They all look toward me, waiting for the call. There’s no question about what I want to do.
“Need to treat this as what it is. Crimson Road is a disease. The only way to stop it from spreading is to take them all out.” Spotting Ripper’s smile, I scowl. “Those who want to die with their club can. Those who don’t want to throw their lives away…” A sigh leaves me. “Let them live.”
Diesel and Ripper both hate the idea. They jerk at my words, hoping for some kind of explanation.
“Meadow Falls is going to be exposed once we take out those bastards. If we leave it empty, another club will swoop in and become another problem for us in the future. We might as well take advantage and let ourselves grow.”
“You want to open another charter? In a town that corrupted?” Stacks sits back and groans. “It took years for us to clean up after Ashe got his hands on this town—”
“We’ve done it once, we can do it again.” Firmly stating the words, it silences the treasurer.
“I can promise you at least a fourth of them won’t give their lives up for that club.” Trouble shakes his head. “Half of them don’t have any options if that club doesn’t exist, so they’ll fight to survive. If you offer them something else, something better, then there’s the chance you can talk them into surrendering.”
“That leaves a fourth who will want to slit our throats the moment we appear without any room to talk.” Ripper grins, but his amusement doesn’t reach his eyes. “Are we going to ask them to join us before or after they try to kill us?”
“Those are going to be the ones you want to convince the most.” Trouble ignores Ripper’s glare. “Those upper ranks are there for a reason. Most like money, some like killing. Meet them halfway, and you might be able to convince some of them to stay. I can tell you, if they put up with Blaze’s unstable personality, you’re not going to be able to use fear on them.”
We’re going to need a few of them. I won’t be able to send too many of ours over once all this is said and done. I’m going toneed members who know the connections and have the trust to renegotiate terms with them.
“I want to meet their tech specialist. So, don’t kill them.” Making his own demand, Ghost settles back in his seat. “They can help strengthen our own security.”
Nodding my head, I agree. “Single out those who are in the upper ranks. Don’t kill them. If we can’t talk them into surrendering, and if they’re not willing to listen, then we do what we need to.”
Going through the plan, down to the details, I repeat myself to make sure everyone understands their part. The only way we’ll be able to do this is if everyone works together.
Despite some of the men disagreeing with what I want to do, they nod along with the others. Honestly, I won’t be surprised if they do what they want. Once bullets start flying, sometimes there’s only one choice, and no time to talk.
“No one is allowed to die, understand?” Looking at them all, taking in their mixed range of expressions, I reach to pick up my gavel. “Whether they’re all waiting for us at their clubhouse, or some are waiting to attack us, everyone needs to survive this. Tonight, everything changes.”
They nod, and I smack the gavel, calling an end to this meeting. With only so much time left before we take the ride to Meadow Falls, I’m one of the first on my feet.
Leaving the room, I head straight for the bar to find the woman I need to survive for.
Penelope’s sitting by herself on the opposite side of the bar. She’s faced backwards, watching the packed bar. Everyone’s sober, for a change. Everyone’s too serious. She’s keeping a smile on her lips, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. Not until she notices my approach. Then she straightens physically, her body coming to life.
After this morning, there’s been a shift between us. It’s easier to touch her without the fear of bringing back bad memories. Still, call it a bad habit, but I can’t help but be careful.
Stopping near her, my hands move on their own. Stepping a little closer, I’m within touching reach.
“Can I?” Murmuring softly, my fingers barely brush the hair clinging to her cheeks.
Her smile seems to grow, his cheeks growing rosier in color
“You can always touch me, Judge.” Whispering the words, she tilts her chin higher to meet my gaze. “How’d the meeting go?”
Cupping her face, I sigh at how soft she is against my fingers. “Don’t want to talk about the meeting.”
Leaning into my touch, her smile grows. “What do you want to do then?”
I tell her the truth. No point in hiding it now with the chance of getting taken out tonight. “I want to kiss you.”
At least one more time. Hell, I want to do so much before, but at minimum, a kiss will be enough.
Surprised by my request, her face turns instantly red. “In front of everyone?”
To be truthful, I haven’t even noticed anyone else in the room. Not with her right here. “Only if you want.”
I want to be able to kiss her whenever I want, no matter the place or time. But if she wants privacy, I can give her that, too.
