Chapter Twenty Gambit
Chapter Twenty
Gambit
“Are you going to tell me what brought you this way, or is it on a need-to-know basis?” Charm asks from his position beside me on the bench.
We watch as the girls chat and play games on the boardwalk now that the sun has gone down.
His light blonde-hair is cropped close to his head, and his eyes appear impossibly blue with this tan. Life in L.A. is agreeing with him.
“I had to take care of a few things in San Diego, and the boss wanted to put some distance between me and that.”
Charm nods. “Makes sense. I figured you hadn’t just decided to go on a road trip with your girlfriend in the middle of a club crisis, but.” He holds up his hands. “I don’t judge.”
“Not all of us have a cushy job on a food truck to spend our days.”
“Hey.” Charm elbows me. “We bring in a ton of money for the Kings.”
“So I’ve heard. Business aside. What’s going on in the chapter?”
Charm groans and runs a hand down his face.
His broad forehead wrinkles, and the mirth fades from his blue eyes.
He looks over at his girlfriend. Her large curls surround a slender oval-shaped face.
Pale pink highlights stand out in her dark hair.
She stands out on the boardwalk in the black skinny jeans and tank top paired with leopard print creeper shoes.
Long bat earrings dangle from her ears. With her golden skin she and Rowan look more like relatives than strangers as they laugh together.
“Charm?”
“I don’t know. Knuckles is doing the best he can as the new President, but people are still uneasy about the stability of this location.”
“Do you think it’s a valid concern?”
“Hard to tell, honestly. I haven’t seen anything suspicious personally, but people don’t usually broadcast the bullshit they’re doing in the dark, you know? Is Prez worried about it?” Charm crosses his leg, ankle over his knee.
“He’d be a fool not to be. You know what’s going on up that way, right?”
Charm nods. “My brother keeps me posted.”
“I think it’s going to be a big blow-up.”
“Is that why you’re here?” Charm guesses.
“Partially.” I nod my agreement. “Boss wants to keep this between us. We’re supposed to watch everyone and gather intel.”
“On the surface, it's nothing more than the usual grumblings from brothers who think they could do it better but couldn’t lead their way out of a wet paper bag. The older heads are removed. They’re loyal, but tired.
I think they’re leaving the action to the newer generation.
And you know what?” Charm shrugs. “It’s valid, honestly.
They did their time. This is supposed to be their golden years.
They shoot the shit in the clubhouse, smoke, drink, and let biker bunnies entertain them. It’s the biker retirement plan.”
I laugh. “You’re not wrong, homie.”
“What do you need from me exactly?”
“Let Ro hang back with Xia. She can help her around the truck. But I can’t be worried about her safety and do my job. She’s acting as D’s assistant, so she’ll be treating the brothers around the club. But I don’t want her any more involved than that.” I shake my head.
“That position will be good protection. No one fucks with the independent medics, because we never know when we’ll need them,” Charm muses.
“That was my thought when D asked her to assist. The cancer is draining him, but he’s giving it hell.”
We let a moment of silence pass as we both think about the old man who’s patched us up more times than we can count.
“Are you going to check in tonight?” Charm asks.
“Yeah. I want to catch them unaware and in their natural state.”
Charm laughs. “You walk through the door, and it’ll be mission accomplished. It’s not every day the President of the Nomad strolls in unannounced.”
“You want to collect our ladies?”
Charm nods. “I suggest you get a hotel room for Rowan for the night. It’s better to err on the side of caution than wind up regretting it later.”
“Is there something you want to tell me, Charm?”
“This is me as an old man saying there are brothers I think would push boundaries if they could catch her alone. Keep someone with her while she’s in the infirmary.”
“Good looking out, brother. I’ll do that. Any suggestions?”
“Muscle and Donut are good, solid brothers with laid-back vibes, and a decent sense of humor. They both have old ladies and kids, so they get it.”
“I’ll put them on detail for her then.” Knowing what she’s done for me in the past has me hyper aware of her safety and determined to make sure no one slips in and takes advantage of her again.
I know her father leaned on her insecurities and sense of duty.
He was too smug not to be in the shit up to his neck.
I hope the bastard is burning in hell where he belongs.
Standing, we walk over to the ring toss game in the center of the area.
“So close.” The vendor in a t-shirt with a red apron divided into three compartments, yells to Ro. Her face is alight with joy, and the smile on her face makes my heart pick up a notch. Sharing her truth has made her lighter.
