Forcing myself to be strong, I nodded even though he couldn’t see the action. “Okay. Tell me what you know.”
“They’re holding us on some bullshit charges about racketeering. RICO has had a hard-on for us for years.” He made a disgusted noise. “Don’t worry about that. Tell me how you’re feeling.”
“My stomach is churning, and I have a stress headache,” I admitted, “but I’m drinking tea and trying to rest.”
“Good. That’s what I want you to keep doing.” There was a muffled sound and then he spoke again. “Have you heard from R.J.?”
No, and that was frightening. “No,” I whispered.
“Shit. I have to go.” He sounded pissed. “I love you, my Rae. Always and forever.”
“I love you too.”
There was a click and then nothing but dial tone.
Peter tried to sound strong and brave, but I knew he was worried. Both of us knew that RICO was going to make an example out of him and the other RRMC members. He would see the maximum sentence. By the time he was paroled . . .
I couldn’t finish the thought.
It was time I used my influence and got some answers. My guys weren’t going down without a fight. Fuck RICO and their narcissistic agents.
“We’re going to get through this,” I whispered as my hand slid over my belly, gutted by the cruel twist of fate that was trying to take him away from me again. I couldn’t allow that.
Peter would never approve of what I was about to do next but there wasn’t much choice.
Mack was usually the one who handled this kind of crazy bullshit. Problem was, he was now the pres of the RRMC which meant he was taken into custody today as well. My options were limited.
Backed into a corner, there was only one thing left to do.
I had to meet with Detective Paul Sims.
Chapter 14 – Edge
“Fuck!” I cursed as the RICO agent forced me to hang up faster than needed. He was a total and complete asshole.
“You want privileges beyond the minimum, you’ll need to cooperate, Harding.”
I shuffled through the hall along behind him as he led me into a cell next to my dad, both of us alone. For now. It was part of their sadistic games. Fuck with our head. Try to make us squeal like pigs.
No fuckin’ way.
I ticked my head toward my old man as he grinned wide. Both us were thinking the same thing. These sorry fuckers weren’t getting shit on the RRMC. Whatever Intel they thought they had wouldn’t hold up. This was just a tactic. RICO was holding out for the big info. The shit that could put either us or the Outlaws behind bars for a long time and stroke their precious egos.
Kiss my ass, you righteous bastards.
Mack smirked as I was locked in my cell, my shackles and handcuffs removed. “Enjoy your call?”
“It was enlightening.”
Not true. I was beyond pissed to be pulled away from Rae when she was sick with our baby. Made me want to rip out all of these fucker’s throats and dance on their bones.
“Play it smart, son.”
Mack didn’t need to tell me shit. I grew up in the RRMC. He seemed to forget that my life had been part of this club since my birth. I breathed and lived the Riders, stood by them when Rafe almost run it into the ground, and helped my father – and I use the term loosely – bring us back from the edge of destruction. I wasn’t gonna do shit that would jeopardize the guys I knew and loved as brothers or our club.
Mack might be president, but everyone knew how great my sacrifices were. I lost the woman I loved for five long agonizing years and nearly didn’t get her back. My own mother died to save my life and give me a place with my old man. I shed blood, tears, and sweat for the Riders and there was nothing I wouldn’t do to keep our club together.
Mack had how own issues. I didn’t blame him for his past choices but the strain on our relationship had taken a toll and it was over a decade of bullshit in between. When push came to shove, he showed his true colors and his loyalty which was the only thing that earned him the right to still be wearing that patch. Pres? Sure. For now.