Ethan sits next to me at the table. Everyone is quiet while Ethan makes himself comfortable. “Never thought I would see this fucking day,” Ethan breaks the tension with a joking tone.
Everyone smirks, and Zero sits forward with his fists on the table. “This isn’t easy for us either, lieutenant.” Zero isn’t as light-hearted as my brother.
“Sticking to formalities, hey? I’d pull that stick out of your ass, Zero, if you need help.”
Zero clicks his tongue to the roof of his mouth, sitting back in his chair, his hands resting on the back of his head. “There’s a cop… in my chapel… you think I don’t have a reason to be a little… tense?”
Ethan chuckles. “Technically, there are two cops in your chapel, but you didn’t seem to have a problem with one of them.”
“Okay, enough. I’m not a cop anymore, and this pissing contest is fucking pointless. While you’re here, Ethan, your badge stays at the front gate.”
Zero widens his eyes, obviously liking what I’m saying, but Ethan scoffs. “As if you guys didn’t already know that. Why do you think I’m here? To search for shit on you? C’mon… I know you know I am straight down the line, and I’ve been coming hard for you… a lot, but right now my family is here, and while they’re here, I want them safe. They’re all that matter to me. Fuck the damn rules. That’s why I’m gonna be in shit with Hammond when I get back because this makes me look bad. Not you bastards… so put your cock away, Zero, I’m not here to fight.”
Zero’s tight shoulders relax. “Right! What do you know about all this shit with the Baron and Damir?”
Ethan lets out a long breath. “From what I could gather in the reports coming out of the station, the security footage in prison has them both being visited by a correctional officer with a package. They both change into guard uniforms, then walk straight out. They had swipe passes, everything they needed. They’re still trying to verify who the officer or officers were who helped them and why.”
“The problem with having the Baron and Damir in the same jail is they will have conspired against us. They have a common enemy in the club. I’m not sure what their plan is, but I do know it’s coming,” Zero grumbles.
Neon types something into his keyboard, gaining our attention. “From what I can tell, there’s been no chatter from the Triglav Clan about a return from Damir, and there’s nothing in the Baron’s financials to say he’s accessing them.”
Zero sits back in his chair, threading his fingers together in a fist. “I had a call last night, a tip if you will from a reliable source… I’ve been given a deadline.”
Everyone in the room shifts uncomfortably. “What do you mean, a deadline?” I ask.
“I was told we have five days. The Baron and Damir are attacking the club in five days.”
Wraith scoffs as we all stare at our president in disbelief. “So, what the hell are we gonna do about that piece of information? And who the fuck is giving you this so-called credible information?”
Zero sighs. “Who is not important. What matters is, we have a deadline, and that works in our favor. While the Baron and Damir are rallying their damn troops, we can get the women and children out of the clubhouse and somewhere safe. Once that’s done, we arm up and get shit in place to fight these bastards. We have the upper hand.”
My muscles relax a little as I sink into my chair. “We stay and fight?”
Zero nods. “Exactly. We have to protect our families first. I feel the best way… no, the only way to do that is to get them the hell out of here.”
“When do they leave?” Neon asks.
“We’ll get them all heading to safe houses around the country tonight. I have to get them all lined up. Call in a few favors which I am doing now. I have calls in everywhere.”
“Want me to cook up a lunchtime feast to keep the spirits up?” Fox asks.
“Good idea. We’ll get everyone in the cookout area before we’re all separated.”
Houston Defiance has never seen a plan like this. Splitting the members and disbanding them across the country is unheard of. I just hope like fuck it’s the right move because while we’re here fighting a war, no one is going to be out there protecting them.
With the knowledge that the women and children will be leaving in a matter of a couple of hours, the mood is low. Everyone is trying to remain upbeat, but we all know what’s at stake here. We all know that this could be the last time all of us are together, and that any one of us might not make it through the impending war that’s being laid at our feet.
Finley’s chatting with Texas over by the grill. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them talk to each other before. She’s getting to know all the brothers at the club, and that’s good because she’s fitting in.
Jovie’s sitting on my lap as we assemble around the fire pit. She snuggles into me. She’s extra affectionate this evening. I could seriously get used to this as Neon and Slick chat among themselves.
“Yeah, Dan’s getting grouchy with Elway. Their rivalry is fucking intense, man,” Slick advises as he relaxes back into the seat, bringing his beer to his lips.
“Is it just because they’re rivals that they hate each other so much, or is there something else there?” Neon asks the question we all want to know the answer to about the drag racing rivals.
“Honestly, brother, I have no fucking clue. Dan talks to me about a lot of shit, but this rivalry, he keeps close to his chest. Sometimes I start to wonder if it’s all for show, you know… for the fans? But then I see them alone together, and it’s real, the hatred is there. So much so it’s fucking palpable.”
Jovie sits a little taller listening in. “You work out at the drag strip, right, Slick?” Jovie asks, trying to get a handle on this conversation.
“Yeah, I’m the crew chief for Dan Ferguson, Top Fuel.”
“Shit, I think I’ve heard of him. I used to watch it sometimes when I was working back in San Antonio. It was playing on the TV in the bar. His name would be on the screen all the time,” Jovie states.
Slick snorts. “Yeah, he knows it, too, the cocky shithead.”
“He’s good, though, right. Wins a lot?”
“Yeah… he does. Has a damn good team behind him, even if I do say so myself.”
“I’d love to watch you guys in action one day.”
“We’ll have to get everyone out to the track soon,” Kevlar offers.
“This is a great idea. I know Cherry really wants to go, ever since Zero told her about it,” Neon adds.
“The team is coming into Houston in the next few weeks. I’ll tee it up with Dan to get everyone passes. It can be a club outing.”
Jovie’s lips turn up so fucking wide, I wonder if her cheeks are going to split. “I’m so excited. Thank you, Slick.”
“Not a hassle. I love it when the guys come to the track. Makes me appear more hardcore.”
We all chuckle as Bub walks over handing Jovie another drink. “I’ve never seen my grandbabies as happy as they are since your arrival, Jovie. I sure am glad you showed up, just in the nick of time.”