Sixteen
Sometimes, being on the outside looking in, you see more than they want you to.
W ell, damn—if this ain’t a clusterfuck.
A shit show wrapped in a landmine, dipped in crazy.
I don’t even know where to start. Traitors in my club.
Secrets in my marriage. More grandkids than I knew about.
My son shot. His ol’ lady shot. And now I’ve got to step up before everything burns to the damn ground.
I drag a hand down my face, eyes sweeping the hospital roo
Heather’s curled up beside Talon, clinging to his unconscious body like her presence might wake him up. She refused to be admitted, even with stitches and a busted shoulder. Said she needed to be with him. Stubborn as hell.
I can’t say I’m thrilled about her––never have been.
The truth is, I understand why my grandson shot her.
Heather’s mouth has always been and will always be her downfall.
Seventeen years under my son’s roof, she never once tried to humble herself.
Even V, my beautiful wife, a woman who is ride-or-die for her family, can’t stand her.
She only tolerates Heather for Talon and Luna’s sake.
But tonight? Tonight made it clear that Heather finally ran her mouth in the wrong direction.
The Barones don’t play. And now she’s paying the price. Maybe she’ll learn. Probably won’t.
Talon lies there, battered and still. My son.
My flesh and blood. And I try not to think too long about how close I came to losing him.
I shift my gaze to Vera—my woman, strong as ever, even after the moment earlier when she damn near let one off on Gabriella.
Something’s buried there. Something I don’t know yet, and that doesn’t sit right with me.
She’s lived this life for decades. She knows how this works. But this time, it’s different. This time, her past might be the very reason our son’s lying broken in a hospital bed. And until I get the truth out of her or Gabriella, I can’t know for sure. But I’ll find out. I always do.
“Boys,” I say, keeping my tone low so the women don’t catch on. Axel and Nitro look up. I tilt my head toward the door and walk out without waiting.
I don’t glance back at Heather or Vera or my granddaughter. We’ve got work to do. Answers to get.
The hallway is quiet except for our brothers standing guard's steady shuffle of boots. I give them a nod. They’ll hold the line while we sort shit out. Axel and Nitro follow me into the elevator without a word. They know I don’t speak unless it’s time.
Once we hit the lobby, I head straight for the smoking area outside. I don’t light up often, but tonight? Tonight, I need the damn vice. My nerves are fried. Too many unknowns and cracks in a foundation that was supposed to be solid. That shit doesn’t sit well with me.
I light my smoke and face my boys. Their eyes meet mine, not looking at their father now, but their former Prez. And they know it.
“So,” I start, slow and deliberate. “From what I gather—from what you told me, Axel, and what I picked up in that room—Gabriella’s a Barone.
She’s also the mother of my grandkids. I knew the girl when she was younger, back when she was sneaking around with Talon.
Didn’t think much of her then. Didn’t know who she was.
That’s on me. I didn’t do my due diligence, and I sure as hell didn’t see what was brewing. ”
I rub my forehead, the weight of those memories pressing down.
I remember the last time I saw her—Talon, standing outside the clubhouse, watching her drive away like she took his damn soul with her.
He was never the same after that. Fucked his way through half the damn state, picked fights just to feel something.
I tried to pull him back, but he was too far gone.
Then one day, he shows up with Heather, says she’s his ol’ lady, and they’ve got a baby on the way.
I look between Axel and Nitro. “Can’t do shit about the past. What we can do is find Gabriella and get the truth. That girl knows more than we do—maybe more than anyone.”
I take a long drag, then fix Axel with a hard stare.
“And you? You let your temper get in the way. Again. Now she’s gone—and she took our answers with her. Am I wrong? Or wasn’t she introduced as the Barone liaison? Didn’t she come to give us intel on the traitors in our club?”
He tries to hold my gaze, but I see it—the guilt, the pride, the heat simmering behind his eyes. He’s gonna try to justify it. I don’t want to hear it.
“Pop… I… fuck, yes. You’re right,” he mutters, pacing.
“But how do you think I got here? The day she shows up, Talon gets shot. That shit wasn’t a coincidence.
You didn’t see their faces, Pop. Those Barone boys had murder in their eyes when they saw him.
No love lost. So yeah, maybe I jumped the gun—but it didn’t feel right. None of it did. Still doesn’t.”
