by K. L. Ramsey
“Fine,” Savage agreed. “You get the guys here tonight and we can come up with a plan and put it to a vote.” He knew he was lying, he just hoped like hell Ryder didn’t because this would give him just enough time to get out of the bar and make the meeting with Dante—alone. It was time to put an end to this and get his family back, one way or the other.
_______
Savage pulled up to the designated meeting that Dante set up and didn’t miss the bikes that lined the back of the bar. He knew that he might be walking into a set-up but what choice did he really have? It was time for him to figure out what to do about his MC’s rival.
He parked his bike and cut the engine. Savage wished he would have demanded the meeting be on neutral ground, but Dante insisted they meet at his bar and he needed to keep things quiet, or Ryder would have caught onto his plan to sneak off before the vote.
As soon as he got into the bar Savage spotted Dante. He was sitting in the corner of the bar, a woman on either side of him and when he saw Savage, he quietly dismissed both women. Dante threw back his head and laughed at the way the tall blonde pouted at him, swatting her ass and pulling her onto his lap. The blonde wrapped her arms around Dante’s shoulders, running her hands through his long, dark hair and Savage felt like an intruder, watching the two of them together. Dante kissed her and then helped her to stand, slapping her ass one last time before sending her on her way.
Dante waved Savage over. “Sorry about that,” he said. “My girls get a little bent out of shape when I cut our time short. They are both a little clingy.” Savage wanted to tell Dante his women seemed to be a little more than simply clingy but he decided against it.
“Sit,” Dante ordered. Savage looked around the bar to make sure that no surprises were waiting for him. “Don’t worry,” he insisted. “I’m a man of my word—mostly. I said we would be meeting one-on-one and I meant it.”
Savage didn’t trust Dante as far as he could throw him but he’d come this far, he might as well hear him out. Savage had nothing left to lose, so he slid into the booth across from Dante and waited him out.
“Why am I here?” Savage questioned. “I have a bar of my own to get back to.”
“Okay—I like to get right to business too, so I’ll make this easy for both of us. I know who’s been sending you messages and I’m afraid it’s a small rogue group of a few of my guys.” Savage had already guessed that the Dragons were involved in the threatening notes and slashed tires. Why Dante would simply admit it, seemed strange to him.
“That’s convenient,” Savage accused.
“Sorry?” Dante asked, playing dumb.
“Well, you just happen to know who’s been going after my club members and family and you’re just what—giving me a friendly heads-up?” Savage asked. He and Dante had never been friends so him coming to Savage now with information that could help him, didn’t add up. In fact, it made him downright suspicious.
Dante shrugged, “Believe what you want, Savage,” he offered. “I don’t want any more trouble between our clubs and if my guys keep going, that is exactly what we will have—and a fucking lot of it, too.” That was one thing they could both agree on—Savage didn’t want any trouble either. Not now that his life was finally coming together. Dallas, Bowie and the girls were so important to him and he’d do just about anything to keep them all safe.
“Let’s say I believe you, Dante,” Savage offered. “What do you want to happen from our little meeting here?” he asked.
“Peace,” Dante insisted. “I want peace, for both of our clubs.”
“Tell me why I should believe you,” Savage growled. “We’ve been at this for so long now, why would you suddenly want to broker peace between our two clubs?”
Dante sighed and looked at the two blondes who sat over at the bar, watching them. “You see the tall blonde?” he asked. “She’s pregnant with my kid and I guess I’m done with all the bullshit. No more silly feuds between us, man. I want my kid to grow up and not have to worry about being without his father. I grew up without my old man around and I can tell you, it wasn’t a picnic. I want better for my kid, you know?” Savage knew exactly what Dante was talking about. He felt the same way about his two girls. He’d do whatever it took to make sure Chloe and Greer grew up with him in their lives.
“I get it,” Savage admitted. “I have two girls and thinking about them growing up without me, guts me. How can we make sure our kids get to keep us around?”
