Kevlar stood sentinel by the door, his arms folded across his chest. Opposite him, Stryker—another officer and a big, intimidating motherfucker—mirrored Kevlar’s stance, both of them radiating lethal energy as though they were guarding the entrance to hell itself.
Wizard, Flint, Ash, and Ace were seated around the large conference table, faces taut with careful control. Echo lounged in one of the overstuffed chairs in the corner seating area, while Havoc occupied the couch, appearing deceptively at ease. But there was no mistaking the subtle tension lining their frames, the deadly calm of warriors ready to move at a moment’s notice. Or the fact that when I walked in the room, every officer in the MC was in attendance.
King moved to sit behind his desk, his expression unreadable as he studied me. “Take a seat, Cross.”
I hesitated, my instincts screaming at me to remain standing and alert. King’s eyes hardened. “That wasn’t a request.”
My jaw tightened, but I lowered myself slowly into one of the chairs across from King’s desk, my posture rigid and muscles coiled. The air crackled with intensity as silence descended on the room, everyone waiting for King to break it.
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to remain controlled.
“Got a phone call this morning,” he began, his gaze locked on mine. “From Division Nine’s president himself.”
Every muscle in my body tightened, heat flaring beneath my skin as King paused, letting his words sink in. Division Nine had been hovering at the edges of our business long enough—an unknown, unpredictable threat. Now they’d finally decided to step forward, and the only thing running through my mind was Isa and Hannah. Protectiveness for them surged. If thoseassholes thought they could threaten my girls, they had another thing coming.
Blaze’s arms crossed over his chest, his expression dark as King continued, “He was playing the respectful card, but I could hear the edge. Wanted a face-to-face.”
My fists clenched, knuckles whitening. Before I could respond, Blaze raised his hand, cutting me off sharply. “Already told him. Their prez—goes by Prime—could meet with King here. Alone. Nobody else from his club.”
My blood ran cold, a deadly calm settling over me like a familiar, lethal cloak. I knew this mood—it was the one I slipped into when punishment was required. When lives were at stake and mercy wasn’t an option.
My jaw tightened, and the air around me seemed to drop several degrees as I processed Blaze’s words. Meeting on our turf meant we controlled the situation. Completely. But the idea of the president of Division Nine stepping onto our property made every territorial instinct in my body roar to life.
King’s voice cut through the silence. “Cross. Get yourself in check. We need information. This meeting’s our chance to find out what the fuck is going on, and we won’t get that if you kill him on sight. You understand?”
I met my prez’s stare, my pulse thundering in my ears as I forced myself to draw in a steadying breath. King’s eyes were narrowed slightly, reading me carefully. He was one of the few people who could see past the brutal exterior I’d perfected, the merciless enforcer whose fists and gun had delivered judgment without remorse. He also knew that I was the club’s captain because I had the ability to read people and situations instantly and accurately.
It was my right to be there, considering this whole thing centered around my family and me. But I respected the trust hewas placing in me to handle this without losing control. That didn’t mean I had to like it.
“Yeah,” I muttered finally, my voice rough and edged with restrained fury. “I get it.”
King nodded once, satisfied, then glanced at Blaze, who looked at his phone before meeting my gaze. “They’ll be here in five. Sent someone to pick him up in town, so he won’t know shit about our location.”
A cold smile tugged at my lips, satisfaction mixing with the raw tension coiling through me. Our clubhouse was notoriously difficult to find, since its location was known only to locals and trusted friends of the club. Bringing the Division Nine asshole here, blind and completely at our mercy, was a small victory. But it didn’t make me any less eager to put my hands around his fucking throat.
King stood abruptly, his chair scraping roughly against the hardwood floor as he moved to his desk, signaling the shift in mood.
“Cross.” His tone left no room for discussion. “Stand behind me. Stay quiet and observe. Your job is to read him, gauge the situation, and keep your shit in check.”
I rose slowly, my movements tightly controlled. I crossed to King’s side, the hard set of my jaw reflecting the ruthless calm settling over me. I knew exactly why King had insisted I bring Hannah and Isa here this morning—so they’d be safe and nearby but out of sight. Protected by our brothers and our walls, well out of reach of these motherfuckers. It was strategic, calculated, and exactly how I’d have played it myself.
As I positioned myself just behind King, my body tense and ready, Blaze moved silently to stand by the wall, the dangerous quiet in his stance matching my own. The rest of my brothers settled into place, their expressions unreadable, but I could feeltheir readiness and absolute resolve to handle whatever shit Division Nine brought through the door.
My fists relaxed slightly as I took in the scene—my brothers standing with me, united and lethal. Whatever happened next, we’d handle it together, swiftly and without mercy if necessary.
I lifted my chin, my eyes narrowing on the office door, my pulse a controlled, steady thrum. Now, all we had to do was wait.
Only a minute passed before Prime swaggered through the door, his boots heavy against the hardwood floor, an arrogant smirk firmly in place. He radiated confidence—misplaced confidence if he thought for one second the information he carried would shield him from the danger he’d just walked into.
Cerberus snapped back into full guard-dog mode. He rose slowly from where he’d been sitting beside Blaze, the low, menacing growl that rumbled from his chest cutting through the room. Cerberus’s intense eyes tracked Prime’s every step, suspicion and aggression clear in their dark depths. King muttered a quiet, firm command, and Cerberus instantly stopped growling, though he remained tense and vigilant, his stare never wavering.
Prime paused, clearly thrown off by the dog’s reaction, his posture stiffening slightly. But his gaze quickly landed on me, and a flicker of shock crossed his face before morphing swiftly into smug arrogance.
“Griffin Reid,” he greeted me nastily, drawing out my name like it left a bitter taste on his tongue. “Couldn't believe it when I heard you were a Hounds of Hellfire patch. Didn’t think a club like this would let a motherfucker like you in.”
He paused, clearly looking for a reaction from me. I met his stare with deliberate calm, giving away nothing even as ice flooded my veins.
“Had a feeling your prez didn’t know about your other activities.” Prime shook his head in mock disappointment, histone dripping with fake sincerity as he turned his attention to King. “Gotta say, King, your club’s got quite the reputation. Clean hands, no drug bullshit.” The small glint of unease behind his eyes betrayed that he knew exactly how dangerous it was to provoke our club. “Hated bringing you the news that one of your guys went rogue.” He smirked again, the corner of his mouth curling cruelly despite his attempts to hide it. “But figured you’d want to know.”
