Page 80 of Silver Fox Daddies

“Grizzly will suss him out sooner or later. Get him gone before initiation.”

I nod, slipping out my phone to check Melissa’s location. She’s at her dorm.

“She’s fine as long as she’s in the city, away from here,” reassures Bishop.

“I know, but that doesn’t make me any less concerned.” I purse my lips, debating whether or not to tell Bishop what Snapper said, but I think otherwise.

“Okay, you lunatics!” Grizzly’s commanding voice silences the entire room.

I watch a sea of heads turn toward the front stage, where Grizzly stands by the stuffed eagle, ready to make an announcement. He skims over a scrap piece of paper, then shoves it away in his pocket.

“It’s time we start playing offense instead of defense. Over the next coming days, I want us riding out to the Reaper Sons HQ to end this bullshit once and for all.”

Pin-drop silence spreads across the room, the only sound the wind whooshing outside. “I want us all to be ready to go into battle. I must warn you—” Grizzly’s face turns grave, losing color. “Preparing for battle isn’t just about making sure we’re all equipped with weapons. It’s more than that.”

He steps out onto the floor. “We have to be ready to make sacrifices.” He clasps his hands together. “We have to be ready to die. Prospects—” He turns to their table. “This is what riding for Venom Vultures is all about. It’s about unity, but it’s alsoabout blood. You must wear your badge with pride, so much that you’re willing to die for it. This your first challenge. This is your last chance to back down and leave. If you’re out, you know where the exit is.” He raises a hand, gesturing to the back of the room.

A long silence follows, prospects all staring at one another, waiting to see if anyone will be the first to stand up so another can follow suit. I see it—the way they anxiously look at one another.

I catch Bishop looking at me in my peripheral vision.

I take a deep breath, feet firmly planted on the ground beneath me. I never wanted to come here to kill and risk my life—all I wanted was friends, to be a part of a community.

I bite my lip. If it wasn’t for Melissa, I think I’d be on my way to that door by now.

But she’s given me a reason to fight. I want her to be safe. I want all four of us to live in peace. What we have right now isn’t sustainable.

I fight for a life with her, and if I die, I do so in her name.

A few of the prospects stand, unable to face Grizzly. Their chairs squeak against the wooden floorboards, announcing their cowardice. A few sniggers pepper the atmosphere, whispered conversations starting to rise.

I keep my face forward, firm in my decision. They can do whatever they want, I won’t judge them for it. Everyone has their own path.

I didn’t really know mine until now.

Half a dozen prospects make staggered exits, awkwardly weaving between the tables of people, dodging the gazes of club members.

One guy curls his arms, waggling them, squawking like a chicken, and laughter fills the atmosphere.

I stand and watch the chaos unfold, but I don’t get the urge to join in. Imitating a chicken won’t get me any closer to saving Melissa, but planting a knife in Jax’s heart will.

I watch the door, the final prospect on their way out.

It opens again.

Heads turn to see which prospect has gone back on their choice, guilt-tripped into staying by the chicken sounds.

But it’s not a prospect—it’s Gigi.

Breathless, she barges into the room, taking the floor. “I have something to say.”

19

MELISSA

It’s been three days since the bikers paid me a surprising visit at college.

Averysurprising visit.

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