“My club’s VP took off with about ten guys. They think I’ve gone soft and they’ve vowed to start their own club. They want revenge and at first, I didn’t try to stand in their way.” Dante waved over his bartender and the guy brought them over two beers. “I think if we pull our resources, I can help make this right. I’ll own my part of the blame in all this, but neither of us will be able to fight them alone. They’re out for blood—both yours and mine.”
“Do you have any intel on what they plan to do next?” Savage asked.
“Where is your family?” Dante questioned. Savage didn’t make any move to answer the guy’s question. Dante chuckled. “I get it, man. You don’t have to trust me, but if you’ve sent them away, you might be interested in knowing that my ex-club members are headed to Texas.” Savage gasped, knowing that he was giving away his hand, but he didn’t care. If Dante’s rogue members were headed to Texas, they knew he sent his family there. He was willing to bet that they knew exactly where to find Bowie, Dallas, and his girls and he needed to head them off before they were able to hurt his family.
“Fuck,” Savage spat. “They know where to find them?” Dante nodded.
“I wasn’t sure that they were on the right track until you just confirmed it. I have a man on the inside of the dissenters and he’s messaged me that they are headed to some small town in rural Texas. He worried that they were going after my mother since she still lives in Texas, but she’s in Houston. Sounds like they found your family. You have safeguards in place?” It wasn’t really Dante’s business, but Savage was done hiding. Not just from his friends and club members, but from the world. He didn’t give a shit if Dante judged him for what he was about to tell him.
“My boyfriend is in the military and he’s got our woman and my kids covered.” Dante didn’t even flinch at his mention of having a boyfriend.
“Your club know?” Dante asked.
“Yep,” Savage admitted.
“They good with it?” Dante questioned.
“Yep,” Savage said.
“Good for you, man,” Dante said. “Life’s too short to have regrets. Being with two women doesn’t even get you noticed in our world anymore. But, two guys? That can get you killed, especially down in these parts. Just watch your back.”
“Always,” Savage breathed. He stood and nodded across the bar at the three guys who had been watching their whole conversation. “Thanks for the beer and the warning, Dante,” Savage said. He held out his hand, “We good?” Dante looked Savage’s offered hand over and stood, taking it into his own.
“Yeah, we’re good,” he promised. “As soon as I hear back from my mole, I’ll be in touch. I’m sending my guys after them tonight. I didn’t start this feud; that was my predecessor. Hell, I don’t even know why the feud between our two clubs even exists, but it ends here and now—got it?” Savage didn’t trust Dante. He knew that playing along with their peace treaty might be the only way he could get the information he needed to track down the rogue Dragons. He would use any help Dante was willing to give him, but he wasn’t lying when he said he was going to watch his back. Savage had a feeling the president of the Dragons would stab him in the back as soon as he had the opening. He’d just make sure not to give the guy that chance.
“Agreed,” Savage said.
“I’ll work with you to stop them, but after that, we stay out of each other’s ways, right?” Dante added.
“Sure,” Savage shrugged. He didn’t know if working with Dante was a good idea or not, but what choi
ce did he have? Right now, the rival president was holding all the cards and if he had first-hand knowledge about Savage’s family’s safety, he had no choice but to agree to everything Dante wanted.
“I’ll be in touch,” Dante promised and Savage nodded, turning to leave the bar. The club members watched him leave and he got an eerie feeling that no amount of distance he was about to put between him and Dante’s club was going to be enough. It was time to get his guys involved and head to Texas. Savage needed to concentrate on one problem at a time. Keeping his family out of harm’s way was his top priority. Once he knew that Bowie, Dallas, and his girls were safe, he’d deal with whatever Dante was planning. Savage didn’t buy the whole, “Let’s be friends,” routine Dante was trying to sell him. He might need Savage now to bring in his club’s unruly rebels, but sooner or later the Dragons would be up to their old tricks again—truce or no truce. Savage knew to always watch his six and his little meeting with Dante wouldn’t change that.
_______
“What the fuck were you thinking?” Ryder barked his question at Savage and he stood to tower over his friend. He knew the guy was right, but there was no way he was going to let any of his guys talk to him that way.
