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“Ah, so Brody finally has a chance,” Colby taunted from across the table. He was one of the guys who’d been on Silas’s crew last night.

“Pssh…like I’d ever cover up this face? Now that would be a travesty.”

“The real travesty is for the poor girl who ends up getting hitched to you,” Colby punted back.

Brody stretched out his arms and let go of a cocky grin. “Not a woman in the world who could tie all of this down.”

“Not one who’d want to, either.” As always, Phoenix delivered it droll.

“Says the guy whose actual face might as well be a stalker mask.” Brody tossed it out with a smirk.

Phoenix grunted. No surprise that he didn’t deny it.

“All right, assholes. We are in the middle of a meeting,” Silas said.

“Right, right.” Brody jolted forward like he was a private showing up for basic training, still laughing under his breath.

Silas cleared his throat. “Just a reminder for everyone to remain extra vigilant, especially outside the compound’s walls. You notice anything out of the ordinary, no matter how big or small, you come to me.”

“You know we will, Prez,” Regan rumbled.

“Good. I’ll be getting some intel on a cell in Las Vegas soon. A new job in the pipeline. Will give a full rundown during Church next week.”

That would be when all Crows were in attendance.

“An honest man’s work is never done.” Brody tossed it out light.

I grunted.

Not one of us actually knew what honest meant.

Our secrets went so dark and deep we hardly knew what the truth was.

“Anyone have anything else to add?” Silas asked.

“All clear, Prez.” Phoenix tilted up a ferocious chin.

Silas gave a clipped nod. “All right then. We’re in agreement.”

Then he growled out the words that were our pact.

Our promise.

Our oath.

“Born in chaos. Forged by iron. Sworn to vengeance.”

Everyone reached out and drummed the back of their fists against the worn tabletop, me included.

The hard chant echoed off the high walls and ceiling.

“Born in chaos. Forged by iron. Sworn to vengeance.”

Everyone stood and began to pile out. The emblem on the back of their cuts was emphasized as they stalked out the door.

Phoenix, Brody, and I stood, too, as well as Silas, though he didn’t make a move for the yawning double doors that closed off Church from the rest of the clubhouse.

Instead, he reached out and took me by the upper arm. Voice lowered so only I could hear. “Just want to check and see how you’re handling things.”