Page 144 of Dirty Salvation

“The way to your man's heart is not with a candy bar, niñita." – Capone

"Maybe we should move her somewhere else, Prez."

The suggestion came from a calm spoken Snake. Like he knew he was stepping on a Rider shaped landmine.

Rider's expression changed. His tan faded down to white, making his blue eyes pop to a darker shade. Not because he was pissed from all the looks his men were giving him letting him know that they shared Snake's idea. But he'd been having the same thoughts, too, he was just reluctant to put it into action. Zara was finally in a good place and he didn't want to fuck that up by terrifying her further placing her in an unknown location for god knows how long.

Couldn't …wouldn’tdo it just yet.

But then if he risked her safety ... fuck.

Rock meet hard place. Love was fucking up his logic.

And as the President he knew what he should do, the buck stopped right at his door. Twofold since they all knew if Hades had any kinda inkling she was here, and they were placing money he did now, then she was a glaring target not only for herself but for everyone else.

Club first.

Club fucking first.

Rider reached out a hand dragging his untouched glass of scotch across the hardwood table, downing it in one agitated gulp, feeling the burn, not caring if it rotted his oesophagus off.

It had always been the club first, from day one of his leadership, always.

Why then was he willing to risk everything for his Zara, to say fuck it, and take her somewhere and leave the club to deal with Hades. Only Rider wouldn't do that, not really, even if it flitted through his mind, he had more loyalty and morals than that and wouldn't run from anything. The day he did the outsider-pussies could have his gavel

Fuck it.

His long fingers tapped the table.

Each of his men waiting on his answer. All ten pair of eyes around the table watching him.Waiting.

These men, brothers he'd trust with his life, at his back, in front of him, at his side. He'd meticulously picked each one of them to be members of the Colorado chapter, a part of his most valued crew, he'd patched them in knowing they'd give their all and best for the Renegade Souls.

And they had. They'd do whatever he said, he knew that. He was just finding it fucking hard to decide anything when his woman's safety was out of his hands. Or so it felt while Hades was still drawing breath. All their problems would go away magically with just one death.

Because he wasn't saying a damn word, he heard Preacher clear his throat and ask.

"Are we absolutely sure we don't have a mole, someone who would have blabbed to that cocksucker what was going on within our walls?"

All at once the noise level amped up. Every man having his say.

Rider whistled for them all to calm their shit down.

After a minute the noise leveled out.

"That's bullshit. We know everyone through those doors, Preach. Besides the fact who would be dumb enough to go up against us that way, it's their own death warrant, to eat and shit and fuck where we do and to sell us out?" Snake shook his head.

Rider had to weigh up every eventuality. Tiny wasdead. He had been a big fucker, not easy to get the jump on, and yet he was killed and dropped on Rider's door.HADsomeone else been a helping hand in that? told Hades where and when? It would need considering until he was certain, he kept it on the table. He didn't have the answers, and it was burning his gut. Or maybe that was just the scotch, either way, he poured a second and downed half.

"I'm not sending Zara away.Yet. She feels safe here. Can’t do that to her. But she’ll go if I ask her, if and when. Let’s get that put in place just in case." He could easily send her to spend time with his sister and mom, even if his father would be there as well, plus Rider always kept a few safe houses with his other chapters, getting her somewhere wasn't the problem, talking her into it would be.

"As for a mole." Every man's eyes were on his and it was times like this Rider felt the pressure to do right, to say right and to decide right.

Club came first.

Club came first.

Always.