“I got the Crypt Keepers to watch our backs. I have an in with them. Tony doesn’t.”
“Tony met them too,” Seth explained.
“They didn’t say anything about that to me. They wanted to hear it from me that my father double crossed us. Once I convinced them and gave an offer they couldn’t refuse, they were in.”
“Oh, they also think Reagen is a Trojan horse, or Helen of Troy or something. They don’t trust her story, and Tony doesn’t either.”
“It’s been weeks since she came to us. If Tony doesn’t believe it yet, he’s a fucking ass. I believe it, and as Prez, I will help protect her.” I locked eyes with him, knowing if anything was going to get this man on my side, it was the fact that I had more reason than the current Prez to trust and protect his ride or die.
Seth ran his hands through his hair and then marched over to the counter to get a coffee to calm his nerves, though I was sure he would rather have an ice-cold beer.
I watched how Draco handled him. Though Seth was a rare breed, he knew when to be a gentleman. He waited for his coffee and struck up a conversation with Draco. They exchanged money on the side, and I wondered what that was about. He got his coffee and came back.
“Alright, I’ll keep my mouth shut. But if you’re going to make a move, wait till the war is over. We are preparing for bloodshed and mayhem, and the last thing we need is a fight amongst ourselves over some petty bullshit that can wait.”
“I disagree. I think now is the right time to make my move,” I explained. I left what I saw alone, waiting for the right time to bring it up. Maybe he had his own curse to lay down, or maybe he wanted a watchful eye on his girlfriend when she decided to sneak away.
“Kara, one, you’re a woman, two, you’re Maxum’s fucking daughter. This is not going to go in your favor. Be prepared for that.”
“I’m willing to help you protect Reagen. Are you telling me you won’t back me up?”
“I didn’t say that. I just said it’s not going to go in your favor. I’ll back you up, but don’t expect guys like Austin or Jed to.”
“Then, I guess I just have to prove myself to them.”
“Austin is Tony’s best friend. He’ll back Tony to death.”
“I don’t need unanimous, I just need a majority, right?”
“Yeah, but I’m telling you, you’re not going to get a majority. No one wants to cross Tony.”
“You’re willing to.”
“Yeah, well, Tony and I have an understanding. I’m prepared to take a few punches for the greater good. If you can find a few more guys to do the same, well then, you might just stand a chance.”
“Any weak links?”
“We got rid of them. Cameron, maybe. He’s still trying to prove himself. Make him an offer he can’t refuse and he’ll back you. Jed might, for a bribe. Or hell, use your womanly wiles and you’ll get a few guys.”
“You mean offer sex in exchange for their vote?”
“You gotta use what you got to make it in this world. Hell, give yourself to Tony and you might just win him over.”
I barked a full-on laugh at that shit. I didn’t think Tony would touch me with a ten-foot pole, even if I was into the suggestion. “Why do all guys think we’re just whores ready to give ourselves to anyone?”
“Because you are, Kara. We all know it. You’ll fuck anyone with a cock and a bike. Hell, you fucked half the Blue Diablos, and I bet you fucked half the Crypt Keepers. That’s probably how you got in.”
“Shut the fuck up. I have not fucked half the Blue Diablos, and I only fucked one guy in the Crypt Keepers, Eric, their Enforcer.” Not that I hadn’t fucked others back in the day, but it didn’t really matter. No one would believe me either way because my father made it so.
“Well, fuck an Enforcer and you’re in for life.” He winked at Reagen. “Even Reagen knew that.”
He stretched out on the couch nearby and Reagen moved over to cuddle with him. He had his hands locked behind his head, but he put an arm around her when she sat down.
I chose to make my escape. “Keep him distracted, Reagen. I’ll see you two around.”
“You have my vote,” Reagen said.
I finished my coffee, tossed the cup, and headed for my bike, satisfied that the day was actually going in my favor. I was feeling good about staking my claim. Riled up, I went for a drive. It was such a beautiful day and nothing beats a good ride on the open road on a perfect day.
I thought about all the shit that had gone down and all the shit that might still go down. It was scary, the unknown. We knew danger lurked in the shadows, but we didn’t know what exactly was coming. We had to be prepared for anything. I knew I was probably being foolish driving on the open road alone, especially when there was an MC or two after me, but sometimes the reward was worth the risk. I had to show them all that I wasn’t afraid. I was done hiding.
At last, I headed for the Blue Mountain Range, to the meeting house. I was eager and ready to stake my claim. Tony wouldn’t like it at first, but he had offered me the position before, and I figured once he calmed down and saw things my way, he’d fall in line.
Tony was a good leader. He cared about his men, and he was tough as shit when he had to be. His best friend, Austin, was the VP and Seth was the Enforcer. They were all good guys and I would never wish ill on them ever. All I wanted was my piece of the pie, and of
