Page 13 of Seduction
He closes his eyes and his head drops. Eddie’s death has fucked with the two siblings in different ways, but each needs to come to terms with it. Ellen can either let go of her pain or find someone to help her through it. Gage, on the other hand, needs to do it himself. Eddie’s gone, so there’s no one to release Gage of his guilt, grant him absolution. He tends to keep his feelings locked up, and that only makes it worse. Hopefully, he can forgive himself one day.
“Come on.” I place a firm hand on his shoulder. “Let’s have church before the party really gets going.”
“Yeah, okay.”
I text all the guys and we gather in the chapel. Mission, the Jacksonville president, and two of his guys walk in with Gage. Our president pulls out a map and a stack of papers, then drops down into his chair.
“We have a job on the table. I invited Mission and his boys because I’m gonna need their help.Jefewants us to transport some precious cargo. He’s offered to triple our regular fee if we take it.”
Judging from the appreciative mumbles around the table, we won’t have to do any convincing.
“Just so we’re going into this with eyes wide open,” Gage continues, “he’s been getting death threats. There may be some resistance, but if we stick to my plan, we’ll avoid it.”
“What’s the cargo?” Razor asks.
“His old lady and baby girl. He wants to get them away. Safe.”
That’s all it takes to bolster everyone’s agreement. If he’d led with that instead of the money, I know the guys still would’ve agreed. They’re all good men, protective when it comes to women and children, and not just their own.
Gage plays up his bad boy image. Even in high school, the girls went crazy for him because he has blond hair and blue eyes to boot. He loved it. Relished it. Until he met Raven. He’s smart, though. He says it’s because of my influence on him. I agree to an extent, but his mind works differently than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s part of the reason why he makes a great president. Also, no one kills like him. That’s why he earned the road name “Reaper.” As his vice president, I’m second in command, handling the shit he doesn’t need to. It helps that we’ve been best friends forever. We trust each other implicitly, and no matter what, he always asks for my input.
Razor sits to Gage’s right. He’s the sergeant at arms, responsible for the safety and security of the members and prospects, but especially our president. He’s like our own Secret Service. Big enough, too; motherfucker’s like a giant. Next to him is Venom, our resident snake enthusiast. He’s our treasurer, and handles all the MC’s money. He didn’t get the position by chance; he’s a certified accountant. He pretty much does everyone’s personal taxes, too. Rico is our road captain. He’s responsible for planning and organizing club runs. Tek, tapping away at his laptop keyboard next to me, is our secretary. In addition to keeping all our records, he’s our technology expert. I bet he could hack his way into anything. Probably has.
Crow is our cleanup expert. Like his namesake, he can pick a dead body apart. Unlike the bird, when Crow’s done with it, you won’t even find the bones. Motor takes care of our vehicles and oversees Patch, the auto parts store. Chopper, Allah, Charger, and Booker round out our table. All these men are my brothers, and I know they have my back just as I have theirs. Death before disloyalty—that’s our motto. Around here, loyalty is not just a word.
“Okay. We’re gonna keep this as low-key as possible,” Gage says. “There are eyes on them, so we’re gonna play on that.Jefewill be here with his family and a couple of his guys in a few. Motor, make sure there’s a parking spot cordoned off for him inside the compound. I don’t want those eyes seeing who’s coming and going. I’m also gonna need you to get one of the Mustangs with the blackout tint from the warehouse.”
“Got it, Prez.”
“I have my guys from 12 Gauge here to help, but Tek, I need you on the cameras. Find the tail.”
“Yeah, boss.”
“Jefeleaves tonight, but his girls don’t. Mission and his boys will escort him out.”
“Make the tail think we’re providing extra security.” I nod in understanding.
“You got it, VP. Gonna take ’em on a little ride to keep them busy.”
“What about the cargo?” Chopper asks.
“They’ll be with me in the Mustang. Razor, Venom, Rico, you’re with me. I’ve set up a charter out of Cobb at 3:00 a.m. They’re not controlled between midnight and six. Jet comes in with some ofJefe’sboys from Seattle. They make the trip back with the girls, deliver them to the safe house they have set up. Once they’re safely in the air, I give the word and the tail gets chopped off.”
“What about the rest of us?” I ask.
“You, my brother, I’m trusting withmyprecious cargo. Our flight’s at ten. You, Charger, and Booker get her from here to Hartsfield, and I’ll meet you there. She already knows.”
“Okay.”
He gives me a look, a sort of warning, to take care of Raven. I nod, but he doesn’t need to do that. I love that woman like a sister and will protect her the way I would him—with my life. However, I know I’m getting the easy job. He always seems to want to protect me from getting in too deep. As his VP, I know everything that goes on, but most of the time I’m at work and unable to participate. We try to do things as clean as possible, but we do have to get dirty sometimes. I’ve killed for the MC before; killed to protect my best friend. I’ll do what’s necessary, but I don’t particularly like it. Gage knows this without me telling him. Sometimes I hate that he does this, but other times? I’m grateful. There’s a constant struggle to reconcile my job with being a member of an outlaw MC; being a doctor, and killing a human being. I took an oath not to play God, but when it comes down to the wire, the choice is simple.
You hurt me and mine, I hurt you.
“Crow.” Gage turns to the man. “I want you and Allah at Cobb waiting for us. Scope the place out before we get there.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
“Good. We all clear on our assignments?”
