe is here of her own free will?”
“Yes. They were headed here to get her father’s help in finding her. Given his service record and his affiliation with ExFil, they thought he’d want to help in locating his daughter.”
That made me angry all over again. He should have wanted to help locate his daughter. He should have been the one to protect her instead of me. Cain must have seen the thunderous look on my face, because he raised a hand in my direction, an order to keep silent.
“And now?”
“They still want to meet with us. Their president, a guy named Aiden Pierce. Sting. Got a decorated service record, as does his old man. Everything Chloe told us was true. Corroborated by Sting himself. At least as much as he could. Her mother arranged for a meeting between them. Sting indicated her mother wanted him to marry her daughter, though he was on the fence about it himself. He’s after her now to make sure she’s safe and to offer her a ride back if she wants to go home.”
“He say why he ain’t leaving our territory?” Cain was calm, obviously trying to get the meat of the information without the drama.
“Yeah. He wants to talk to his father. Doesn’t want to make his first major decision on the fly with little to no information. Said before he leaves, he’s gonna want a meet with Chloe.”
My first instinct was a resounding “absolutely not.” But I knew that if this club were on the up and up, they were only being certain she was OK and not in trouble. Even of her own making.
“Not unreasonable,” Cain said, rubbing his finger over his upper lip. Then he looked at me. “Your woman good?”
“She is. I’ve put in an order with Cheetah for her property patch. She’s aware and fully on board.”
Sword growled but said nothing. I raised my eyebrow at him. Normally, I’d have called him out, but I wasn’t the president. Or even an officer.
“Which brings me to the other matter we need to resolve.” Cain stood, crossing his arms over his chest. “Sword has resigned as enforcer. Turned in his patch.” Everyone kept their eyes on Cain. No one looked in Sword’s direction. Which told me how high the deck was stacked against the other man. He’d be lucky if he didn’t get run out of the club altogether. “I’ve accepted his resignation, but after careful thought, and discussion with Torpedo, I don’t feel that’s enough.”
Torpedo picked up the thread in a show of solidarity. “We don’t treat women that way. Even if they deserve it, there is a process. We’re all big men. Women can be easily hurt if we can’t control ourselves. It wasn’t clear at the time if the girl had done wrong. Even Sword himself never offered a reason for him attacking her other than she looked like her mother.”
Sword stood, his head held high. “I accept whatever punishment you see fit, including expulsion from the club.”
“You’re damned right you’ll accept it!” Where he’d been trying to be methodical and rational during Church, Cain’s fabled control slipped. He took a breath. “As of this moment, you’re on probation. Your service to this club and the way you treat your woman are the only things keeping you in. We’ll have a vote on whether to put you back on full duties to the club once I’ve had a chance to cool down and you’ve made your peace with Chloe. Your position depends largely on her reactions to you in the coming weeks and months.”
“Not good enough,” I snapped. It was the first time in my adult life I allowed my control to slip. “I promised Chloe I’d avenge her, and I will.”
“You’ll do what I Goddamned tell you to or you can fuckin’ leave.” Cain was out of patience. “I’m through being disrespected by any fucking body who decides he wants a fuckin’ say. If the club wants to elect a new president, that’s your right. But as long as I’m fuckin’ president, you will all fuckin’ respect me and my fuckin’ position!”
“You knew this was comin’, Cain.” Torpedo gripped Cain’s shoulder, but the other man shrugged him off.
“Don’t give a fuck. I must be getting lax on discipline in my old age because I’ve allowed too much of this shit lately.” Cain pointed at me. “And you’re the very last member I ever expected to challenge me. I may be a decade older than you, but I can still kick your ass, Deadeye. Don’t test me!”