Chapter 1 - Knight
The clubhouse is quiet this morning, unusual for a Saturday when most of the brothers are catching up on drinking they couldn't do during the week.
I'm wiping down the bar, keeping my hands busy like I always do. Idle hands make for idle thoughts, and my thoughts aren't places I like to visit much these days.
"Knight."
Reaper's voice cuts through the silence, and I straighten immediately. Military habits die hard. Seven years out, and I still respond to authority like I'm expecting inspection.
"Yes, sir," I answer, turning to face our president.
Reaper leans against the doorframe to his office, arms crossed over his chest. The man has an intensity about him that commands respect without him having to ask for it. His dark eyes assess me for a moment before he jerks his head toward his office.
"Got a minute?"
It's not really a question. When Reaper asks for a minute, you give him however long he needs.
"Of course."
I follow him into his office, closing the door behind me. The room smells like leather and whiskey, with a hint of gun oil. Reaper takes his seat behind the desk, and I remain standing until he gestures to the chair across from him.
"How long you been prospecting now, Knight?" he asks, leaning back.
"Seven months, three weeks, sir."
A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. "You always this precise with everything?"
"Yes, sir. Habit."
"Military precision. That's what I need right now." He leans forward, forearms on the desk. "You've been solid since day one. Always following protocol, always where you're supposed to be."
I nod once, not sure where this is going but feeling the familiar weight of expectation settling on my shoulders.
"Got a job for you. Special assignment. Club business, but also... personal."
My spine stiffens slightly. Personal usually means important. Important usually means dangerous.
"Whatever you need, sir."
"This town's been quiet since we handled the Vultures six months ago. But there's trouble brewing from outside. Feds moved someone into town. A witness."
Federal witness. That's complicated territory for an MC.
"They've set her up at that new bookstore on Main," he continues. "She's testifying against some heavy hitters. Corrupt judges, cops, politicians from the city. People with reach."
"And they think Pine Haven is safe?" I can't keep the disbelief from my voice.
"They thought wrong." Reaper's eyes harden. "Got word that someone leaked her location. The feds assigned to her protection? Two of them are on the payroll of the people she's testifying against."
My jaw clenches. Corruption. The same shit that got my brothers killed overseas. Officials making calls from comfortable chairs while men like me carried out orders that got good people killed.
"What's the mission, sir?"
"I need you to protect her. Keep her alive until the trial. We can't let those corrupt bastards touch Pine Haven." He pauses, watching my reaction. "This town is ours to protect. And what she knows... it could affect everyone here if those people get their way."
"You want me to protect a federal witness?" I clarify, making sure I understand exactly what he's asking. "From federal agents?"
"That's exactly what I'm asking." Reaper's voice is steel. "I trust you. You're methodical. Disciplined. And you haven't patched in yet, which means if this goes south, the club has plausible deniability."
