Chapter Twenty
Spike
My chest aches under the weight of betrayal. Max has been part of this family for fifteen years. Long before I became President. Back then, the Iron Shadows were nothing but a no-name club, barely taken seriously. The President at the time didn’t really give a shit what happened to his club or his men.
I spent years turning us into the feared name we are now, and through all of that, Max was right by my side.
For the past day, I’ve been trying to figure out why the hell he’d do this. He has no family alive, so blackmail doesn’t make sense. He doesn’t have money problems. My officers get paid well, on top of whatever cut they take from the club businesses they run.
Max has been in charge of our tattoo shop since we opened it, and I know for a fact he makes damn good money from it, even after the club takes its twenty percent.
So what the fuck is going on?
“He could have taken Asher,” Tank reminds me.
“There was no reason to,” Bones counters. “Max isn’t working with Chuck. He’s got his own agenda.”
“Any luck at Iron and Ink’s?” I ask.
“Nope,” Knuckles says. “Maverick’s checking out Max’s house now, but I doubt we’ll find anything useful.”
A knot tightens in my gut. Max didn’t just walk away from us out of the blue. He planned this.
“I hate to do this, Prez,” Bones says. “But I need to lock down the compound until we sweep it for bugs. There’s no telling what Max’s play is, and I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
“Alright,” I sigh. “But keep the other three chapters running. There’s a charity run tomorrow for the hospital’s new rehab clinic. We’re sponsoring it. I need at least thirty men on bikes representing us. Knuckles, since you’re Road Captain, I want you outside the compound leading it.”
“No problem.”
“I’ll take Abby, Riley, and Asher into the bunker beneath my house until the compound is clear,” I continue. “It’s not safe to take them outside these walls until Chuck is out of the picture.”
Even if Max or anyone else planted a bug and is listening in, there’s no way in hell they can access my bunker. Not without my eyes, my hand, and my fucking code.
“Uh, Prez, your sister is not gonna handle being in that bunker,” Tank reminds me. “She’ll flip the fuck out.”
Shit. He’s right.
“How long will you need?” I ask Bones.
“A day,” he says. “Two at the most.”
“Damn it. I can’t sedate her for that long.”
“I’ll be fine, Bubby,” Abby’s voice comes from the door.
I turn to find her standing there, looking hesitant but determined.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to listen in,” she continues. “I just wanted to let you know that Riley’s ex is on the phone.”
I freeze.
“Chuck?” I ask, my voice betraying my shock.
She nods. “He wants to talk to you.”
And just like that, the air in the room changes.
“Oh, and I really will be fine in the bunker,” Abby adds. “I’ve learned new techniques to deal with enclosed spaces. I might just need a little help from time to time.”
“I’ll help you, Abbs,” Tank says without hesitation. “We all will.”
I catch the way he looks at her, the softness in his tone when he speaks about my sister. He’s been sweet on her since the day they met, and for whatever reason, he’s never made his move.
If he thinks I wouldn’t approve, he’s dead wrong.
Tank is one hell of a guy, and I know he’d give Abby the love and life she deserves.
But right now, none of that matters.
Chuck is on the phone.
And I need to find out what the hell he wants.
I push myself to my feet, heading for my office with my brothers behind me, the tension hanging thick in the air.
Riley’s sitting on the couch, Asher nestled against her chest, fast asleep. Her eyes are wide, a mix of concern and fear written across her face.
“Everything’s gonna be alright, baby,” I whisper, pressing a soft kiss to her temple.
I sit down behind my desk, hit the speakerphone button, and brace myself for whatever’s coming.
“Commissioner.”
“Spike,” Chuck’s voice booms through the phone, loud enough to make Riley flinch.
“What can I do for you?” I ask, trying to keep the calm in my voice, though my gut tells me this conversation is about to get a hell of a lot worse.
“How’s my son?” Chuck asks, his tone dripping with something I can’t quite place.
I don’t answer, and he laughs, an unsettling sound.
“Anyway,” he continues, “I’m just calling to warn you about a raid on your compound.”
My pulse quickens, but I force my voice to remain steady.
“What reasons would you have to raid my property?” I ask, my hand signaling to Tank to start the protocols for an impending raid.
