“Who said anything about not having a plan? We’ll have a fucking plan—a plan to hit them where it hurts and take the whole fucking lot of them down!”
“And we will,” Finn confirmed. “But there’s no sensein hurrying. We’ll get them. We need to be logical—”
“Don’t fuckin’ lecture me. I’m in charge, and I’ll be the one deciding what we do and when we do it. I’m the one giving orders, and don’t you forget it!”
“Yes. You’re right. Sorry.” As much as it grated, Finn knew he had to calm Rocky somehow, and bowing down to him seemed the best way. There was no point in aggravating him further, and inhis current hyped-up, doped-up state, it didn’t appear to take much to set him off. “How about you take it easy in here for a moment? I’ll go find Stack and bring him back so you can fill him in and tell him what you want done.”
Rocky stopped pacing and his shoulders slumped. “’Kay.”
“All right, hang here, and I’ll be back as soon as I can. Maybe you can rustle up Lucky on the phone and findout where he is, bring him in so he can tell us what he knows face-to-face?”
Rocky grunted and fumbled for his phone, Finn grateful he didn’t realize he was following directions. Once he was positive Rocky wasn’t going anywhere, Finn hurried from the office. It didn’t take long to find Stack. He was out the back having a cigarette with Mitch, the two of them leaning against the back fence.
Finn’s heart sped up when Mitch met his eyes, but he tamped down the automatic smile and focused on Stack.
“Stack. There’s been a development. Rocky needs you in the office. Now.”
Stack, man of few words that he was, didn’t ask any questions, just ground out his cigarette with the sole of his boot and headed toward the building. Mitch spoke once he was out of earshot.
“Hey,” Mitch said in alow voice. “Are you okay? You look upset.”
“Hey.” This time Finn couldn’t keep the smile from his voice as he echoed Mitch’s greeting. He loved knowing Mitch was concerned and able to read him that well. “Shit’s going down with Rocky. Something about one of the guys being killed, and Rocky’s sure the Brutes are responsible.”
Mitch raised his brows. “Yeah?”
“Russell something. Rabbit. I nevermet him, but Rocky’s spitting chips and wants retaliation.”
Mitch looked slightly taken aback for a second, and then his gaze darkened. “What’s he going to do?”
“I’m not sure. He wants to do something quickly, but I’ve convinced him he needs to talk to Stack first. There’s no point doing anything without a plan. If they rush in like a bull at a gate, they won’t get the best outcome.”
“You wantthem to plan a retaliation, get back at the Brutes?”
Finn nodded. Therehadto be plan. Without a plan, there’d be no chance of stopping anything. He needed to know what was happening in advance so he could intervene, not let them storm off. “Of course I want a plan. Without a plan of attack, they’ll just be putting themselves and the rest of the Soldiers in danger. There’ll be an all-out war.”God, even the thought made him feel sick to the stomach.
Mitch’s face clouded over again. “Well, I guess we’d best get in there, then, so you can get involved. Don’t want to miss all the fun.”
Mitch moved to step past him, but Finn halted him. “Wait.”
“What?” Mitch snapped.
Finn didn’t have time to deal with whatever was going on with Mitch. It was obvious from his attitude and demeanor hewas pissed off. But Mitch was right—they needed to get into that office so Finn could guide some of the discussion or at least know what Rocky and Stack were thinking of doing. He’d have to talk to Mitch later, but now he wanted to make sure he and Mitch were on the same page.As much as that is possible.
“Rocky’s not in control. He’s definitely using, and not in a small way. He’s aggressiveand paranoid, and at times he sounds confused. I’m frightened that he’ll do something really stupid. We need to try to mold him into our way of doing things.”
“And what’s that? What’sourway? You’ve got an idea of how to handle the situation?”
Finn ran a hand through his hair. “No. I wish I did. I just want to delay any action. You’ll help me, right? Whatever Rocky has in mind, we’ll make sureit doesn’t happen immediately.” Finn’s mind filled with jumbled ideas. “Maybe if we arrange a meeting, but thenIcan talk to the Brutes.”
“Why would you do that? And it’s not as if Rocky would even let you play a part in any discussions.”
“I don’t know.” Finn sighed. “I’m thinking on the fly here. But if Rocky gets face-to-face with the Brutes and delivers ultimatums, then things will definitelygo downhill fast. He can hardly rein in his temper at the best of times.”
“And you think you’d do a better job?”
“Fuck! Anyone could do a better job at running this club. Listen, are you going to help me or not?”
“Yeah. I’ll help.”
Finn put a hand on Mitch’s arm. He could feel the heat beneath his palm and wished he could wrap his whole body around him. Strange as it was, Finn wanted to comfortMitch even amongst the shit fest of club business. “I know you feel a loyalty to the club and to Rocky and want to earn your badge. I understand how hard it is for you to not follow Rocky’s orders to a T, but I’m not asking you to go against him, just delay any meeting until he has time to calm down. Just until I have time to talk to him and make sure any discussion or negotiation is a reasonableone. I only want to limit the fallout, not take over the leadership.”
Mitch held his gaze.Damn, I wish I knew what he’s thinking.Slowly he nodded. “Okay.” Finn let out his breath in relief.
Together they made their way side by side back to the building.
The knowledge they were going to talk to Rocky and Stack about an attack on the Brutes sat like a heavy weight in Finn’s chest.
As did theknowledge that Mitch was a loyal club member who’d go along with whatever idiocy Rocky dreamed up.
