Chapter 10 Judge
Judge
Ghost can’t get into their cameras. Not without risking gaining unwanted attention. What he can get us is a floor plan, an idea of what we’re walking into.
“Can’t guarantee it’s up to date, but it’s the best I’ve got.” He’s frowning, not a fan of the words he’s forced to say. “Two years ago, they did a few renovations. Luckily for us, the contractor doesn’t ever clean out his email.”
Next to me, Trouble taps his finger against one of the squares. “Back entrance is out. Some idiot dented the hell out of it.”
That leaves a side entrance and a front entrance.
“They have someone scouting the area at all times. Always in pairs.” Trouble frowns as he points out each room, spilling their secrets. “What’s the goal here? Blaze’s death, or…”
They all look toward me, waiting for the call. There’s no question about what I want to do.
“Need to treat this as what it is. Crimson Road is a disease. The only way to stop it from spreading is to take them all out.” Spotting Ripper’s smile, I scowl. “Those who want to die with their club can. Those who don’t want to throw their lives away…” A sigh leaves me. “Let them live.”
Diesel and Ripper both hate the idea. They jerk at my words, hoping for some kind of explanation.
“Meadow Falls is going to be exposed once we take out those bastards. If we leave it empty, another club will swoop in and become another problem for us in the future. We might as well take advantage and let ourselves grow.”
“You want to open another charter? In a town that corrupted?” Stacks sits back and groans. “It took years for us to clean up after Ashe got his hands on this town—”
“We’ve done it once, we can do it again.” Firmly stating the words, it silences the treasurer.
“I can promise you at least a fourth of them won’t give their lives up for that club.
” Trouble shakes his head. “Half of them don’t have any options if that club doesn’t exist, so they’ll fight to survive.
If you offer them something else, something better, then there’s the chance you can talk them into surrendering. ”
“That leaves a fourth who will want to slit our throats the moment we appear without any room to talk.” Ripper grins, but his amusement doesn’t reach his eyes. “Are we going to ask them to join us before or after they try to kill us?”
“Those are going to be the ones you want to convince the most.” Trouble ignores Ripper’s glare.
“Those upper ranks are there for a reason. Most like money, some like killing. Meet them halfway, and you might be able to convince some of them to stay. I can tell you, if they put up with Blaze’s unstable personality, you’re not going to be able to use fear on them. ”
We’re going to need a few of them. I won’t be able to send too many of ours over once all this is said and done. I’m going to need members who know the connections and have the trust to renegotiate terms with them.
“I want to meet their tech specialist. So, don’t kill them.” Making his own demand, Ghost settles back in his seat. “They can help strengthen our own security.”
Nodding my head, I agree. “Single out those who are in the upper ranks. Don’t kill them. If we can’t talk them into surrendering, and if they’re not willing to listen, then we do what we need to.”
Going through the plan, down to the details, I repeat myself to make sure everyone understands their part. The only way we’ll be able to do this is if everyone works together.
Despite some of the men disagreeing with what I want to do, they nod along with the others. Honestly, I won’t be surprised if they do what they want. Once bullets start flying, sometimes there’s only one choice, and no time to talk.
“No one is allowed to die, understand?” Looking at them all, taking in their mixed range of expressions, I reach to pick up my gavel. “Whether they’re all waiting for us at their clubhouse, or some are waiting to attack us, everyone needs to survive this. Tonight, everything changes.”
They nod, and I smack the gavel, calling an end to this meeting. With only so much time left before we take the ride to Meadow Falls, I’m one of the first on my feet.
Leaving the room, I head straight for the bar to find the woman I need to survive for.
Penelope’s sitting by herself on the opposite side of the bar.
She’s faced backwards, watching the packed bar.
Everyone’s sober, for a change. Everyone’s too serious.
She’s keeping a smile on her lips, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
Not until she notices my approach. Then she straightens physically, her body coming to life.
After this morning, there’s been a shift between us. It’s easier to touch her without the fear of bringing back bad memories. Still, call it a bad habit, but I can’t help but be careful.
Stopping near her, my hands move on their own. Stepping a little closer, I’m within touching reach.
“Can I?” Murmuring softly, my fingers barely brush the hair clinging to her cheeks.
