Page 4 of Stripping Keys (Devil’s Riot MC Tennessee #6)

CHAPTER THREE

MARLA

“We get this done and then we’ll go meet with Calyx,” West states, pacing the length of his hotel room.

We’d gotten to town last night, and instead of going to my grandparents, we both got rooms at the nicer of the two hotels in town.

It still wasn’t much, though it was way better than the other one.

From what I could tell from the outside of it, it was a no-tell motel type of place instead of a decent one like this hotel.

At least here we have clean sheets and don’t have to worry about bugs and whatnot.

“I doubt Calyx will be waiting until we meet him after,” I grumble from my spot in the middle of West’s bed. We’d been in here all afternoon going over everything. Planning the best course of action to handle this.

My opinion, go in and be the bitch they all know me to be and get it over with. West didn’t like the idea and figured we’d go in together, me being on my best behavior so as not to piss off the men we’ll be dealing with.

“Calyx gave the order, and you know him. If he says something, then it’s the way it’s to be.

He’ll wait. He doesn’t want others to know the extent of his operations, so he won’t show at the meeting,” West mutters as he stops his pacing and looks at me.

“Are you ready to go? We’ve got to be there in ten minutes, and we’re already going to be late. ”

“It’s better to be late than early.” I wasn’t looking forward to this meeting.

Not in the slightest. The last thing I want to do is face the club.

More or less face Keys again. Not after I humiliated myself in front of him.

Nope. Totally wasn’t looking forward to this meeting.

I already knew my brother and dad weren’t going to wait until later to have the meeting I intended for them. Meaning they’d also be at this meeting.

“Remember, don’t be a bitch, give them what they need, then we’ll get the hell out of there,” West remarks, hands on his hips.

“Whatever.” I sigh, stretch my legs, and scooch to the edge of the bed. “I’m going to get my stuff, and we’ll head out. But we’re stopping on the way there. I’m getting myself a combo from the chicken place in town. I want a sweet tea and tenders. You’re paying.”

“I always pay.” I hear West grumble as I step out of the room.

I can’t help but grin. He’ll get over it. Besides, I’ll make it up to him. He knows I will. I’ve got his back, and he’s got mine. It’s the way we’ve always been. It’s why the man, as annoying and aggravating as he is, is my best friend.

I quickly get my stuff out of my room, slip a pair of flip-flops on my feet, and grab a hoodie to throw on as well.

It’s not the best outfit to be going to a meeting like this, but it’s all about putting on the persona they least expect.

The last time I was here, I’d worn designer.

Heeled boots, skinny jeans, and sexy tops.

This time around, it’s shorts, flip-flops, and a hoodie over a tank top.

My hair was even thrown up in a messy bun on top of my head.

The only thing done up is my makeup. There’s no way I could go out without my face done.

I had to cover the dark shadows under my eyes along with the fine scar that goes along my cheek to hairline.

It wasn’t deep enough to give me a noticeable scar.

With makeup, I’m able to hide it. Without it, it’s totally noticeable.

Out of the hotel, West and I head for the non-flashy car.

It was best to drive a regular sedan rather than West’s Mustang or my Camaro.

Those cars were awesome and easy to spot.

This little Ford Focus was a car that would be looked over and not questioned.

The only downside to a car like this is that it wasn’t fast in the least bit.

If we need to get away quick-like, that’s not going to happen.

We just have to hope that if the club doesn’t want to let us go, Calyx will step in and intervene. Considering West is his godson, he might just do that, but we’ll have to see how all of this goes.

West pulls into the drive-thru of the chicken place, I never pay attention to the name of it.

I’ve always just called it this since the first time I came here.

The diner in town was another favorite, but there was no way to go there without being spotted.

It was owned by Marley’s man’s family. Griz would have gotten a call the minute I stepped inside that place.

After West orders two tender combos and two teas, he pulls around the building, shooting me a glare in the process.“These tenders better be good.”

“They’re the best,” I tell him, grinning brightly while pulling out my wallet. I joke about him paying, but I still give him money for the food.

West shoves the cash in his pocket and pulls out his card. Pays and takes the drinks, then the bag with the food. Once we’re back on the road, I situate the two boxes between us and start nibbling on the first while West navigates us down the road toward the clubhouse.

I shouldn’t be able to eat anything, but I’m a nervous eater. It’s how I handle getting through things I find stressful.

By the time we get to the clubhouse, we’re ten minutes late. Oh well. They’ll deal.

