Shine, Rebel, Cap, Chief, Sarge, Brody, and me are all crowded in the small area that Shine is using for his office. It’s crowded and we are all wound tight, but we will make do. While Shine was getting Cap to join us I made sure that all the security rotations were being made. I also told Doc to wake Red Cap up, so he will be available for church later. I go and stand by the door, so no one walks in on us.

“We don’t have much time, but I wanted to get everyone on the same page before it is laid out for the brothers. Rebel, did you send Cue Ball to take care of that issue?” Shine waits for Rebel to answer.

“She’ll be in the shed by the end of this meeting. Cue Ball had her in his sights and I am waiting for the confirmation it is done.” The she, being talked about, is going to regret going up against the Demented Revengers MC.

“I think there are things that need to be shared. I am not liking the non-communication for the last twenty-four hours while we are still hanging our asses out.” Chief is not good at waiting and he doesn’t like being kept out of the loop. Shine looks at Cap.

“First let me say that us going to pick Faith up today has landed more information in our lap than we have gotten in a while. It connects the dots and we are here to share.” Shine looks around the room. “The short-version is Darren Connors has two brothers and they work for the NSA now. We have all been under their surveillance

for a while. From what Cooper and Sean say they are not after us, but they also warned to clean everything up, so we can’t be blackmailed by the government. Chief,” Shine looks to the big man beside Cap, “Cooper said that you have had dealings with the Possessed Blood Souls MC, well they are involved.” Shine waits for Chief to say something.

“We ran that club into the ground. How do they think it is possible for them to be back?” Chief is looking at Sarge.

“The president of the Possessed Blood Souls, Duke, had a bastard son that goes by Deacon and he has come back to take over both the Possessed Blood Souls and the Hell Keeperz. Duke and Butcher, the president of the Hell Keeperz, were cousins and partners in crime. Deacon has merged the two clubs or what is left of them. Then there is Hack, who we assumed was Alvis Mills son, but not so. Hack is the son of Butcher and that is how he ended up as the president. The mobile drug idea was the community’s idea and has been going on for years. That whole place deserves to be blown to hell. Deacon has been carrying out payback for a personal situation having to do with Cap. Cap you have the floor.” Shine looks at Cap with an emotion I have never witnessed on Shine’s face when it comes to Cap, disappointment. Cap moves forward and places a stack of papers on Shine’s desk and then turns back to the brothers.

“I could give you excuse after excuse, but all I can say is I fucked up, but I never betrayed my club.” There’s a knock on the door and I open it and there stands Zig Zag. I guess it might as well be now. I open the door and he steps in. Shine’s eyes are on him, but he nods his head to me.

“Go on Cap.” Shine tells him.

“I took a woman that wasn’t my wife and disgraced them both. I wasn’t a man about it and instead covered it up. I paid Javier to cover it up and he did but then she got word to us that she was knocked-up. I still didn’t come clean with anyone. I could say I was trying to protect Lil because we had been trying to have a child but every time she conceived it wasn’t long before she miscarried but that would be a lie of sorts. I couldn’t face losing Lil and I knew if she had to face another woman pregnant with my child that she wouldn’t be able to handle it, so I gave Javier more money and he came back each month for more. He gave some of it to Patsy and then spent the rest. When Patsy gave birth to our daughter she went off the deep end. She ended up alone when she died, and our daughter went up for adoption. I kept track of the girl until the final adoption papers where signed and filed. I checked out the adoptive parents and they were just what they presented themselves to be. Every dime I paid Javier was from my accounts and I didn’t know that Patsy was affiliated with any club. I met her, and she had nothing to do with the club and I had no idea it would touch the club years later. My life has been dedicated to this club and Lil for years and that never changed. I was just a damn fool and I would appreciate it if Lil is not dragged into this. I have caused that woman enough pain.” I love Cap and I am man enough to say it because he and Lil taught me that when they took me in and I respect them both, but I have no room to judge anyone. I know they will ride this out to the other side because that is who they are. I see the same look in Shine’s eyes.

“You told Lil everything?” Shine asks.

“I did and when this is all taken care of the two of us are going to take that trip she has always been wanting and we will work it all out.” Cap answers.

“Why did you never tell me that you had dealings with my dad?” Cap looks at Rebel.

“If it had anything to do with the club, I would have but this was personal and none of your damn business.” Cap answers.

“When you gave me the gavel in Quitman, you told me that anything to do with the President had to do with the rest of the club so to clean my shit up.” Cap is shaking his head yes but then stops and looks sharply at Rebel.

