Chapter 14
CROSS
My phone vibrated in my back pocket, the insistent buzz breaking my focus. Grumbling under my breath, I straightened, wiped my filthy hands on a rag, and pulled it out. King’s name flashed on the screen, and a jolt of alertness replaced my annoyance.
“Yeah?” My voice was tight, tension already threading through my muscles as I waited for King to speak.
“Compound. Now. Bring Hannah and Isa with you.”
He hung up without another word, leaving me staring at the silent phone for half a beat.
Then I was in motion, immediately tossing my tools aside and making my way to the small office to wash the worst of the grease from my hands.
Something was clearly wrong, and King’s clipped, demanding tone told me he wasn’t messing around.
In less than fifteen minutes, I was home.
Hannah had just finished feeding Isa and was putting away dishes in the kitchen, her golden hair pulled back in a loose ponytail.
She wore simple jeans and a soft, fitted sweater that hugged every one of her irresistible curves, reminding me again how hard it was to keep my damn hands off her.
I couldn’t help but linger in the doorway for a second, drinking her in, my gaze dropping to her ass as she bent slightly to grab a cup from the dishwasher.
Just that simple motion had heat pooling low in my gut, stirring my cock to attention.
It was a fucking testament to my self-control that I didn’t drag her off to the bedroom every five minutes during the day.
Although it certainly happened frequently enough.
She glanced up, startled by my sudden appearance, her eyes immediately narrowing with concern as she took in my tense posture. “Griffin? What’s wrong?”
“We need to go.” My voice came out harsher than I meant it to be. I took a breath, forcing myself to ease my tone. “King wants us at the clubhouse. Grab Isa’s things.”
She didn’t hesitate, swiftly gathering what Isa would need while I put our girl in her carrier.
My stomach tightened when I saw the slight tremble of her hands.
I moved to her side, laying my palm gently on her lower back as I picked up Isa and we headed out the door.
Neither of us spoke, the tension palpable in the confined space of my SUV as I drove to the compound.
King was already waiting outside when we pulled through the gates, his posture rigid and expression grim.
I got out, rounded the SUV, and helped Hannah climb down before opening the back to unbuckle Isa’s car seat.
I pulled it from the SUV, and Hannah quickly scooped her out of it, holding her close to her body.
Stella stood beside King, and when we walked toward them, he gestured toward Hannah and Isa. Stella immediately moved forward, her eyes kind and reassuring.
“Why don’t you come with me?” she suggested to Hannah, giving her a gentle smile as she reached for the diaper bag. “You and Isa can hang out at our place while the guys talk.”
Hannah hesitated, glancing up at me, confusion and worry swimming in her deep brown eyes. I gave her a small nod, squeezing her hand gently. “Go with Stella. Everything’s gonna be fine.”
She bit her bottom lip, clearly sensing my tension despite my attempt at reassurance, but nodded.
The sight of my daughter in Hannah’s arms stirred my protectiveness, but I knew they were safe there.
King and Stella lived in a big house that had been built off the back of the clubhouse.
It was removed from the main areas, but it was every bit as secure.
I wanted to inquire as to why King seemed to want my girls sheltered beyond the clubhouse, but as soon as they disappeared, his gaze locked onto mine, his eyes steel-hard and unreadable. “Office.”
I followed him inside, my skin prickling as I noted the unusually high number of enforcers casually gathered in the common room.
They hung out at the bar drinking, playing pool, or were sprawled on one of the couches watching a race on the big TV.
Their relaxed postures were deceptive, though.
Beneath the easy demeanor, each man radiated a heightened, focused alertness that screamed trouble.
King’s office door shut behind me with a heavy click, and I immediately took in the scene.
Blaze leaned against King’s desk, absently stroking Cerberus’s massive head.
The Cane Corso leaned heavily against his leg, demanding affection in a moment of puppy-like behavior.
Blaze rolled his eyes in mild exasperation but continued to scratch Cerberus’s ears, clearly resigned to being the dog’s personal attention dispenser.
Kevlar stood sentinel by the door, his arms folded across his chest. Opposite him, Stryker—another officer and a big, intimidating motherfucker—mirrored Kevlar’s stance, both of them radiating lethal energy as though they were guarding the entrance to hell itself.
