“Too damn late. When my grandfather realized that three of the largest clubs in Southern California were working with the asshole who destroyed his club it broke something in him. He had a heart attack and died within days of finding that out. He was sixty-four-years old, and I had to watch him lose the club he worked his whole life to build before he died. Do you have any idea what that was like?”
When he doesn’t answer, I continue, “And now those same bikers want to marry me to get to his legacy. So, please forgive me if I’m having trouble believing this as anything other than circling back around to finish the job.”
“I don’t want to get married either,” he says.
I blink. “You what? Are you joking with me right now? Is this some kind of prank where you agree to a meeting to talk about marriage knowing you’re not interested?”
“No, of course not. My family leveraged me into meeting with you.” He leans back in his chair. His face is contorted into an annoyed expression. “You just said something really out of pocket just now and I think we need to talk about it. I don’t know where you got the idea that we’re trying to take over Vulture’s businesses. The Sons have more businesses than we can keep up with,” he says. “We’re definitely not looking to add to our pile.”
“Then what do you get out of marrying me?” I ask, my voice sounding more accusing than I intend.
One corner of his mouth lifts into a lopsided smile and he answers, “So far, nothing but a headache.”
“Be serious, Owen. My uncle already told me that you desperately want something that he can give you. It’s something he doesn’t value but you do.”
He states flatly, “My club name is Mica. Use it. And if you must know, we want Vulture’s territory.”
“I knew it,” I yell, incensed that he’s been playing me this whole time. “My grandfather always said that Sons of Rage would come for his territory one day. And right now, you’re proving him right.”
“Somebody’s gotta take it. This isn’t a situation where we’re taking anything from your family. That territory’s standing empty. It’s just gonna start drawing corrupt clubs and petty criminals of every stripe. Nobody wants that.”
“How do I know the Sons of Rage aren’t the corrupt club full of petty criminals you’re warning me about? This could very well be letting the fox guard the henhouse.”
He shoots me a dark look. “There is no goddamn henhouse to guard. Just empty territory, close enough to cause problems for our club if no one patrols it. Look, you’re running two fairly lucrative businesses in that town. You don’t want a bunch of clubs fighting for the territory.”
“I don’t know how to help you with that. I don’t own that territory. I can say take it with my blessing and those other clubs will fight you for it. Isn’t that how MCs work?”
“No, we don’t always fight for territory. Sometimes the regional council assigns it to save us from fighting over it. We need a reason for them to give it to us. Me being married to Vulture’s granddaughter, the woman who grew up in that community, owns his property, and runs his businesses, might be enough.” He pauses. “The council respects legacy. A Sons officer married to Vulture’s blood tells them the territory is in the hands of people who have a stake in keeping it stable.”
“So this is about club politics,” I say flatly.
“You’re someone who needs to be married to get your inheritance. You also need us to protect that territory so that trucking company can keep operating smoothly. We want to expand our territory and keep supplies flowing. The last time there was war this close to our territory, it spilled over onto our club and brothers died,” he says. “This is a mutually beneficial arrangement. It’s at least worth a try. Even if the council doesn’t see fit to give us the territory, you at least get your inheritance.”
I think about my grandfather’s drivers and their families. I try to imagine what it would look like for our community if the shelves of every grocery store between here and the valley were missing the foods we’re responsible for delivering. Sure, someone would eventually step up but it would take precioustime, and in the meanwhile, it might be a hardship on the more vulnerable families that rely on the food we deliver. I need to protect my grandfather’s legacy and make sure those trucks continue doing their job.
“I still don’t trust you. I’m worried that if I go through with this, it might cause more problems in the long run.”
“I hear what you’re laying down. But there’s something you need to know before you make a final decision.”
“What’s that?”
“Your uncle has a backup plan,” he says. “If you refuse this arrangement.”
I look at him. “What backup plan? He didn’t mention a backup plan to me.”
“There’s another club president who’s expressed interest in your grandfather’s territory. His name is Darkness. He’s president of Ironbound MC.” He pauses. “They share a forty-mile border with Vulture’s territory.”
I know who Ironbound is. Everyone in my area knows about them, by reputation if nothing else. Trying not to panic, I say, “Finish your thought.”
Mica explains, “He made a good case for being assigned the territory when the council voted to give it to Viper. After everything that went down with that asshole, Darkness has a better than average chance of getting it this time around.”
He stops talking and pauses for a few seconds before continuing, more cautiously. “If that happens, you’ll either be his enemy or his wife. Your uncle will make sure you’re his wife,for your own sake. You have as much to gain by convincing the council to give the Sons the territory as I do.”
“Are you saying my uncle’s already decided to hand me to Ironbound if he’s assigned Vulture’s old territory?”
“I’m saying that if he’s smart, he has. Darkness is ruthless. He’ll see everything that belonged to Vulture as his to take, including those businesses you want to protect.”
“Tell me about Darkness,” I say. My voice comes out controlled because I’m panicking inside. If even half the things I’ve heard about Darkness are true, I don’t want to be within a hundred miles of him.
