Page 20 of Burning Ember

It’s true. We’ve suspected for a while now that the Greenbacks, another MC we’ve been longtime allies with, are going to double cross us. Maybe even try to infiltrate our club. They’ve been waiting for word on whether or not we’ll allow them to establish a chapter in Albuquerque. The problem is they’re not simply looking to open a chapter here. They want to take over the gun, pussy, and drug business in New Mexico and push their merchandise into Texas, and other neighboring states. They don’t want just to control the southwest. That’s not enough for them anymore. They want to own the Midwest too.

However, letting them set up a chapter here means they’d be muling their shit straight through our territory, not to mention stirring up a turf war with the Thirteen Devils who currently hold a monopoly on all of those businesses. And our support of the GBs moving into New Mexico would make our truce with the 13 Ds null and void.

We could be starting a war either way we vote.

For years, because of their long-standing friendship, Pappy and Smoke, the president and VP of the Greenbacks, have respected Cap, our president’s, decision to stay in our own respective territories unless we’re paying a friendly visit. But times are changing. The Greenbacks are growing, multiplying and spreading like cockroaches. And now, with Cap somewhat out of the picture, everyone’s feeling antsy.

The new president of the HOCs is going to have a lot of sway when it comes to what side of the fence we land on. No doubt, the GBs will want to know who that’s going to be, and what their take is on letting them into New Mexico.

GBs could press the issue and force our hand. But, they also don’t want to start a war with their strongest allies, and the people who clean their dirty money. Not unless they have to. Plus if shit ever goes south with their supplier, the Escarrá Cartel, they’re going to need us covering their backs since their Irish ties to the motherland aren’t what they used to be.

As far as I’m concerned though, our values differ. Our visions of the future do too. We’re not saints. We’re restless sinners with a bit of a conscience. But we know what’s important. Our brotherhood, our families, and our freedom. It’s that simple. Why complicate it by allowing the Greenbacks into our borders?

And who the fuck wants to invite cockroaches into their house? Allowing them to come here is like saying, “Yeah. Go ahead. Move in. Hey, and while you’re at it, why don’t you dump all of your garbage on my doorstep.”

I don’t give a shit how much green they throw our way; it’s not worth the fucking misery they’re going to bring with them. And what the hell would I do with piles of money? The same I do with it now. Nothing. But I’ll fall in line with the vote and back whatever the club decides either way.

I’m torn away from my thoughts as Dozer leans over my desk. Practically gets in my face. Touches my design and thrusts it aside.Motherfucker. I see fire engine red and no, not from the girl’s hair this time. I face him and ball my fists.

“She’s for Edge. That’s why Lil’ brought her in. Alister’s already checked her out and put her on birth control. She’s clean and hasn’t ever been touched.”

Hasn’t ever been touched.

Those words float around inside my mind. It takes me a minute to understand their meaning. Which is what? She’s a virgin?

Unclaimed in every way?

I seek her out again. Try to find the truth in her eyes, but Dozer keeps talking and blocks her from me. Something about that bothers the hell out of me.

A virgin.

Fuck. My dick thickens at the thought, and I fight it.

Then his other words register. She’ll cook, clean, and earn her way around here. Wait . . . did he just say she’s for Edge?What the fuck?

“Me and Goose will watch her. You won’t have to worry about her. And after the party, if the boys want to make it official, then she can take Bird’s place.” But I’m still struggling to leash my arousal, and hold back the demon inside me who wants to beat his face in.

I can’t fucking focus on what it all means just yet. And I’m trying to understand why I care she’s never had sex, and why it pisses me off that if Dozer has his way, she’ll be having sex with one of my brothers in a few short days.

Get fucked by every brother in the clubhouse after that if she becomes a clubpiece.

My grip on my pencil becomes fatal, breaks and falls to the floor.

I stand. Some sort of animal is rising inside me and taking over my limbs. I’m a heartbeat away from letting it at Dozer.

God . . . What am I doing?

I internally shake myself.

She can’t stay.

For all I know, she’s been sent by the GBs or the feds, though we’ve done pretty good to stay off the FBI’s radar the last few years. Either way, she’s a problem I don’t need right now.

Dozer looks over his shoulder and speaks to Goose. “Take her out and get her a drink or something while we settle this, yeah?”

Goose tugs her out of the room. Our eyes meet. Mine with the girl’s. Her face is beautiful and her eyes are so tired. They’re pleading for help I simply can’t give. Not now. Maybe not ever.

All I have left now is the club. And I’m sorry, but I won’t give another broken girl the opportunity to poison what’s left of me and what matters in my life.