“I was fucking thinking that my family is in danger and that I’m the president of this fucking club,” Savage growled back. “I won’t be told how to handle my club’s business and I don’t back down from a challenge issued from a rival gang. Make no mistake about it, Ryder—Dante’s invitation was just that, a challenge. He wanted to see what I was made of and showing up with you all as back-up would have told him I’m a pussy. I’m not a fucking pussy, Ryder.” His friend backed down, even holding up his hands as if in surrender.
“I know you’re not a pussy, man,” Ryder said, taking it down a notch. “But, you walked into that bar not knowing that Dante wanted to call a truce. What if he had wanted to gut you and send us your body back as a warning. You know what he’s capable of, Savage. Don’t tell me you honestly believe that fucker wants peace,” Ryder said.
“Not for a fucking minute,” Savage agreed. “But telling him that wouldn’t save my family. I let him believe I was on board and he’s going to give me intel on where his rogue members are. We bring down his little lost faction and then we worry about Dante’s false promises. That’s the way this is going to work,” Savage shouted, looking around the room at his guys. “Anyone not okay with that can leave now,” he said. Savage paused, letting his words take on their full effect. He meant it too; he wouldn’t drag any of his members into his fight. This was personal and he wouldn’t demand their help, but that didn’t stop him from hoping like hell they’d give it. He looked around at each and every one of their faces and saw the same, determined expressions staring back at him. He had his answer—they were in.
“Thanks, guys,” he almost whispered. “You never let me down. I just hope you all will be able to say the same about me when this is all over.”
“We’re behind you one hundred and fifty percent,” Ryder promised, slapping him on the back. “Now it’s your turn to let us all in. You can’t ask for our help and then take off on us again. If we are all in this, you can’t go off and play the lone wolf again.” Savage nodded. He knew Ryder was right, but he’d been on his own for so long, Savage wasn’t sure he knew how to accept help. He was usually the one giving help, not taking it.
“Fine,” he grumbled. Ryder chuckled and he shot him a look.
“I never thought you’d be a dish it out but not able to take it, kind of guy, Savage,” Repo teased.
“Yeah, well I am,” Savage spat.
“So, what’s the plan, Hoss?” Ryder asked.
“The plan is that I need a good number of you to go with me to Texas. I’ll be calling Bowie to give him a heads-up, but according to Dante’s mole, they will be there in about four hours. We need to make it there in record time,” Savage said.
“We flying in?” Ryder questioned. Savage knew that Ryder had connections. They were both in the Air Force and his friend was able to fly just about anything with wings. Flying into the closest little airport would hopefully get them to Bowie’s house before the rogue gang of Dragons got there.
“You up for that?” Savage asked.
“Hell yeah,” Ryder agreed. “I’ll call my buddy at the hanger to get my girl ready.” Savage wanted to laugh at just how happy his buddy seemed about taking his plane out.
“How many guys can we take in her?” Savage asked. Ryder had bought the plane when he got out of the Air Force. He started up his own company, catering to businessmen in the Huntsville area and his friend made a good living doing exactly what he loved—flying.
“My girl can hold eighteen with me and my co-pilot. I’m assuming that will be you?” Savage had his pilot’s license too, but it had been some time since he went up.
“I’m a little rusty, man,” he admitted. “You sure?”
“Yeah,” Ryder said. “It’s like riding a bike, man—you’ll be great.” Savage nodded.
“Okay, we can take eighteen guys,” he said to his club. “Who’s going with Ryder and me and who’s riding?” His guys talked amongst themselves and when they had all agreed, sixteen guys stepped forward to fly with Ryder and him. “The rest of you head out. I’ll text Snake the address and he’ll lead the ones of you who are biking to Texas.” As soon as he gave the word, his guys scattered. He wasn’t sure if what they were about to do was going to be enough to stop the Dragons, but Savage was going to save his family—or die trying.
“Ready, man?” Ryder asked, grabbing his gear.