“Do you see the club could have changed the outcome in any way? When you cut Jade loose could you have changed any of the blowback to the club, even though that was not your intention to have blowback on us. It’s the same damn thing. I thought I had a handle on it.” Cap says in a matter of fact way. That leaves Rebel with nothing to say.

“Enough said.” I speak up and Cap and Rebel both look at me. Cap fucked up and there is nothing else to say.

“That brings me to the next subject. I have the list of traitors and then there is Zig Zag who forgot to tell us that he works for the government.” Shine looks at Zig.

“Who is on the list?” Sarge asks.

“I’d like to know that myself.” Chief speaks up. Brody has been unusually quiet.

“Trick and Boozer, which have been missing since the night the clubhouse was hit. Tisha Sparks and Sin. That’s three brothers who betrayed us and they were setting up Red Cap and Tip to take the fall for the things they did with Tisha’s help of distracting Red Cap. Sin was working inside the Quitman clubhouse and Trick and Boozer in the Tyler. Tisha has been working between the two and reporting back to the community and the Hell Keeperz MC. Cue Ball is picking her up as we speak.” Shine finishes.

“I got the text they are at the shed.” Rebel says. “Sin has been left to guard my woman and my Ma. Never once has he given me a reason to distrust him. He’s been one of my best friends since we were in school. Why would he turn on us now?”

“From the papers we were given today, money. He’s in deep with his gambling again. He’s working off his markers.” Shine tells Rebel.

“He’s been left alone with Charity on more than one occasion, why hasn’t he made his move?” Brody asks.

“Timing is my guess. If he showed his hand too soon then he would be caught, and he knows the consequences. Brothers don’t go to jail, they go to hell for betraying us.” I answer for Shine, but he nods his head yes.

“Chief, we have appreciated your help and we are in debt to you, but no one could blame you for getting back to Dallas. If you had a run in with the Possessed Blood Souls MC they may strike your club while you are here, especially if they get wind of what we have found out.” I see Chief thinking about it.

“I need to talk to Sarge and then I will get back with you and I will probably roll out of here tonight. You don’t owe me a damn thing, I was repaying a debt of Whiskey’s and now we are square, the rest of this seems like club business, yours, not mine, so we will step out.” Chief points to Sarge and then the door. They both walk over by me and I move so they can get out the door. Then all eyes go to Zig.

“Explain to us brother, how you became a government agent and you forgot to inform your brothers about it.” I can hear the anger in Shine’s voice.

“That’s the reason I stepped down from being the intel guy. I needed more time to run leads the government needed me for. I am more of a freelance contractor than an actual agent, but I have been dealing with Cooper Dean and his brother Sean. We have been working on trying to get a bead on Darren and Alice for three years.” Zig pauses and then goes on. “Once I started getting information on the community’s job on the side, I knew we were going to have problems with them. I couldn’t tell the brothers because then I would have been pulled from the job. The government has planned to get all the contacts they can from Darren and Alice and then eliminate them. The founders of the community are a black spot on the agency’s name, but if they used the contacts to take the bigger players out and then eliminate the founders it would look better on them. That would clean up the mess that had been made. I was supposed to take them out one by one, but this war we have had going on with the community has taken care of that issue. There’s very few of them left. The government likes that we are cleaning up the trail for them. Dead people can’t cut deals and expose anything.”

“Your punishment will need to come from the brothers if they don’t take your cut because that would be my suggestion.” Shine is still angry, but he will leave it to a vote. “Brody, Cooper and Sean are either your woman’s uncles or one could possibly be her dad. They want a DNA test. They already took Faith’s but there is more.” Shine looks at me.

“Faith and Charity’s family in Ireland are with the Irish mob and except for Cooper’s mom they have not had a female in their family for five generations. The family disowned Cooper’s mom because she liked men and was indiscreet about it. She snuck her three boys that included Darren to the United States to be safe and so they wouldn’t be taken from her to fight in the war they were entangled in. Long story short, to keep power over there you not only need sons to fight the war among families, but you need daughters to bargain with, so two families can be brought together and make a stronger army to fight other families. If their family know they exist since Charity and Faith are not married, they would try to kidnap them and marry them off to someone in another family.” I make sure Brody is still paying attention. It is long and complicated, and I think it is damn sick, but Brody needs to know of a danger that could happen. Better prepared than sorry. “You need to be married to Charity and soon. Then there is the fact the community wants to repopulate with Connors blood and your child is half Connors as far as we know. The sooner the better and it needs to be done by a priest. Irish people are Catholic and once married by a priest they won’t go against it. Anything else they do not recognize.”

