Page 74 of His Loyal Rebel

"So we back off on Cusclan?" Banks, standing by the window, stroked his beard.

"The announcement about the deal goes out at noon on Friday. By the end of the day, the news will spread throughout the Montana State Pen. Walker believes it'll take twenty-four hours, and the prisons in Idaho will know. A day after that, Washington State Prison will come into play—by the way, we've got Brikken on board already. Chief just came out himself and has one of his sons in state custody now. He suggested word of mouth would be faster than him getting word in." Priest tossed the folder to the middle of the table. "For the next two days, stay in position. We want Cusclan to believe that we're still on high alert."

"What's stopping them from coming at us on Saturday after Cusclan gets the news about the changes," asked Chrischris.

"Because the first hit we're making is taking out five percent of the Cusclan members in custody. If they don't listen after that, more will die." Priest paused and looked each of the members in the eyes. "We're not playing around. In six weeks, we can guarantee Moroad will be in charge of the illegal weapons trade again. As a result, Cusclan will become a former shell of itself."

A quiet uniformed chuckle spread through the room before a cheer deafened each one of them. Priest hit the table with his fist, calling the meeting to an end. Whip stood, taking the slaps of congratulations.

It was a win for Tarkio and a change of operations for everyone.

If someone would've told him four years ago when his ass was in prison that he could make changes for the club from inside, he would've called bullshit. Then, he would've jumped at the chance to participate.

But desperate times, not only for Tarkio, but all motorcycle club organizations called for change. It wasn't the seventies anymore where they could take their fights to the street, then go their separate ways.

MC life had become more dangerous. Men grew more ruthless, the more perilous their life became. The Feds were coming down hard on everyone.

His gaze connected with Rick. He lifted his chin at his brother-in-law. They hadn't had time to talk about their new job privately yet. All he knew was that Rick believed Priest had made the right decision.

As an ex-Cusclan member, Rick would be the best at knowing if the change would push Cusclan back out of Missoula. That's all Whip needed to know.

He trusted Rick with his life and his sister's life. He'd proved his loyalty many times over the years.

"Congrats brother." Paco clamped his hand on Whip's shoulder. "It's good that you're settling down."

Brought back to his announcement at the beginning of the meeting, he grinned. "Feels good to have her in my life. I want to keep her there."

"I hear you." Paco pulled him in for a chest bump. "Maybe it'll keep your ass safe having a pretty lady to come home to."

"You never know." He looked around the room. "I'm going to get out of here."

"Yeah, me, too."

He stepped toward the door and stopped. "If you hear of anyone having a rental available or a house for sale, let me know."

As soon as shit got done, he wanted to get Twyla a place to call home. The clubhouse was fine when it was only him, but it was no place for a couple.

"Will do." Paco raised his hand and walked toward the back door.

Whip walked into the hallway and out to the main room. Spotting his sister first, he gazed around the table and found Twyla. The ladies of Tarkio had planned a luncheon, knowing the meeting would take most of the day.

Already, Twyla was included with the other old ladies. None of the women who hung around the bikers were around. Going by her expressions as she talked to Nicole, she had no trouble fitting in—he knew she wouldn't.

They would see what he sees in her. She's a tough woman. A caring woman. Only Twyla was the one who needed to learn how much she could offer others.

She caught sight of him and straightened in her chair, but stopped herself from jumping up and coming to him.

He crooked his finger, letting her know he was finished with the meeting. She moved fluidly until the last three steps when she lunged, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Jostled from the back as Tarkio members poured out of the meeting room, he lifted Twyla off her feet and stepped to the side of the room. Kissing her hard, his adrenaline pumping from the discussions in the meeting. She had no idea how his life would change.

The high security he'd provided since meeting her would soon be a thing of the past. She could come and go as she pleased. A big part of him wanted to pin her down, keep the same restrictions in place, and hope she would be content staying in a bedroom in the clubhouse where he knew she would be protected.

But he couldn't ignore how nice it would be to have a house of their own and the freedom to have her all to himself.

She came out of the kiss, peppering his lips. "Good meeting?"

He grunted. She would never know what they had discussed. But she'd feel the results.

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