West parks the car, and the two of us get out at the same time. I take my bag with me, throwing the strap over my shoulders.

“Ready?” West asks, looking at me briefly before scanning the lot.

I do the same, spotting my dad’s truck and Marshall’s. Great. We’ll be getting this over all in one shot. Go figure. I was going to try to explain to those two separately in order to keep their questions contained.

That won’t be happening now that I know they’re here.

“Let’s just get this done,” I state, the bitch in me snapping in place.

Together we walk up to the clubhouse front doors. West stops to open the door for me, his hand going to the small of my back as he guides me inside.

We’re met by the silence of the room and the men watching both of us.

“Gentlemen,” I mutter, scanning through the crowd, seeing all of them standing there, but none of the women. “I see you didn’t allow your women to be here for this.”

Once those women find out what happened during this meeting, they’re going to be pissed not just with them, but with me. I’m sure Marley will try to track me down in order to try and punch me.

“Wanna explain the fuck this is all about, Marla?” Griz grinds out. To his left were both my brother and dad.

Dad steps forward, arms crossed, and makes his own demand. “Explain.”

West clears his throat and glances down at me. “Tough crowd, aren’t they?”

I roll my eyes and look through all of the men and focus in on Blow while moving deeper into the room.

“We’re here because we found some intel you’ll want to know.

It involves the entire club and the women.

We couldn’t take chances of this information getting into the wrong hands before you received it.

It’s why we didn’t go through normal channels. ”

“Marla here has spent the better part of two months following this up to get you what you need to know.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Dad snarls.

“What information are you talking about?” Blow demands, voice harder than I’ve ever heard it before. Granted, I’d only heard his voice a handful of times.

Straightening my shoulders, I let the bitch out to play. “It’s information I’ve spent my time getting in the bowels of the worst of the worst, that is correct. I’ve verified it before thinking of bringing it to you all.”

“What information is it you have?” Nines growls, stepping forward to stand to Blow’s right, looking just as menacing as the rest of them.

Just to Nines’s side, Keys steps forward, a dark expression consuming his features.

I glance to West, and he gives a slight nod.

Sighing, I dig in my backpack and pull out the files and the drive.

“Here.” I hold it all out to Keys. “See for yourself. You all want to act like a bunch of caveman assholes. Then you can look into it and see the truths for yourself. You don’t need me to explain it. ”

Keys reaches for the files, and as he starts to take them, I let them go. Letting him fumble to keep them all together.

Spinning on my heels, I start for the door. I stop long enough to look back at all of them. “Think what you want of me. I don’t give a damn, but know that the information in that file, it’s legit.” On that, I step outside, refusing to allow my emotions to get to me.

Three steps later, I find my arm grabbed and I’m spun around to face off with a livid Keys. Behind him were Griz, Marshall, and my dad.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Keys snarls, eyes blazing with fire. “You just waltz in here, throw a file at me, and think you’re just gonna walk the fuck away?”

“That’s exactly what I’m doing,” I snap and yank at my arm.

“I don’t fuckin’ think so.” Dipping his face down, he gets directly in mine, our noses nearly touching. “You aren’t fuckin’ goin’ anywhere. Not until we have all our answers.”

Keys lets me go, spins around, and stalks back into the clubhouse, leaving me to face the wrath of the other men standing in front of me.

West comes to stand next to me, taking my side. Good thing because I’m gonna need him.

“You two better start explaining what the fuck you two have been up to,” Dad growls harshly.

“Better yet, what the fuck are you playing at, Marla? You are all bitchy, but bring intel to help the club? Doesn’t add up.” Griz sneers.

“West, you’ve been covering for her, and now, it’s time to come clean,” Marshall says a little more patiently, though his remark is directed right at my best friend and not at me. Meaning, he’s choosing to ignore me rather than talk to me.

Great.

“How about we take this back inside?” West suggests. “We could explain over a beer or something.”

“Talk, now,” Dad snaps.

“It’s not something that either of us can talk about,” I tell him tersely. “Now, we have another meeting to get to. I’ll make sure to stop by and see Mom later.”

There’s no way I’m waiting around for any of them to ridicule me further.

None of them know me, and they don’t have the right to get mad at me for what I’ve done for them.

My life isn’t their business, and they can get over it.

I’ve jumped through plenty of hoops for them.

They can either accept me for the way I am or exit my life completely.

As for Keys, he can go to hell with his demands.