Page 20 of Irons

His eyes grew quickly. “Oh my God, no! Dammit, I don’t know how to do this, and I’ve missed you and it’s not been easy. I am married and I still think about you, and I know we can never go back, but seeing you the other night…It was hard.”

I shook my head. “There really is no sense in your visit. Have a nice day.” I turned to open the door, but he put his hand on my shoulder.

“I just wanted you to know that it was hard to move on. That you’re not easily forgotten, and I will still always love you. I figured people might have told you about my wife and son and I thought it should come from me, not them. Also, our baby still lives on in my heart and I will always love him as much as I love his brother. He isn’t replaceable and will always be special to me. You weren’t a failure as a mother. It was an accident, and it was never your fault.”

I turned my head but didn’t look at him as he stood behind me. “Thank you, I need to get ready for my family. Have a nice life, Matt.” I opened the door and stepped inside before I broke down and sobbed. He was saying my name as the door shut, but I couldn’t look at him for another second. It hurt toobad. I already knew my baby was loved and missed. I didn’t need him to remind me.

I couldn’t stop crying until my eyes landed on the envelope and I saw the senders name. I tilted my head. “Creed’s Motorsports?” I whispered.

Creed? My mind spun because I heard of it. There was chatter about Creed a few years back. He was part of Delta Force, and I served in a specialized tactical unit and one of the guys had a mission with him. He told me he built a community in Indiana for veterans and they built bikes, but it was special invitation only. Later, I served with another guy who said they were a civilian special ops group. Could it be the same man?

I wiped my tears away with the palms of my hand then picked up the envelope with my still shaking hands. After pulling the tab across the cardboard I looked inside and saw another black envelope. It looked like a wedding invitation.

I pulled it out and it had a bike shop logo written in silver. Creed? There was something really familiar to that name.

I slid my finger along the seam and pulled out a black business card and a letter.

To: Sergeant Major/ Special Agent Wrenly Carlson

From: Alistair Creed II

Congratulations! You have been chosen as a candidate to join Creed’s Lake MC.

Recently, we learned of your success with the Federal Bureau of Investigations and your exemplary service record with the United States Marine Corp. We are more than just your ordinary Motorcycle Club. We offer services to many outreach programs, provide private security, and privateinvestigations. We have chosen you to visit our beautiful private lakeside community in Cold Springs, Indiana, to learn more about the amazing opportunity we would like to extend to you. Please call the phone number on the attached card for more information.

Alistair Creed II

President and CEO

Creed’s Lake Inc.

My heart was racing, it was something big. There were rumors about that place and getting an invite was like an opportunity of a lifetime.

Alistair Creed? Holy shit! I jumped up and ran to my phone and looked him up. He was married to Morgan Rossi. There was a link to the motorcycle business, so I hit the about button and read a little about it.

Then I read a note from the Executive Vice President of Creed Lake Motorsports and gasped when I scrolled to the bottom and saw the name.

Travis Irons

Executive Vice President

Creed’s Lake Motorsports

I dropped my phone when my hands went to cover my mouth. I almost hit the floor as fast as my phone.

A Small Break

Travis

It was good to have a break. We really hadn’t had one since before Creed left for Jordan. Creed couldn’t leave Morgan, but the rest of us had a break in missions so we decided to take a road trip on the bikes. Bolton stayed back with her new boy toy, Darren. They were going pretty hot and heavy, and I was sure we’d have another wedding at Creed’s Lake soon. Melissa was staying with Granger’s kids so him and Steph could come along, but it was too cold for Steph to ride from the north, so they trailered their bike down. It was me, Patrick, Magnus, Drakos, and Jennings, who left his wife and kids at home.

I was sitting at a bar in New Orleans, and constantly checking my phone for a message from Creed about Wrenly.

I felt a slap to my back. “What’s up?” Drakos, who was drunk, almost missed his stool. The freak of nature was 6’10” of solid muscle and looked like an average man standing when he was sitting.

“Just a beer.”

He chuckled. “You’re blind?”