Chapter 1—Kooper #2
“And if I fail and she still gets nabbed or worse?”
Law lets out a deep breath. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. All I want to know is I’ve got someone on the inside who sees something I might not.”
“Why me?” Some might see this as a punishment, others as a promotion. I’m holding back on what I think till I get the full story.
“You ain’t been around like everyone else. She’s got no ties to you. No way to twist you off what I want.”
At least he’s smart enough to get that Ruby has a pull around here with the brothers, even if it’s a little sister pull.
I don’t think any brother is dumb enough to want to try something with her.
It’s not that Law won’t allow it, but I don’t see anyone stupid enough to deal with her type of crazy.
And she is. Crazy, that is. There’s all types of crazy.
Some are cuckoo in the head, and then others are like Ruby—a loose cannon that you don’t know when it’ll go off.
And when it does, the destruction can be massive or minimal. It’s all unknown till it happens.
I rub my index finger just under my lip and think through his words. I might not be the smartest man alive, but I’ve learned to consider multiple scenarios before ever agreeing to anything. And I only do it when I can see more than a 60 percent chance of this going in my favor.
Like how I ended up with the Hounds. They showed up when some might say I had no other choice but to join them.
They’d be wrong. I always have a Plan B, C, and D when Plan A goes to shit.
Joining a club was Plan L if I really think about it.
But they spoke pretty words, and the more I thought on it, the more I saw possibilities I couldn’t get on my own.
I was coming off diplomatic duty. Most of my connections were still tied up in red tape, and if I wanted to venture out on something alone, I would be.
Sure, I had a few favors to call in to help set shit up, but other than that, it was just me.
Having a club gave me more than one door to go into.
The odds were overly in favor of club life then, and still are.
Even if I’m not so sure about the latest door presented to me.
“What do I get out of this babysitting gig?”
He shrugs as he leans back in his chair. “What do you want?”
I lean forward and rest my clasped hands together on the desk. “The club. I protect your daughter, and I get your chair when you’re ready to step down.”
Silence.
To his credit, Law doesn’t protest outright or shoot me. Both would be understandable reactions. But there’s a reason he’s the boss. Like me, he takes the time to think everything through. To weigh it all before reacting.
He keeps his face neutral, like I do. I’ve got no read on him other than knowing he’s considering it.
“Ruby doesn’t come with the chair.”
I shake my head. “Never said I wanted her.”
His eyes narrow at my words before they even out again. “Can’t promise the club’s vote.”
“You can make a recommendation,” I say with a tilt of my head.
He takes a deep breath. “What if I had someone else in mind?”
I don’t fault him for already thinking ahead.
That’s what he does, sees the problem seven paces down the line.
And I’ve got a feeling I know who he’s thinking, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be just as good.
When I became a Hound, I saw possibilities for more.
More opportunities, more resources. Sure, the “power” is cool too.
But if I lead the Hounds, the mother chapter, my resources would be endless.
I could take this club further than what others might do.
I want more than just monitoring our area.
And I’m not alone in that. Not sure how this will pan out, but I’ve got to at least get my hat in the ring first before I start making changes.
“Who says you can’t take two under your wing till the time comes? No one needs to know what you really want, just what you say when it comes to it.”
“And if I don’t get to make the call? If I go out before I can pass it on?”
I lean back and raise my shoulders once. “Like you said about Ruby and the possibility of her getting taken or worse. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
“What if I say no? That I’m not interested in this trade of services or whatever you want to call it? I could kick your ass out right now. Hell, one yell to the brothers and every single one would gun you down if I wanted it.”
I nod at his words and then shake my head.
“Do what you’ve got to do. You’re the one who called me in.
You have your pick of the brothers. You know me, and you know them.
I don’t do things for shits and giggles, which you also know.
You expected me to ask for something. Maybe not this, but be honest with yourself.
It was on the table. Half the reason you said Ruby doesn’t come with the deal is because you already thought I would ask that, and it was your line in the sand.
” I wait a beat and square off with him as I hold his stare.
“For now. Depending on how deep this shit goes, she might also be on the table. You willing to risk that?”
One beat before he nods. “For her safety, I’d risk almost anything. Even death.”
I stand and hold out my hand. “Then we have a deal.”
He looks at me, then at my hand before offering his up, but not standing to match my height.
When we lock hands, he pulls me down just a bit so the power dynamic is clear.
I might have come up with this, but he has everything in this.
I’m just one man. He’s the Hound. He made this club what it is today.
I can’t overlook that. I respect the man too much not to.
But I’ve also got to think about me. And my end goal.
Dad always said, “The only person looking out for you is yourself.” Something I’ve lived by every day.
Still do. Law could have told me to stuff it and fuck off.
Or hell, he could have told me I was babysitting his little girl and there was nothing in it for me at all.
But he didn’t. And now the cards have been dealt.
Who the fuck knows where they’ll land once life starts dealing too.
“Keep her alive and I’ll do my part to get you the chair. That’s my guarantee.”
Another thing my dad taught me: There are no guarantees in life.