Page 16 of The Biker’s Second Chance (Chrome Creed MC #2)

WHO’S THE BOSS?

SPIKE

I haven't had one second to myself since we got back to the clubhouse from Jayne's apartment.

The crazy part about it is Jayne isn't the one up under me. It's the rest of the club.

I don't know what the hell is going on, but for some reason they are all coming to me to figure out what the next steps are. To figure out where they are going to be needed.

How the hell am I supposed to know?

I don't do shit like this. It's one of the main reasons I tend to stay out of the thick shit when it comes to problems with the club.

Leo identifies a threat, tells us we need to deal with it, and then I take my place in the line and do what needs to be done.

But today, for some reason, instead of me just being one of the top soldiers, I've become the goddamn general and I didn't even know I was getting a promotion.

"Spike, based on the intel, do you think we need to be looking into our connects overseas?

It's been a while since we had any real contact with them, but I'm sure if one of us reached out, they'd do what they needed to do.

I don't know, it's just an option." Creek stares at me, waiting for what I can only assume is the okay.

How the hell am I supposed to give him the okay? That's not my job.

"Uh, that's good... just give me a few minutes." I sidestep around him, not wanting to dismiss what he's saying but knowing I need my president to make all these final decisions.

"Spike, did you pick who is going to be rolling with you to this party? Do we need to pull out the big guns or are we doing this stealth-like?" Lash asks, and my mind goes blank.

"Shit, man, I didn't even think that far ahead. I don't know." I answer truthfully, and his mouth goes slack.

I'm just as surprised as he is. Usually, by this point, we've all got a clear plan on how to move forward.

It just isn't happening. And I know why.

Leo is in the back room, with his feet kicked up, listening to his woman talk about ways to make the club better, aesthetically.

The more I think about it, the more pissed I get. I know he said if anything went sideways with what we are about to do I would be the first one to be in trouble, but I never thought he'd intentionally try to fuck me over.

I know better than to make any assumptions.

Usually, I would never try to interrupt the quality time between Leo and Nisa, but I can't wait until later to figure out what is going on with him. This shit is happening right now.

I knock on his door lightly, trying to stay as polite as possible.

"What?" Leo bristles. I can hear his annoyance through the door.

"It's Spike. Can I get a minute?"

A few seconds and a few grumbles later, the door opens and Leo is standing there with a rather peaceful look on his face. At least he's not mad. I think.

"What's up?" he asks, and I take a step back. Before I accuse him of purposefully throwing the game, I know it's best if I put some distance between us.

"That's what I want to know. You said you were on board with us getting rid of this Xavier prick and helping out Jayne, but you've fucking vanished." It comes out harsher than I expected.

His jaw clenches, and I see the muscle on the side of his face jump for a second.

"Why do I need to be on top of you for you to take care of business? You're my VP, are you not?"

"Yeah, but..." I don't really have a good response to that. This just isn't how we do things here.

Leo sighs and walks by me in the direction of the church. He waves me along, and I follow behind him.

We get inside, and I instinctively go straight to my seat. As does Leo.

I'm silent, waiting for him to ream me out or whatever it is he's about to do. I'm in uncharted territory right now.

What I get from him is not what I expect.

"Spike, do you understand the significance of the chair you are sitting in?"

I look at the chair, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Yes, it says I'm your right hand, the VP. An important part of the brotherhood."

"Yeah, but it also says you're next in line." He smirks at me, but I still don't get what he's getting at.

He continues, and I sit back, trying to soak up his wisdom.

"Look, I'm not saying it's going to happen anytime soon.

I'm still healthy and still have a hunger to lead this club.

But there may come a day when I don't. When I'm not seeing straight.

When I'm conflicted. Whatever the fuck the case is.

I need to know that the very second I can't do my duty to this club, you will be able to.

I may not be here when it's your time to take over.

I'll never question your loyalty to this club, but I still need to know that you're the right man for the job. "

My mouth drops open. This is a fucking test? "So you're going to leave me hanging out to dry on this? Really?"

"No, I'm not. You'll have all the same resources that I have. Nothing changes. Nothing except who is in the lead. This is your chance not only to prove to yourself but to the rest of the brothers that when it's your time to take my seat, you've got this shit handled."

I shake my head and look down. Of course, I always knew there was a possibility that I would have to take over Chrome Creed, but it was a very small, speck of a chance. I always figured if Leo went down, I'd go down right beside him.

"And what if I fuck it up?" I ask him.

"Then you fix the fuck up. That's what being the man in charge means."

I sit there for a long while, just trying to process exactly what is happening.

"You really think I'm ready for this?" I look up to Leo, my best friend, the one I always turn to for advice.

"Spike, I wouldn't be as calm as I am if I had any doubts.

I've got your back, as do the rest of the brothers here.

They would follow you into the flames of hell.

All you got to do is trust that shit." He stands from his seat, knocks on the table, and says, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go listen to why we need a porch swing.

" He rolls his eyes, and I can't help but laugh.

That's the most domestic shit I've ever heard in my life.

I stay in the church for a few minutes, finally understanding what's going on, and Leo is right.

I can do this. I'm ready for this.

It makes me feel good that Leo trusts me enough to put me in this position. I know other presidents who would never let go of the power that comes along with being the leader.

Now that I know what's going on, it's easier for me to come up with a plan on my own. And if I'm honest, it's a bit freeing. I don't have to run back to Leo with every decision or get his okay on what I'm doing.

He wants me to act like the president, and that's exactly what I'm going to do.

When I get out of church, I open the doors and see that both Lash and Tella are waiting for me. Right now, they are all on edge, trying to figure out what the next steps are. Something that I should be doing.

"Alright, let's get this shit mapped out," I say out loud, and see the relief wash over their bodies.

Within seconds, I have a crowd around me as I give out the assignments and tell them all what is going on with Xavier and the Burning Souls.

There's not one of them who isn't disgusted and completely on board with what I'm saying.

I give out the assignments and turn to go back to my room, completely confident in the direction we are going.

This is going to work.