Page 55 of Loki’s Spellbinder (Hunters Creek Archangel’s Warriors MC #14)

“Even though they were in prison, they still worked for their club and contributed to it. It was a family, and it was something I had been lacking my whole life. And before you say I had you and your mom, you’re right, I did.

And I fucked it up. I see that now. I let how I grew up influence how I treated you and her.

If I could go back and change it, I would, son. ”

“Stop calling me son. You haven’t earned that right.

I don’t need to hear how much you appreciate them or whatever.

I want to know what this has to do with me, and you trying to get back into my life.

Either tell us, or I’m done.” Iceman turned his back on his dad and took two steps away, as if he were leaving.

“No, don’t! I’ll tell you. Your club is in a prime location, close to major cities and interstates in Tennessee.

You can run through Nashville using I-65.

And Chattanooga, located on I-24, takes you to Georgia and easily into North Carolina.

You have an East Tennessee chapter, allowing you to use I-40.

You are ideally placed to transport products to numerous states.

And I don’t doubt that you have existing routes for what you do now.

My friends would like to pay you to use your routes.

They’ll pay handsomely. And they have another offer to make.

You could get in on a very lucrative deal here in Tennessee.

“Don’t tell me that you don’t like to make money.

To have nice things and be able to take care of your old lady.

And if you have kids, you need to consider and care for them.

Children are expensive. Your club brothers undoubtedly would like the same.

I can make you rich beyond your wildest dreams. Allow me to set up the meeting between my friends and your club.

They’ll tell you about the pipeline usage and their other idea.

It’s happening, Iceman. Whether it’s your club that benefits or not is the question. ”

I noticed Iceman darted his gaze at Bull, then back to his dad.

I waited to see where they would take this.

Having an actual meeting would delay the inevitable for Nelson, but it could get us in the perfect spot to take out those slimy Brutal Rebels he was working with.

Ultimately, we either take out Attila or destroy his club so he has no one to give orders to.

As long as Braelyn was safe, that’s all I wanted.

“Let me talk to my brothers,” Iceman abruptly stated. He gestured for us to follow him. We went to a far corner of the Cellar. That way, we still had eyes on Nelson. We’d keep our voices to a murmur.

“What do you think, Bull? Do we do a meeting or just torture the information he has out of him and then make our move on them later?” Iceman asked.

“You know I want to eliminate as many as we can. Either way, this could take longer than we want. Can you and Loki stand it, if it does? He has a hit hanging over his woman. Then there’s you and your family of three women, and two posh pugs.”

Bull grinned at mentioning Blizzard and Icicle, Iceman’s dogs, inherited when he claimed Meadow and her sisters. It made us smile and chuckle. They were comical and spoiled by the whole club. The laughter eased a bit of tension in me.

“I do want this done as soon as possible and don’t want my dad or his so-called friends near my family.

Hell, I don’t want those men to know they exist, which I know is impossible.

Dad would’ve blabbed. I need this to be over, but we have to think of the whole club, not just my family or Loki’s.

” Iceman paused, then sighed. “I might as well say it. Meadow and I are having our first baby. We haven’t announced it yet, but she’s due in August. Knowing she’s pregnant adds to my desire to get this over with.

Any danger to them will put me over the edge,” Iceman confessed.

“Damn, congrats, man. I understand how you feel,” Demon said, while the rest of us nodded and whispered our congratulations. I wanted so badly to tell them about Brae.

“I know we all worry about our families and each other, but it’s worse when you’re like Iceman…

or me. Saylor is pregnant, too. She’s been waiting to get through the first trimester before we tell anyone.

She was concerned she might not be able to carry after the IED thing.

The baby is due in July,” Player announced proudly.

“Goddamn, we’re having babies coming left and right. Starting to feel like Dublin Falls around here,” Vex happily said.

There was a chorus of acknowledgement of Player becoming a father. I couldn’t hold back.

“I know that, like Iceman, I want it over and all danger removed. Though it may add a day or more to our schedule, I doubt they’ve entrusted Nelson with too much knowledge.

He knows enough to get the introduction done, and then his victims are connected to the Rebels or their associates.

