Page 19 of Rio's Release

“What’s going on?” I frown, wondering what he’s doing here and why we’ve got this private room with no one watching or listening.

“We need to discuss some things.” He opens his briefcase, then slides a stack of papers across the table to me.

It’s legal mumbo jumbo, but it looks like a motion for appeal. “It’s a little late, don’t you think? I’ve already served most of my time.”

“Look at page two, paragraph three.”

It’s a personal note buried among the legal jargon.

Rio,

My father was murdered two years ago. Since then, things have been turbulent. The club voted me in. I know what you did to save the club’s money. I also know you took the fall and didn’t talk. My father spoke often of your sacrifice and held it to the club as an example to be followed. I know he wanted you to be rewarded, and I know your release is coming soon. What do you want when you get out?

– Ghost

My eyes lift to my attorney. “Storm is dead?”

He nods.

“Two fucking years now, and nobody bothered to tell me?”

He shrugs. “Not my department. You got any message you want me to carry back, write it down.” He reaches into his briefcase and tosses me a pen.

I think for a moment. I barely remember Ghost. Shit, he was just a kid when I got sent up. Maybe seventeen or eighteen back then. And now he’s running the whole show? But he hasn’t forgotten me, so that’s something.

I don’t need to think too long. I’ve had years to know what I plan to do when I get out.

I scratch my request at the bottom of the page.

I WANT MY OWN CHAPTER.

The attorney stares at the words and blinks. “He’s gonna want to know where.”

“I want to go back to that fucking town and take over.”

His brows lift. “Las Cruces?”

“Yep.”

“Guess some shit’s hard to forget. They did give you quite a beating. You sure about this, son?”

“I’m not your son,” I snap. “Just give him the message.”

“Sure.” He starts to grab the papers.

“Hey.” I stop him. “Someone’s been putting money in my prison account. Is that the club?”

He shakes his head, and that tells me what I need to know. Shelby. It’s got to be her. There’s no one else who’d care enough. She’s been giving me what she can out of whatever little money she has.

My attorney rises. “We done?”

“Hang on a minute.” I’m not sure he’s coming back. This is my one shot at communicating with the MC. I quickly write something else on the paper.

I’ll need some land outside Las Cruces. See what you can do. I got away with more than we owed the club. There should be enough. I want Zig as my VP, and Blue, Mauler, Bagger, and Bandit, too, if they’ll come.

Thanks Ghost.

I stare at the words, then grin and shake my head. I scratch out Ghost’s name and write Prez above it. Then slide the paper to my attorney.

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