Page 48 of Biker's Baby

“What did you think was going to happen?” he asked at last.

“What?”

“You said that he’s getting worse, but I’m just wondering what you thought was going to happen. You joined the club, and you knew that there was potential for things to take this turn, but you signed up anyway. It’s not like this is a complete surprise to you, is it?” he asked.

“I was hoping that we would continue with the way things were. I wanted to get my inheritance without having to go through all the deep dark shit that I knew would come if I was really trying to reform a club,” I admitted. “And I honestly don’t know what to do with Tad being the one calling all the shots. I mean, think about it. Do you really think he’s going to stop because I tell him that this is a bad idea?”

“Doubt it,” Glenn said. “But you could refuse to go, right?”

“That’s disobeying an order,” I said. “You know how he treats people who do that.”

“But he likes you,” Glenn argued. “You might have more pull than you think.”

“Might,” I said. “But if it goes wrong, then what? I promised Iris I would take care of her and her son. If I get kicked out of the club, how am I going to do that?”

“How are you going to use the club to help her anyway? You aren’t saying a word to anyone that she’s there,” he said.

“It’s because I know the club has my back if I really need it. Sure, there’s going to be hell to pay after, but if that guy comes at me, do you really think any of the men are going to stand by and let me get killed? No. It’s security if nothing else.”

We fell silent again, and I was glad when the lunch hour was over. It wasn’t that I disagreed with what Glenn was saying, but I didn’t get the impression that he agreed with me entirely, either. Not that I thought he was going to be out there running guns and drugs without a care in the world, but he didn’t seem to be as horrified with the way things were going as I was.

I was glad that I didn’t have to work with him directly throughout the rest of the shift. It gave me time to cool down and think about things while we were still in the same vicinity, so we didn’t part ways on a sour note.

In fact, by the time the shift was over, we were joking and laughing with each other again, until our phones simultaneously went off.

“Tad wants us at the clubhouse,” I said as I read the text.

“I see that,” Glenn replied. “And it’s not looking like we have much of an option whether we’re going or not.”

“Fuck. I guess I can forget about going home and collapsing into bed,” I said. “Dammit. I’m not sure how much longer I can keep going on two hours of sleep a night.”

“Let me know how that works for you. Or, you could become the face of energy drinks,” Glenn teased.

We got on our bikes and headed straight for the clubhouse, and I had to admit, it was surprising to see all the members of the club there when it was the crack of dawn. But, when Tad got something big on his mind, he didn’t care what time of day it was. If he called, we came, no matter what else was going on.

Glenn and I walked side by side into the clubhouse, taking a place against the back wall. It was my usual go-to whenever Tad had one of his big meetings. I preferred not to get caught up in his rants, if at all possible, and staying hidden in the background was the best strategy I managed.

Tad was already in the middle of his rant, talking more about the MC that was allegedly encroaching on our turf. But from what he was saying, I found it hard to believe that these were the same men who had allegedly harassed our women.

From what Tad was saying, this new MC was all about doing good.

“We need to put a stop to it!” Tad slammed his fist into the palm of his other hand for emphasis. “This is our turf, our town. Anyone who comes in here abides by our rules. No one else’s!”

“But are they really that big of a threat if they’re helping the community?” Glenn called out.

Tad scanned the crowd, his eyes darting back and forth to see who dared to question his authority. Our eyes locked for a moment, but then he realized it was Glenn who had spoken. He didn’t address Glenn personally, but instead scanned the entire crowd, answering with such a tone as to make sure no one else questioned what he felt.

“It doesn’t matter what they are doing! If they aren’t with us, they are against us! If they came in to help the community, as they claim, then they’re going to interfere with our business! The money we bring in is what makes a difference in this place!” he yelled.

“Bullshit,” I muttered. “The money we bring in with drugs does nothing to help anyone in this town.”

“Try telling him that. If looks could kill, I’m pretty sure I would be dead right now,” he said.

“Right. I felt for you when he looked over the room,” I told him.

Glenn knew better than to ask anything more during the lecture, and after he had been shut down so entirely, I felt it best not to say anything at all. I was on the same side of the argument as my friend, but I wasn’t going to stick my neck out against Tad. Not right now anyway.

There were too many ways for it to go wrong, and I had Iris and her son depending on me. I couldn’t risk getting into any kind of trouble with my MC right now. Not even if I was standing up for what I felt was right.

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