Page 49 of Maverick

“Yay, yay, yay!”

They were so excited and it brought a smile to all the Brother’s faces. I waited until they were quiet and leaned in really close, “I need you, boys, to do a big job for me, okay?”

They both nodded their little heads.

“I need you to hold mama’s hand and help her up the stairs. It’s your job tonight to take care of her. Can you do that? Be big and strong like Daddy and your Uncles?”

Colton and Knox looked right in my eye and nodded very seriously. Then they kissed me on the cheek and ran over to Lilah. She smiled as she kissed Striker and headed up the stairs.

As soon as Lilah and the boys made it up the stairs, Striker turned to all of us, “Let’s go, boys. Church. Right now.”

We all hurried into our meeting room and sat down. Every single Brother had a determined look on their faces. Not only was a rival motorcycle club encroaching on our territory, but they threatened the President’s family.

Striker slammed the gavel down and scowled. “I want them taken care of. I don’t care how much it costs or what we have to do. I want them gone. NOW!”

Moose placed a burner phone on the table and slid it over to Striker. “Did some digging. That’s their President, Snake’s, number. Give him a call, Brother.”

Striker grabbed the phone, pressed the dial button, and put it on speaker. After three rings, a raspy voice came over the speakers.

“Was waiting to see how long it would take for you to call me, Striker. I figured it would be your old VP calling me first. I heard it was quite the show you and your old lady put on for my guy the other night, Maverick. Bravo to you.”

I slammed my fist on the table, ready to jump and find this sick fuck. Striker put his hand up to stop me from saying anything.

“What do you want, Snake? How much to make you disappear?” Striker was calm and gave away no emotion.

Snake laughed then cleared his throat, “Oh, Striker. Do you really think it was going to be that easy? All I want is that bitch, Willow. Your gorgeous wife and precious little boys will be safe and sound, as long as I get Willow.”

I could see the anger in Striker’s eyes, but he pushed those emotions down. “Did you get hit in the head recently? Because it sounds like you think we’re a bunch of pussies. We’re the Goddamn Devil’s Highwaymen. Fuck with me and every member of your club will die. Stay the fuck out of my town and away from my family, Willow included. Are we clear, Snake?”

“My boys will be seeing you real soon, Striker.” and with that, Snake hung up.

Striker threw the phone across the room. It hit the wall and shattered into a million pieces. “Well, boys. Looks like it’s time to remind The Shadow Raiders how we got our reputation. Call the other chapters and get them here as soon as possible. See if any of our ally clubs can come and lend a hand. Let the girls know to clear any rooms and get prepared for a fucking war. NOBODY threatens my family.”

Everybody pounded their fists on the table. Goose took out his phone and started to make phone calls. Tank started to go through the finances and see how many weapons we could buy. We had a good supply but needed more firepower. Hawk started to call our Nomad Brothers and told them to head this way. This was fucking war, this is what we did best.

We finished solidifying our plans and headed out into the main room. One of the Prospects got behind the bar to man it for the night. With all the Brother’s here and some on the way, it was bound to be a long night.

Striker and Goose were sitting next to each other and I headed over to join them for a quick beer.

Striker took a sip of his beer and turned to Goose, “So I’ve been meaning to ask you, what the fuck is going on with you and Ellie Jo? What were you doing at the bakery and what the fuck was that whole scene about?”

Goose started to fidget in his seat. “It’s nothing, Brother. Little Ellie Jo just got her panties in a twist, that’s all.”

I threw my head back and laughed, “And who’s responsible for getting her panties in a twist?”

Goose just groaned, “I know, okay? It’s just complicated.”

“So start talking, Brother. Striker and I are always here to talk.”

He took a sip of his beer and then started, “She’s a sweet girl, but don’t let that fool you. She’s a tease. A huge fucking tease. Calls me to come help her, flirts and makes a move, then pulls back and blames it all on me. I see her flirt with other guys, but then she gets mad when I’m with Bambi. She’s also been trying to convince me to leave the club. Promises me all this shit if I leave. I ain’t never leaving.”

Striker pat Goose on the back. “Sounds like you’ve finally met your match!”

“But it’s not like that, Striker. I mean yeah I want to get in bed with her, but I’m not fucking in love with her.”

I looked curiously at my brother, “What do you mean she’s trying to get you to leave the club?”

“Yup. Tells me all the time I should run away with her, leave all of this behind me. It’s like she’s a different person when we’re alone. It’s weird, Mav. Fucking weird. She went from being this shy little thing to this crazed woman.”

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