Page 120 of 12 Months of Mayhem

“No. We ran info on him too, he checked out. The best we could tell is that he’s a younger brother to the groom.” Ace seems to know about the guy too but that still doesn’t calm this feeling I have about the guy. I know I hate him because of Charli and hopefully that’s all this is because I admit that I’m a territorial fuck that sees red the second someone even looks at what’s mine. And now that I’m back, Charli is mine. I’ll rain hell on anyone that gets that twisted.

“I don’t like it. This gives me enough reason to end whatever the fuck Charli has going on with him. There’s only one reason a Road Captain would come to town and not check in with the local club. There’s something coming.”

“That right there is why I know you’re going to do well in my seat. You have the intuition. Take this as your first order of club business and decide how to handle it. You have a party going on at the lake and you have a Road Captain in town. What are you going to do?”

“Vinn, how is he being tailed?”

“We have eyes all over town. Cameras and people who feed us information because we keep their businesses safe.”

“Where is he now?”

“I will have to ask Leo. He’s working it right now. We did intercept a phone call earlier about a beach gathering later tonight.” Every single hair on my body stood on end at his response. I looked at Theo and he grabbed his phone to start dialing.

“Jesus. Charli has plans to be there.”

“She’s not answering, let me check her location.” Theo begins tapping his phone and my lack of patience is about to take over.

“It looks like she’s driving toward the beach now.” I grab my phone and start moving toward the door only to be stopped by the sound of multiple phones going off at the same time behind me. Theo answers his and I’m close enough to hear Grady’s frantic voice.

“Fuckin’ make the all call. We’re under attack. One of the boats exploded in the water and now the dock just went up in flames. Most of us are out on the water still and I’m not sure what the fuck to do. We need backup now.”

I take the phone from Theo and answer Grady. “We’re on our way.” I look around the room as the rest of the guys stand up. They look to me for orders and thank fuck they come naturally.

“Send the all call with the pin to the cabin. Tell everyone to come loaded and to come now. We’re under attack, boat and dock already exploded. Half of our club is trapped out there. We need everyone.” Vinn is typing as I bark out the orders. “Send it to our friends at the police department too. We’re going to need all the help we can get. Let’s move.” I’m the first one out of the room but they’re all close behind. I stop at the door to the weapon room and strap on as many as I can and toss even more into a backpack with ammo to match.

My mind swarms with guilt of what I’m about to do and this is probably the exact reason my father never allowed anyone in his life that would make him consider choosing them over the club. I consider Charli as much a part of this club as I am but the fact of the matter is, I have half of the guys in one place under attack and she is driving down the fucking road towards a guy that most likely is the reason my club is under attack. But if he’s at the cabin, he can’t be where she’s headed.

“What’s the plan, Boss?” Theo looks to me for an answer, knowing this one is not an easy cut and dry decision. This is one that could make or break a man for life.

“An all call… means all. We go to the cabin.” I don’t miss the smile on my father’s face after I yell at everyone. The sound of engines roaring to life all around me is a giant boost of confidence and a reminder of exactly how much power I have.

I’m in the lead while the last half of the club soars down the road. My entire body is pumped on chaos and adrenaline and I’m not even sure how this day will end but I hope we can minimize any loss on the club and I get the chance to make Charli mine.

I’m watching for smoke in the sky and even though we’re a mile away from the cabin, the sky is clear. I swirl my hand to the guys behind me to tell them to spread out. We can’t be sure what we’re about to find. The guys scatter their bikes in every direction but I go straight toward the dock. Theo falls in beside me.

The closer we get, the more confused I become. “What in the fuck?” I signal for anyone behind me to hold and then slow roll my own bike to a stop.

The dock is still there. The boats are all either tied to it or on the trailers where they belong. I get off my bike and look in every direction to find a single fucking person that should be here and don’t see anyone that didn’t just drive in with me.

“What’s the plan, Boss?” Theo repeats his question to me. I switch my concentration to my surroundings. This is what I’m good at… or at least I usually am when I don’t have my mind elsewhere.

“Get the guys out of the house, out of the boats and out of the damn trees. And tell me the bullshit about Charli was made up too.”

“Nice. I knew you’d pass.” I shake my head and imagine what would’ve happened if I had taken the bait to follow Charli.

“What about Charli?”

“Do you really think I’d miss a Road Captain in town? Charli is fine. I have a few guys watching her at the beach party with her friends.”

“Was this your idea?”

“It was all Prez. He wanted to know if you’d choose the club.” Ace and Vinn walk up and I don’t know if they’re proud or surprised but the smile on my father’s face behind them tells me which he is. The rest of the guys start trickling toward us until I’m surrounded by what seems like the entire club.

“Yeah. Thank god this shit wasn’t real.” Theo uses two fingers to whistle and everyone goes quiet.

“Kings… tonight is the night I turn over the club to my only son. Zayne has proven his loyalty to the club, his devotion to his brothers and his dedication to being the next President. Now, we celebrate.” Everyone hollers and begins grunting their usual chant of appreciation and for the first time in my life, I can truly see all the usual stress leave my father’s face. He’s at peace. He has no worries and it almost makes me jealous of what that must feel like.

My life is going to be stressful in every direction, some of it will be more rewarding than others.

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