“Now.”His hand dropped to take mine, fingers interlacing.“Let’s go show Beast exactly who he’s fighting for.”
* * *
Samson
I guided Callie across the compound, my hand at the small of her back as thunder rumbled in the distance.Dark clouds gathered on the horizon, promising a summer storm ready to drench everything within minutes.Fitting weather for what we were walking into.Brothers nodded as we passed, their eyes lingering longer than usual, assessing, acknowledging.They’d seen the patrols, heard the rumors.The tension hung thick in the air, palpable as the approaching storm.
Viking stood outside the clubhouse, eyes constantly scanning the perimeter even as he acknowledged us with a slight nod.“They’re waiting.”He opened the heavy wooden door.
I felt Callie tense beside me, her spine straightening as if preparing for battle.The fire I’d seen in the cabin hadn’t dimmed -- if anything, it burned brighter now as she stepped into the heart of the club’s operation.My hand moved from her back to her shoulder, a gesture both protective and steadying.
“Stay close,” I murmured as we entered.“Let me speak first.”
She nodded once, sharp and determined, as we moved through the dim hallway toward the war room.The scents of gun oil and leather permeated the air, mixing with stale coffee and cigarette smoke -- the familiar smells of club business.Two Prospects guarded the door, stepping aside without a word as we approached.
Inside, Beast and Ranger stood on opposite sides of the scarred oak table, their expressions grave as they studied maps spread across the surface.Wire sat hunched over a laptop in the corner, fingers flying across keys with practiced precision.The overhead light cast harsh shadows across stern faces, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Beast looked up as we entered, his gaze shifting between Callie and me before settling on her with unexpected intensity.“You ready for this?”he asked her directly, bypassing me entirely.
“Yes,” Callie answered without hesitation, her voice steady despite the tension radiating from her body.
Ranger’s face creased with something resembling approval as Beast gestured for us to approach the table.
“Wire.”Beast nodded.
Wire cleared his throat, turning his laptop toward us.“Davis filed for emergency guardianship yesterday morning.Claims Callie is mentally unstable and being held against her will by a ‘dangerous criminal organization.’”His disgust at the phrase was evident.“Hearing’s set for next week, but he’s pushing for a temporary order before then.Judge Harrison’s considering it.”
“Harrison’s on Davis’ payroll?”I asked, already knowing the answer.
“Golf buddies,” Wire confirmed.“But we’ve got something working there too.”
Beast slid a folder across the table toward me.“Our lawyer filed these countermotions this morning.Affidavits from Dr.Latimer about Callie’s injuries when she arrived.Medical assessment confirming she’s of sound mind.Motion to dismiss based on lack of standing -- Davis has no legal relationship to justify guardianship.”
I flipped through the pages, legal language jumping out in fragments.Temporary restraining order.Harassment allegations.Evidence of abuse.The club had moved fast, leveraging every legal resource at our disposal.
“Good start.”I passed the folder to Callie.Her fingers trembled slightly as she took it, but her face remained composed as she scanned the contents.
“Not enough.”She looked up at Beast.“These legal maneuvers buy time, but they won’t stop him.”
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to her.Even Wire stopped typing, his attention fully captured by the quiet authority in her voice.
“I need to tell you what you’re really dealing with,” she continued, setting the folder down and stepping forward.“Robert Davis isn’t just some obsessed man.He’s systematic.Calculating.”
The overhead light cast her face in harsh relief as she placed her palms flat on the table, leaning forward slightly.“He started with small things.Showing up at my workplace with lunch I didn’t ask for.Calling to ‘check in’ when I was five minutes late coming home.Always so concerned, so caring, so there.”Her voice took on a bitter edge.“Then it got worse.He had copies made of my keys, installed a security system he called a gift and monitored from his phone, even put trackers on my car.”
Beast met Ranger’s eyes, a silent exchange I couldn’t quite read.
“When I went to the sheriff’s office,” Callie continued, “Deputy Harper smiled and said I should be flattered by the chief’s attention.When I tried to leave town, Davis had every exit watched.Bus station.Highway.Side roads.”Her fingers curled against the tabletop.“He doesn’t want me safe -- he wants me controlled.Owned.”
The war room remained silent as her words hung in the air.Even the thunder outside seemed to pause, as if nature itself was listening to her testimony.
Beast studied her for a long moment before his gaze shifted to me, something like respect flickering in his eyes.Then he nodded once, decision made.
“The Reckless Kings stand behind Samson’s claim,” he declared.“Davis crossed a line bringing law enforcement to our gates.”
“Wire’s tracking Davis’ movements,” Beast continued, pointing to a map with several locations circled in red.“He’s been meeting with state police, county sheriff, even reached out to ATF according to our sources.”
“Building a case against the club,” Ranger added, his voice gravelly with disgust.“Using his search for Callie as justification to bring heat on all of us.”
