Page 27 of Speed

Crusher stopped midsentence and crossed his arms over his chest and stared at the Pres.

“You and she what, Crusher?” Stroker waited for his question to be answered.

“Nothing, we’ve been circling around for six fucking months, she rides my ass every chance she gets and you didn’t bother telling me she was from another club. Some of that could have been curtailed with a little knowledge. That’s all I was saying.” Not by the look I was reading on his face, but I had my own issues, which brings me to my next question.

“Did you say the VP’s daughter? The VP that was planning a fucking coup to take over. Seriously?” Christ what a huge ass fucking clusterfuck.

“Yes, she and Sami grew up together, she’s close with Sami, and we all know you can’t hold the father’s stupidity against her. She wasn’t helping take the damn club over, nor has she been an issue here.” Could have sworn I heard Crusher say under his breath “Just him.”

“We keep getting off subject. Let’s get this finished. Speed, Sami and Carly moved here, they lived together in a place Wild Bill bought for Sami, they attended college. They didn’t come to the club, they didn’t hang around the businesses, it wasn’t like we sat on them twenty-four/seven, they just lived in our territory. Knew she was pregnant but figured it was by one of the men over in the Haven’s club. We never saw the little girl, she applied for the manager’s job at Soft Tails. Her knowledge of clubs was a selling point on hiring her, she’d know how to keep her mouth shut. Then the guys apply for positions there, they get hired, and one day the little girl comes in with her ‘cause the babysitter was sick. That’s when we found out. Tank and the boys who were working saw her, they made the call here and we,” his arm swung to include the other dads, “went by with the excuse it was Black Hawk business. We saw her, and I’m surprised Sami didn’t pick up on it because I know it shocked the shit out of us. And when that little girl ran up and spoke to us, and lifted her head, Speed, I saw Cutter. If I hadn’t known your dad so well, and that he wouldn’t have touched such a young girl, I’d have thought him the father. We got mad like you that we wasted so much time not knowing the little girl existed and that Sami, coming from a club, knowing what family means to the club and not telling us, yeah we had our own moment of crazy. Stem saved us from going the fuck off, he’d been the Prospect the day she came to the clubhouse and asked for you about a month or so after you went back to the desert. All she was told was you were gone. So if it helps, she must have come here to tell you.

“Our part, son, when we found out, that was the time you were shot and healing, it was a judgment call on our part. If you hadn’t come home for good, we would have notified you. However, we’ve taken care of her, she’s been protected since the day we found out. Sami doesn’t know we know. I don’t think she even told Wild Bill. He comes in to visit a few times a year. Usually by himself, no cut, and only stays a few days. He’s never said a word to us, and I’m sure he would. Let’s just say, the clubs are going to have to come to terms with one another because that little girl ties us, whether we want it or not.

“And let me add, you owe Dare, he’s kept this from Shakes. Christ, she will go nuts as if she was really the grandmother and you boys know that. She’s thought of each of you as a son, and she was tough. There were times Dare thought we might kick him out of the club because if she thought we wronged you boys, she was in our shit. We can buy you some time there because that was why we were meeting. Dare and Shakes have a young girl staying with them. Everyone will be told at the next Church that she is their niece and had a few problems at home and will be staying with them for a little while. This part doesn’t leave this office, though. Lately we’ve been making a few alliances, the newest is with Ops Warriors, they merged two of their clubs and are out of San Diego now. They’re having a little issue involving the Mexico border, which is part of their territory and they need to stash her for a time where no one would look for her. Hence, Shakes and Dare’s niece.” Damn, new changes within Black Hawk every day it seemed. I wasn’t done with my own issue yet, one more thing needed to be answered though I thought I already knew this particular answer.

“Why didn’t you tell me when I got home?”

Stroker smile confirmed I was right.

“A test. When I saw her, which you knew evidently I would. You wanted this confrontation. You wanted to see if I would stand up to you, all of you.”

“Yes, we knew Cutter had taught you well, but we needed to know you were ready to take his spot. The Enforcer job of making sure its members follow the rules of the club includes its officers. We needed to see if you would push the envelope.” He opened his desk drawer and reached in, “Here, have that on at the next meeting.” I caught the patch he’d thrown. “You’ll be part of the leadership once the announcement is made at the next full member Church. We hold those once a month. Welcome home, Speed. Now all you boys get the fuck out of my office and don’t ever barrel in here again like that or I will kick your asses, personally.” Stroker stood along with the other dads as they merged to congratulate me. When I looked at my friends, the smiles on their faces said it all, it was the first step in us taking over Black Hawk.

When I walked out of the office, I had a new perspective and a new outlook. Nothing would stand in my way. I had a daughter to meet. And a woman to get. It would be just a matter of time. The only thing missing, was my dad to share it with.

Chapter Twelve

Sami

“So how was your shift?” I opened the door to let Carly enter.

“Dinner break. Didn’t want to go home or the diner to eat. Ohhh pizza. Whatcha got to drink?” She opened the refrigerator, dug in and pulled out a soda, popping the top while I stuck the pizza in the oven.

“You got time, it will be done in twenty?” I grabbed a drink and joined her at the table.

“Yep, where’s shorty?”

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