Page 104 of Kings Against the World

The words settle over the room, a point even Mason doesn’t argue.

Silver rubs his jaw, giving the situation some thought. Though I don’t know these men beyond what Ozzie’s told me about them, my impression of Silver is that he’s fair. Considerate enough to think it over, even if ultimately he doesn’t agree.

“I get you prioritizing Teysha and the baby, Ghost,” he says. “The last thing you need is to be focusing on this fight with Boone, Wheels, and the Road Rebels and have something happen to them. Get the hell out of sight and go have a quiet, safe delivery with your wife.”

“And Zoe?” Ozzie prompts.

“I still don’t know about bringing her into this. We need more time to deliberate.”

“Let me prove myself,” I say, boldly meeting the gaze of every man in the room. “I’m an expert marksman. I’ve trained in multiple styles of combat and weapons my entire career. I’m not just some FBI desk clerk—I was an active field agent handling some of the most dangerous cases for the bureau. I know how to fight, and I know how to fucking win.”

Ozzie grins from my side, ever the joker. “Andshe shot a fucking bazooka once. Top that.”

Silver almost grins but fights it off. “Alright, you work with Ozzie in the armory, ensuring we’re ready for anything that might come our way.”

“This is bullshit.” Mace storms toward the door, throwing it open with enough force that it bangs against the wall as he marches out.

The room is quiet for a second before Cash mutters, “Well, that went well.”

Ozzie nudges me with his elbow. “Welcome to the club, Special Agent.”

28

ZOE

“What’s your inventory looking like?”I ask.

“Decent,” Ozzie answers as we leave the club office. “We’ve got a better arsenal than most MC’s these days. I’ll let you check it out.”

“Who’s this and why was she in the back office?”

The moment Ozzie and I step out onto the bar floor of the Steel Saloon, a Black woman strides up to us with the same hostile energy that Mason had before storming out.

The rest of the barroom is full of old ladies—the wives and girlfriends of the bikers—and the bikers themselves drinking and engaged in conversation that bleeds together.

This woman that’s strode up to us is only a couple inches shorter than I am, with an hourglass figure that she emphasizes with hands on her waist. Honey-brown hair falls in layers around her face, her expression pinched in irritation. She’d be prettier if she smiled.

Immediately, I’m able to figure out who she is. While the Steel Kings are run by men like Silver and Mason, on the otherside is the hierarchy of their wives and girlfriends. Something tells me they run their group like their partners.

But I’m not intimidated in the slightest, and I’m not about to apologize for my presence.

I regard her slowly, looking her up and down. “You might want to get out of my way.”

Her eyes flash with challenge. “Or else what?”

Before I can respond and tell her just what, Ozzie inserts himself between us like some sort of referee. “Syd, this is Zoe. She’s helping us out.”

Disbelief flickers across Sydney’s face before she releases a short, humorless laugh. “Unbelievable, Ozzie! You’re bringing the girls youfuckinto club business now? This is not the time or place for you to bring your randoms here! No wonder Mace stormed out of the office pissed.”

Ozzie’s jaw tightens. “Syd, chill. That’s not what’s happening.”

“Thisrandom,” I snap, “is a federal agent who has been investigating Asa Boone for years. A lot longer than you were probably even aware he was alive. I’m here to help.”

“Help? A fed here to help?” Sydney laughs, the sound cold and derisive. “Oh well, that makes it so much better! What a fucking relief. The feds are here to take Boone and Wheels down… and our club too.”

“That’s not what’s happening. You’re speaking on something you have no clue about?—”

“I know about this club. I know you’re not here with good intentions!”

---