“Damn, you’re really into her, huh?” Charm whispers.
“Is that surprising?” I frown.
“Fuck yeah, it is. Gambit booed up wasn’t on my bucket list for 2025.”
“I do like to keep people guessing,” I smirk as I stroll over to her side. “Need some help, Ro.”
“No. I go this.” Her tongue pokes out to the side as she narrows her gaze and pitches the blue plastic rings. Two circles hook around bottles, and she dances.
“Winner! A stuffed animal for the lady,” the young brunette gestures to the wall.
Moving forward, she carefully considers each tiny toy. “That one.” She points to a red bear in a black vest. He unhooks the bear from the wall of prizes and hands it over. Grinning, she presents it to me.
“My thanks for a tour around Santa Clara.”
Laughing, I give her a mock bow. “Thank you, m’lady.”
She giggles, and I bask in the sight of the woman I knew she’d become. The afternoon was a much-needed break from the heaviness the club is facing. Full of snacks and in a good mood, we head back to the car.
“This was fun, Gambit, thank you.”
“I’m glad you liked it.” Reaching across the console, I place a hand on her knee. I can’t keep my hands off her.
Leaning back in the seat, I let her navigate the new GPS coordinates as I catch up on more sleep. I need to be sharp when we hit the club.
We pull into the lot, and I see the brother at the gate pale. The older building is an old church, and it shows in its strange shape and stained-glass windows. A long main body branches off into two smaller wings on either side. The steeple remains like a watch tower, looking out over the city.
“Was this a church?” Ro asks, sounding scandalized.
I laugh. “A long while ago. We got it cheap, refurbished it, and never looked back.”
“Damn. Seems blasphemous for bikers to conduct their business out of here.”
“I’ve never heard tales of any hauntings, if that helps.”
“Maybe a little,” she admits, killing the engine. Exiting the car, I come around to her side and open the door.
“When I get in here, there’s going to be a mad scramble. Stick to your proxy role as a medic. It ranks higher than my position.”
Her eyes grow round like quarters. “Yours?”
“The same as you always were, Ro.”
Her lips twitch up into a smile. “Okay.”
Holding her hand, I walk across the parking lot, feeling eyes on me from inside the club. The gossiping shits must have the grapevine buzzing by now. The door swings open, revealing a dark-haired, tan, stocky brother in his early forties.
“Knuckles.”
“Wasn’t expecting you, or your friend, Gambit.”
“She’s filling in for D while he recovers from his latest round of chemo.”
“Shit.” Knuckles' face softens. “Is he okay?”
I glance at Ro. “He’s doing really well with his treatments, according to his paperwork; he’s just tired. Chemo is hard on the body, and he’s been short-staffed for far too long.”
“Damn. Come on in.” He steps back, allowing us entry.
“Ease up guys, this is D’s temporary assistant, Ro.” He looks at me.
He nods. “I’ll show you to the medic room and then we can talk.” He stares at me pointedly.
Does he think he’s intimidating?
“Can we get Donut and Muscle to shadow her?”
“That’s a good idea. We’re not used to such a pretty doc around here.”
The brother is rubbing me the wrong way, and I just got here.
Their medical is small, but clean and well-organized.
I watch her familiarize herself with her surroundings and supplies.
With its white walls, stainless steel counters, and rolling shelving, it’s sterile as hell.
IV poles and cots line the far wall beneath windows covered by sunlight-blocking black curtains.
Two men appear in the doorframe. Tall and lanky with golden-brown wavy hair, square jaws, and broad foreheads, their familial bond is obvious.
“Donut and Muscle, you’ll be hanging out here with the new lady doc, Ro. Make sure the boys mind their manners and follow her directions?” Knuckles says.
“Yeah, we’re on it.” Donut and Muscle step inside.
“Ro. This is Donut and Muscle. They’re going to hang out while you see patients coming through.”
“Okay. Let me just get some things together and clean my hands. She locks in on her chore as we head out.
“Good. I’ll send out the text letting them know medical assistance is here.”
Knuckles pulls his phone and texts a few lines. “They’ll start trickling here in the middle.”
“Appreciate it.”
He nods. “Walk with me. Not every day I get Nomad royalty in here unannounced.”
“Just making my rounds. I was up in San Diego for a while.” I shove my hands in the pockets of my jeans as we move away from the medical ring.