We can torture him and get the basics, or let him think you’ll let him go if he gets us in with them and has the meeting ASAP.

Make it a condition or something for him to be set free.

We won’t take care of him until after we connect with his people.

I want the hit rescinded as soon as possible.

Now, the next thing I’m about to say stays between us.

No telling your old ladies or I’m dead.”

I paused to see that they were all paying attention and nodding or giving me chin lifts.

“There’s a slim chance that Braelyn might be pregnant as well.

Zara is running some tests. Brae hasn’t been well.

Her symptoms are ones you can have while pregnant, but they can indicate other health issues.

If that test comes back positive, I’m in the same boat with Iceman and Player. ”

I was given their well-wishes until Bull ended them.

“I’m so damn happy for all of you. And yes, having so many women pregnant worries me with something like this hanging over us.

However, I agree with Loki that we should get our introduction first. It’ll be easier to waltz through the door invited than sneak or storm in.

Iceman, I highly doubt your old man knows much about those pipelines and the other thing beyond the basics.

He’s a middleman, period. Can you wait?”

“Bull, guys, I’ve lived this long without my revenge. I can hold on as long as we eradicate him soon. Taking down those bastards, either in the Brutal Rebels or those associated with them, will be a big bonus. That’s the kind of rich I want,” Iceman answered.

A few remarks clarified how we were to approach it before we broke up our chat and went back to where Nelson sat. He gave his son an expectant look. Nelson appeared eager.

“Here’s the deal. You make a call and set up this face-to-face with your friends.

And I want to talk to those with some authority, not minions.

Don’t waste our time with bullshit. I’ll let you go once we’ve met, regardless of whether the deals are a go.

I’m not sure I can have a relationship with you, but that won’t ruin what you say is a lucrative deal or two.

We’re always looking for ways to make cash.

The easier, the better. And yes, we have some amazing routes set up that no one knows about.

People are fooled into believing we’re legit and make all our cash from those businesses.

They’re fools. We might not wear the one-percenter patch on our chests anymore, but we’re outlaws,” Iceman told Nelson, wearing a very smug look.

Based on the smile on Nelson’s face, he was buying it. To sell it, the rest of us were nodding, murmuring our approval, and smiling. Bull had a huge, satisfied expression on his face. Nelson was lapping it up.

“I can do that. All I need is my phone. I can let them know I’ve made contact and you’re interested.”

“Nelson, I’m Payne. I’m the club’s enforcer.

I’m not sure I trust you. I know your history.

The only reason you’re here is because of Iceman.

The call will be made with it on speaker, with a few of us in the room.

If we think you’re talking in code or you give away the fact that you’re being held by us, we’ll end the conversation.

And I’ll be the one, along with your son, to make you feel pain unlike you’ve ever felt before we end you.

Your friends won’t have time to stage a rescue if they want to. Keep that in mind,” Payne growled.

Nelson gulped as he stared at Payne. Our brother was a big man, like the rest of us, but there was an aura that surrounded him.

It was dark, and people steered clear of him.

Payne knew so many ways to inflict pain for both pleasurable and non-pleasurable reasons. One guess what kind Nelson would earn.

“I-I know who you are. I swear, I won’t tell them anything or use code. I don’t want to die. I want this to benefit my son and his family. Like I said, I want him to let me into his life. I don’t care if it’s only a tiny bit. I’ll take it.”

His words and body language were sincere unless Nelson was a grade-A actor. I was almost convinced he wanted to be back in Iceman’s life, but I wasn’t sure why.

“Well, let’s get this going. Newman, will they think it’s odd you’re calling in the middle of the night? Should we wait until morning?” Bull asked abruptly.

“I can tell him we’d been talking it over, and time got away from us. You’re very eager to hear more and don’t want to wait. He’ll be grumpy, but it’ll go away when he hears you’re willing to listen and work with us.”

And just like that, we got down to laying out the call and who would be present.

Not everyone would be there. We’d do it from church.

One more step closer to eliminating threats to more than just Braelyn.

It would close the door on Iceman’s nightmare with his dad, and we’d simultaneously clean up the MC world.