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“Emily,” Sabre said. “She’s not involved in any of this, but I won’t let her be a pawn. She’ll go on lockdown, but I’m going to leave her protection to the two of you.” He nodded at Zook and then turned towards How on the other side of the table.

“Speaking of protection, do you want snipers on the roof?” Zook asked.

“Might as well. Two, swapping every four hours. If you need supplies, talk to Count.” Sabre slapped his hand against the table again. “We all know there’s more coming, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The club businesses will remain open, but keep your eyes and ears open. No one rides alone.”

Silence settled over the room. This was the beginning of war.

***

Meredith

The men had been in church for over an hour.

It had been quiet before, but the silence was deafening now.

I was sitting on the couch that faced church’s hallway.

Emily was on the end, next to me. She wasn’t involved in any of this, but she didn’t leave us to our own devices.

Aunt E was on the other side of me, and Grace held JR in her arms, taking the far end.

“We need to protect them,” I whispered, staring straight ahead.

“What are you talking about?” Grace asked.

“They’re bikers. They can’t function in normal society, but we can.

If we make connections in high places, we can protect them.

” My mind was running with the possibilities.

“I refuse to let Grizz suffer in the future for something I could prevent now. If we do this and never need to pull favors, at least we’ll have them. ”

“It wouldn’t be that hard,” Grace contemplated.

“Once the Old McMillan Place is up and running, I’ll target clients with copious amounts of money.

CEO parents who are looking to spend on their kid’s weddings.

Parties for large corporations. Money talks, especially when it’s attached to bullshit walking.

” She tightened her arms around JR until he made a noise.

“Daddy does everything for us, and we’re going to fight for our family. ”

“No, it wouldn’t,” I answered Grace before turning towards Emily.

“You can’t say no. You have two men in this game, and they are always together.

Let’s hope there never comes a time where the club needs legal help outside of your realm.

However, if you already have those connections, you won’t be scrambling on the fly. ”

“I need to speak to Cyph about my license.” Emily squeezed my hand, a small smile directed my way.

“You need to speak to Count. He establishes all the club’s businesses, and I already spoke to him about a new design firm for you.

He said he would look into it, but I haven’t heard. ” Her smile widened at my discomfort.

“If I go back to work, I can make friends within the political circuit. I’m good at working my way into those circles. It doesn’t take much.” My apprehension dissolved, knowing I could help Grizz and the club.

Aunt E groaned. “I…bridge…”

“Bridge?” I was confused.

“I…help…honey.” She squeezed my other hand, but I didn’t have a clue what was she meant.

Grace must have caught my confusion. “Auntie is the queen of climbing the social ladder. The wives broker the deals at the bridge table. I never got invited, but there were times Matt won a deal because of a dinner party.” She shuddered.

“Yeah, and look where that got us. No more taco bars.” I smirked at her.

She let a dry chuckle escape. “No matter what happens, we never tell them. They’ll just try to talk us out of it, when it’s for their own damn good. They need our help.” Grace had a determined look on her face.

The silence settled around us again as we each contemplated our new roles.

They had their brotherhood, but we had solidified our alliance, and I wondered if we should come up with a secret code name.

Shield Sorceresses? No. Biker Bitches on a Rampage?

No. Secret Agent Old Ladies? Maybe. It had potential. The Old Lady’s Alliance. Perfect.

I didn’t know how long had passed before the door to their meeting finally opened and the men stomped into the main room. Still, no one said a word.

Zook crouched next to Emily. “You alright?” he asked her.

She nodded and went to scratch underneath his beard, but he grabbed her hand and brought it up to his lips.

Placing a kiss on her knuckles, he tried to guide her from her place on the couch, but she shook her head.

A look passed between them, and then he went to stand next to her brother.

I had to give it to Emily. She was loyal and didn’t leave her spot next to me, still holding my hand.

Sabre and Grizz were the last two people to enter the main room.

There was a coffee table in front of where we were sitting, and Sabre sat on top of it, facing us.

My eyes found Grizz, but I followed Emily’s lead and didn’t go to him.

He caught my gaze and winked at me, but I doubted everything was going to be alright.

The three of us crossed our legs in the same direction, and since my aunt didn’t have the mobility, she crossed her ankles.

The movement caught the attention of every brother in the room.

Although silent, their suspicious expressions made me smile, but it only cranked up the anxiety in the room.

I had to hold in my laugh at the absurdity of it all, but I really wanted to crack a joke about synched cycles and watch their faces pale some more.

We had activated the Old Lady’s Alliance.