I nodded and started the truck.
It was great having Moses ride shotgun. He was the only one I knew who hated mindless chit-chat even more than I did. If Moses had something to say, it was worth listening to. Otherwise, he kept his fuckin’ mouth shut which gave me plenty of time to think as I drove.
I couldn’t figure out why I was having such a hard time handling Sierra’s deep involvement with the club. Most old ladies, even those married to officers, didn’t know half the shit she knew about club activity. Hell, she knew more than I did at times, and that bothered me.
But why?
I’d always loved the fact that she was smarter than me, but I felt uncomfortable whenever her knowledge included Howlers business. I never talked about the club with any woman I’d ever been with. Sure, I’d tell ’em this or that about the life, but nothing important about the club, its business, or my brothers. I’d sure as shit never tell them anything important about myself. But with Sierra, everythingwas all out in the open, and that scared the shit out of me.
She knew more about me than even I knew about myself.
Moses and I arrived back at the cabin just before six. We unloaded and secured the firepower in the vault and headed to the war room, walking in just as the meeting was starting.
“Thank you all for being here,” Sundance said as we joined the others seated around the large table. “We’ve got a lot to cover, and time is of the essence, so I’ll be brief.”
Present at the meeting were all the officers, a few road captains, Tango, and much to my surprise, Sierra. We locked eyes and I mouthed, “What the fuck?”
She smirked, motioning for me to focus on Sundance.
He was standing at the head of the table with two bikers I’d never met before, but I knew instantly who they were. And I knew who they were because the big, stupid one was eyeing my woman in a way that made me want to slam his head against a brick wall.
“This is Taxi and Tackle,” Sundance said, introducing the pair. “Taxi runs the FBI taskforce the club’s been working with. And Tackle, who rides with the Killing Jokers out of Florida, is one of his agents.”
“We’re honored to be guests in your house,” Taxi said. “And for your club’s ongoing friendship and cooperation.”
“Did we have a choice?” Stoney muttered, justloud enough for all to hear.
“As a matter of fact, we did have a fucking choice, my respectful and humble Road Captain. Thank you for asking.”
“I’m sorry, Sunny, but come the fuck on. Working forthe man? I can think of eight clubs off the top of my head that would clip every single one of us if they knew we were cooperating with law enforcement of any kind.”
“Then it’s a good thing the top of your head isn’t in charge of this club. You’re right. I could’ve told the FBI to fuck off, and we’d all be dead or under the thumb of the Beast by now. Would that have been better for you?”
“Better than working for the government? Yes. Better than snitching for the FBI? Yes.”
“I’ve never asked anyone to snitch,” Sundance snapped, pointing to the exit. “And if you don’t like the way I run this club you can hand in your patch and walk the fuck out that door right now.”
“I’m good,” Stoney said.
“Are you fucking sure? Because I thought I heard you say something about what other clubs you know would do. Maybe you want to go patch in with one of them. Huh? Go on. I’ll write you a fucking letter of recommendation.”
“I’m sorry, Prez.” Stoney raised his hands in surrender. “I was out of line. I’m good. I’m okay.”
Stoney had a hate-hate relationship with cops. Particularly considering his brother-in-law just happened to be a detective for the Denver PD.
“You sure?” Sundance asked again before turning toaddress the room. “Because I need every single person here to be one hundred fucking percent behind not only me but behind Taxi right fucking now. All of you are here for a purpose. I’ve chosen each of you and I’ve trusted you with information regarding Taxi and his team, which includes Sierra, who I know you all love like family.”
Taxi stepped forward. “My team and I have been working tirelessly, day and night, to find the head of the Beast. Now, with the help of your club, we’ve done just that.”
“You know who’s running the show?” Stoney asked.
“Not only that, but we’ve got a plan to lure her out of hiding.”
“So, itisDaphne,” Moses said.
Sundance shook his head. “Jaws.”
“The president of the Predators? I thought you saidshe.”