I nod, watching him wear a hole in the pavement.
Nitro stays quiet, shoulders tense, eyes on the ground.
That boy carries the weight of this club on his back.
He always has. And while I respect the hell out of that, he needs to understand—some shit you can’t stop. Some betrayals you don’t see coming.
I stub out my smoke. “I sent word to Hound. He and Senior are already digging. Traitors. Salvatores. Anyone and anything that even smells dirty. They’ll find it.”
I pause, then look Axel dead in the eye. “But until you can keep your shit together, I’m taking my fucking club back. You hear me? I’m stepping in. You’re benched.”
His eyes go wide. Fury flashes across his face.
“No, Pop—”
I raise a hand, shutting it down.
“You don’t have the control for this, Axel. Not right now. And this club can’t afford another emotional misfire. We’re too deep in. So you’ll fall in line. Or you’ll step aside permanently. Your call.”
He knows I’m right. He can hate it all he wants, but the truth doesn’t bend for his feelings.
“Son, you’re the best right-hand man your brother could ask for.
But this irrational anger blinds you. And right now, I need clarity.
My priority is our family’s safety and figuring out who the fuck turned traitor inside this club.
What we do know is this—someone flipped.
Our alliance with the Barones is barely hanging on.
Your mother’s past is creeping in with sharp fangs.
And all of this came to light because of Gabriella Barone .
Without her, we’d still be flying blind, chasing shadows.
You told me we lost hundreds of thousands in product and didn’t even know it.
That alone should tell you we’re already bleeding. ”
We stare at each other. I see it in his eyes—the conflict, the guilt, the fury. Axel is all fire. That’s the problem. Fire doesn’t build, it burns. Right now, we need someone who can rebuild.
I turn to my youngest. “Nitro, get outta your head, son.”
His eyes snap to mine, jaw tight. “Pop… this shit’s fucked . How the hell didn’t Ma tell us any of this? And then Gabriella shows up like—”
My phone buzzes.
Sam Barone.
I mutter a curse under my breath. It’s been years since I’ve spoken to him. Whatever he wants, it won’t be small.
I hold up a finger to hush my boys and answer.
“Samuel Barone. What—”
He cuts me off. “Don’t have much time to chat.
My sister filled me in. So far? Not impressed.
But Gabriella’s got a soft spot for your club, for whatever reason.
I’m staying out of it—for now. She’s already called in Bellamy Church-Petrov.
They’re working on containing this clusterfuck.
My niece and nephew, Sebastian and Sarafina, are also handling their part.
Something that’s been bleeding both our families. ”
Bellamy Church-Petrov.
I know that damn name, but I don’t have time to dig through the cobwebs of my memory. Each word Sam drops is another weight on my chest.
Sam Barone might be young, but he’s a different breed. Colder. Smarter. They call him La Morte for a reason. I’ve never seen him work, but I’ve heard the aftermath.
Still, I’m no man’s pawn.
His tone softens—barely. “If I thought Gabriella or the kids would be in danger, I wouldn’t have let them come.
But they’re there now, and they’ll clean it up.
This is a mess my father should’ve dealt with years ago.
And yes, we know the Satan’s Keepers have had eyes on your territory for just as long. ”
I stiffen. “What the fuck do the Keepers have to do with this? Gabriella mentioned them, yeah, but also the Salvatores? Why now? Why this deep?”
Sam’s quiet laugh pisses me off more than his words.
“You’re not gonna like this, Brick, but here it is.
But first, I will apologize for my nephew getting a little trigger-happy with your son’s puttana .
Gabriella and Armand filled me in. I will talk to him.
” He says, pausing. “The Salvatores have been working with the Keepers for a while. We’ve kept tabs on them—not close enough, apparently.
That’s on us. Their motive used to be business.
Now? It’s personal. Because of your wife and some other history between the clubs. ”
My heart slows. My spine locks.
“What do you mean, because of my wife ?” I ask low, cold.
Ignoring the other shit about our club's history, because that’s just what it is history.
Sam keeps going. “Your wife’s mistake… made it personal for Don Salvatore.
Again, not my story to tell. Talk to your wife, Brick.
You know the Keepers have always wanted your land, your routes.
They’ve only ever been bold enough to make a move once before.
You handled them, and you can handle them now.