“Do the Irish family know about Charity and Faith.” Brody asks.

“There were some communications between Alice and the family, but no one knows what was discussed. Alice hates those sisters and will do anything to destroy them. She has Samson as her right-hand man and he wants to make Charity suffer and he wants Faith for his.” Shine finishes.

“We were already making arrangements to do it the day after tomorrow. I will find a priest and get him to officiate. What about Faith? She says she is your ol’ lady but she didn’t mention this.” Good girl, Faith, you listened. She is learning like an ol’ lady should. “She is going to lose her shit when she finds out you are playing her even if it is for her own good. The plan that Shine and Rebel came up with is not going to protect Faith from her relatives.”

“I am going to marry Faith. How do you feel about a double wedding?” All eyes are on me.

“You can’t marry that girl. You will devastate her when she finds out why you married her. She is a very proud woman. Where is your head?” Brody looks half shocked and a lot pissed.

“All of you can bitch moan and groan but I don’t want anything happening to her. She has accepted my claim. I did exactly what Shine and Rebel asked of me. She bought it all and I feel like a piece of shit for doing it but at the end of the day she will be alive. I explained to her there would be no physical relationship until after she is eighteen and that is going to be a fucking show of my restraint. That woman is hot, and my body wants her, and she wants me, but I am not someone that will take advantage of her that way. This needs to end and soon, but if she is married by a priest she will also be safe from her other family. I know when this all comes out she will never talk to me again and I can live with that if she is safe, I need to keep her safe.” That’s the only way I can explain it.

“Con, will you answer a few questions for me if I go along with this?” Brody asks me, and I know he is up to something, but I nod my head anyway. “Do you have a need to be the one to keep her safe?”

“I guess so. I just want to make sure it is done right.” I answer.

“Does Faith distract you from your everyday thoughts, like I don’t know, the club girls and which one you are fucking next?” I have not had any time to think of fucking. We have been busy trying to keep everyone safe.

“Only because I don’t have free time.” That’s a safe answer. Everyone doesn’t need to know that Faith consumed my thoughts even if I was fucking another damn woman. Brody nods his head.

“What if another man decided he really wanted to claim Faith, could you walk away from her?” Hell, to the naw! No one else is claiming my woman. Wait no, she’s only my ol’ lady until she is safe. I hear Shine laugh under his breath. I don’t answer that last question.

“That’s what I thought, maybe you should take a few minutes and think about that before you lose your chance at real happiness. If you hurt Faith, she is going to run in the opposite direction than you and I know this from dealing with Charity. Think about it and if you are sure, then alright, I can’t fault a man in trying to keep his woman safe, pretend or not. I just want you to know that I will be helping her get as far away from you as she can, when the shit hits the fan and if any of this causes a problem between Charity and me, there will no place for you to hide.” I thought Brody would care more about Faith. Even if Faith never speaks to me again, she’ll be alive. When the smoke settles she’ll realize she dodged a bullet. She’s young and needs a chance to live before she ties herself down. The thought of another man touching Faith is not one that I can think about. All I see is red.

“I know what I am doing, I don’t want Faith to know about this until it happens. I know someone at the courthouse that can help me with the marriage license, he owes me. You may deal with Charity, but I am dealing with Faith. She just wants to be heard and I can listen. I got this.” I know this is going to be more about preparation and timing, so I’ll just make it happen.

“Brother, you don’t have this and tell me what female doesn’t want a choice and a voice. Faith is a bit flighty, but she is a good person. She’s got this.” Rebel says with a laugh.

“Cooper and Sean are going to let us know about the time and place for us to get retribution for the people we have lost and the hell we have all been through. I don’t know how much time we will have to prepare so we need to make sure we have the firepower that we need, ready.” Shine tells everyone. “Anyone have any other secrets lurking around? We are going to need to go over what it means to be a member of the Demented Revengers MC. Loyalty and honesty go hand in hand with brotherhood. It’s the only way it works.” Shine looks directly at Cap. “Let’s get some grub so we can do this again later.” I open the door, and everyone walks out and we walk back towards the smell of food. When we walk into the area where we eat the place has pink and blue streamers everywhere, but my eyes seek Faith’s out and when I see her there standing beside Charity and the big smile on her face almost knocks me to my knees. Faith is always beautiful, but it has been a while since I got to see her with a genuine smile on her face. Faith turns her head towards me and that smile widens on her face and I find myself smiling back at her. What the hell is wrong with me?