There’s a beat of silence on the other end of the line. A game of cat and mouse.
If Chuck thinks I’m the mouse, he’s got another thing coming. I’m the fucking wolf.
“Feds are circling,” Chuck finally says, his tone almost apologetic, like he’s doing me a favor. “They’re getting close, Spike. I’m just trying to give you a heads-up.”
I can hear the fake concern in his voice, but it doesn’t faze me. He’s trying to play the worried friend, but I know better. He’s not calling to help me; he’s trying to get me rattled.
I lean back in my chair, putting my feet up on the desk. “Chuck, as long as you’ve got the proper documentation for that raid, you’re more than welcome to raid away. I’ve got nothing to hide.”
There’s a pause, and I can practically feel him trying to figure out what my response means.
“Are you sure about that?” Chuck presses, his voice lowering a notch, like he’s trying to sound all confidential. “There’s a lot going on, Spike. I just... I don’t want you or your family caught in the middle of it.”
I roll my eyes, unable to stop the small smirk that tugs at my lips. This is the oldest trick in the book. Play the concerned citizen. Make it seem like you’re trying to protect the other guy’s family.
“Chuck, I appreciate the concern, but you and I both know you don’t give a shit about my family.” I let the words hang in the air, cold and clear. “If you’re really trying to warn me, save it. You don’t have to act like you care. It’s not gonna get you anywhere. And it sure as fuck isn’t gonna get you near Riley and Asher.”
Chuck’s silence stretches out. Then, almost like he’s swallowing back something, he responds. “I just don’t want to see Riley or my son hurt, Spike. You know how dangerous things can get. I’m not asking for your trust. I’m just trying to make sure everyone’s safe.”
I lean forward now, dropping my feet off the desk, my voice low and measured. “Listen, Chuck. I know how dangerous things can get. And as for my family? They’re under my protection, not yours. My compound’s locked down, and unless you’ve got a warrant or something with more bite than your typical warning, I don’t think you’ve got a leg to stand on.”
Chuck doesn’t reply right away. I can hear him shifting on the other end, probably trying to figure out his next move. But I’m already ten steps ahead.
“Just know,” Chuck says, his voice hardening, “I’m trying to be civil here, Spike. You don’t want to push me too far. I’m trying to help you avoid a situation where things go south. And you know damn well I’m capable of making that happen.”
I laugh, the sound bitter and low. “Help me, Chuck? You’ve always been a snake in the grass. You’ve never been there to help anyone. If you’re really concerned about Riley and Asher, do me a favor and stay the fuck away. They’re Shadows now. Which means they’re mine. You’ve touched Riley for the last fucking time.”
The line goes silent, but I know Chuck is still there. I can feel the tension crackling through the phone.
“I’m done here,” Chuck mutters. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it all before,” I say, cutting him off. “You can raid my compound all you want, Chuck. Just know I’ll be here, waiting for you. You want to play games? Bring it.”
I hang up before he can say anything else, staring at the phone in my hand.
“Protocols already active, Prez,” Tank says, stepping up to my side. “We’re ready if they make a move.”
“Good,” I grunt, my jaw tightening. “If Chuck thinks he’s gonna walk in here and take my woman and child, he’s sorely mistaken. Get the word out to the other chapters. Tell them to cooperate if they get raided. Bones, I need you to move quickly to get this place searched and cleaned for bugs. I need everything back to normal before the feds show up. Everyone else, contact any loved ones. Let them know you’ll be out of contact for a few days. I want everyone in my bunker in three hours. Security needs to be changed every five hours. This compound is officially locked down.”
***
Bones finishes the sweep in under twenty-four hours. And he doesn’t find a damn thing.
Which only pisses me off more.
What the hell is Max playing at?
“Everything clear?” I ask Tank.
“They can tear this place apart, and they won’t find a thing,” he says. “Foster made sure every transaction tied to our banks is labeled for legit business.”
“If they dig deep enough, they’ll find unaccounted money,” I mutter.
“I went all the way back to when you took over as President,” Foster says, stepping into my office, a wide-awake newborn in his arms. “There’s nothing for them to find. And I made sure Skip’s records are locked down tight.” He smirks. “Now, Riley said to bring you this little guy while she warms up a bottle. She’s unthawing some milk from the freezer.”
