Everyone’s eyes turn to me. Not all of them trust me. I get it. They shouldn’t. I used to be on the other side. My priorities have changed now. I’m starting to see the appeal of joining an MC. At least one like this one. One that does good.
Clearing my throat, I start, “I met up with someone from my former office. I was on a wire so Panther could listen and record as requested. Basically, they have been trying to figure out what happened the night we went in and cleared house. As far as they can tell, a lot of the members died, but not all of them. There are a few in the wind, while they did arrest several others. The big fish is Adlet, though. They are not giving up until they find him, so we need to watch where we step. I have gotten them to look elsewhere for now, but that doesn’t mean we are off their list for good. They will turn their attention here again, but with enough time, we can come up with a plan to keep them off our trail.”
“You think your contact was telling the truth?” Ridge asks.
I think about Sandra. She was as torn as I was about leaving Aspen to her fate. We both knew what those men would do to her. It was a fate I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Sandra is the one who gave me the tip I needed to pass along to Panther to get her out of there. She also interfered with the surveillance to give us the window we needed.
So while she is still a cop and on the wrong side of the law from me, I trust her.
“I do. She had her reasons for helping me, and as long as our mission remains aligned with hers, she will continue to help us.”
“What is her mission?” Eagle asks.
“To protect the innocent and rid the world of evil,” I tell them without hesitation.
They all nod.
“Then we should have no issues with her,” Panther says. “We need to make a plan to search for Adlet while staying off the radar of the FBI. Ridge, as road captain, I want you to arrange some charity rides in different areas. See if you can get some MCs from around to ride with us and keep our cover. That will allow us to scope some places out without the scrutiny.”
“I can ask my contact to keep us apprised of any raids they have going so we can avoid those areas. I can’t guarantee they will say yes, but it won’t hurt to ask,” I add.
“Does everyone approve?” Panther asks the club.
Everyone voices their approval with an “aye.”
“Sounds good. We have a run this weekend. I want my best men on it. I don’t trust that Adlet is lying low without a plan. He will attempt to fuck with us if he can. Eagle will manage the run. Who do you want by your side?” Panther asks.
“Meek can plan it out with Ridge and be the eye in the sky. Ridge can lead it while Talon, Yak, Trout, Prairie, and the prospect follow along.”
I’m shocked he is including me. The way he is looking at me says it’s not to be friendly. Eagle plans to keep his eye on me. I don’t mind, though. I appreciate that all of these men are protective of Aspen. It means that if something happens to me, she will be taken care of.
I don’t plan to go anywhere, but still, the thought is comforting.
“All right, we have a plan. Now let’s institute it. Report back if you find anything and get the ears on the ground. Adjourned.”
As I leave the room, I wonder if this is what it feels like to have a big family. If it is, I kind of like it.
CHAPTER
TWO
ASPEN
Standing at the stove, I drop the ramen noodles into the boiling water. Leaning against the counter, I watch my noodles cook. A few minutes later, a door slamming in the distance makes me flinch.
Will I ever stop flinching when I hear loud shit, or is this something I’m going to have to live with for the rest of my life? Hell, I used to be the one slamming doors. Maggie used to get so mad at me for doing it, but I didn’t stop because I thought it was funny.
Now I flinch when I shut the door a little too hard.
The sound of boots stomping coming toward me echoes.
“What are you making?”
Just the sound of his raspy voice makes my heart race.
“Ramen,” I say as I dump the spice packet onto the noodles.
Asher grunts. “Shouldn’t you be eating something a little bit healthier? Something that will help you put the weight back on that you lost.”