Just know that now it’s going to be more…
difficult because they’ve got backing. And if you don’t find the mole fast, they will move on your club. ”
He lets that sink in before continuing.
“My shipments are getting delayed. I’m losing money. And I don’t like losing money. Gabriella is handling her side. You need to get yours under control. Listen to her. She’s not your enemy.”
I grit my teeth so hard my jaw pops. “It’s because of my respect for your father that I’m not flying down there to put two slugs in your chest, Barone . You should’ve warned us. My son could’ve died tonight. And all I get are half-assed stories and cryptic riddles.”
I take a breath. Reel myself back.
“That club knows damn well we’ll never bow. I won’t. Talon won’t. We crushed their last attempt and buried their old Prez. But now they’re coming harder. What are you not saying?”
He sighs again, quieter this time. “I get it. I do. And for not warning you, I am sorry. Yes—the Keepers tried to kill your son. And yes, your wife’s past is part of the reason.
Don Salvatore wants her to suffer . Says she cost him something…
his father. There’s a blood debt in play, and we don’t get to decide how that plays out. ”
I stop pacing. The weight of those words nearly buckles me. Vera...
I hear a chair scrape and Sam curse.
“Don’t worry your pretty little head, Brick,” he says darkly.
“We’ve had eyes on the Salvatores for a while, for reasons unrelated to this.
And we’ll handle them. But Gabriella’s involvement?
That’s her call. I won’t force her into more bullshit, especially after what your sons pulled.
You need to check them. I don’t care who they are—if Axel lays hands on her again, I will end him.
I don’t care if she begs for mercy. I don’t care if you do.
That line’s been crossed before. I won’t allow it again. ”
I still.
His threat hangs between us, hot and sharp. My blood boils at the audacity. But beneath that rage is understanding. Because if someone had put their hands on my daughter, if she were alive? I’d gut them too. He and I—we’re the same that way.
Protectors.
Executioners.
I look over at my boys, both silent now. They needed to hear this. Needed to feel it. The world just shifted under our feet, and if we don’t get our shit together fast, we’re going to lose more than money and product.
We’re going to lose blood .
I look at Axel as we approach the SUV.
Damn that boy.
“I get it,” I say, keeping my voice level.
“But all this posturing? It’s wasted energy.
Emotions are high, yeah—but we’ve got work to do.
And right now, that’s what matters. Axel will keep his shit together.
That’s a guarantee. But let me make one thing clear—no one, not your sister, not my grandkids, not even God himself, puts their hands on my family without consequence. ”
We reach the club SUV. The doors slam shut as we pile in. After putting the phone on speaker, I toss it on the dash.
Sam’s voice drops a notch, like we’ve entered a new phase of the conversation. “I know you know about the kids now. I know Talon knows. So, you understand we’re family now. Dysfunctional as hell, but family. Axel, I know you can hear me.”
I shot my son a warning look.
Axel scowls at the phone, jaw clenched. “I hear you.”
Sam doesn’t hesitate. “You may not trust my sister. Hell, you may hate her. You don’t understand how she kept those kids from him, but she tried .
He was too stubborn, too caught up in his shit to hear her.
She never did it to be cruel. That woman has spent years protecting your blood.
I know you, fratello . You’ll stay pissed until it eats you alive.
But let me be crystal fucking clear—if you ever lay hands on my sister again, I will kill you. ”
There’s no mistaking the venom in Sam’s tone. Calm. Cold. Lethal.
Axel doesn’t flinch. “I hear you, Sam. But you’d better hear me too. If anyone puts my family at risk—I don’t care who the fuck they are—I’ll do what I have to. That includes your sister.”
Sam lets out a grunt. “Brick, I’ll text you Gabriella’s number and where she’s staying. She’s not gonna sit still—things are already moving. She and Bellamy will have a piece of this handled by week’s end. If you want in, call her. She expects it.”
He pauses—just long enough to drive it home.
“But keep Axel the fuck away from her. Not for her sake—my nieces and nephews are on edge. And anyone who comes at their mother sideways will end up like that puttana did—catching a bullet.”
He chuckles, then the line goes dead.
I exhale through my nose, jaw locked as I look between my sons. The silence is thick, weighted with everything we’ve heard and everything we haven’t.
I shake my head, disbelief and exhaustion curling in my gut.
“What a fucking shitshow.”