We had a past as well.
Not the romantic kind, but the kind that ended in me leaving with a tattoo still on me that says I belonged to their club.
“I felt you needed to know the truth of the matter, because we could use your help.”
“We?”
“The Midnight Saints. They don’t know it yet, but I’m joining their ranks. I’m tired of this shit my father is doing, and clearly I’m not getting anywhere hiding on the sidelines. He’s coming after me anyway, so I need an MC, and as the heir to the old Prez of the Midnight Saints, I say that makes it my birthright to take over. But in order to do that, I need to bring something huge to the table, and that’s where you come in. I need to show the Midnight Saints that I got you to back us up.”
“First, you need to convince me to agree to back the Midnight Saints up. Convince me those rumors are true,” Jax said.
“You heard the Midnight Saints were attacked. The Shadow Order came to our bar, and they shot Devon in the back of the head. They thought he was Tony, who was the VP. Well, my father ordered the shooting. He also broke into our warehouse and he broke into my house. He also attacked the charity ride— tried to steal the money they earned. He put a gun to the Enforcer and tried to choke a woman to death, a woman who happened to be a friend of mine. But when he broke into my house, that was the last straw for me. I knew I had to act after that.”
“Okay, but why should we help you in your bloody war? You still haven’t convinced me why we need to get involved. We want Maxum dead. We already agreed with Tony, now the Prez of the Midnight Saints, to help bring Maxum down, but what you’re asking from us is more than that. So, I’m asking you— why?”
“The Midnight Saints didn’t start this war. I know that’s what you’ve heard. Maxum started this war. Our own Prez turned on us, double crossed us, and now he’s got every other biker club after us, except you. I know and I respect that you want to stay out of it, but sooner or later, he’s going to make you choose sides. We won’t survive without your help, he knows this. The Midnight Saints are pissed, but we don’t want war, not like this, and we need help to end it. You have the power, you have the numbers that would help us. Problem is, the Shadow Order and the Blue Diablos don’t care what we want. They’re going to act, and when they do, I need some reassurances that the Midnight Saints can count on the Crypt Keepers to have our backs.”
“What do we get in return?” Jax asked, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
“I thought you were out,” Eric spoke up. “Didn’t we help you get away from all that?” He had gone through a lot to make sure I was out for good and off the grid, or at least off my father’s grid. I tried not to show that I felt bad because I had to be a leader right now, but I owed Eric a lot for that time in our lives, even if my father found me eventually anyway.
“Yeah, well, the operative word is ‘were’. I’m being pulled back in whether I like it or not, with all my father’s bullshit. He broke into my house. I’m not going to put up with that shit, so yeah, I’m back and if I have to pick a side and prove my loyalty to stay alive, fine, I choose to be with the Midnight Saints. No, I choose to run the Midnight Saints, and I’m here to offer you a deal. You can come to the bar on a new “Friend of the MC” night on Thursdays. Get your discount on our whores and booze, plus I want to offer you a full ally contract, if you agree to be there when shit goes down. In return, we’ll be there for you if shit goes down.”
“Does Tony know you’re taking over?” the Prez asked, scratching his chin thoughtfully.
“Not yet,” I admitted. “I wanted to seal this alliance for them first. If I can do this, then I’ll have a leg to stand on when I go there. So, what do you say? I ain't got all day,” I protested when they all looked around between themselves.
“Alright, we agree,” Jax said. “This should be amusing to watch.”
“Pleasure doing business with you, boys.”
“I’ll walk you back to your bike. It’s not safe for you around here.”
I looked at him with a mix of annoyance and fondness. He had always been this way and probably always would be, even if we were over. “Eric, have you forgotten that I can take care of myself?”
“I know you are a tough bitch, but you’re a target, so shut your mouth and let me walk you back to your bike.”
“Fine. If you can keep up.” I turned on my heel and headed across the park.
“You know, I never got to tell you, I’m proud of you,” he said, catching up to me.
“What the hell for?”
“For finally having the balls to stand up to your father.”
“Oh, I plan to do more than that. It’s time I show him what I really think of him.”
“Of that, I have no doubt. I’m also proud of you for having the balls to take over the Midnight Saints. Not many girls would even consider attempting that.”
“I haven’t done it yet. Plus, you and I both
