Page 34 of Drifter
“I promised,” I grit out.
Hawk pulls out his phone, and before I know what’s happening, he says, “Ginger, hand the phone to Sasha.” There’s a slight pause before he says, “No, babe. We’re fine. Need to talk with her, like now.” It’s only a second before he says, “Drifter’s not going to ask, but I am. We’re so fucking close to taking your father down, but we have a problem.” He tells her about the situation we’re up against. And when he’s done, he says, “Putting you on speaker. Say that again, Sasha.”
“Drifter, are you listening?”
“Yeah, sunshine, but you don’t have to do this. We’ll find another way,” I tell her, staring at the phone in Hawk’s palm.
“I want to do this. If he allows you to come, then I know you and Simon will protect me. Hawk’s going to have the place surrounded, and I trust your brothers. They’re your family, and they won’t let anything happen to you or me. I’m stronger than I look, and with you beside me, we’re invincible. Say yes, handsome. Then we can both be free.”
I take the phone from Hawk, taking it off speaker. “I promised you?—”
“Yeah, and you’re keeping your promise. I’m offering,” she says, cutting me off, then adds in her sweet, calm voice, “Please. Let me do this for us.”
“You humble me, my love. I swear, I’ll die before he hurts you again. He tries one thing, and I’ll cut off his hands.”
“I’ll buy a switchblade,” she says to lighten the mood. “Get Simon to set it up. Get done what you’re doing and come home to me. Love you, Axel.”
“Love you, sunshine.” I hang up and turn to Hawk. “I want the estate surrounded. I don’t care how many markers I’ll owe. Sasha needs to be safe.”
“Redemption Riders will make it right. They’re not your markers, they’re ours. Sasha belongs to us,” Hawk replies. He turns to Simon. “Set it up now.” Simon leaves immediately to make it happen. When he’s gone, he speaks into the earpiece. “Time to open that door, Orion. Let’s do this.”
“Already on it, my friend,” Orion answers.
Guard
I’ve been sitting quietly in the room with Orion and Wildcard. Hawk’s a proud man, and asking for help from the clubs around him took effort. The Redemption Riders are a good, solid club with dedicated and loyal brothers who are fighting the biggest battle with themselves. Pride can be both a good and bad quality. Hawk is a great president, but he still has that one lesson to learn. It gives me hope to hear him say that he’ll take on markers to help his club. Hawk hates to be indebted to anyone, but knowing he’s willing to ask for help to protect his own family means a lot.
Drifter’s a man who is hell-bent on believing he’s got to take care of everyone in the club. Being the VP can be just as stressful as being the leader. This is because the VP protects his president with everything he’s got. From the moment I met Drifter, I knew he’d be that man. He’d take a bullet for any of his brothers, and his lesson to learn is that they’d take a bullet for him or his woman, Sasha.
“Call the Pride together,” I say to War, who is standing by my side.
“You don’t have to. They’ll all agree.” I look up at him curiously, and he grins slyly. “Been with you a lifetime, my friend. No marker, right.”
I smile back at him but remain silent. Orion lifts his hand in the air and gives a thumbs-up. Wildcard does the same. My heart swells. These men are fierce and scary as fuck when necessary, but their hearts are pure gold.
“Everyone has a say. It’s our way,” I tell War.
“Fine, but it’s a waste of time. I’ll get their votes, and anyone who doesn’t want in can step back. Demon is on track to get the board to sell their shares. Two other clubs are in. Some of the others want a piece but were too slow to make a decision. The Pride has a chunk, and Demon is racking up a fair bit for himself. Fucker is a billionaire!” War jokes.
“You’re a billionaire too!” I tease. Between the shop, the parts store, his role in the security companies he’s started, and Maddie’s stardom with the Smoking Guns, they’re set for life.
This is the way for all the Satan’s Pride brothers. We work hard, ride free, and live life. I want this for Hawk and his men. Drifter said he made Sasha a promise, and I made one too. I promised to guide Hawk and the Redemption Riders to a brotherhood. They think my job is over, but it’s not.
Chapter 18
Sweet Kisses
Sasha
I hear the door creak, and my sleepy eyes open. For a moment, I forget that Etain and I fell asleep on her couch. Neither of us could sleep, knowing that our men were out gathering evidence to help me and my brother out of the mess our father created. Etain isn’t so much worried as she is angry. She’s protective of me, and I love her for it.
When Hawk called, my heart stopped for a second. I thought the very worst. And when Hawk told me what the club needed from me, I didn’t hesitate to tell him I was in. I’m afraid; I won’t deny it. My father is manipulative and underhanded, but Drifter will be by my side.
The idea of walking back into my old house and sitting through a dinner, which I’ll barely touch, makes me uneasy, but I can do it. Mom will be pleasant, but that’s because she’ll be numb from her predinner martinis. Dad will be pompous and will talk down to all of us, like we’re peasants in his kingdom, but I’ve had practice and have learned to ignore it. Although, I’m sure Drifter may only be able to take so much before he blows a gasket.
The sound of Drifter’s voice pulled at my heartstrings. Hawk, Drifter, and the club are doing all they can for me, and I need to help. If that means going through a ridiculous evening with Mom and Dad, then so be it. I promised, Drifter said, and I could hear how conflicted he was. Simon and I have been battling the beast we call our father for a long time, and now, in one night, with the Redemption Riders taking the risk they are, we’re almost done.
Firm arms haul me up from the couch. Instantly, I wrap my arms around Drifter’s neck and lay my head on his chest. “Drifter,” I murmur.
