“Whose idea was it?” I wasn’t angry with them. From what I’d heard, they’d come up with a plan that would make El Sombra Roja our friend, or at least get him to leave us alone. I was furious that after the first night, they’d schemed and recruited my men without telling me. “I’ve heard enough about this plan of yours.”
“You’re a better president than that,” Op said, still staring straight ahead.
“Which is why I brought the five of you in here, before I decide what punishment to dish out.”
“Whatever it is, I’ll do it. None of them have anything to do with this.”
“Don’t disrespect me with that fucking shit. I know better.” My tone was even, hiding the fury I wanted to unleash on them. “The women are closer, closer than any of us would like to admit, but I have no problem including Emily and Aunt E in this little…get-together.” I hated to say it, but it struck the right nerve. Their backs stiffened.Good.
“I thought you were better than that. Threatening women.” Thunder shook his head, still not looking at me.
Thunder was comparing me to my father, and his disapproval stung. My father would never have targeted the women, but this was the only thing I could think of to get them talking. “I will protect this club, even if that means getting them involved,” I bit out.
“Not so fucking friendly,” How muttered.
“Was it you?” I asked him.
“Does it even fucking matter?” He was the first brother who turned to look at me at the head of the table. “No one here debates that you’re a good president. We wouldn’t stay if you were shit. We were tired of talking when we needed to act.”
“So, why the secrecy?” Everyone heard the steel slicing through my tone.
“You know why,” Thunder answered. “Even if she wasn’t my wife, she’s a member of your immediate family. No one wanted to tell you the club isn’t acting quickly enough.”
I clicked my tongue against the roof of my mouth. “What gave you the fucking idea to act behind my back?” I roared.
“This,” Thunder said, leaning back in his chair as he watched me. “This is exactly why. The night of the fire, Liz and I sat in the main room, and these brothers were afraid to approach us. The games are going to get worse until we completely shut Alex down. She’s the only one who can, and she knows it.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to avoid the headache that was rapidly building. “What’s the plan? I’m coming with.”
“No.” Thunder didn’t mean for it to, but his voice echoed around the room. His tone sent a chill up my spine, as if he’d resigned to taking a back seat on whatever this mission was. “She’s my wife, and I won’t do anything to put her in jeopardy.” He closed his eyes, leaning his head back against his chair. “I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to her. I know she’s strong enough to do this on her own.” He lowered his head, resigned. “If I go, I’m a distraction.” His eyes opened, focusing on mine. “If you go, you’ll go as president when this is a family matter.”
“I fucking hate this.” I ran a hand over my face.
“I do too, but I have to put trust in my brothers because that’s the club you’ve built. If it works, punish us later.”
***
Elizabeth
I twirled in the mirror, checking the fit of the dress I’d borrowed from Emily. It was black satin. The straps came up from the bodice, lying over my shoulders before criss-crossing in the back. I’d left my brace off for the night. I wasn’t wearing heels, and the dress hugged the lines of my hips. My hair was in a loose knot, and I’d thrown light makeup on.
I reached for the tube of red lipstick, letting the color brighten my lips. Red, the color of war. It was the armor I would need to get through the night. After the meeting, Emily had made a few phone calls, booking out a fine dining restaurant. She’d told them it was for an anniversary party, and they’d been willing to go along with her specifications. I was grateful Emily had taken on the task for the Alliance. My nieces would have demanded to be there, and I couldn’t let them be.
I nodded to the woman in the mirror, not bothering to say anything as I flipped off the light switch to the ensuite, stepping into the bedroom. Thunder sat on the edge of our bed, staring at me, but he didn’t move, not saying anything.
I leaned against the threshold, taking the pressure off my hip. I should have said something to make this better, but I didn’t have the words. We both knew this was the next logical step, and he wouldn’t be there—next to me.
He’d wanted to, but Op, with Dead’s agreement, had told him it wasn’t a wise idea. I needed to do this alone, and while they’d convinced him, I’d heard he threatened them to within an inch of their lives if this went sideways. They took the ramblings of an old man in stride.
“I’m sorry.” I’d been saying that a lot, especially to him.
“Stop. This isn’t on you.”
I should have run to him, standing between his legs as I threw my arms around his neck. Instead, I stood still. “I…uh—“ I coughed. “I fixed… my will.”
“They promised me nothing would happen to you.” His eyes blazed, burning a hole in my heart.
“In case.” I walked over to the closet, opening the door to step inside. I’d called my family attorney, asking for specific changes to my will, and they’d overnighted the paperwork. Grabbing the manila folder I’d hidden in the top drawer of the dresser, I stepped back into the bedroom, holding it out to Thunder. “Burk…hardt.”