Wizard, Flint, Ash, and Ace were seated around the large conference table, faces taut with careful control.
Echo lounged in one of the overstuffed chairs in the corner seating area, while Havoc occupied the couch, appearing deceptively at ease.
But there was no mistaking the subtle tension lining their frames, the deadly calm of warriors ready to move at a moment’s notice.
Or the fact that when I walked in the room, every officer in the MC was in attendance.
King moved to sit behind his desk, his expression unreadable as he studied me. “Take a seat, Cross.”
I hesitated, my instincts screaming at me to remain standing and alert. King’s eyes hardened. “That wasn’t a request.”
My jaw tightened, but I lowered myself slowly into one of the chairs across from King’s desk, my posture rigid and muscles coiled. The air crackled with intensity as silence descended on the room, everyone waiting for King to break it.
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to remain controlled.
“Got a phone call this morning,” he began, his gaze locked on mine. “From Division Nine’s president himself.”
Every muscle in my body tightened, heat flaring beneath my skin as King paused, letting his words sink in.
Division Nine had been hovering at the edges of our business long enough—an unknown, unpredictable threat.
Now they’d finally decided to step forward, and the only thing running through my mind was Isa and Hannah.
Protectiveness for them surged. If those assholes thought they could threaten my girls, they had another thing coming.
Blaze’s arms crossed over his chest, his expression dark as King continued, “He was playing the respectful card, but I could hear the edge. Wanted a face-to-face.”
My fists clenched, knuckles whitening. Before I could respond, Blaze raised his hand, cutting me off sharply. “Already told him. Their prez—goes by Prime—could meet with King here. Alone. Nobody else from his club.”
My blood ran cold, a deadly calm settling over me like a familiar, lethal cloak. I knew this mood—it was the one I slipped into when punishment was required. When lives were at stake and mercy wasn’t an option.
My jaw tightened, and the air around me seemed to drop several degrees as I processed Blaze’s words. Meeting on our turf meant we controlled the situation. Completely. But the idea of the president of Division Nine stepping onto our property made every territorial instinct in my body roar to life.
King’s voice cut through the silence. “Cross. Get yourself in check. We need information. This meeting’s our chance to find out what the fuck is going on, and we won’t get that if you kill him on sight. You understand?”
I met my prez’s stare, my pulse thundering in my ears as I forced myself to draw in a steadying breath.
King’s eyes were narrowed slightly, reading me carefully.
He was one of the few people who could see past the brutal exterior I’d perfected, the merciless enforcer whose fists and gun had delivered judgment without remorse.
He also knew that I was the club’s captain because I had the ability to read people and situations instantly and accurately.
It was my right to be there, considering this whole thing centered around my family and me. But I respected the trust he was placing in me to handle this without losing control. That didn’t mean I had to like it.
“Yeah,” I muttered finally, my voice rough and edged with restrained fury. “I get it.”
King nodded once, satisfied, then glanced at Blaze, who looked at his phone before meeting my gaze. “They’ll be here in five. Sent someone to pick him up in town, so he won’t know shit about our location.”
A cold smile tugged at my lips, satisfaction mixing with the raw tension coiling through me.
Our clubhouse was notoriously difficult to find, since its location was known only to locals and trusted friends of the club.
Bringing the Division Nine asshole here, blind and completely at our mercy, was a small victory.
But it didn’t make me any less eager to put my hands around his fucking throat.
King stood abruptly, his chair scraping roughly against the hardwood floor as he moved to his desk, signaling the shift in mood.
“Cross.” His tone left no room for discussion. “Stand behind me. Stay quiet and observe. Your job is to read him, gauge the situation, and keep your shit in check.”
I rose slowly, my movements tightly controlled.
I crossed to King’s side, the hard set of my jaw reflecting the ruthless calm settling over me.
I knew exactly why King had insisted I bring Hannah and Isa here this morning—so they’d be safe and nearby but out of sight.
Protected by our brothers and our walls, well out of reach of these motherfuckers.
It was strategic, calculated, and exactly how I’d have played it myself.