Ryder
I had an idea why Marek had called the impromptu meeting, but I wouldn’t be 100 percent sure until he started talking. I glanced around the room and saw every man present looked tense, ready to blow if we had to continue to wait and exact our revenge on the rest of the Reapers.
Two less Reapers in the world, the ones we’d most recently dealt with, helped to ease my mind, a sentiment shared by every single member sitting around our wooden meeting table, but the annihilation of the entire club would feel much better.
“Tell us we’re not gonna wait one second longer,” Hawke barked, leaning forward and staring at Marek. “Because that’ll be bullshit. We need to do something, Prez.”
I’d watched Hawke transform from someone who used to fuck about, not really caring about much else other than the club and his woman, to a man who’d become harder, not so quick with the jokes.
He’d remained faithful to Edana, trying to help her through the aftermath of the attack, but nothing seemed to work. She’d packed up and left to stay with her sister, so all he had now was his laser focus on taking out as many Reapers as he could.
“And we’re gonna.” Marek turned to look at Stone. “We still got a signal on the trackers?”
“Yeah,” our VP answered. “Last I checked they’re all in the same place.”
“Then we move out tonight.”
“Isn’t that kind of a sloppy move?” I asked, hearing my words only after they’d left my mouth. I had essentially told the leader of the Knights Corruption that he wasn’t thinking clearly. Quickly backpedaling, especially seeing the angry look on Marek’s face, I added, “What I meant to say was, don’t you find it odd that all the trackers are still live? After all these weeks? And that they’re all in the same place? Together? Call me crazy but I think we might be walking into a trap.”
A few of the men contemplated what I’d said and some of them nodded. Marek surveyed the room, leaned over and whispered something to Stone. I had the utmost faith that Marek would take my questions into consideration before he made another move. It was why he was so effective in leading the club. He accepted ideas and suggestions, valuing each member’s insight. Maybe he didn’t take kindly to anyone blurting out shit like “Isn’t that kind of a sloppy move,” but he’d allow people to redeem themselves instead of being pissed and writing them off.
“Okay.” He looked directly at me when he said, “We act like it’s a trap.”
“Why now?” Tripp asked. “Not that I’m complaining.”
“Because I had to put a few things into play before we went after them.” Elaborating, he added, “Salzar and the rest of the men are gonna watch over the women and children for a few days. They just got back and are ready to go.”
Salzar was the head of our Laredo chapter. He was a good man, and I had no doubt he’d take good care of our families while we were gone.
Marek reclined in his seat, already knowing our ol’ ladies were gonna give us a hard time. For as difficult as Braylen was gonna be, at least she’d have her sister with her. I could only imagine the fight Adelaide was gonna give Stone. Not only would she not want to stay with a bunch of strangers, but she wouldn’t want their daughter around them either. I knew Stone didn’t want to do it just as much as I didn’t, but we had no other choice. If it was indeed a trap, the Reapers would have a game plan in place to come after everyone close to us.
No, we couldn’t risk it.
Question was, how the hell did I break the news to Braylen?
“I’m not going,” she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest and givin’ me her most defiant stance. Normally, I’d challenge her until she gave in, but I knew damn well this scenario was entirely different. I was askin’ her to go somewhere I didn’t completely want to send her. Not because I didn’t trust my brothers in Laredo, but because they had a few new members I didn’t know, and shoving Braylen under their noses for God knew how long was certainly gonna fuck with me.
“You have to.”
“I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to. That’s the beauty of it.”
I moved toward her but she backed away, sure to keep her voice low so no one could hear us. I’d surprised her at her job, knowing if I tried to break the news to her at home, she’d rain holy hell on me. I was dealin’ with enough; I didn’t need to add anything else to my list.
“Bray,” I warned, “don’t argue with me about this. You have to go.”
“Why? Why can’t I just stay home? We have a top-of-the-line security system. Besides, Brutus will be with me.”
“Really?” I had to laugh at that one. “Brutus is no guard dog, sweetheart. Besides, he’s still a puppy. What is he gonna do? Maul someone’s ankles? Nice try, though.” Speaking of which, I had to find someone to take the little guy while everyone was away. Maybe Braylen’s parents could watch him for us. They’d fallen for him almost as fast as I had, so I knew he’d be in good hands.
“Then Kena and I will stay with our parents.”
I didn’t want to get into too much detail, informing her that her parents would also be in danger if she went that route.
“No.”
“Yes,” she argued.
I couldn’t help it. My voice rose. “I said no!” Her eyes widened before she tried to shove past me, but I caught her by the arm. “Uh-uh, you’re not goin’ anywhere but out the door with me. So don’t make a scene. Or do, I don’t care.” I dragged her out of the breakroom and past the front desk, her friend slash boss staring at us as I approached the door. “Braylen needs the next week off,” I shouted over my shoulder right before I hauled her outside.
“I can’t believe you just did that. You had no right.” She stood next to my bike, staring at me, stunned I’d done what I had.
Wanting to shield her from the actual reason I needed her to comply, I shook my head and closed my eyes for a brief moment. Taking a few deep breaths, I opened my eyes, reached for her and pulled her to me.
“Look.” She parted her lips to interrupt me so I slapped my hand over her mouth to keep her quiet. God, this woman. “You’re in danger. We all are. We have to take care of something, and when it’s all over with, I’ll bring you home. Safe and sound. But until then, be quiet and do as I say. Got it?” I didn’t want to come off as mean and uncaring, but I was trying to shield her from our enemy. Trying to keep her safe. But all she wanted to do was give me a hard time.
Only able to see her nose and up because my hand was covering half of her face, she shot me a death glare, but I ignored her. Finally, after a solid minute, when I thought she had calmed down some, I removed my hand. She instantly started mumbling. Something about me being an asshole, and I’d pay for this shit and a few other things I couldn’t understand.
But the important thing was she hopped on the back of my bike and wrapped her arms around my waist. She could say whatever she wanted as long as she didn’t fight me on leaving.