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“Can I answer that?” Cara asks, and Dante nods, gesturing for her to go ahead.
Zoe’s eyes turn to Cara, who offers Rocco a small smile before addressing Zoe.
“When we first formed the club, it was for the sole purpose of filling the void of a local MC so the Reapers couldn’t claim it. At the time, things were more personal for me and Rocco, what with my mom working with the Reapers, and them setting their sights on me. We killed a lot of Rusty’s men, and suspected he was rebuilding his club and until recently, they weren’t a real risk. It’s only been the past couple of years that the Reapers have stepped up their attempt to try to claim this territory, wanting to wipe us out. So aside from the normal things an MC does, we were here to try to keep the community safe, while the Diamond Crew continued with their missions, focusing on people who need help, or need to be put six feet under.”
When Cara finishes talking, Zoe glances at everyone around the table, before her eyes land on me.
“So my dad is what blew this war up?”
I dart forward faster than I should, hating the way she flinches back before I have a chance to steel myself.
“Zo. This isnotyour fault. The Reapers did all of this. It’s obvious they sent Irina in, targeting your dad with the purpose of infiltrating us. If it wasn’t your dad, then it would have been some other innocent family. Your dad. You. Your family have been tools the Reapers used, and Gunner’s obsession with you is all on him. Not you.” I point down the other end of the table to Dante and Baz, watching as her glassy eyes follow. “They are here to help end this. It’s time for this to end. It’s time to make sure no more innocent families get dragged into this.”
Blinking quickly, a few tears pop from Zoe’s eyes as her eyes travel to Slasher, her lower lip trembling. “But, Slayer…”
“No.” Slasher leans forward, his dark eyes locking with Zoe’s. “That’s not your fault. That’s all on Gunner.”
Her head frantically darts to Rocco, and before she can say anything, he pulls himself forward in the wheelchair to get closer to the table. “The war with the Reapers started with me. Just because it’s escalated doesn’t mean anyone but those sick fuckers are to blame. You didn’t put me in this wheelchair, Zoe. They did. Don’t you dare go thinking that way.”
“It’s hard not to,” she whispers, and Rocco nods.
“That’s because you’re a good person, Zoe. Too good for the likes of us.”
She smiles, batting the tears from her flushed cheeks. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
Everyone snickers at that, and as she relaxes back in her seat, I feel that pride swelling in my chest again.
Pride for the strength she has but hasn’t yet realized. Pride for the respect everyone around the table has for my princess. And pride for being their leader.
Dante’s phone beeps, and he reads a message before his eyes dart up to mine.
“Two detectives are approaching the front gate.”
My brows shoot up, realizing he really does have eyes on our clubhouse, and a few moments later, I hear the bell for the front gate.
I shoot Tex a message to let them in, and we take a few more minutes to reconfirm our next steps before we end the meeting.
Zoe stands on shaky legs, moving to Rocco and leaning in to talk to him, while Cara offers me a smile that somehow tells me she’s just as proud of my princess as I am.
“So how’d you like your first meeting with the big kingpins?” Cain snickers as he shoulder bumps Slasher, who pushes a breath out like he’s relieved.
“Intense but fucking good.”
I grin and clap him on the shoulder, and fuck, I think the smile the big guy tries to hide is fucking genuine.
I imagine his brother is right by his side right now, even though we can’t see him.
Dante and Baz start chatting with Slasher then, and that feeling of pride swells in my chest again, happy that they are taking the time to recognize our new VP.
Something brushes my pinky, and I glance next to me to see Zoe standing by my side, her pinky linked with mine.
I hope she feels it too. The pride. The feeling that she belongs. She’s as much a part of this club as everyone else.
“The detectives are out there.” I remind Zoe. “Do you want to go back up to our apartment? I can get the men to send them away.”
Zoe shrugs, looking unsure. “Will it be bad if they see me?”
It’s not ideal having her speak to the detectives, but they still need to question her and will keep pestering us until that happens. Better it’s on our turf where we have the advantage, and I can get Zo out of here if they try to arrest her.
