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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

A pison, Tennessee

Three weeks later…

The residents of the tiny community of Apison had no idea they were hosting one of the most significant summits in the southeastern regions in the country and the MC world. The outcome of this meeting could have significant repercussions for the future of the clubs involved as well as the MC culture. Either the decades-long war would continue, now with the full involvement of a foreign cartel, or a lasting peace might be brokered.

The initial meeting between the two warring presidents took place behind closed doors. Blade and Josh supervised to prevent trouble. Today, the Hell Knights’ conference room was packed to the rafters. A low platform had been erected with a table in front so that the members essential to the negotiations could be seen and heard by all .

Though Josh had rented additional chairs to accommodate everyone, the space was tight. An air of expectation hung floated in the room while a murmur of masculine voices rumbled throughout.

Johnny, Isolde, Barron, and his wife, Yoanni, sat on the last row on purpose. Word had spread the newlyweds were leaving on their honeymoon trip as soon as the meeting ended. Sydney and Opal sat next to them.

“Where are you guys goin’?” Sydney whispered at Isolde, past Barron and Yoanni.

“It’s a secret,” Yoanni answered for Isolde. “Johnny hasn’t told her where they’re going yet.”

“That’s so romantic,” Opal said in a low voice.

Sydney jabbed her on the side. “Keep it quiet. We don’t want to be thrown out.”

“Okay, okay,” Opal protested. With a huff, she turned to the front.

A moment passed, and the last few stragglers took any empty seat. The crowd hushed when Josh, Blade, Deacon, and Rover stepped on the platform and sat. Behind each club president stood an Enforcer instead of a vice president, which surprised Johnny. He glanced at Barron. His friend shrugged.

Johnny knew Stew from the Knights, Colt from the Dalton chapter, and, of course, Little Billy from Garden City. He didn’t know the brother behind Rover; then he remembered the requirements Blade specified for this meeting: there would no vice presidents involved in the negotiations, especially Gunner.

As Johnny glanced into the audience, he discovered Gunner sitting on the front row next to an unfamiliar biker. Breaker and Viper sat several chairs away.

Josh tapped a small mallet on the table, and the crowd fell silent. “We called everyone to attend this meeting due to extraordinary circumstances and to bear witness to a historic agreement. As we all know, the people in the MC world are seen as a bunch of ignorant bike-riding gangsters. It is true thatoutlaw clubs exist, but most are dispersing or changing their culture. In the end, there’s more money and safety in legitimate ventures, and we all love money. Don’t we?”

Approving whoops, whistles, and applause came from the crowd. Josh held out his hands to quiet the uproar.

“We’re here to resolve a bloody feud between two important MCs. Because of the feud, people have been harmed and a vicious cartel is attempting to get a solid grip on their territory. If we allow this to continue unchecked, these alien influences will twist our culture. The MC world will change, and not for the better. Y’all know Blade Johnston, president of the Garden City Devils’ Spawn.” He gestured toward Blade. “Please.”

The crowd applauded politely.

“Several years ago, Rover—we know him today as president of the Steel Wolves—was a close friend of Warden and Deacon and an original member of the Devils’ Spawn. When the MC began their shift to legitimacy, Rover disagreed. Gunner, who was also unhappy, joined Rover, and both left the Spawn to create the Pistons.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Rover blurted out.

Blade nodded. “Correct.”

“Warden betrayed me,” Rover argued. “I almost died during the gunfight.”

“Are you sure it was Warden?” Blade asked softly.

A shiver ran down Johnny’s back. His president had something up his sleeve.

“For a fact,” Rover insisted. “Gunner swore it was true. A member of the Marauders told him.”

“I think you need to sit down and listen to this.” Blade turned to the Knights president. “Josh?”

Josh turned over his shoulder and spoke to Stew. His Enforcer nodded and left the platform. He returned moments later with a silver-haired man who wore regular street clothes, with no colors or insignia of any kind.

“This is Micah.” Josh introduced the man. “He was the Marauders Enforcer, until the club disbanded years ago. He has important information. Please, Micah, tell us what you know.”

A deadly silence impregnated the air as Micah studied the crowd. He moved to the center of the platform.

“Honestly, I don’t know how Blade found me. The Marauders disbanded after the authorities arrested our president for arms smuggling and other various crimes. Our MC was notorious for interfering in other club’s businesses and stealing their profits. Our president was despised and died in prison. I’ll skip the details because there are ladies present in the crowd. I was released five years ago and have kept my nose clean ever since.”

“And?” Josh asked.

“We planned the ambush against the Pistons thanks to a tip from their vice president, Gunner.”

It was a bomb. A deafening roar burst out from the crowd. Men stood, shaking fists at Gunner and each other. Rover lost all color as horror spread across his face. A strange expression appeared on Deacon, who remained sitting and silent. Johnny interpreted the expression to be a mix of relief and satisfaction.

“Look at your dad,” he said to Isolde.

“Vindication,” she whispered. “This clears Warden’s name.”

“Silence,” Josh shouted. “Calm down and sit the fuck down.”

“Rover, evidently, you received wrong information,” Blade said, then turned to Gunner. “Hold him and take him to the back room. Handcuffs are hanging on the wall.”

“Noo. Get the fuck off me,” Gunner shrieked, shoving at the arms grabbing him, but soon he was overpowered. As he was dragged into a room, he yelled, “It’s a lie, Rover. I didn’t do anything. I never betrayed you. You can’t do this to me. I’m the Steel Wolves vice president. I brought you the business with Los Emes!”

