Page 165 of Straight to Me

“What about Chris? We tried to work it all out last night, like, how did he even know where to find you?”

“It was mum.” Jess’s mouth falls open, unbelieving. I explain, “She begged him to come and ask for me to go back to him apparently.”

“No,” Jess stammers in shock. “She knows how much he hurt you when he left and got that Sofia pregnant.” She shakes her head confused.

“Except, he didn’t.” They both stare at me, not understanding. “He only thought he did,” I say.

Bex’s hand stops midway to putting food in her mouth, an eyebrow raised. “The reason he came up here was to see if I wanted him back, because it turns outhecan’t have children.”

Both their eyes widen, their jaws practically hitting the floor. “Fucking hell, Madison! Does that mean you’re able to… have kids I mean?” Bex moves on her knees to sit on her heels.

“I don’t know,” I say, shrugging. “The doctor’s going to call with the results of a blood test, but I haven’t heard anything yet.”

“No news is good news,” Jess smiles, making me wonder if she’s right. “And you did the right thing to go and find out.”

“She’s right.” Bex hugs me close, wrapping her arm over my shoulder. “I’m proud of you for getting it done. I know how scary that would’ve been for you. But no matter what happens, you won’t be alone. We’ll always be there for you.”

After lunch, we carry on walking until my feet start hurting. It’s a beautiful day, but I can tell Bex is hiding her discomfort just as much, if not more, than I am. Finally, we make it back to the car just before three in the afternoon. As I open the front passenger door ready for Bex, my phone starts ringing. It’s an unknown number.

“Hello?” I answer.

“Good afternoon, am I talking with Miss Reed?”

I don’t immediately recognise the person who I’m talking to. “Yes, speaking.”

“Hello, it’s Doctor Bradbury.”

Chapter Forty

VP

“Ithink I’ve made myself very clear. We’ll absorb the Forgotten Tribe, and we’ll take over the port.” There are four Sodom Saviours here to negotiate, but only two are talking; their president, Vincent, and Sonny, our mutual friend and Nomad. “The port and the Tribe are not up for negotiation.” Rocco’s tone is firm and I see Vincent’s face harden.

Since both clubs started, drugs and narcotics have funded us. Firearms are risky business with UK laws as tight as they are. But that’s what the Sodom Saviours are expanding in to. Our non-involvement means they would have a new source of revenue that would go completely unchallenged by us, and we can’t let that happen. That’s too much power for them to have.

“I wasn’t asking for anyone’s permission,” Vincent says as a matter of fact. I look at Rocco and realise I need to speak before he jumps off his chair like he did half an hour ago, potentially ruining everything.

“We’ve already absorbed the Tribe.” Vincent’s eyes dart to mine. “So no, you won’t be absorbing anyone. They ride with a Rippers' patch now.” It’s one thing to have another club take over yours, but to be told you no longer occupy a territory which you have for decades is another. Our unification with the Tribe means they keep their turf, and the Rippers gain new members, growing substantially.

Rocco’s face hollows. He hates the plan we’ve put together. I continue, “The port is rightfully ours, but we get your need for expansion.” His eyes narrow as I speak.

Vincent nods his head, seeing Rocco’s displeasure. “We’ll allow safe passage through our county, but you don’t stop within our borders.”

“That’s it?” he scoffs. “You and I both know the port is—”

“—the port is history!” I snap. “It’s ours. You took it. We took it back. End of discussion… you want a clear route without any interference to move your firearms, we’ll give it to you.”

Vincent sucks his teeth, half raising a smile. He knows safe passage through our county is too good an offer to pass up. It’s a risk for us, to let them pass through, means more eyes are needed. But he’ll see it as us conceding, therefore he’ll accept. “And what about further north?” he asks.

Rocco sits forwards, having waited long enough for his moment. “Our highland charters have agreed to give you safe passage too.”

“Really?” Vincent snorts leaning back in his chair. “After all these years of fighting us for territory, I’m to accept an alliance with one of your charters suddenly?”

“You’re not the only ones wanting in on bigger money,” Rocco adds.

“You must think we’re fucking stupid?” I hold back the small laugh that threatens to leave my mouth. “And more to the point,” Vincent says leaning his elbows on the table, “since when do the Rippers sign off on anything to do with firearms in the UK?”

“Since you cunts gunned us down.”

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