Page 30 of Crush's Fall

“Why didn’t you come to us?” Crush asked, arms crossed over her chest as she leaned back in the chair, looking like she didn’t have a care in the world.

Shifting his attention to her, Riles answered, “Because I wasn’t sure of the reception we’d get, and we can’t defend ourselves against both of your clubs. So, I came to the one place I knew would give me an opportunity to have a sit down with you, without allowing you to just take me out. Hawkin wouldn’t allow that in his office, and you have too much respect for him to do it here, anyway.”

“How did you know about Hawkin and the respect between us?” Axle eyed Riles as he waited for an answer, watching for any indication he was lying.

“I’ve known Rex since he was a prospect,” Riles answered, mentioning the Howlers MC member he was most familiar with, and gave a shrug. “I was around when Joker met with the former owner. Rex mentioned that Hawkin wasn’t as tight with the Howlers, but there was mutual respect.”

“If that’s what you want to call it,” Banks mumbled.

Hawkin shot her a look, but he couldn’t hide the smirk.

“We already knew UpRiders were working with the HDMC,” Axle said with a shrug.

Riles nodded. “They don’t know that these two are on my side.” Hitching a finger over his shoulder, Riles motioned to two young men, both a good six inches taller than Riles.

One of them had a head full of long, black hair, tied back at the nape of his neck. His eyes were a light blue and assessing like Hawkins. He was smart, Axle would bet on it. He looked to be fit and a bit on the muscular side, not as big as Axle or Skull.

The other kept his brown hair almost completely buzzed, but he had a bushy, full beard on his face. His eyes were a medium brown. He looked to be the more muscular of the two, but not by much. This one could have been Skull’s younger brother with the same build.

Riles continued, “They are willing to infiltrate the traitors and feed us information.”

“How do you know you can trust them?” Pike asked from over Axle’s left shoulder.

“I practically raised these boys. I knew their dads before some shit happened. My club was unaware of what I’d been doing, but I was at every damn game, every birthday, every Christmas.”

“We didn’t go without because of Riles,” the long-haired one interjected. “He asked us to keep that quiet when we asked to prospect, so we did… out of respect for him.”

The other one nodded. “We’d do anything for Riles… because he’s earned that loyalty.”

Riles stared at Axle. “I hate what is happening. I want to fix this, but I need some help. If we cut out the rot, we can rebuild the relationship the UpRiders MC once had with your club and the Claws.”

“We’ll talk it over. Where are you staying?” This from Crush.

Riles gave a nod. “I haven’t arranged that yet. We got into the area a few hours ago.”

“They were telling me what they know when you texted me, Weber,” Hawkin explained.

Axle looked over at Skull. “Arrange rooms for them at the hotel. Tell Mama Hen we don’t want her there for a couple of nights, and we’ll have someone run the place for her.”

“Tell her I’ll send a few of the Claws,” Crush said and stood. “Give me an hour and they’ll be there.”

Skull nodded and pulled his phone out of his pocket as he walked out of the room with Crush, Pinky, and Nails.

“If you even so much as stain a pillowcase, I will destroy you,” Axle told them, meaning every word.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Axle

Intheparkinglotoutside of Mama Hen’s hotel, The Hen House, Axle and Crush straddled their bikes and watched as Skull and Pinky talked to Mama Hen in the lobby. Pike and Nails were standing off to the side on their phones.

Mama Hen was a friend of both clubs and had been for years. She was an older woman with brightly dyed teal hair and a snarky attitude. The clubs would do anything to protect her, and there wasn’t a soul in Warden’s Pass who didn’t love that woman. If anyone crossed her, they would have both clubs on their ass. She was also the blood aunt to Kisy, Dragon’s yet-to-be-claimed mate. When they found that out, it only made her more important to them.

“I think we have to send Rex in,” Axle told Crush. “He’s more familiar with Riles.”

Crush let out a sigh. “I trust what he was saying. I just don’t know if I trust the younger men to be able to pull this off. I think we should send Ranger with Rex. See if he can get them tips on not standing out like sore thumbs.”

Axle smiled. “Good thinking.”

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