Page 32 of Next Level (Royal Bastards MC: Oakland Chapter #1)

THE FUTURE

O fficer Wilkerson asks, “You sure about this?”

I’m standing in a room looking through a one-sided mirror into an adjoining room, and I see Jared Thompson sitting there, looking lost.

“Yeah, I need to talk to him alone,” I say, moving toward the door that leads to the other room.

“Okay, I’ll be here listening,” the officer says.

I retort, “You always are.”

The officer and I have been chatting back and forth for a few weeks. I needed to see Jared in person before I made my final decision.

The club and I went over all the information, and we decided to give the kid a chance. But at the end of the day, it was my decision, and they would back me in whatever I wanted to do. So here I am.

Entering the room, Jared looks up and sees it’s me. Not appearing too shocked since they told him I was meeting with them today, but he does look scared when he says, “Mr. Amato.”

I pull out the chair opposite him. Once I’m seated, I say, “Jared, do you know why I’m here? I know they told you I was coming, but did they tell you why?”

Jared shakes his head. “No, sir.”

“Well, I want to discuss some stuff with you, and depending on whether you’re honest with me, it will determine how your future will be.”

Jared doesn’t say anything, just nods his head.

“Okay, I want to talk about Sammie.”

Jared nods his head again.

“Okay, first things first, was there any talk about killing Samantha or getting rid of her?”

Jared’s body tenses.

“I need you to be completely honest with me.”

“Garrett said she was more of a problem and we needed to take care of her, but I flipped out and said no. I told him I would run away with her before anyone would touch her.”

“Okay, at any time during your chatting online and taking my daughter, did you have any ill intent to hurt her?”

Jared replies immediately, “No, never.”

“If given the chance, would you do anything you could to make up for what you’ve done?”

Jared sat up straighter. “Yes, I would.”

“Even if it meant you could never be with Samantha again?”

When he doesn’t say anything, I continue, “See, Jared, I’m willing to get your time cut in half, even welcome you into our brotherhood, our family of Bastards, if you give up my kid.”

Jared sits there staring at me. I give him time to think about it.

“You mean become a Royal Bastard like you?”

“Yes, after talking with Sam and looking over your files, I think you’ve been dealt a shitty hand. Sammie believes in you and said that all you’ve ever wanted was a family.”

Jared looks down at his folded hands.

“So, you’d be welcomed into our family for life.

You’d never be alone again. I’d help you get through this legal stuff, and once you’re released, you can come live with us at the compound and become a prospect.

If you do the work and keep your head clean, you can have a great life with brothers who would never leave your side.

“All this if I forget my feelings for your daughter,” Jared says, looking torn.

“Yes, obviously you’ll see her when she’s at the compound, but I forbid you to be with her other than as friends.”

Jared tilts his head, evaluating me. “What about George and Garrett?”

“They won’t be a problem. I’ll keep them from hurting you ever again.”

“Why would you do this for me? I took your daughter. Why help me?”

“Because I feel you’re a victim in all of this shit as well as Samantha. Bastards help those in need, and I think you’re a good kid. You, in your own way, helped protect my kid, and I’d like to help you in return. My only rule is that Samantha is off limits.”

“What do I say to her? How do I tell her I don’t feel the same way anymore when she’ll see I do?”

“Well, spend the time you have in jail figuring that out, but she can never know we had this meeting or that I gave you this stipulation. This is between you and me. You end it with her and become a Bastard for life.”

Jared stares at me for a few seconds. “I’ll try, sir. I know I don’t deserve her. She’s perfect in every way. I just don’t think I can lie to her, but I’ll stay away from her and keep my distance. I’ll refuse all communication with her, but I won’t stop loving or protecting her, sir.”

“Well, kid, that’s a start. We have a long road ahead of us, but that’s a start. Keep your head down. Do the time until I see you in court.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Call me Level,” I say, standing up.

“Okay, thank you, Level,” Jared says, sounding more hopeful than when I first walked in.

When I shut the door behind me, Officer Wilkerson is still standing there, watching Jared. “So, did you get what you needed?”

“Yeah.”

“And?”

“He really does love my daughter. I’m going to try to get the prosecutor to drop some of the charges against him. Our lawyer will be defending him, saying he was coerced into doing it and was afraid for her life if he didn’t stay with her. He’ll do time, but hopefully not much.”

“You’ll let him be with your daughter?”

“Fuck no. I’m going to fight that till the day I die. No man is good enough for my baby girl.” I declare.

Officer Wilkerson throws his head back and laughs. “You’re crazy.”

“Yes, that I am.”

“Do you see a future for the kid?” Wilkerson asks.

“As a Royal Bastard, I do. He’ll make a great brother. He’s loyal.” I grab the other door leading us out of the rooms. “Now I need to go meet with my attorney before catching my flight home.”

“Like you weren’t even here.”

“Exactly.”