Silence returned to the meeting after Gunner was thrown into the room and the door closed.

“In a nutshell, this is the situation.” Josh took over. “Rover was shot, and Warden was killed in response. His wife committed suicide, and his daughter is an orphan. Through the years, Rover and Deacon have hurt each other. Most recently, Deacon turned Killer over to the feds, and Rover attacked the Dalton clubhouse attempting to kidnap Isolde and hand her over to Los Emes. Gomez nearly died and is still fighting for his life.” Sighing, Josh shook his head. “All of the above, thanks to Gunner’s poison. Personally, I believe this case warrants MC-applied justice. But that’s up to the brothers to vote on.”

Blade stood again. “But when does it end? Deacon, Rover, you’ve gone after each other, hurting the people you love because of a lie. Furthermore, Rover you’ve introduced criminal elements to destroy the Spawn. This cartel will take over the Wolves, the Spawn, and everyone else on their path. You’ll have to find a way to end it. We’ll help you, or we’ll get rid of you.”

“Deacon,” Rover said, “I truly believed Warden tried to kill me. My heart broke. I loved you guys so much. We were brothers.”

“I understand,” Deacon said. “We need to get past our tragic history. Warden’s no longer with us, but for his daughter’s sake, we need to end this. Opal lost her parents. She deserves a peaceful future.”

“She does. We can work through all our mistakes. I have a lot of sins to atone for. Will you give me a chance?” Rover extended his hand. Deacon pulled him into an embrace.

“That’s our cue to leave,” Johnny whispered to Isolde. Behind her, Sydney and Opal sobbed. “We have a plane to catch.”

“Yes, Daddy.” Wistfully, she glanced at the platform. “You did well, Dad. We’ll see you soon. ”

As if Deacon had overheard, he made eye contact with his daughter. Smiling, he nodded.

A rising half-moon glimmered on the reefed lagoon. Gentle waves lapped softly over Johnny’s and Isolde’s toes. As they sat side by side, he caressed her ankle. He loved her ruby-red nail polish.

“That’s the color I always want to see on your toenails. It’s sexy as fuck and makes me hot.”

“I still can’t believe you brought me here.”

“Why? Thousands of couples honeymoon in the Caribbean. It’s a common practice.”

“It’s so beautiful. I never thought I’d make it.”

“Now you have me,” he said, folding his arms on his raised knees. Yes, it was beautiful, all right. He was pleased with the private bungalow and its sectioned shoreline that he’d reserved. It was outfitted in a casual, beachy way with every comfort a person could want. The food was outstanding. He’d use the website again.

“Every year, until we get pregnant, we’ll plan to visit a different location.”

She smiled. “Wow, you already have me carrying.”

“I intend to fill your sweet pussy with my cum day and night until it takes.”

“The things you say.”

“I’m honest, baby. I tell you how I feel. You make me crazy.” He put her hand on his erection. “See? Hard already.”

Laughing, she squeezed him, then let him go. “Seriously. What’s going to happen with the clubs?”

He shrugged. “Hopefully, Deacon and Rover will resolve their issues and come to a peaceful agreement. Looked that way. Getting rid of the cartel won’t be easy. That’s where the Johnston Agency and Chief Weaver come in.”

“Will you be involved in the investigation?”

“If they need me, I will. I’m one of the investigators.”

“I see.” She stayed quiet for a long moment.

“Okay, don’t hold back.”

“What’s going to happen with Gunner? What does MC-applied justice mean?”

Johnny had hoped Isolde had missed Josh’s comment. It was his turn to stare at the water, searching for a good answer.

“Most MC clubs have abandoned the practice.”

Her gaze didn’t deviate. Under the moonlight, the emerald depths of her eyes seemed to shine brighter and go deeper into his mind and soul.

Finally, he spoke. “It used to be a form of vigilante justice.”

“If they applied the law, would he ever be found?”

Glancing at his folded hands, he shook his head. “No.”

“I see.”

“Your father is involved in this situation. He may want to see Gunner in jail for many years. Personally, I’m all for such a punishment. It lasts longer and it’s more painful.”

“Gunner has to pay. He’s responsible for a lot of pain.”

Her firm tone surprised him.

“And he will, baby. He will.” He should change the conversation to a nicer topic. “I hope your dad and Sydney find their way to each other.”

“You noticed?”

“Sydney, for sure. Your dad’s a little harder to read.”

“He is.” She went quiet again.

A cloud moved over the moon. Darkness fell on them; when it passed, Isolde had removed the top of her bathing suit, and she rose to her feet to push down her bottom. The moon’s light on her skin had a magical effect. She gleamed in silver .

In a sexy gesture, she lifted her hair with both hands into a knot. Keeping her hands behind her neck, she spread her legs a bit, suggesting her desire, and shimmied her shoulders. Her gorgeous breasts wiggled as she slowly took a step backward to submerge her feet into the lagoon.

“Well?” She giggled. “Are you coming with me or not? I’ve always wondered what sex underwater would feel like.”

Johnny jumped to his feet. In a second, he discarded his swim trunks, displaying his erect cock for her.

“Your wish is my command, baby girl. I’m coming for you.” Dashing forward, he picked her up in his arms, then plunged her with him into the cool waters of their private Caribbean lagoon.

THE END