Chapter 35 #2
I had a moment, when that red dot was focused on my chest and there was a missile pointed at the clubhouse, when I saw the end of my life. And my first thought was for Maren. She’s lost so many people in her life already; I don’t want to add to that list. Not yet, anyway.
I get to my room, and make the call that, while I know it’s fine to make, always leaves me on edge. I don’t like asking anyone for anything. It’s also late here, even later there, but if I was national president, this is something I’d want to know about.
I’m also old-school and like to see people’s faces when I ask them for a favor, so I call him using video.
“Knox,” King says when he answers. “Gimme a minute.”
He props the phone on something, and I watch as he finishes fastening a little onesie on a baby with a shock of black hair.
And it might be the first time I’ve ever seen King smile. He’s whispering something I can’t hear to his daughter. I heard they called her Imogen.
He reaches for a pink blanket and puts it over his shoulder.
“Up you go, Immie,” he says, finally, before lifting the little thing up to his shoulder and rubbing her back slowly. He places a kiss on the side of her head, then reaches for the phone before sitting down in a rocking chair.
And, fuck me, I’m jealous. His daughter’s hair is the same shade as his, but her skin is fairer. And I wonder, for a moment, what bit of me and what bits of Maren our kid would have.
“Sorry about that,” he says finally. “Rae went out with her book club for the first time since Imogen was born. They’ve gone to some concert at the Shore. Bates and Halo are watching over ‘em. So, it’s just me and Immie tonight.”
“It’s a cute name.”
“Imogen Juno Hills. Strong name, strong life. What can we do for you?”
“Got a problem. Name’s Mateo Alvarez. I’m guessing a Miami outfit but we don’t know for sure, yet.
Showed up like a warlord. Semis. Missile launcher.
Says Paltrow owes him a quarter of a million.
He thinks we’re hiding him. Told us we either produce Paltrow in seven days or give them the quarter of a million. But we don’t have that kind of cash.”
King runs a hand through his hair and Imogen kicks her legs a little. “That’s not small time.”
“We can’t match their firepower either.” I hate to admit that, but we’ve never really needed more than the rifles and handguns we’ve always carried.
“They walked right up to my fucking gate. They beat Vandal up pretty bad. Burned him with a cattle prod or something too. Looking at him, I don’t know if he’s ever gonna see again from the mess they made of his face.
I want to fuck Alvarez over for that alone. ”
“You need backup and supplies.”
It’s not a question, and I appreciate it. I stub my cigarette out.
“Jesus, what I would give for one of those right now,” King mutters. “Rae fucking banned ‘em in the house now that Imogen is here, like I was ever gonna smoke around her. But this little one has been testing her lungs out tonight, and I don’t know who got more fraught about it, me or her.”
I chuckle at that and wonder what I would give up for any kids Maren and I might make. “You look like it suits you, brother.”
He smiles softly at that. “Yeah. Happiest I’ve ever been.
Being there with Rae while she gave birth, Immie being a preemie, and having to deal with all that, I felt utterly powerless, for a hot minute.
Fucking prayed, Knox. Like, full-on, got down on my knees and prayed.
I’m not even religious, but I just wanted my little girl to live.
Cried more in the last three months than I have in my entire life. Puts everything in perspective.”
There’s a realness to his words, something raw and unexpected.
“Listen, you don’t need this, Prez. I can handle my territory. Let me talk to Atlanta and see if—”
“I know you can,” King says. “You’ve been one of the strongest chapters and the best presidents we’ve ever had.”
The words hit hard against my chest. Praise in this game is rare. You do it right, your club thrives. You do it wrong, you get voted down.
“But only fools go to war alone,” he adds.
War.
Yeah.
That’s what all of this is shaping up to be. And, I’ve been itching for action, but not the kind where we’re outmanned and outgunned.
“You said you got seven days, right?”
I nod. “That’s what they said.”
“Then, I’ll send some of my men down. En route, they can collect arms from other clubs on the way. I’ll get those clubs to meet up with them along the I-75 or catch them at rest stops. I’ll find out who has semis and compensate them for sending them your way.”
I start to refuse but then realize it’s my pride talking, given help is the reason I called in the first place. “I’ll take all the help I can get.”
“I’ll also ask each club to provide a few men. Can’t guarantee the quality you’ll get, but I estimate it’ll yield thirty or forty men. You might want to get your road captain to meet the convoy to ride them in. Those swamplands are creepy as fuck.”
I laugh at that. “You live in one of the roughest places in New Jersey.”
King shakes his head. “You have alligators and snakes and shit.” He shudders at that.
Imogen cries out, and King puts his hand on her back, rubbing smooth circles. “Hey, hey, I know. You’re hungry. We’ll go find you the food your mom pumped before she left. Sorry, Knox. I gotta go, but one last thing. I’m gonna send you a quarter of a million dollars.”
“What?” My mouth opens.
“It’s not your fault that someone is looking for a man I gave approval to be killed.
Nor that he’d run up this kind of debt and someone would come looking for him to pay.
I’ll send it to you. I trust you to do what’s right.
You think he’ll go away once he has the money and it saves all your fucking lives, give it to him.
But if you think he’ll keep coming back and creep onto your turf and those precious weapons routes, then stand your ground. ”
“Understood,” I say.
Imogen’s snuffles are temporarily soothed when King supports the back of her head with his wide palm. “They’ll be on the road in the morning. You’re not alone in this, Knox. Remember that.”
The call ends and I lower the phone.
Seven days.
A man like Mateo Alvarez.
Vandal hurt.
A war on the horizon.
And I asked Maren to be my old lady but won’t take the club vote until Vandal is able to lift his hand with us.
I take a breath. And another.
And remember this is why I’m a fucking Outlaw.