Page 10 of Maverick's Code

"And you're willing to tell us everything?" Crow asks from his position by the door. "Turn on your club completely?"

"They stopped being my club the moment they murdered my father," I say firmly. "The moment they stood by and watched Jake..." I can't finish the sentence.

"When he tried to make you his old lady," Angel finishes for me.

I nod. "Said it would be poetic - the dead traitor's daughter becoming his property. Teaching me my place, just like they taught my father his."

Hellfire studies me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he looks at Maverick. "You vouch for her?"

"With my life," Maverick responds without hesitation, and I'm baffled. I can't believe it. Why is he doing all this for me? Someone he just met?

"Well then," Hellfire leans back in his chair. "For Johnny's daughter? For the chance to finally end Jake and Marcus?" He nods slowly. "I think it's time we had a real conversation about the future of Cedar Falls."

I feel Maverick's hand press reassuringly against my back as Hellfire gestures for me to sit. Looking around the table at these people - these supposed enemies who seem more like family than my own club ever did - I realize there's no turning back now.

And for the first time since my father died, I'm okay with that.

Chapter 5 - Maverick

Watching Sadie take a seat at the Iron & Blood table, something shifts in my chest. She sits with her spine straight despite her injuries, chin lifted in a show of strength that impresses even Wrath, judging by his grudging nod.

She's either the bravest woman I've ever met or the most desperate. Maybe both.

The revelation about her father hits hard. John Miller - a legend among soldiers, according to the stories Hellfire used to tell. To think his own club murdered him, that his daughter had to learn about it from the bastard who tried to claim her... My hands curl into fists under the table.

"Start from the beginning," Hellfire says, his voice gentler than usual. "Everything you know about Jake and Marcus's plans."

Sadie glances at me briefly before starting to speak. I give her what I hope is an encouraging nod, trying to ignore how my protective instincts have gone into overdrive since she walked into my life twelve hours ago.

"They're restructuring what's left of the Outlaws," she begins. "After you took out most of the leadership, they saw their chance. Jake's been gathering supporters, promising them pieces of territory, connections, whatever they want to hear. But Marcus..." she pauses, something like fear crossing her face. "Marcus is the one with the real plans."

Angel leans forward. "What kind of plans?"

"The kind that make the trafficking ring look like small-time crime," Sadie says quietly. "They're talking about moving into terrorist territory. Selling information, weapons... Jake wasdrunk last night, bragging about connections with some serious players. International ones."

"Fuck," Butcher mutters, voicing what we're all thinking.

I watch as Sadie's hands tremble slightly on the table. Without thinking, I reach over and cover one with my own. She starts at the contact but doesn't pull away. If anything, she seems to draw strength from it.

"There's more," she continues, her voice stronger. "They're planning something specific. Something big. I don't know all the details, but I heard Jake mention a shipment coming in next week. Whatever it is, it's worth enough that they're willing to risk moving it through Iron & Blood territory."

Hellfire's eyes narrow. "Through our territory? They're either stupid or too confident."

"They need to learn a lesson," Wrath and Crow say almost simultaneously, sharing a look that speaks of violence to come.

Hellfire nods slowly. "Can we find them now?" he asks Sadie. "Before they get wind that you're here?"

She shifts in her chair, my hand still covering hers. "Last I knew, they were holed up in the abandoned warehouse on the edge of town. The old paper mill?" She glances around the table. "Maybe fifteen, twenty minutes from here. They're keeping a low profile - no lights, barely any running water. But..." she swallows hard. "They've got enough weapons to start a small war."

"Then we'll finish one," Hellfire stands, his presence filling the room. "Butcher, get everyone geared up. We move in thirty."

I feel the familiar surge of pre-mission adrenaline as I reach for my weapon. We've been waiting for a chance like this, a clear shot at Jake and Marcus. I turn to tell Sadie she'll be safe here, that we'll handle it, but Hellfire's voice stops me.

"Maverick, you're staying with her."

"What? No, I need to be there. I'm an Iron & Blood member!"

"Exactly," Hellfire cuts me off. "And right now, I need you here." His eyes flick to Sadie. "She might be telling the truth - my gut says she is - but we can't trust her completely. Not yet. Someone needs to make sure she doesn't go anywhere or do anything that might compromise us."

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