Page 54 of The Riders’ Reign

“That’s why they targeted her, the fucking bastards.” Phoenix is wearing a dark expression that makes me think he’d go to bat for her almost as much as Bear would.

“We need to call Jack,” I remind them.

“Someone needs to find Saul, too, and fill him in.” Ace nods.

Phoenix glances between us three and jerks his head at Zoo. “Shall we give them some privacy?”

“Yeah, come on. Let’s go check on Jarrod then find Saul.”

They leave the room, and Ace picks up his cell. He puts it on speaker and makes the call.

23

JACK

The buzz of my cell phone jerks me from a drug-induced doze.

I’d insisted on my cell being returned to me. I'm a grown man, after all. A president of the whole MC, no less, and keeping my stuff from me was out of order. It means I've been able to amuse myself by doom scrolling and playing Tetris.

I'm longing for some action, though; I'm not a man who’s used to being forcibly lazy and doing nothing. I understand, of course, that I'm recuperating and need to let my body rest, but it doesn't make it any less irritating. I see the number on the screen and swipe to answer.

“Ace,” I say. “What God-awful things have you rescued today? No snails or slugs this time, huh?”

“No, Prez, of course not. I won't be rescuing anything else slimy.” He chuckles, but his tone is serious when he speaks next. “Listen, Jack, you're on speaker, and I've got Rook and Camile here with me. We've heard from Hector, and he insists that Camile goes with us when we make the exchange.”

“Fuck, no.” The words are out almost before Ace has finished speaking.

There is absolutely no way my Baby-girl is going to put her life in jeopardy that way. I wouldn't trust the cartel as far as I could throw them. She’ll be walking right into danger, and the very fact Hector has asked for her to be there makes me incredibly suspicious of his motives.

“We knew that would probably be your view,” Ace continues. “To be honest, we agree with you, and that was our initial reaction. But Camile wants to go.”

“Yeah, well, Camile doesn't get to decide to be a hero. She's under our protection, and I'm the leader of the club. What I say goes, and I say no.”

“Jack, just listen to me for a moment.” Camile’s voice is soft but firm.

I recognize that tone immediately and suppress a sigh of frustration. It's the same voice Vani used to deploy when she wanted me to see her as a grown-up. Her I'm being an adult and you need to listen to me and take on board everything I'm saying because I'm keeping calm and collected voice. It means Camile’s made a decision that she's determined to stick to, and one I'm not going to like.

“I'll listen, Baby-girl, but I'm not going to like it, and I don't think it's going to help me change my mind.”

She gives a soft, slightly frustrated laugh. But then she starts to speak, and I do what I promised and listen.

“Of course, I want to go because I don't want to place any more members of this club in danger. You've all done so much for me and risked your lives. Now, because of me, Ghost is being held by these people and his life is at risk. So yes, I want to go for selfless reasons, but I also want to go for me, Jack. What Ledger did was awful, and the things that happened while he was holding me haunt me. When you let me decide Ledger's fate, you gave me back some control over my life, and I will never forget that. I think that's what I need in order to heal. My entire existence has been about doing what other people tell me. Mostly men.”

There’s a long moment of silence, and I open my mouth to reply, but she hasn’t finished.

“Hector killed my father, forced my mother and brother into hiding, and his son was behind me being kidnapped. He’s the demon I need to slay.”

Well, hell, when she puts it like that.

“I need to be there, Jack. You must understand, because I'm sure you'd feel the same. If somebody did half the things to your family that have been done to mine, you'd need to be there to see the moment their life was ended. Don't be yet another man who takes away my ability to choose. I want to get your blessing to go, but at the end of the day, I’m doing this, whether you say so or not. I know where the exchange is happening. If you say no, I’ll find another way to be there.”

“Baby—” I start, but she’s still talking.

“I promise I'll hang back as far back as I'm told to, and I'll do everything I can to stay safe. But I want to look Hector in the eye before he dies.”

Goddamn it, she’s put it so perfectly in a way that she knows is going to make me want to say yes. Of course, I understand her desire to see for herself the moment that revenge is taken on Hector. But I'm not remotely convinced she'll be able to stay safe in the way she imagines.

I clear my throat. “Ace, I’m guessing you’ve spent enough time looking at those maps. Is there any way it can be done, and she can be covered the entire time?” I hope my Road Captain has a foolproof plan.