“It was the Crimson Wheelers MC,” states Reaper.
“So that means the Khans are looking to expand.” Creed sucks in a breath and holds a hand to his shoulder. “Fuck it all to hell.”
Reaper nods. “Yeah, we need to strike back.”
Creed nods, then looks at Winchester. “Set up a meet. Somewhere neutral.”
Reaper shakes his head several times. “A meet? Fuck that, they need to bleed.”
Creed holds up a hand. “Ifthey are behind this, they will.” He locks eyes with Winchester. “Set up the meet… take Highway with you.” With effort, Creed stands, then places a hand on Reaper’s shoulder. “Cooler heads need to prevail, and I need you to make sure we don’t go off half-cocked. I need you, brother, to look after things. To make sure our men and club are safe and protected.”
“We need a show of force,” snarls Reaper.
Creed takes a deep breath and slowly exhales. “Reaper, I’m asking you to wait. Do you honestly think I don’t want someone to bleed? A war with the Khans will disrupt all our supply chains.”
Reaper stands and faces Creed. “So, money over brotherhood?”
“For fuck’s sake, Reaper, that’s not what he’s saying. The smart move is to confirm who’s behind this, and then we make them bleed.” I slam my hand on the table, the noise echoing through the room.
“Thanks, Highway.” Creed nods at me and shuffles toward the door. “Reaper, once we confirm it’s the Khans, the streets of Jacksonville will run red with their blood, but in case it’s not them but someone who will profit from a war, I want confirmation.”
Reaper casts me a glance. “Is there something I don’t know?”
“We will see,” replies Creed, then he moves toward the door.Devil opens it and immediately puts her arm around Creed’s waist. “I’m fine.”
She smiles up at him. “I know. But it’s not every day your husband gets shot, so you need to put up with me fussing for a bit. Let’s get you to bed.”
Creed smiles and winks at me. “This one’s always trying to get me into the sack.”
“Yeah, yeah, that’s me.” Devil doesn’t look at anyone as she walks with Creed down the hallway and disappears into their room.
“Why’s he out of the hospital?” I look at Winchester.
He shrugs. “Because he’s a tough bastard.”
“And I promised Devil I’d have medical here to take care of him,” says Reaper. “Need you two to carry out his orders. Let me know when and where.”
“You’re doing as he says?” I ask incredulously.
Reaper fixes me with a look. “Until he’s dead and buried, he’s our president, and I do as I’m told.” He slaps me on the shoulder and walks away.
“Something tells me Reaper does what Reaper wants.”
Winchester shrugs. “Reaper will keep it locked down until we prove the Khans went after us, then God help them. Come on, we’ve got shit to do.”
He pulls his cell phone out of his pocket and heads for the door. Following close behind, I listen as he puts his phone to his ear.
“Anthony, it’s Winchester. We need a meet.” He throws a leg over his bike. “How about now… you, me, and one of our boys?” He nods. “Yeah, bring whoever you want.” Winchester grins at me. “You know we own that club?” He pauses as he listens. “Okay, cool. See you in a bit. I’ll call ahead, so we’ve got the VIP room.”
“Is it weird they picked one of our clubs?”
Winchester tilts his head from side to side. “If you’re asking meifthey did it? No idea. But the fact he’s not worried and wants to meet at one of our clubs either means they don’t think we can trace it back to them or they didn’t do it. Let’s find out.”
ChapterFive
GWEN
Sitting in Winchester’s truck, the key is cold and heavy in my hand. It fits snugly into the ignition, but I don’t turn it. Instead, I’m parked here, wrestling with my thoughts, my gaze locked on the clubhouse’s entrance. I’m desperate for Highway to step out and beckon me into his secretive world.
