“A white box truck pulled up to our gates. The driver said he had a truck full of baby gifts, and if the prospect showed him where, he’d get it unloaded.”
“It blew.” He’d caught the tail end of the conversation. “Where’s the truck now?” Alex asked.
“Sitting on the road in front of the clubhouse. Fire department is on its way.”
This wasn’t a pissing match. Sabre was holding his own, but no one thought he was in control of the conversation. I quickly scanned the room. All eyes were on Alex when they should have been watching Sabre for any signs to move in.
“How’s Grace and… Junior… no, JR?”
A few growls slipped out, echoing off the exposed rafters in the ceiling.
“Fine.” The muscles in Sabre’s arms flexed. “Cut the shit. You’re not here to discuss blown-up baby goods.”
“No, sadly, I’m not.”
Alex pulled out the closest chair to him and sat down. He crossed his leg over his knee and then waved his arm, offering Sabre the seat directly across from him. Sabre didn’t move, and when Alex realized he wouldn’t take direction, he shrugged as if to say “suit yourself.”
“I’m here. We may as well discuss my terms for your surrender.” He said it so evenly, I had to ask myself if I had heard him correctly.
“You should ask Diego Lopez how our surrender worked out for him,” Sabre said. I wasn’t the only one who snickered.
“Cute.” Alex shifted in his chair, running his hand along the seam of his pant leg. “The Lopezes are already wearing out their welcome.” He brought his hand up, running his fingers over his goatee, smoothing non-existent loose hairs. “Diego would have been smarter to stay home. He was never bright.” Alex’s eyes met mine, the implication clear.
“It won’t be much longer until Peter dismantles Manny from the inside out. Right? That’s the plan?” There were a few coughs in the room, but no one dared to say anything. We had the numbers, but we also didn’t know how many more cartel members were nearby. “Not bad for someone who’s lacking.” Sabre rubbed his knuckles against his president’s patch.
“You don’t concern yourself with my son.” Alex shifted his glare to me again. “If you think marrying her will stop the inevitable, you’re a fool.”
This wasn’t my role, but he’d brought me into the conversation. I smirked, burying my insecurities. “My wife isn’t the same woman you once knew.” I leftit open, chuckling as if we were sharing a secret. “If you think she’s going to take your shit, you’re the one who’s the fool.” I didn’t need him to know she was afraid he’d swoop in and ruin everything.
“There’s one thing I’ll always have—her son.” Alex knocked his knuckles against the table before he stood. He aimed low, hitting his mark. “Tell mi amor I’ll see her soon.”
He walked towards the front door, his nephew following him, but before he stepped into the hallway, he turned around. “A truck loaded with utter absurdity wouldn’t be my choice for blowing up your clubhouse.” He smirked. “You’d be gone before you even knew what was happening.”
Sabre was the first to speak after our visitor had left. He shot me a look over his shoulder. “We need a family meeting. He’s not aware that Peter prospected for the club and that Pulse is dead. It might be the only reason we come out of this unscathed.”
My stomach curdled.
Family meeting—discussing the man who was actively plotting to steal my wife.
Chapter 21
Up The Ante
Thunder
We’d all wanted to rush to our bikes, but we stayed in our seats instead.
Sabre closed his phone. He’d been fielding calls ever since our visitor had left. “Everyone in the clubhouse is fine. There’s no damage, and the fire department is almost done. Op’s supposed to text when they clear out, and then we’ll leave.”
He rubbed the back of his neck before sharing a look with Grizz. “The club’s always worked together, but we’re going to have to include the women after this.” He shifted his gaze towards me. “Aunt E is going to have to make contact.”
Grizz shook his head. “I hate this.” He pulled the rubber band holding his bun out, shook out his hair, and then redid it. “They lined up behind our bikes. Whatever happens, we have to make it clear they can’t be physically involved.”
“Liz won’t let them, if that’s what you’re worried about.” I’d promised her she wouldn’t stand alone, and I’d keep that promise.
“He’s right.” Sabre shifted back into his chair, bringing his hand up. “It’s Aunt E who scares me. She’s been a step ahead of us this entire time. If she reaches out, how much time will it buy us?”
***
