Page 36 of Creed

“We’ve used the pigs more often than I’d like for a club that was supposed to turn the tide,” our prez adds, looking over all of us.

Viper scoffs. “Running drugs and guns is one thing. Protecting our own is a given. It doesn’t make us one percenters.”

“I agree,” Razer says, shaking his head. “We worked our asses off to get all the businesses legit, and they’re booming. Someone is fucking with us, and we have every right to defend ours.”

Gage’s throat bobs. “They know our vulnerabilities. Autumn and Winnie were targeted. How long before they move to Mik? Or Amber?”

Razer bristles at the mention of his old lady. “Then we beef up security.”

“Fox and Steel have my vote to patch,” Viper says.

I nod. “Fox handled it with Reaper without a blink.”

“Steel is solid. A little immature, but he’s still a kid. If he wants to patch, I won’t oppose it,” Dodge says, his jaw still tight.

“Any other prospects?” Gage asks.

Dodge shakes his head. “Hawk, Gunnar, and Welch still need some more time to hang around the brothers.”

“Yeah,” Nash agrees, “same with Moose and Brick. They’re working hard in the restaurant, but they feel more like employees than brothers.”

Gage rubs a hand down his face. “Alright. Any suggestions on how we get closer to them? I agree we need new blood, but we grew up together. Some of us served together and have been friends for years.”

I tap my knuckle on the table. “The same way you want to include the families. You want family days? Add days for the club to party, and not just whoever is available after work. A designated day for all of us to hang out and get to know each other.”

“Have Judge check up on the permits in the club’s bedrooms so some of the brothers can move back in. The town council has yanked our chain long enough,” Cowen adds.

I raise my eyebrows. “It would be easier to protect everyone. Secure and lockdown the club versus a variety of buildings and homes.”

Gage considers it for a moment. “I’ll consider moving everyone back if the problem escalates. We’ve been looking to expand anyway.”

“Scruff’s kid should be getting out soon too.”

I grimace at Viper’s words. Scruff was part of the old guard before they hung up their cuts when Shaw stepped down. His kid got locked up at sixteen for murdering his teacher, and while none of us blame him for why he did it, we don’t know the kid anymore.

Gage seems to think the same because he works his jaw back and forth. “He’s welcome to prospect, but nothing is guaranteed just because he’s a legacy. He’s been in jail for nearly his whole adult life. We don’t know the man who’ll walk through the door.”

He dismisses church, telling us to hang around the club until the heat from the murder dies down. The cops haven’t said anything, and there’s no evidence to show for it, but we never know what the townspeople might report. Out of sight—and out of mind—is better.

14

MORGAN

“Why are all men trash?What’s so hard about communicating?” I groan before I take another bite of ice cream.

Quinn snickers, and I glare at the screen I have propped up.

“Babe, he did communicate. Said he’ll be busy.”

I groan. “I know that, but then he flirted with me, and then just stopped answering all together. That’s weird. You can’t tell me that’s not weird.” I point the spoon at her.

She shrugs, her face popping in and out of the screen as she folds her towels. “A little, but honestly, Morgan, you seem a little more upset than normal. Most days I’m lucky to catch you at the right time, and yet you’re waiting by the phone for him to respond?”

I frown, putting my ice cream down on the table. “You’re right. I’m being embarrassingly needy. I just want to cry over everything, and my boobs are so sensitive that they hurt.”

Quinn gasps. “Morgan, take a test right now.”

My eyes widen. “No.” It’s not possible.