Page 27 of Viper

“We also agreed we wouldn’t bring the women back in club business,” I point out with a sigh.

Everyone is quiet for a moment, but then Timber says, “But this time, we don’t have a mole telling anyone the dogs are working. As far as anyone who might be watching would see, we could say she’s doing a training exercise, which isn’t out of the realm of possibility with her and Stone now being a couple.”

“That may be, but it’s still involving her in club business,” Stone argues. “And she’s exhausted. She’s been working so damn hard the last couple of weeks to get Ebony healed, along with getting her business back to where it should be now that Vlad fucked her over and she has to reassure all her clients. Hell, tonight she was in bed by nine, and that never happens.”

“But I also know that she wants to find Vlad and take him down for the fact that Ebony was hurt in the first place, and for what he’s done to her business,” Timber reasons. “And she is a damn good resource to have, and I don’t think asking her to help again is really involving her too deeply. Not to mention, it’s not like it’s something new. We’re not giving new information. We’re asking her to do the same thing as before and we can even label it as a quick run to make sure we didn’t miss anything with everything that went on or something.”

“She’s going to see right through that,” King scoffs. He glances at Stone and says, “Look, I know you want to protect her, and I agree with that, but at the same time, Timber is right. Syn wants to take down Vlad, and I think you should ask her. Maybe she says right now isn’t a good idea, and then we let it go and keep doing what we’re doing.”

Stone is silent as he looks at the table, and I can see the indecision on his face. I understand. After all, Syn’s been through a lot, and honestly, I think after the rocky start the two of them had, Stone is worried about what she’s going to think about him asking her to do this for us. He wasn’t too happy when he found out last time she was doing it at all. Finally, after another few silent moments he looks up and around and then back at his father. “I’ll ask her, but I won’t promise anything,” he finally agrees, though still sounding very reluctant.

Bullet nods. “That’s fair,” he agrees. “And I agree with Stone. I’m uneasy bringing Syn back into this. But I also see Timber’s point that we have her as an amazing resource that has already proven to be far more helpful than we could have ever predicted. So I think at this point, we need to let her have the choice.” Stone nods his agreement. “Alright, then we’ll wait for you to get back to us with her answer. The rest of you, keep your eyes and ears open, and make sure you’re watching your backs. Shadow, Viper, I want you also to make sure you keep an eye on the kids. Vlad having new men means new problems, and new ideas that could involve the kids and I don’t want them to think that they have that option.”

Shadow and I both nod. “I’ve already instructed Archer that he is not to leave school until I or one of the brothers come to collect him when he’s with me,” I assure Bullet.

“Macy is a bit harder because she loves to talk to everyone,” Shadow sighs. “But I’ll make sure to talk to her again, and have Quinn do the same. And we’ll tell her teachers she’s not to leave or have anyone come to pick her up but those on the approved list.”

“Should we have a Prospect outside the school for a while to make sure that no one tries to sneak on the grounds or something?” Hulk wonders.

“Might not be a bad idea,” I agree. “Or at least outside Macy’s. I hate to say it, but she would be an easier target than Archer. He’s larger, around larger kids, and that would mean it would be harder to reach him.”

“I agree with that,” Shadow says with a scowl. “Which pisses me off. My little girl shouldn’t need to have a guard at school, but I won’t take a chance. It could mean that I need to work out my schedule so I can always drop her off or pick her up. Lately Quinn’s been taking and picking her up, but with this new information, it might be better if I do it.”

“But will that alert Vlad to the fact that we’re on to him and his men being a problem?” I ask.

Shadow pauses. “It might,” he agrees. “Well, maybe I’ll drop off Quinn and Macy, and then I’ll also pick up Macy at the end of the day. Either way, I want to be there. And then I’ll bring Macy back to the office with me until Quinn is done. I know she’s gotten some more clients at work and she’s trying to get caught up, so this will help her out. And I can always drop some hints to those around in case someone else is listening that I’m stepping up so she can get it done and that’s the only reason for the change.”

“That might work,” King agrees. “I mean, we don’t know who is listening, and from the statement of the soldiers you heard, they’re watching us.”

“I think you’ve got a good plan, Shadow,” Bullet approves. “So let’s end Church for tonight, and tomorrow morning, we get to work. Viper, I’ll follow you back to your place to grab my woman.”

“And then leave me to put back all things that she’s snooped through,” I joke.

“You were the one who left her there,” he jeers. “Your own damn fault.” There’s a smattering of laughter around the room as Bullet bangs his gavel, signaling the end of Church, and all of us get up and head out of the room.

The clubhouse is quiet and I head for the front door, ready to get home. But just as I reach my bike, I pull out my phone and look at it to make sure I haven’t missed anything important. I’m almost disappointed that I don’t see anything from Eden, but then again, I’m hoping she’s asleep. The only thing I see is messages from Maggie, and it’s more of her anger at me no longer having to pay her as much in child support.

Maggie: All you’re doing is depriving your son of the things he needs.

Maggie: Stop fucking ignoring me Knox and answer my messages.

Maggie: Fuck, you’ve always been useless. I only ever married you for your money, and now here you are thinking you don’t have to pay me. I gave you a son, and you owe me for it. I carried him in my belly, and I pushed him out, so you should be grateful and pay me the money I deserve.

Maggie: I’m taking you back to court and this time I’m going to win.

Maggie: Knox, please. Look, I’m sorry, but things are tight, and I need that money.

There are a few more messages, but they kind of turn into gibberish, so I have to assume she’s either drunk or high and has no idea what she’s saying. Still, I screenshot it and send it to Hunter so that he has it in case she does take me back to court or appeal the decision already made. I’m leaving nothing to chance.

Bullet strides out and climbs on to his own bike, while I do the same with my own. Then we head to my place. The drive is relatively quick, and I’m more than ready for bed. It’s been a long day, but my mind is running a mile a minute. There are so many new things happening right now, and it finally feels like we’re about to make headway in getting these bastards out of our town.

We just have to hope Dagger didn’t fuck us over even further by selling off his information to more than Dmitri. Though, knowing him, he tried. He was never one to operate without a contingency plan. Whenever we did a run, he had back-up routes planned no matter where we were going. I think he thought he should have been in charge of all the runs, and he was trying to show Bullet he should have that responsibility. The problem with Dagger, though, was that he was impatient and a hot head. And when he didn’t get what he wanted, he used to try and find ways around it. Which could mean that he went to someone else before Dmitri Norikov, and then when that person didn’t bite, he ended up where he did.

Still, I don’t like that we have so many unknowns with this whole situation. The more we dig into things, the more it looks like we’re going to have to wade back into shit that the club got out of. Still, when it comes to my brothers, my family, I will do whatever I have to to make sure they are safe.

When we reach my apartment, Bullet and I park, climb off our bikes, and head inside. When we walk in, Rose is sitting in the living room, curled up on the couch and watching a show on low volume, looking completely relaxed and at ease. When she sees us, she smiles warmly and then turns off the TV before asking quietly, “All good?”

“All good,” I say with a smile, moving forward and kissing her cheek. “Thanks for coming, Rose.”

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