Page 112 of The Originals

Colleen smiled and opened the next cooler, pulling out four cans of beer. She looked over at Caden and jerked her head. “Come here.”

Caden looked over at Kase and started forward. He looked confused with a hint of deer caught in the headlights. Colleen flattened her lips to keep from laughing. When Caden stopped a foot away, she handed him the beers.

“Don’t tell your dad.”

Caden laughed, balancing the cans between his two hands. “We won’t.”

Caden walked over, passing them out to the guys. She grabbed a soda for Maureen and headed to the back door. She was only within earshot for a brief second when she heard Kase.

“As soon as I patch in, she’s the first one I’m fucking.” There was no mistaking the voice.

Colleen rolled her eyes.No, Kase, you’re not.

Colleen opened the back door and walked in, but suddenly halted when she saw Jack standing in the center of the hall with his arms crossed and his brow arched. He would’ve pulled off a stern father had it not been for his lips twitching.

“I didn’t give a beer to the driver.” She held up Maureen’s soda. “I gave him a cola.”

Jack snorted, shaking his head. “Saint wouldn’t have taken it anyway. Smartest one outta the bunch.”

She slowly stepped closer. “Are you mad at me?”

Jack smirked. “Yeah, and I’m gonna give you your punishment when I get you back in my bed.”

Colleen curled up to his chest. “Can we go now then?”

Jack shook his head, smiling. “Gotta make sure the boys leave first. But then? You’re all mine.”

Yes, I am.

Chapter Thirty-One

This was the last place he wanted to be considering the message he’d be delivering. Jack had gotten the call late last night. The one he’d been dreading. Sal wanted an answer. It had been a week since he’d heard about Satan’s Hex trying to strike a deal to replace Ghosttown for the potential partnership. In that time, he’d ignored all the calls from their president. Jack would remain silent until he and the club had made their final decision.

That time would be now.

Jack sat at the table in the clubhouse, staring off across the room. He was aware of the brothers filing in, but he didn’t make any eye contact. He was struggling with the decision he knew they had to make, and wanting something different for his club. Some would be happy with the decision, others wouldn’t.

When everyone was in the room and the door closed, Jack drew in a breath, prepping to give his speech.

“Got word from Sal’s people. He wants an answer.”

The room was drowned in silence. No one wanted to be the first to speak up. Jack didn’t blame them. Who would want the responsibility if this ended badly? Unfortunately, as president, he didn’t have a choice. The brothers looked up to him to lead them in the right direction.

“As I see it, we have no choice.” Jack cupped his mouth, staring across the room. “We’re partnering up with the Underground.”

“Always got a choice, Jack. That’s what you told me,” Mick said.

Jack grabbed his glass taking a slow sip. “Yeah, there is. But in this case, that choice is the difference between living and dying. We can’t go up against Sal. We’d never win. He’s got too many men under him, spread out across the state. That doesn’t even include his reach outside our borders. We either align with them and solidify a deal to keep our territory protected, or risk it and take them on.”

“We fucking risk it,” Mack snapped, slamming his hand against the table. “We’re not gonna pussy out of what’s fucking ours.”

“You’re looking at it all wrong. This ain’t a pissing contest, Mack. Sal’s already got the manpower. All those small clubs looking to make a name for themselves? If he doesn’t get us on board, he’ll pull all of them together, create a huge fucking army, and take a shot at us.”

“Then let them take the shot.”

Jack scoffed, shaking his head. “Not at my fucking club.”

Mack held up his hand, but Jack wasn’t done speaking.

---