Page 42 of Claimed

“Ace.”

“This is my VP, Frog.”

I shake their hands and motion for them to follow me. Inside, I find Raven cuddled up on the couch with Venom. He’s telling her one of his snake stories, and I smile at her disgusted expression. Normally, I’d be livid at seeing another man touch her, but lately I’ve noticed she’s had this need to be close to someone. Whenever I’m not around, she finds one of the guys. Today, though, she also has a beer bottle in her hand. I call Ron over and tell him to show Ace and Frog to my office. I take the bottle from her fingers and pull her to a corner of the room.

“I know that guy. He’s the president from the bike show.”

“Yeah. It’s him,” I confirm.

“Is this about me?” she asks with wide eyes.

“I’ll tell you about it later. Right now, I’m more concerned about that bottle you were holding.”

She rolls her eyes in annoyance. “The big, bad biker has a problem with underage drinking?”

“I have a problem with my woman self-medicating.”

“I’m not –”

“Raven, I don’t want you drinking or smoking, especially if I’m not around.”

“Why?” she persists.

“Because if you’re drunk or high, you’re not in full control.” That got her attention. She drops her gaze to the floor. “No drinking, no smoking. Got it?”

“Yeah. I got it.”

“Good. I’m gonna go talk to these guys and I’ll be back.”

She walks back to the couch and I head to my office. I find Ace and his VP seated, drinking beers.

“Comfortable?” I ask, the sarcasm evident. Ace tosses a thumb drive on my desk as I take a seat. “What’s that?”

“Proof it wasn’t my guys,” Ace answers.

Before I even touch it, I call Tek in. Once he’s all set up, a video begins to play. I watch as a black town car pulls up in front of a courthouse. A crowd of reporters converge on the vehicle, and Ace’s men step out.

“Like I said, I sent my guys to Cali the day after the show. I’m looking to set up a Snakes charter there, so they’ve been scouting properties and prospects.”

Two men in power suits step out of the car, and Ace’s guys start clearing a path for them. Security.

“This was the day before your VP called me, so it’s the day of the attack. That’s Andreas Matteo, mafia boss based in LA. He wanted some extra security for his court appearance. Since Ram and Leather were already there, I put ‘em on the job.”

I look to Tek. He taps away on his keyboard for a few minutes then he nods, confirming the timing and authenticity of the video.

“So, it wasn’t those two. Doesn’t mean it wasn’t you or one of your guys.”

“Look, Gage.” Ace leans forward in his seat. “I’m in a good place right now. My club is doing great, I just got my woman back. I’m not looking to start trouble withanyone. If I did, I wouldn’t prey on an innocent, helpless woman. Not my style.”

“Besides, nothing happens in our club that we don’t know about,” Frog adds.

I may be wrong but looking into their eyes, I believe them. At least about them not knowing anything. Leaning back in my chair, I take a deep breath.This can’t be happening. It can’t be another dead end. I can’t fail. Not again.

“You need our help, you got it,” Ace offers. “The Snakes will do everything we can.”

I don’t know how they can help but at this point, I’ll take anything I can get. Maybe fresh eyes can give me a new perspective. I jerk my head toward Frog. “He the only one you brought with you?”

“I got a few more guys hanging around.”