Page 18 of When You Stayed
“Royce is in a video that’s trending on social media.”
This had nothing to do with the fucking outposts. I let out an annoyed sigh while I rubbed my forehead. “What the fuck does that mean, Rook?”
“It means this video is landing on the FYP of anyone who has ever looked up anything motorcycle or biker-related.”
I still wasn’t connecting what he was trying to break down for me. “I don’t understand…why is she trending?”
“Because she’s in underwear, and as far as the bikers’ for you page…I think that’s because of her tattoo.”
“What tattoo?” Fuck, did my voice just crack?
Rook waited to reply, but I heard him typing, then distractedly answered. “The one that links her to the Stone Riders. I’ll look to see where this video originated, but you might get further talking directly to her. It seems as though it’s an ad for the underwear she’s wearing.”
An ad? That didn’t make any sense. “Are you sure it’s Royce and not Taryn? They look alike occasionally, when Taryn lets her hair grow out and wears high heels.”
Rook laughed. “I grew up with them, Ford. I know which sister is which. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter which one it is, the link to the Stone Riders, and it being connected to either of Killian’s daughter’s is the fucking problem.”
My chest felt a little too warm as I closed my eyes and tried to makesense of this. Rook joked, “Or you could pull it up on your laptop and verify it for yourself.”
“Fuck off, you know I’m just trying to confirm who it is before I take this to Killian.”
His laugh pissed me off enough that I pulled the phone away from my ear.
“Can you find out if this was planned, or if someone leaked it on purpose,” I snapped.
“Yeah. I’ll be in touch.” Rook continued laughing as I hung up.
In another version of my life, I’d open the app, swipe over to this video ,and stare at whatever mess Royce got herself into this time. In this reality, I had to worry about how this clusterfuck was going to affect the club.
I ran my hand through my hair, trying to decide how I was going to break this to Killian when Johnson ran into the trailer. He was breathless and panicked.
“Killian called, he said he needs that meeting now. Something happened with Royce.”
Fuck.
My boots echoed against each step as I made my way down into the cellar, lit with only a few overhead hanging lights. Shelves still lined most of the walls with a shit ton of food and weapons, but in the center of the room was a large table with twelve chairs tucked underneath. This was where we held church, and the room upstairs was merely to throw others off the scent of the true nature of what the Stone Riders had become. We couldn’t trust anyone at the moment, including our allies. With the changes in our ranks, we were not only vulnerable, but at the moment, we were weak.
“Prez.” Killian dipped his head in respect as his hand came down on my back in passing.
A strange swarm of feelings hit my stomach, but I pushed themdown. My mouth parted in reply, trying to figure out what to say in response because things had been fucking weird since I took this role over six months ago.
There were only a few people who knew that I was currently the president of the Stone Riders motorcycle club, and for the time being, we had to keep it that way.
Dad came in next, slapping me on the back and then the rest of my closest men made their way over—Logan, and Rev, followed by Johnson with a Twinkie sticking out of his mouth. Kody, Slade, Norman, Dane, Orson, and last, Connor’s dad, Jameson, filled the remaining chairs at the table.
They each greeted me with a respectful nod, while relaxing into their spots. I knew we had to keep this brief because there were men upstairs who didn’t need to get curious about where the core leadership of this club went.
“We have the outposts to go over, but Johnson said something happened to one of your kids, Killian?” I lifted my chin toward where he sat at the other end of the table and then tapped my finger against the surface. I was trying to ensure no one thought I cared that this had to do with Royce being in a video in her underwear. Although I still hadn’t pulled it up, and I wasn’t sure I would, I wouldn’t show her father that I cared one way or another.
His angry scowl deepened as he leaned on his elbows over the table. “I’ve been made aware of a video circulating of Royce…” His jaw clenched, and I didn’t envy him having to talk about his daughter in a compromising shot, in front of us. “She uh…”
Fuck, this was painful to watch. I stood up, so everyone’s focus went to me.
“Rook called and told me the video links her to the club.”
Johnson was in the only rolling chair at the table, which meant he moved around like a toddler. He slid forward and glanced down the length of the table. “How did it link her to us?”
Killian locked eyes with me, silently asking me to be cautious.