“Alright, everyone, settle down. We will feed you in just a few minutes. With everything that has been going on there has not been an appropriate time for the preggies to announce, officially, what sex the babies will be, so we decided now is the time for a little good news.” I never take my eyes off Faith until I am next to her and I pull her into me and kiss the top of her head and hug her to me. I turn Faith, so she can watch this with me. Her back is to my chest and it feels so damn right. “Katie, you have the floor.” Shine steps up beside her and his eyes are only on her.

“Shine, I know the doctor has been back and forth about a girl and then a boy. Today the 3D sonogram found his penis. It is a boy. Our son decided today was the day he would quit being shy.” Katie hands Shine the photo to Shine and I swear there are tears in Shine’s eyes. I am happy for him. I hug Faith tighter. I never thought I would have a pang of jealousy when it came to my brother, but it is there. I can imagine Faith round with our child. No, no, that picture should not be in my head. “Gracie, your turn.” Katie doesn’t get another word out because Shine scoops her up and I think he might squeeze that baby out of her.

“I am so fucking happy, but it didn’t matter if it was a boy or a girl, just so you both are healthy.” My brother is happy. Rebel has stepped over to Gracie and Brody to Charity.

“Rebel, I know you don’t care if this child is a boy or a girl. We have one of each after all but this time we are having one of each.” Rebel looks shocked, but it soon turns into a big smile. Damn, twins.

“Damn, babe, twins!” I think this is going to take a little getting used to by Rebel, he’s speechless but he takes Gracie in his arms and hugs her like she is a fragile child. Brody breaks the ice.

“If you are telling me that we are having twins then I need a chair.” Brody laughs and then everyone joins in. Charity playfully hits his arm. “Isn’t it too soon for us to find out. I thought they said a few more weeks.”

“You are not the only one who can keep secrets. I had the blood test and they will check again later to make sure like with Katie.” Charity looks in Brody’s eyes and I see a tear roll down her cheek. “We are having a girl and I have thought about it, and I want to name her Jillian.” The entire room goes quiet and Brody pulls Charity to him and closes his eyes while he hugs her and then pulls back a little, so he can bend down and kiss her.

“Thank you, Charity, that would mean a lot to me and our entire family.” Brody bends down and kisses the streak the tears left behind. Naming the child after Brody’s cousin and first love is a bold move by Charity but it shows how big her heart is and that she would do anything for the man she loves. That gets my respect. Lil steps back in front of everyone with Cap by her side.

“Alright, we have food, so everyone congratulate the couples and grab a plate.” I know this must be hard on Lil. She would have been the best mom, but then again, she was a great mom to Shine and me. I am surprised when Faith turns in my arms and goes up on her tiptoes and puts a kiss on me and it was no little smack. I bring her closer. Hell, I want to climb inside this woman, but she pulls back and I know I am going to need to step up my game if I am going to be able to resist this woman. Faith moves away from me and I instantly miss her in my arms. Someone comes up behind me and I turn, and Zig is standing there.

“Oh yeah, you got this handled.” The bastard is smirking. Then he grabs my hand and I feel something hard in my hand. “That flash drive has some surveillance from the community, mostly of Faith. Watch it to get to know your woman better and understand what she has been through. That’s from Cooper and it is need-to-know information.” Before I can say anything, Zig is gone, and I put the flash drive in my pocket. I need to get some air. I look around the room and Shine is in the corner talking to Chief and Sarge. I watch, and it is not long before Chief leaves. I know he is headed home, as he should be. He has a club and a family to protect. Sarge stays and talks with Shine some more. I feel someone approach me from behind and I turn to see who it is, and Faith is standing there with a plate.

“Lil told me what you liked so I thought I would bring you a plate.” It is hard for me to look Faith in the eyes. This woman is trying to make this work and makes me feel about an inch tall.

“Thank you, babe, but I don’t expect you to wait on me. I could have got my food.” I say without thinking and Faith’s face falls into a frown.

“I’m sorry, it’s what was expected from the women at the community. I just thought you might like it.” I am an ass. I take Faith’s hand and we find seats at a table and sit down.

“Do not ever apologize for just trying to help me. I just don’t want you to think that I expect you to wait on me. I do appreciate it. It was very nice of you. Where’s your plate?” I ask.

“I was waiting for all the men to eat first. It’s how I was taught growing up. Men, children, and then the women could eat.” Faith says looking at her hands.

“Well that is just fucking whacked. We all eat at the same time. I will get you a plate just sit still.” It is going to take some time to get Faith to change some things in her head, but I am the man for the job. I get up and head for the food.