Page 87 of Creed

“Go home to Addie and Morgan. You’ve got six weeks to do what you need to do. I’ll call Magnus and we will handle this problem. It’s something I have to get used to doing since you’re leaving.”

I gave out a sarcastic laugh. “Yeah, six weeks to make them mine then just leave for God knows how long. I’m being selfish and it’s not fair to either one of them.”

“Fuck that, Creed. We all saw it happen the minute you met Morgan. Like I said before, I don’t know much about relationships, but we all see it. You aren’t trying to work yourself to death anymore. You’re taking time for yourself and it’s about damn time. I’m going to make a suggestion you won’t like, but it’s a good idea.”

“What’s that? Turn my back so more of this shit happens?” I felt like everything would fall apart while I was deployed.

“Promote Jennings or have Irons step up. Make him your assistant for now so he can handle some of this shit. When you leave he can be mine until you return. In the meantime, take some time for Morgan and Addie. Go to California and focus on them. You have to do this, Creed. I saw your disappointment every week at mail call. You said it never bothered you that you never got a damn thing, but the disappointment on your face said otherwise. Sure, your dad wrote, but not that often. At least I had my sister. We all had someone but then your dad died, and you had nobody. Now you’ll have a damn hot woman and adorable girl waiting for you, writing to you, and you’ll have someone to call like we all did. It’s not selfish, they want you as much as you want them.”

I took a deep breath. “I haven’t even slept with her yet. It’s still new and she might meet someone else.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Am I insane? I am crazy for Morgan, and I want to be a part of Addie’s life, and I barely know them.”

He threw his hands in the air. “I don’t know, Creed. We’ve all envied Granger. None of us ever wanted to admit it, but we all secretly want what he has at home. Stephanie is like a sister to us, and we see them day in and day out. They’re happy and they love this community. I think there’s a part of all of usthat wants what they have and we all like Morgan. Genuinely like her, not just her movies or the fact that she’s hot as fucking hell. Damn those…”

“Watch what you say there.” I warned him.

He groaned. “Fine, you’ve got a real chance at an amazing woman. You’d be crazy not to go for it. You could have what Granger has and that’s pretty damn amazing.”

“You forgot Addie. I know I should keep my distance, so she doesn’t get too attached before I leave, but it’s hard. I want to be here and protect her. It’s unfair to her because I know I make her feel safe. That’s all she wants from me, just someone to keep her and Morgan safe.”

He crossed his arms. “Then go make them as safe as you can while you’re still home. Morgan isn’t a barracks bunny, she’s a damn good woman and she won’t leave you. Addie will be fine, so grab life by the balls and take what you need. I’ll take care of things here, you go deal with Darren then head home.”

I left the hospital then had to go deal with Darren. When I walked into the Sheriff’s office Darren was less than pleased and that was for a good reason.

“Come with me.” Darren wasn’t fucking around, and he was pissed. He shut his office door behind me then leaned against his desk. “We’ve got a mess.”

I sighed. “Yeah, it’s a fucking mess alright. The girl isn’t expected to survive, and McLaughlin won’t ever walk again, and that’s if he makes it through the night. I know it’s out of your hands and part of me wants to help him and the other part wants to strangle him. Not just him but his buddy and my guards. Both guards were already handed their walking papers, and so wasFox. I guess the prospects bribed the guards somehow. They’ve been replaced and I made an example out of them.”

“Her name is Katie and I’ve known her since the day she was born. Her parents are Steve and Connie Hildebrand, and Steve is a close friend of Tanner’s. I had to make the fucking call nobody wants to make to any parents, let alone an old family friend. They were on a cruise in the Caribbean. Not only have I known her parents my whole life, but now I have two nieces grieving.” He took in a deep breath. “Katie was Savannah’s best friend since preschool, Creed!” He started to pace. “I was the first on scene. Fuck, I saw Katie and went into panic mode. I thought Savannah was in one of those ditches. Then Tanner came rolling in and he lost his shit. Twice now he’s got the call for a run and one of his kids were somehow affected.” He paused a moment and deflated. “Savannah will be fine, but still, the reputation of your MC is going downhill. The people of Cold Springs weren’t happy when you bought the lake and made it private. You managed to win them over, but now they’re going to have second thoughts. They see you as harmless but now I don’t know how they will react. What I’d like to know is how you’re keeping Morgan and Addie safe when two of your prospects left Creed’s Lake on their bikes. If they got out during lockdown, how are you going to keep someone from entering?”

I stopped pacing and drew in a deep breath. It was an unnecessary stress to add to all the other stress I was dealing with already. “I’m going to have a come to Jesus with my men. It isn’t just the two security guards I need to deal with, Simpson was on surveillance and either didn’t do his fucking job, or the guards helped bypass the camera somehow. I’ll deal with him as well when I get back.”

He sat behind his desk. “What do you plan to do with McLaughlin? He is facing charges.”

I deflated as I sat in the chair across from him. “What do you suggest? He broke orders, broke the law, and most likely killed someone and will be paralyzed. I might be his boss but when it comes down to it, we are an MC and supposed to treat him like a brother. Can I really just abandon him?”

He sighed then sat back in his chair. He still looked just as defeated as me. “Technically, he’s not a member of your MC. He was a prospect, and he also wasn’t on payroll. Supporting him may also cause a rift between the town and the MC. On the other hand, he has a hell of a service history. That also comes with a hell of a lot of trauma. I don’t know, take it to a vote. You’re between a rock and a brick wall. You can either save your reputation with the town, or support a fellow veteran. Both have consequences. You can’t make that decision on your own.”

“A few months ago, I might not question it, but lately I’m…I don’t know…going soft I guess. I think about him not having anyone or a future and it kills me. But I need people that can be trusted in my community. I don’t even know if it’s the first time they’ve snuck out during lockdown.”

He picked up a pen and began tapping it on his desk, making me think he had something to ask or say. “A few months ago? As in before you met my niece? I saw how you were with her at Callie’s services, so be honest with me. What’s going on between you and my niece?”

I leaned back in my chair, but that didn’t help my comfort level, so I leaned my elbows on my knees. “I’ve not touched her if that’s what you’re asking.”

“But there is something. Even my brother saw it, the whole damn family did. I’ve known you for a few years now, I know your fucking secrets. You can’t buy her, Creed. So, I’d suggest stating your intentions and I can only urge you to be honest with me right now.” He didn’t sound pissed, just concerned.

I looked up at him. “I want her, not like…” I didn’t know how to word it. “Somehow her happiness and Addie’s have become my top priority. Anymore I live for Morgan’s genuine smile and laugh. I have this overwhelming need to protect them, and Morgan is all I think about anymore. It’s not like with other women. It actually…Jesus I can’t talk about this with you.” I sat back and rubbed the back of my neck.

“Give it a better try.” He deadpanned.

I looked at him and suddenly it was clear. “I think I’ve found the one and only person that could give me what I’ve needed my entire life.”

“What’s that, Creed?”

I shook my head and stood. “I…I don’t know.”

“Yes you do, you’re just afraid to admit it.” He leaned back in his chair and bit the end of the pen.

“Something unconditional. She can…I swear she sees right through all my bullshit. I don't even have to tell her things, it’s like she already knows me. I want her but not the way I wanted other women in my past. I want Morgan in every part of my life, and Addie is a bonus.”

---