“I heard some interesting things were going on up there.”
“Good news always travels fast, doesn’t it?” I roll my eyes.
“It’s not a secret the law has been hunting us down like dogs.” As a new President for this chapter, Knuckles is abrasive and standoffish. He’s got a lot on his shoulders. It could be a natural defense or something more concerning.
Knuckles swallows, hard. “Is Stone trying to test my loyalty?”
“Is there a reason he should?” I stop mid-step.
“I’ve been under scrutiny since I took this role. If he’s not satisfied with how I do things, he could just tell me.” The petulance in his voice allows me to relax. He’s irritated, not afraid of discovery.
“That has nothing to do with why I’m here,” I assure him.
Knuckles grunts. “You sure about that?”
“Are you calling me a liar?” Pausing, I turn to face him. I apply the pressure to see his response in real time.
Knuck shakes his head, flashing the million-dollar smile that’s gotten him out of trouble his entire life. “No. Just making sure. I’m doing what I can on my end, but people still seem closed off.”
“Major club upheaval is always tricky to navigate,” I reply sympathetically.
He’s saying the things a concerned leader would say, but it doesn’t make him trustworthy.
My phone rings, and I pull it from my vest. I see Stone’s name.
“I need to take this.” Answering, I walk toward the back of the building.
“What’s up, Boss?”
“We got a hit off a phone number local to you for a brother named Wreck. He’s been with the crew for about three years, so his ties are tenuous at best.”
“He dealt with Todd?” I glance around, ensuring my privacy in the hallway.
“Regularly. The call times were too long to be a simple order.”
“Do we know where he is now?”
“According to his phone, he’s at the clubhouse now. He’s about six feet, with light brown hair, and a gangly build. I’m sending you all the information I have on file for him.”
“I’ll find him.”
I shoot a quick text to Charm.
If you see Wreck, stall him.
Charm~ He just headed out the door.
Fuck. My bike is still on the trailer.
Spinning, I take off for the front door at a dead run. Ignoring the strange looks as brothers break their necks to clear a path, I burst out the front door to see a bike already on the street. We’ll never catch him. What the fuck tipped him off?
Charm roars past, and I hold my breath. Maybe he’ll catch him. Rushing to the car, I work on freeing my bike from the rig. I have it free and, on the pavement, when Charm returns.
“He had too big a lead.”
“I got his apartment address. Let’s head there.” I show him the address, and he nods.
“I know where this is. You want to follow me?”
“Lead the way.”
Climbing on, I start the motorcycle and follow him out of the parking lot.
This situation is spiraling out of control.
What appeared to be an isolated event has spread to another charter.
We pull into the parking lot and do a slow sweep.
I’m not surprised he didn’t come here. Maybe they have a meeting point in case things go wrong?
I know there have to be more people involved.
We find two parking spots beside each other in the parking lot of the complex and turn off the bikes.
I pull off my helmet. “We need to search his apartment.”
“Yes, but it’s complicated. He has a girl and a kid.” He runs his hands over his chin.
I glance down at my watch. “How old’s the kid?”
“Six or seven?” He glances over at me. I see the fear and nervousness in his gaze.
“We don’t hurt women and children. If they’re in there, we’ll set them aside and search the place.”
Relaxing, he nods. “Done.”
Exiting the bikes, we make our way inside. I note the lack of cameras. One less thing to worry about.
Taking the stairs to the third floor, we walk up to apt. 317. Removing my wallet, I pull out a bobby pin and go to work. The lock clicks, and we push the door open. The small blonde screams and pitches a flaming candle. I duck, and it crashes against the wall, shattering.
“Shit.” Charm stomps out the flames as I dart forward.
Grabbing her, I lift her off the ground and cover her mouth. “Start screaming, and one of us is going to get hurt. I think you can guess who my money is on.”
She stops fighting.
“Where is Wreck?”
She shakes her head.
“I’m going to move my hand, and you’re going to start talking. Nod to let me know you get it.”
She nods. I ease my hand away. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen him since he left earlier for the clubhouse. Did something happen?” Her voice shakes. “Oh, God, is he dead?”
Not yet.
A phone rings, jumping around on an end table. I look at her screen and see a photo of her and Wreck.
“Answer it.”
She hesitates. I shove her forward. “Do not tip him off.” Licking her lips, she nods and rushes to the table, picking up the phone. I follow her, standing over her as she brings the phone to her ear.