Page 133 of Irons

All three signed non-disclosures before we got started.

“Dad, Paula led us to believe Heather doesn’t know about this side of you. Is that true?” Wrenly asked.

Clint sat back with his arms crossed and shrugged one shoulder. “She knows what she needs to know.”

Magnus slid a few pieces of paper toward him to look at.

Wrenly spoke up. “You’ve been compromised more than once. Creed’s Lake has found footprints of at least one past hacker, and they made their way in more than once. We believe it was likely Alexander, but I can’t take a chance with you, dad. You’ll need to read over that offer for both you and Heather.”

I watched as Clint looked it over and his eyes grew. “You’re shitting me.”

Wrenly smiled. “It’s not the first time family members have been asked to join Creed’s Lake. This was at Travis’s request, and the Originals approved due to your service history. Typically, we only take former members of the Military, but sometimes there’s something a non-military citizen can offer to the community. Especially a law enforcement officer. In fact, we have a fire fighter living in the community as a first responder. We have two private jets now and a flight attendant would be nice, especially when returning with injured and exhausted operatives. We have a difficult time finding female operatives, and she could help with the rescued women and children. You’ll see her offer on the second page. Creed and Travis talked, and they decided to offer you a position as a case coordinator. Youhave six chapters of the Dark Knight’s MC, and we have a few other MC’s doing work for us. Plus, we have the Domestic Violence division, which is where the Dark Knights will fit in to Creed’s Lake. All cases the Dark Knights are tipped off on needs to be approved by Creed’s Lake. We will also have cases and it’ll be your job to coordinate them and communicate orders.”

“You expect us to just pick up and move?” Clint asked.

“Yes.” Wrenly didn’t go into more detail.

I knew Clint would want the job. He would be an idiot to turn it down.

“Our community is still new, and we are constantly building and expanding. That’s why we have slowly been developing new positions as we grow. We are building a school at Creed’s Lake that will offer a homeschool type of setting, or Jacob could go to public school. It’s up to you and Heather.” I added.

“You’ll be about a mile from me.” Wrenly said but I cleared my throat.

“Three miles.” I gave her a wink. She knew what I was saying. She blushed then looked at her dad.

“All these benefits?” Clint pointed at the paper and was looking at Wrenly.

“Those and more. Creed’s Lake is its own community and can run effectively enough to be completely independent. There’s even a medical center, a lake for swimming and fishing, a community center that offers everything from sports teams, a movie theater, and a bowling alley. There’s also kids Jacob’s age there as well.”

“You’re saying I don’t have a VP now or what?” Charlie was still stewing about the takeover.

Magnus spoke up. “Like we said earlier, we will be speaking with each member and making changes as we see fit.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Charlie was still pissed.

“Things will no longer be like they were. There will be no more vigilante killing. That’s not what Creed’s Lake does, we do things a lot different. We rescue, and the only time we support murder is if it’s in defense of a client or yourself. We do not kill fellow Americans without a good reason. It’s defense or last resort only. If you have a case of rape or molestation, Creed’s Lake Investigations will take a thorough look. We have ways to make the law work for us, and if we can’t get a conviction and the person is a threat we will consider our options. When a case comes up, you will remove the victims and get them to safety. There’s more to saving people than just removing the threat. Every case will be different, and we won’t abandon the victims after they are safe. They need other services as well.”

Charlie sat back and considered it.

Magnus spoke up. “You will also need a front to explain some of this cash flow. Since we are already expanding Creed’s Lake Motorsports and we do a lot of business in the west, we’ll be building a shop on this property, and of course Creed’s Lake will purchase the space from you. We have a mechanical engineer and artist named Victor that has agreed to transfer out here.”

I was as happy as hell to see Victor leaving Cold Springs. I glanced at my mom and she was looking at me weird. Like she was proud or something and it made me feel uncomfortable.

I spoke up. “Brock and Emma are moving to Indiana. She is in bad health and will live in an assisted living center. Brock will be helping us expand into restoring cars for private buyers and as movie props. Tricia is selling grandma andgrandpa's house, and Clint, I’d suggest you sell yours. I will not renew the lease on Tony’s house. Creed’s Lake would like to give you an offer that I feel is fair, because we are sending our people out here and they’ll need homes.”

“You’ll be home more then?” My mom asked with a light in her eyes and a smile on her face.

I looked at her. “I’ve never had a home in this town.”

Her face fell. “I guess that’s fair.”

I looked at everyone. “Let’s get this show on the road. I’d prefer to address everyone at once then do individual interviews. They will all sign non-disclosures and by tomorrow evening I’d like to have them all wrapped up. Some members will choose to stay, and others may choose to separate from this MC. That’s okay, we can still grow membership.”

Happiest Outcome

Wrenly

While Paula and Charlie rounded up their members for an emergency meeting, Travis and I met with dad privately. While he wasn’t pleased that we caught them off guard with the takeover, he was seriously considering our offer. The salaries we offered to him and Heather would more than triple their income. Plus, they would have better benefits. He needed to talk to Heather, and the offer also won’t force him to tell her what his MC really did behind the scenes. It was a job offer to present to her, not a confession.

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