Page 37 of His Flawed Ride (Sons of Lost Souls MC #16)

Chapter Thirty-Five

Leo

I wonder if most of the crap hung on the office walls have been here since my grandfather made it his office, the desk certainly has been.

“How’s Harper doing?” I ask JJ as he sits across from me.

“She’s too quiet. Keeps telling me she’s fine and not to worry but sure as shit, that’s all I fuckin’ do.”

“Can I still rely on you to deal with the Hog assholes?”

“Like you need to fuckin’ ask.”

“The club has always acted on the defense,” I murmur more to myself.

“Only cause previous presidents choices to lead that way. You’ve always said you’d act in your own way. You’ve already brought the club farther than your dad what with the deal with the Haywards. If you want to go in a certain direction, make the call.”

“My gut is telling me the defense is no longer viable for the club. We can’t afford to appear weak with Hopper. It’s not how I want to be known. I don’t wanna lose another brother cause we’re fighting to get the upper hand.”

JJ leans forward in his chair, reaching for his smokes on the desk.

“Tell us what we need to do then.”

A plan comes to mind but before I can answer, someone knocks at the door.

“Yeah?”

Shane pops his head in. “Just letting you know I passed six Hog fuckers hanging around near the hospital.”

JJ looks from Shane to me. “Now why would they still be close by?”

I feel like rolling my eyes at his sarcasm.

“I’m gonna put it to the brothers that we ride and attack. Do I have your votes?”

They both nod. Looking to Shane, I order, “Spread the word I want everyone in the back room, and then I want you both riding out and locating where they are now.”

Shane leaves and I stand. “Once we know where they are, I don’t give a shit if there are witnesses, we need a show of force. Hopper thinks he knows who I am, I want to prove him wrong.”

“Got it.”

JJ splits for the bar door and I head into the back room. I take my seat and watch as brothers begin to walk in.

I have a pretty good idea who will be up for my plan and who won’t. But hopefully it’s my lucky day and no one is against. Once everyone is seated, I slam the gavel down and all eyes are on me.

“Shane saw Hog motherfuckers on his way back from the hospital. I’ve sent him and JJ to locate them. I’ve called you in to cast your vote.”

“What for, Leo?” Dad inquires.

“Once found, no matter if it’s in public, my plan is to attack…”

“You have my vote,” Slade cuts in, quickly chased by Zach’s, “Aye.”

I nod and tell them all, “I already have JJ and Shane’s votes. They’re in favor.”

Not one nay hits the room until I get to Dad. Drumming his fingers on the table, I give him a few seconds to speak before I urge him to. I don’t have all the time in the world and the fucker knows it.

“What’s ya problem with it?”

“Attacking in public goes against what we do, unless it’s in a life-or-death situation. Purposefully choosing to go after them in broad daylight seems reckless.”

“That’s what I’m hoping,” I counter. “Tell me what’s really on ya mind.”

He exhales and says, “I personally think your judgement is clouded. Attacking in public is not only reckless but it could bring attention none of us want, attention that not even the sheriff can ignore.”

It’s what I expected but not coming from my father. I sigh.

“We don’t live in times where we can fight in the dark or out of sight anymore. If we continue to try, our enemies will pick us off one by one. We need to attack.”

“I hear what ya saying, son, but…”

“But nothing. Cast your vote, it’s either a yes or no.”

Dad narrows his eyes and his jaw tenses. “Yeah?” is all he says.

“You passed down the gavel, trusting I’d make the right calls. This is the right call. I know what I’m doing.”

His silence drags. He eventually nods and murmurs, “Aye.”

“Be ready to ride in ten.” I slam the gavel down and stand.

Brothers push out of their chairs and the back room empties.

“What the fuck was that?” I ask, holding dad back by his arm.

“I don’t think you’re making the right choice.”

“Then why vote in favor?”

“You remember when you were little, me and your mom raised you letting you make your own mistakes so you could learn the real world. Unless it could put you in danger, we didn’t intervene.”

“What’s your point?”

“I voted for it and fuck me, I hope you’re right, but if you’re not, this is me letting you make your own mistakes, because one day, choices like the ones you’re making, they’re gonna blow up in your face and it’s only yourself you have to live with.”

“You really think it’s that bad of a plan? You couldn’t wait till after the meeting to talk to me.”