“As I’ll ever be,” Savage whispered under his breath.
DALLAS
Bowie’s cell phone rang and startled her from a sound sleep. The baby had a restless night and being woken up in the middle of the night, when Greer was finally letting her sleep more than just a few hours between feedings, just pissed her off.
“Lo,” Bowie’s groggy voice answered the call. He sat straight up in bed and she immediately knew who was on the other end of the call. “Savage,” Bowie breathed. She sat up next to him and tried to listen in. “Hold on—Dallas is right here and I’m going to put you on speaker.” Bowie held the phone between them and she leaned in to give him a quick peck on the cheek to thank him.
“Dallas,” Savage’s growly voice clearly rang through their bedroom and she sobbed, trying to fight back her tears. It had been weeks since she had heard his voice. The one and only time he had called to check-inn, he talked to Bowie. She hadn’t realized how much she missed him until she heard him say her name.
“I’m here, Savage,” she cried. “Tell us you’re okay,” she demanded.
“I am,” he promised. “I’ll be seeing you both soon.”
“Don’t promise that if you don’t mean it,” Bowie said.
“Unfortunately, we’ve had intel that a rogue group of Dragons is the ones causing all the trouble. We think they’re headed your way,” Savage almost whispered that last part.
Dallas didn’t hide her gasp. “Oh God,” she whispered.
“It’s going to be alright, Baby,” Bowie promised. Dallas tried to paste on her best smile for him but he seemed to be able to see right through her façade.
“I take it things are good between the two of you?” Savage asked.
“Yeah,” Bowie said. “You good with that?”
“More than good with it,” Savage insisted. “It’s what we wanted, right?” Dallas knew that Savage had hoped that leaving her and Bowie alone, to get to know each other, might end with the two of them together. She just hoped that they’d be able to transition to the three of them finding their way just as smoothly. But right now, they had bigger problems to worry about. Namely, a rival club that wanted to hurt her and her little family
“We can talk about all of this when you get here,” she insisted. “What should we do about the Dragons?”
Savage chuckled into the other end of the phone. “That’s my girl, always getti
ng right to the point. Ryder says we’ll land in about an hour and twenty minutes. We were just cleared to take off,” Savage said.
“You’re flying to Texas?” Dallas asked.
“Well, not me,” Savage said. “Ryder is the one doing the flying. I’m just the co-pilot. We should beat the Dragons to you by hours, but I don’t want to take any chances. Do you have somewhere you can hide Dallas and the girls away, Bowie?” Savage asked. Dallas shot Bowie a look and she knew what he was thinking.
“Yeah,” Bowie breathed. “I haven’t seen my parents since we’ve been here, but maybe it’s time.”
“Will they help?” Dallas asked. She knew what they were asking Bowie to do. By showing up at his parents’ house, they were essentially asking him to come out to his mom and dad. “You don’t have to do this,” she whispered.
“Yes, I do,” Bowie insisted. “If it will keep you and the girls safe, then nothing else matters. Besides, if we’re going to give this a shot, then I’m going to have to come out sooner or later. It looks like it’s just going to be sooner.”
“Thanks, man,” Savage said. “I have to end the call. Ryder’s about to taxi. We’ll be there before you know it but lay low until I get back in touch. Be safe,” Savage said.
“You too, man,” Bowie said and ended the call. He tossed his cell on the nightstand and threw his legs over the edge of the mattress.
“You okay?” Dallas whispered, “We can find another way,” she offered.
“No,” he said. “I’m fine and this is the way it needs to be. It’s time I stop being a coward. Hell, we’ve been here for almost three weeks now and I never called them to tell them that we are in town. I’ve been hiding out here, using the excuse of keeping you and the girls safe, but that was a lie. I’m afraid of facing my own parents and that stops now. Do you want to try to make this thing between us work?” Bowie asked.
Dallas didn’t even blink, “Of course I do,” she insisted. “I want to build a life with you and Savage.” Dallas wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hugging his big body from behind.
