Page 44 of The Biker's Forbidden Virgin

"So what did Marc's money bye? What do you know?"

"I know he's not going to stop until he destroys the fabric of what this club is. He has it in his mind that you shunned himin some way in the past and he wants to prove that you made a mistake."

Shunned him? My mind whirls and I fight to remember when Marc and I had any contact with eachother. I don't remember ever seeing him before.

"He'll never take Chrome Creed down. All he has is intimidation. Leo isn't one to be intimidated." Nisa says from behind me which causes Phoenix to chuckle. Apparently, she said something funny.

"Just intimidation? Are you kidding me? Wow, you really are just as naive as he thinks you are. You and I both know that Marc will burn down the entire world to get what he wants. Right now he wants to end Chrome Creed and secondly, he wants you back where he thinks you belong, on his arm." Phoenix smiles.

"I don't give a damn what he wants. All that matters to me is what I want, and if you don't start telling me something useful in the next few seconds I'm going to make sure that no one stops Rumble the next time he puts a gun to your head." I seethe.

"Marc is going to overpower you, he's just got his hands in too many different things. Too many allies around. Other clubs, cartels, even some members of law enforcement. They think because he has a clean-shaven face and dresses like a business man he's less of a problem than you guys but they don't realize he's much worse." Phoenix says, all I can offer is a huff of indignation. Who the fuck says he's worse than me. I'd take Marc on one on one any day.

"You came here to tell us he's going to win. I'm sure he could've found someone else to tell us the same thing."

"No, I came here to tell you I know his weakness, I know a way to get him off the playing field and Chrome Creed back on solid ground."

I tilt my head and stare at Phoenix. I'm not an idiot, there's always a but in these sorts of things.

"But, I need some assurances." Phoenix shoves his hands in his pockets and looks away from me. It's obvious that this really is bothering him to say. His pride is taking a hit.

"Why would you want shit from us?"

"Leo, I'm not a fucking idiot. I know what this place is and what it can do for people. Rumble and I may have grown up in two different households. Had two different mothers but our lives were pretty much the same. I see where my road is headed, doing the same shit my deadbeat father was doing. If I have a chance to change that up before I get too far I want to make sure I do." He captures my gaze and holds it.

He can't be asking me what I think he is.

"What are you saying, Phoenix? Be clear about it."

"I want to prospect."

"Fuck no," I answer immediately.

His chest deflates and his jaw drops.

"That's not how this shit goes. I don't know anything about you besides the fact that Rumble is willing to blow your head off at a moment's notice and that you're running with Marc. None of that gives me good feelings about you riding next to me in any matter."

Phoenix nods his head and straightens his shoulders. It wasn't the answer he wanted but I can tell that he's not just going to take it and move on. I can already tell that Phoenix is a lot more like his brother than he may realize.

"I can understand that, what about letting me work up to a prospect run? Let me prove to you guys that I'm not just a fuck up."

I'm not really interested in trusting him but if he has any real information that would let us take Marc down I'm going to have to work with him. "I'll throw you a little work but I'm going to have to smooth this shit over with Rumble. I'm the President but I'm not going to go against my family for an outsider. Thatsaid... if you do right by us, you won't have to worry about having something to eat or money in your pocket. We take care of our own even if they don't have a patch on their back."

Phoenix nods his head and continues on with what he knows about Marc. He wasn't playing around when he said that the man was connected in ways that I didn't realize. Nisa is into some really deep shit.

"You're not going to be able to get to him, Leo. As many people as you know he knows more."

I run my hand through my hair, my frustration rising to a near-unbearable peak. "I don't need to hear more about the shit that I'm not going to be able to do. I don't need you for that shit."

"I'm just trying to be honest with you. What you do need is plan and I've got a good one." Phoenix's eyes crinkle at the edges with a smile.

"I'm listening."

"Give him Nisa back."

"What the fuck." I jerk back almost as if he'd slapped me across the face. "You're out of your mind."

"No, just listen to me for a second. I'm not saying to just hand her over for real, but we need to make Marc think that you have. He will never believe that Nisa wants to be with you over him. It's a hubris thing. Let him think that Nisa has come back to him with her tail between her legs and you'll be able to not only keep better tabs on Marc but find out firsthand exactly what he's got planned. You'll have insider information."

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