“Son, this club is my life. It kept me alive and gave me your mother, and in turn, you and Luca, and Harper. I now have grandkids. Fuckin’ grandkids, Leo.

Never thought I’d live long enough to see that day.

I passed the gavel down to you, I didn’t give ya my tongue.

When I think you’re moving wrong, I’m gonna voice it. ”

He walks off and it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. This is the right direction the club needs to go in. I head for my office, making sure the volume on my phone is on loud. Tossing it on the desk, I make sure my guns are ready to go as soon as the call comes in.

My phone rings and since it won’t be JJ yet, I glance over to see who it is.

Luca.

Hitting answer, I put it on speaker.

“Hey.”

“I’m calling to let you know that I’m going to war with a chapter of the Hades Hogs Motorcycle Club.”

I snort. “Thanks for asking permission, brother.”

“That was me asking.”

“Really, cause it sounded like you were just letting me know your plans. But as it stands, we’re on the same page.” I fill him in on my plan and for once, we’re together.

“It’s about time, but I’m not surprised Dad wasn’t happy about it.”

“I was half expecting it if I’m honest, but it doesn’t matter now. He voted in favor so there’s no going back.”

“Do you need me to come help or do you reckon you’ll be okay?”

I hear the laughter in his tone and point my gun at the phone.

“Stay where you are, little brother. You handle your city, and I’ll handle my shit here.”

His laughter fills the line but it’s not friendly. Always mocking with him.

“Well, if you find yourself in need of my expertise, call.” More laughter and it’s starting to weird me out. This is the most laughter I’ve heard from him, ever. “And brother, prove Dad wrong. He’ll be waiting for it.”

“I intend to.”

The call cuts out and I grab the phone and head out. Brothers are preparing to get the call, and I make my way home.

“Babe, come quickly,” Holly squeals as I step into the house. “Listen,” she orders as Rayna makes funny noises over her brother lying on his playmat.

His laughter has both Holly and Rayna beaming with happiness, and I grin. This is the shit I need after dealing with club business.

Rayna continues to make him laugh and when he becomes tired, she gets bored and tells us she’s going over to Sebastian’s.

Holly busies herself preparing a bottle and I pick my son up and settle down on the couch.

“He’s getting so big now,” I murmur, holding him up so his little feet rest on my thighs.

“He should be, he always wants feeding.”

She sits beside me and passes me the bottle after I’ve repositioned him in the crook my arm.

While he gurgles on his milk, I tell Holly, “I’m waiting on a call from JJ then I’m heading out. I won’t be back till late.”

“Be careful.”

“Always am.”

Roman slaps at my cut as he drinks. This is what I did with my dad. I’ve seen the photos mom took.

Did he wonder what I’d be like one day, if my future would be the club? All the thoughts I have with my son. Will he one day be worthy for me to pass the gavel down to him? Will I question his decisions like dad did to me today?

“He’s looking more like you every day,” Holly murmurs softly as Roman’s eyes start to droop.

“Since I’m a good-looking fucker, then I’ll say he’s a lucky boy.”

She laughs quietly and rests her head on my shoulder.

“I love these small moments.”

Kissing the top of her head, I say, “I do too.”

Once Roman’s fed and has been put down in his crib for a nap, I get on with the odd jobs Holly has been on at me to do to keep myself busy waiting on Jay to call. I told the brothers ten minutes, at least they’ll be good to go when I finally give the nod.

Dad meets my eye as I straddle my bike. I hear what he’s saying though his mouth is shut.

His eyes bore into my back as we ride and don’t let up once. This needs to go well for many reasons but mainly to show my dad that my choices as president are right.

JJ and Shane join the formation, and we ride on to the bar. We’re not affiliated with this drinking hole, and I have no concerns about the carnage we’re about to inflict.

Parking side by side along the street, we block in their motorcycles and without wasting a second, we draw our guns, and I lead my club.

It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness, but it takes the Hogs longer to realise it’s us who has walked in.

Anyone who doesn’t belong to a motorcycle club scatters, either for the back exit or to find cover.

I let off the first shot and the brothers come up beside me and nothing, but gun shots can be heard.

Two Hog bodies hit the floor, and the rest take cover behind the pool table. Lost Souls split off and I use the small table as cover and I let off the rest of my clip. The adrenaline pumping through me spurs me on and I start to feel like my old self.

The me before India was killed.

This was definitely the right decision.