Page 88 of Creed

He stood and walked over to a window. “Morgan has always been special. I was only twelve when she came into this world.” He turned to look at me with a smile. “I rememberthe day she was born. Tanner had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and he was only sixteen. Our family was turned upside down. My mom wanted Tanner and Jenny to consider adoption, she was actually set on it. My dad wanted to support Tanner and Jenny through college and help the baby. Jenny isn’t close with her family because they hated Tanner and demanded adoption. Needless to say, there was a lot of tension in that maternity waiting room. But then, Morgan was born and one look at her changed everything. What so many of us didn’t want, quickly changed into what every single one of us needed. I was just scared for my brother, and I knew he wanted that baby, so I supported what he wanted, but then she was placed in my arms and my whole world changed. I can’t imagine what it was like for Tanner. I promised that baby I’d always protect her, and I’ve done my best to do so, but there was one predator nobody could predict.” He gave me a sharp look and I suddenly knew what he was going to say. He knew everything. He knew about Nicole.

“How long have you known?” I asked.

“Since the moment you rolled into town. You have to imagine a lot of people know, it only takes a simple Google search. That woman and her slime ball husband took advantage of Morgan. My hands were tied. Morgan was an adult when she signed that contract, and it was iron clad. Morgan never wanted the fame, she just wanted the work. It was the world she knew because Jenny and Tanner thought they were doing the right thing for her.” He walked back over to his desk. “I like the idea of her living in your community, especially with Addie. I’m fine with you dating her but don’t do it if you can’t promise her a future. I’d suggest giving up the missions, stay planted, and focus on Morgan.”

I didn’t know how to tell him other than blurting it out. “I’ve been called back up. I leave in six weeks.”

His eyes darted to mine. “What the hell?”

I ran my hand down my face. “They won’t let me go and I feel like a prisoner. You already know I was called back once, well it’s not over. I have to leave them, and I don’t have a choice.”

“Shit, Creed.” He obviously had no words.

“I hate it, but what can I do about it?”

“Not a damn thing.” He understood my position.

“The situation with the Rejects will be handled by then, I can assure you that much, but that’s all I can say.”

He nodded. “The less you say the better on that subject, but just do what you have to do. What is she going to do? Go back to California or buy a place here?”

I smiled at that one. “I believe I’ve convinced her to stay at my place. She refuses to do so of she can’t contribute, so I’ll make her a resident and she can teach. We can use her at the training center, and she can help the home schooled children a few days a week. She has a lot to offer, and I think it’s perfect. We agreed to revisit her living situation when I return from deployment. The lockdown will be over by the time I leave, so she will have a lot more freedom. It should work out well for her.”

He shook his head. “Damn kid, I’m in your debt and so is Tanner, but I can’t help the McLaughlin situation. I’m sorry, my hands are tied on that one. What about Patrick, is he going to prospect?”

“I think he will, so I don’t know how Tanner will feel about it. He won’t take missions, but he will be a part of the MC and will have duties.”

He rolled his eyes. “That kid can’t keep it in his pants. I’m sure Club X will never be the same.” He chuckled.

“Yeah, he will have to wait a while to partake in most of that, but at least he will have something to occupy him between shifts in Clarity. Have you given anymore thought to prospecting?” I wanted Darren. He was smart, capable, and had connections.

“My term is up in January, I guess we will have to see. I’ve been asked to a special division of the State Police. My experience with negotiations has caught the eye of the Superintendent. He wants to form a S.W.A.T. team that’ll cover the counties between New Albany and Bloomington. It’ll be more of a support team for the local departments.”

I liked what I was hearing. “And let me guess, Carter isn’t against you prospecting?”

He chuckled. “You made a big mistake with that Fielding case.”

I sighed. “It was just a simple hacking job.”

“Yeah, one that hit the jackpot. Your little basement geniuses helped Carter bust that CSAM ring and did it clean enough that the prosecutors had air tight cases. They prosecuted a hundred fifty six men. He’s more than happy to utilize those skills again. Hell, it’s probably one reason he wants me to head this up for them. He knows we have a few shadows as back up. It’s a fucked up world when the State Superintendent can’t do his job with all the limitations these new laws put on him. There’s some shady people living free in Indiana to create morevictims and he can’t do a damn thing about it under the thumb of the law. You’re not going to stay a secret from state level agencies all over the country for long at this rate.”

I shrugged. “I’ve got the feds by the balls now. Its in their best interest to protect us at this point.” I already had government contracts, so I wasn’t worried about it. I just had to be careful with what was asked of us and what we agreed to do. Recon mostly, which wasn’t a big deal.

“Without telling me more than I need to know, what’s up with the Rejects?” He asked.

“Sniper wants out. He was on a trip to Ohio to get the cash from another chapter to buy them out of the cartel. Shane was running with a rogue group, and he stole drugs from them, not Sniper. I’ve done my research and Sniper, AKA Caleb Masterson was a sniper in the army. Did two tours, got out less than two years ago, and went home to dad. He has a damn fine service record. His dad died and now Sniper is Prez. He doesn’t want it or it’s affiliation to drugs, but of course he feels he has a duty to his brothers. I think he wants to join the Fallen Angels and their business.”

He rolled his eyes and sighed. “More prostitution and gambling. Just what we need in these parts. Can’t say they’re all that great either.”

“Sniper isn’t the enemy, it’s this rogue group. They pissed off the cartel so don’t be shocked if you start finding bodies. They tried to screw over the Rejects and the cartel wasn’t all that happy. I wouldn’t be surprised if you start seeing some of the gangs from the southwest make their way up here to straighten a few things out.” I was trying to set it up to where Caleb wouldn’t be a suspect.

“As long as they leave when they’re done, that’s all I can hope for, since the last thing we need is another MC that rides on the dark side. Do you have any agents in these southwestern gangs?”

I shook my head. “You know I can’t disclose that, Darren.”

In fact, I did and as soon as I identified those rogue members they’d be taken care of permanently.

The Last Man

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