Chapter 9
Fox
I gripped the handlebars of my bike tightly as I rode back to the compound. Carmichael. That was a fucking unique name for her not to be related to him. That fucking lawyer who was always getting The Devil’s Saints out of all their bullshit. It was possible they weren’t related. It was possible that she was just some random woman in a bar looking for a good time. But if she was related to him, then what did that mean? Should I see her again? Should I take the chance that her father would find out? That was associating with the enemy, and I was already in the throes of betraying my club.
Could I do it again just for a little fuck?
I rode up into the lodge and saw Mac standing at the mechanic shop. I knew what that shit meant. Our President had called church. I parked my bike and drew in a deep breath, trying to ready my mind for whatever the fuck had interrupted my night.
I walked up to Mac, and his eyes were hard on me, and for a split second I thought he knew.
“He’s here,” Talon said.
“Fucking finally. I’m exhausted,” Snake said.
“Laiken’s the one who got us into this late-night shit. So shut your mouth,” I said.
“You really enjoy blaming our women for all this, don’t you?” Hawk asked.
“If you can’t see the role they’ve played in all this shit, not my problem,” I said.
“All of you, shut up,” Mac said.
I sat down with my legs spread and my arms crossed over my chest.
“What is it now?” I asked.
“We have a game plan,” Mac said.
“Then let’s hear it,” Talon said. “Because I’m ready to shut this chapter of this fucking club’s lives.”
“Aren’t we all,” Snake said. “Look, Laiken still believes the only way to take down The Devil’s Saints is to go it through Carmichael. He’s their fucking key. If we can get him out of the picture, we’re solid because their defense falls apart.”
“Won’t they just hire another lawyer?” I asked.
“Not one who has the history Carmichael does,” Snake said. “This family shit of theirs goes way fucking back. Back three or four generations. This ‘defending criminals’ shit started with the mob in Vegas and devolved into this shit. Carmichael’s versed in this. He grew up in it. No other lawyer’s gonna know their history, and Carmichael probably won’t hand over the documents to another lawyer because it’ll incriminate him in the process.”
“And you’re sure about this,” Hawk said.
“About as sure Mac is about keeping us all cooped up here ‘til this shit blows over,” Snake said.
“So… about seventy percent,” I said with a grin.
“Enough,” Mac said. “I get it. Everyone’s pissed because we live in the same space. I hear you. No stop bitching about it because it’s not changing until we can clean this shit up.”
“That lawyer’s been able to get them off of every charge thrown their way,” Hawk said. “I think Laiken and Snake are right on this. I think we should turn our sights on Daniel Carmichael.”
“Okay, but first we gotta establish some boundaries,” Talon said. “Maybe it’s just Gemma being pregnant and all, but I’m not willing to take anyone else other than him down. Does this Carmichael guy have a family?”
“From what Laiken’s told me, yes. A wife of almost thirty years and a daughter,” Snake said.
“We don’t touch women and children anyway, Talon,” Mac said.
“But we have put them in some crazy situations to get ourselves out of them. We don’t hurt them, but we’ve run over them a time or two to push our own agenda. I’m not willing to do that this time around,” Talon said.
“I’m with him,” Hawk said. “I think it’ll be easy to do this without threatening his family or anything.”
“They’re just threats,” Mac said.
“No threats. We don’t touch them. That’s the only way I go through with this,” Talon said.
“Fine. No familial threats. Any other pussy requirements?” Mac asked.
“If there aren’t any, I’ve got some pretty interesting news myself,” I said.
The floor was silent as everyone turned their heads towards me.
“Well, go on then. What is it?” Mac asked.
“I went out tonight to blow off some steam at Chester’s,” I said.
“Oh, shit. I haven’t been there in ages,” Snake said.
“They still got those fucking wings?” Talon asked.
“Their tap beer is awesome. I forgot that place fucking existed,” Hawk said.
“Focus assholes,” Mac said. “What happened at the bar, Fox?”
“I met a hot fucking girl, that’s what happened. Got along with her great and everything. That was who I was with when you called tonight,” I said.
“Oh shit. Fox almost got laid. No wonder he came in here all pissy,” Hawk said.
“At least he’s getting some. Gemma’s a dry well right now,” Talon said.
“That’s my fucking sister you’re talking about, you pussy piece of dick,” Snake said.
“Fox, what the hell does you almost getting laid have to do with any of this?” Mac asked.
“Well, I got along with this hot girl pretty well. Got her number and promised I’d call her,” I said.
“Is he serious about this shit?” Hawk asked. “Fox, look. We’ve got some important stuff to deal with here. Either get to the punch line or get off it.”
“Wanna know her name?” I asked.
The guys all groaned, but Mac’s eyes were hard on mine. I saw his cheek tick with a small grin as our thoughts synced up. He knew what I was about to say. I could see it in the way his eyes sparkled. I had just made this venture easier than fucking possible, and I was going to get laid in the process.
It was a win-win for everyone involved.
“What’s her name?” Mac said.
“What the fuck?” Snake asked.
“Is he really entertaining this shit?” Talon asked.
“Harlow Carmichael,” I said.
The room fell silent as the guy’s heads whipped back around to me.
“What the fuck did you just say?” Hawk asked.
“Harlow Carmichael. The girl I met tonight who I promised I would call. Her name is Harlow Carmichael.”
I could feel the tension in the room as Mac began to chuckle and shake his head. I felt my own grin creeping across my face as I eyed every man in the room. This was our ticket out. This was how we were going to close this fucking deal down. We had a way in that didn’t harm anyone involved, and we had an avenue to exploit without any familial threats going down. I knew that would happen to this club eventually. With the core members of the group getting selfish and fucking around without protection, it was only a matter of time before we pussied out. Became wimps who weren’t willing to do what was necessary to protect our own.
But I had a way to bail them out this time. So long as I got to say my piece about the whole thing.
I settled back into my chair and let the shocked silence roll over me. As the guys stared at me with wide eyes and unhinged jaws, I thought about Harlow. About how I would entice her into my bed and fuck her until her imprint forever etched itself into my mattress. I thought about those curves. How they molded to my body as she straddled my lap. Fuck. I could still feel her warmth against me. I could still feel her arms wrapped around my waist. I could still feel her cheek pressed against the swell of my back.
Now, I had a reason to call her back. Now, I had a reason to fuck her senseless. Now, I knew my stance on this entire thing.
Give the girl a run for her money, show her a good time, then use her to unthrone her father from The Devil’s Saints.
And if I played my cards right, I could even get her to agree to everything. I could get her to see what her father was actually doing, and I could turn his own damn daughter against him.
Holy shit. Thank the fuck for Chester’s.