Page 98 of Race or Ruin

While the two of them goofed off, Race came up with a plan. Was it the right thing to do? He wasn’t sure. Either Crow went along with it and helped them or he tried to double cross them and died.

“I think I know what we can do. We’re going to give him the option to work with us.”

“We are?” Tuck suddenly stopped swatting at the snips Jed kept poking in his direction. He frowned sternly, warning him to knock it off.

“Yes.” Race led the group back inside. He stood before Crow once again, not saying a word for a moment. “What if I told you I believe what you’re telling me?”

“You do?” Crow couldn’t hide the hope he felt spark to life.

“Yeah. I think I do. We can help you with your daughter if you help us.”

“Anything. I’ll tell you anything if you help me get my Frankie back.”

“All right then. This is how it’s going to go.”

21

2 months later

Race was sitting at his desk in his office at the clubhouse listening to Dagger and Maverick yammer on about the pros and cons of aerating their lawns now that April had arrived. The snow was gone and the weather outside was beautiful. The sun was shining in an endless blue sky and he was feeling the need to take a long bike ride with Bellamy at his back. He was debating on whether or not this ride should include an overnight stay, a whole weekend or just a few hours of cruising the back roads and only half listening to their conversation. At some point Jed and Tuck had plopped down on his couch and started talking about the new stripper at Bottom’s Up.

Over the last several weeks things had been busy for the club and its families. It felt like every time he turned around something new was being thrown their way. Some bad, but mostly good. Thus the need for a getaway.

Trick and Lindsey had been married a little over a month ago and surprise, surprise, she was knocked up. Race saw that coming a mile away. The woman was a natural nurturer and she loved Trick’s kids as if they were her own. Of course, she would want kids right away.

Calliope had given birth to a sweet baby girl they named Harper Sloan. Jackson was over the moon about his little princess. His son, Ryker, was overjoyed as well, especially when his dad told him it was his job to protect his little sister and keep the boys away from her.

The club had purchased Bottom’s Up for a fair price and had immediately gotten their colors put up on the wall both inside and outside. From their frequent visits to the strip club, they’d noticed things that they wanted done differently. For instance, the bouncer at the door was told he had one chance and one chance only to stop letting underage kids in with fake IDs. If he didn’t he was out. One of the strippers and two of the waitstaff had been involved with helping the Phantoms peddle their shit in the club. They were out.

New people were hired in their places and several more bouncers/security personnel were added as well as two new strippers. One to replace the one dealing drugs in the club and one to replace Charlotte.

Tulsa came in and joined the growing crowd in his office. He started a conversation about a motorcycle he was thinking of buying off some rich guy who had more money than sense with Jed and Tuck.

Crow, also known as Gabe Collins, had given them the location of the temporary staging point for the Phantom Furies MC. There were only six of them there so the Sons were able to deal with them quickly. One was allowed to remain alive to deliver a message. Redemption belonged to the Sons. If anyone thought to try and take it from them, they’d be dealt with the same way.

They were also able to locate Gabe’s daughter, Frankie. She’d been stuck in a nasty, rat trap trailer with her drugged out mother. Gabe said she hadn’t always been that way, but apparently had started using drugs while he was in prison. She’d been told to hit the road, never return to Redemption and forget she had a daughter or she’d meet the same fate as the Phantom Furies. Dead.

Race offered Gabe the opportunity to prospect for the Sons, but he politely declined. He asked him what he planned on doing now that he was no longer with the other club and had his daughter back.

“I don’t know. I used to work on security before I went to prison. I’ll probably give that a go again.”

“What kind of security?” Race asked.

“All kinds. We installed security systems for large and small business as well as individual homes. I was able to keep up with all the new improvements out there while I was away.” The excitement left his face as he looked off to the side. “I guess the problem now is will there be anyone out there willing to take a chance on an ex-con?”

“I might be able to help with that.” Race told him the club would hire him to update security at the clubhouse, their grow house and their legal marijuana shops. He also wanted security installed or improved at Ink Envy, Bling Boutique and Bottom’s Up. As long as he worked for the club, he and his daughter were under their protection.

Race wasn’t a fool. They may have ousted the Phantom Furies for now, but he had no doubt they would try again. Having better security was imperative. He was pleased when Gabe accepted the job and thanked him for the opportunity.

He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and dug it out. The screen lit up with Bellamy’s picture. It was a text. When he clicked on it he wasn’t sure what he was looking at. It was a picture of a plus sign. What the hell? He scratched his head and looked closer. Holy shit! Was his woman telling him she was finally knocked up?

“Why are you smiling from ear to ear?” Dagger frowned, seeing they’d lost Race in their conversation. How his VP hadn’t noticed he’d lost him thirty minutes ago, Race had no clue.

“Nothing’s wrong. Gotta go.” Race stood, snagged his bike keys off the desk and headed for his door.

“Wait. Where are you going?” Jed asked this time.

“To see a woman about a text.” He didn’t slow his roll all through the club’s main room and out the door. He threw an absent wave at brothers trying to get his attention, saying, “Back later.”

---