“Oh! Can I feed him?” Skip asks, practically bouncing into the room behind Foster.
“No, you fucking can’t,” I growl, taking my son. “If he’s not nursing, then I’m feeding him. Now, what the hell do you want?”
“That baby’s first word is gonna be ‘fuck,’” Maverick comments from the doorway.
“What is this, a goddamn party?” I ask, scowling. “Don’t you all have shit to do?”
“We’re on lockdown, brother,” Skip reminds me. “All work is on hold. But Max’s prospects are handling grunt work at the Underworld, so at least that place is still running.”
“Fuck,” Maverick mutters as realization slams into both of us.
“No way,” I say.
“What am I missing?” Skip asks, looking between us.
“The prospects,” I say, my grip on Asher tightening. “Max personally vetted and chose every single one of them.”
The room falls into silence, the weight of the revelation pressing down hard.
“What are the chances,” I continue, my voice low, “that he planted some of them as spies?”
Silence stretches across the room as the weight of my words sinks in.
“We need Max’s records,” I say, my voice hard. “I want a full list of every prospect he’s brought in. I want to know where they came from, how long they’ve been here, and which chapter they’re at now.”
“I’ll dig into it,” Foster says immediately. “He kept files on every single one. I just need access to his laptop or his hard copies.”
“Start with his office at the tattoo shop,” I order. “If we don’t find anything there, search his house.”
“On it.” Foster nods and turns to leave just as Riley steps into the office, a warm bottle in her hands.
The tension in my body eases slightly at the sight of her. She crosses the room, her eyes locking onto mine, reading the storm brewing inside me. But she doesn’t ask questions. Instead, she gives me what I need.
Her steady presence.
“Here,” she murmurs, handing me the bottle before crouching beside my chair. “Let me help.”
I adjust Asher in my arms, feeling clumsy as hell. He’s so damn small, and this is the first time I’m feeding him from a bottle.
Riley gently places her hand over mine, guiding the nipple to Asher’s mouth. It takes him a few moments to accept the new nipple, but then he latches on, his little hands gripping my fingers.
“There you go,” Riley whispers, her voice soft with affection. “Just like that.”
A strange sensation settles in my chest. Something warm, something grounding. It’s not just about Asher taking his first bottle. It’s about this moment. Having Riley beside me, steadying me, while the world outside this office threatens to burn down.
I exhale slowly, my focus narrowing to the tiny life in my arms.
For just a second, everything else – Max, Chuck, the raid, the traitor – fades into the background.
For just a second, all that matters is my son.
“I love you, boy,” I murmur, staring down at the tiny bundle in my arms. “I hope you know that I’ll always have your back. And so will all of your crazy, overprotective uncles. You’re gonna grow up knowing exactly what it means to be fiercely loved.”
Riley sniffles beside me, and I glance down to see her trying and failing to blink back tears.
Smiling, I reach out with my free hand and brush my fingers over her cheek. “And I love you, Riley. As much as I hate how it happened, I’m really fucking glad you ran into my life.”
She huffs out a soft laugh. “More like bulldozed.”
“Same thing.”
Before she can respond, Skip clears his throat dramatically. “What about me, Prez? Do you love me?”
I shake my head, biting back a grin. “For some crazy reason… yeah. I love you too, Skip.”
He smirks, turning to the others. “You hear that, losers? I’m his favorite brother.”
“Hardly,” Maverick scoffs from where he’s still leaning against the doorframe. “That would be me.”
Skip snorts. “Oh, puh-lease. You don’t count, Outlaw .”
Maverick just smirks. “Keep telling yourself that.”
Across the room, Tank watches the exchange with quiet amusement, his arms crossed over his chest like he’s enjoying a damn soap opera. Bones, on the other hand, just sits there, arms resting on his knees, expression blank, and indifferent to the playful bickering. But I know better.
Bones might not say much, might not waste his breath on bullshit, but he would kill for everyone in this room. No hesitation. No remorse.
I shift my focus back to Asher, who’s still sucking away at his bottle, blissfully unaware that he’s already at the center of this chaotic, dysfunctional, but fiercely loyal family.