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“Just hate putting our boys in danger if it’s unnecessary. I also think we’re gonna attract attention we don’t need.” Ritz pointed out. “The Widows are already gunnin’ for us just being a rival club in the same city, and that’s without knowing what we’ve been up to. We really going to put our club out there?”
“We need to teach these fuckers a lesson,” Bull growled, his voice angry. “We go in first and do that.”
Ritz shook his head in obvious disagreement.
“You plan on finishing them?” Tank’s voice pulled my attention from Ritz to him.
I felt all eyes land on me, but I kept mine on Tank. “I’ll decide then.”
Ritz made a whistling sound. “You let them go to prison and think they won’t talk, you’re fucking crazy, brother.”
I shifted my attention back to Ritz and met his stare. “They go to prison; they won’t make it through the first night. The Widows have too many enemies they can connect to a lot of shit, and they will to save their own asses. Their enemies know that and will eliminate them before they have the chance.”
Bear’s voice caused the attention to turn from me back to him. “If they do make it, and they talk, the Widows need the message sent that we are not a club to fuck with, that we aren’t afraid to get our hands dirty if we need to, and we will protect what’s ours. If all goes as planned, the Widows as an organization will fall, but that doesn’t mean the men who believed in their ways will just go away. We go in first, teach that lesson, and then let Luke do his job.”
Ritz must’ve finally agreed with what he was hearing because he nodded and sat back, crossing his arms over his chest. I looked around the table. “Anybody else?”
“Whatever you decide, Gunn, I got your back.” Tank proclaimed.
“Appreciate it, brother.”
Bear’s eyes scanned the table. “Ritz and Pop will go in first.” They both nodded, and Bear continued. “Tank, Bull, and a few prospects will go in early, settle in the back. Viper said it’s just him and Snake coming, but he’s a fucking coward, so he won’t come without backup.” Murmurs of agreement floated through the room before Bear’s gaze landed on Race. “Race, I need you to stay back.”
He sat up. He’d been quiet, just listening, which wasn’t unusual for Race. He wasn’t one to say much until something needed said. We had that in common.
“What?”
“You’re staying back.” Bear repeated.
He narrowed his eyes. “You fucking kidding me?”
“No, I’m not,” Bear answered sternly. “I need someone back here who I trust completely to watch over Becs. I’ll make her stay here with the others, but I’m not leaving her alone. She doesn’t listen, and we all know she’ll sneak the fuck out if given the chance.”
“Probably follow us, thinking she can help,” Pop said, almost sounding proud.
Bear huffed out a breath. “Probably right, Pop.” He faced Race again. “We clear?”
Race only nodded, letting all of us know he didn’t feel his place was to be on guard duty, but he would do it, and if for no other reason, than it was for Becs. He sat back and waited while Bear went over more of the plan with the group, agreeing to tell the rest Friday morning.
After he called the meeting, I hung back as always but was surprised when Race did as well. He closed the door and stood before me and Bear.
“After Friday, I’m off babysitting duty, right?”
Bear narrowed his eyes. “You got a problem keeping an eye on my sister?”
He shook his head slowly side-to-side. “Nope, just need to get back to work. They’re swamped, asking for overtime, and I wanna take it.”
Bear studied him for a moment before he spoke. “If Friday goes as planned, and it’s safe, I can put someone else on her.”
Race nodded once and turned toward the door, but Bear stopped him. “You wanna tell me what’s really going on?”
He turned slightly. “Already did.”
Bear lowered his voice. “She needs us right now.”
“Becs doesn’t need anyone.” he muttered before turning and walking from the room.
I looked at Bear when he sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “What a fucking mess.”