Her smile seems to grow, his cheeks growing rosier in color
“You can always touch me, Judge.” Whispering the words, she tilts her chin higher to meet my gaze. “How’d the meeting go?”
Cupping her face, I sigh at how soft she is against my fingers. “Don’t want to talk about the meeting.”
Leaning into my touch, her smile grows. “What do you want to do then?”
I tell her the truth. No point in hiding it now with the chance of getting taken out tonight. “I want to kiss you.”
At least one more time. Hell, I want to do so much before, but at minimum, a kiss will be enough.
Surprised by my request, her face turns instantly red. “In front of everyone?”
To be truthful, I haven’t even noticed anyone else in the room. Not with her right here. “Only if you want.”
I want to be able to kiss her whenever I want, no matter the place or time. But if she wants privacy, I can give her that, too.
Parting her knees wide, she coaxes me to step in between them. Easiest thing to do. Once I’m where she wants me, she grows hesitant. Reaching for my cut, she pushes past the flaps to touch me directly. Growing bolder, her fingers curl around my sides.
“I’ve always wanted to do this.” Staring at my shirt, her smile grows softer. “You won’t believe how many times.”
Now I’m feeling foolish for waiting for something dangerous to come our way to learn this sweet woman has wanted me.
“I feel…” She pauses as she searches for her words. “You’re at the top, Judge. Are you really sure—”
Before she can finish her question, I dip down to kiss her. Refusing to let her even think I would want anyone else in my life, I’m careful, licking into her mouth to get a good taste of her. There’s nothing more delicious than swallowing down her sweet sighs as she melts instantly.
The careful licks become a hungry stroke of my tongue against hers. A shiver runs through her, a fine tremor that I feel everywhere we’re pressed together.
I explore the silken heat of her, tasting the unique flavor that is hers alone—the underlying sweetness of her, a taste I’m already addicted to. She makes another small, breathy sound, and I swallow that, too, drinking her down like a man dying of thirst.
She is melting, softening against me, her weight sinking into my chest until I’m all that’s holding her up. The surrender is absolute, and it makes my blood run hot.
Pouring every ounce of my focus into this single point of contact—the softness of her lips, the heat of her mouth, the little gasps she gives me, I briefly pull back only to surge in again.
The only thing stopping me from completely forgetting there’s an audience surrounding us is Pen’s need for oxygen. She’s not used to this; she’s not breathing like she’s supposed to.
That’s something we can work on through practice.
Parting ways, she blinks a few times before staring up at me with those wide eyes of hers. “Judge…”
There are a few whistles in the background, but I don’t pay any mind. Not while Penelope is blushing so pretty against my thumbs.
“I’m going to come back.” Promising her firmly, I frown at the idea of there being any other options. “I won’t let them kill me. When I come back… you’re mine, alright?”
She inhales sharply as she fully understands what I’m telling her. Nodding her head, her hold on my body tightens. “I’m really going to be the president’s old lady?”
Nodding my head, my mouth curves upward on its own. “That’ll be the start of it. We’ll talk about titles when I get back.”
I’ll give her a cut that lets everyone know that she’s mine. I’ll find her a ring she can wear, too. Then, once the dust settles, I’ll give her my last name.
Her eyes shine in excitement at my words. Too happy, she slides her hands up my chest and reaches for my face so she can pull me down for one more kiss.
I’m going to need as many as I can get to survive our time apart.
* * *
Everyone is here, ready to go. Brisk goodbyes are exchanged.
There’s no denying the nerves lingering in the air. We haven’t needed so many people gathered together in a long time.
With Hammer’s help, we’ve split the ammunition as best as we can. There’s only hope that it’ll be enough. There’s only so much preparation that can happen in such little time.
Even with Trouble’s reassurance, it’s hard not to have my doubts.
It’s hard to worry about everything with Pen keeping my attention. She’s sending me off with soft words of reassurance. By herself, she’s got enough confidence to share between us.
I don’t think I could’ve found a more perfect woman.
Pressing a kiss to her forehead, I linger long enough to breathe in her shampoo. Such a sweet scent. Pulling back, I’m relieved emotions aren’t welling up in her eyes like most of the others giving their goodbyes.
If Pen cries, I won’t want to leave.
“Come back in one piece.” Her mouth pinches in a firm line as she meets my gaze. “You have to.”
“I will.” Promising her softly, the words carry more confidence than I expect. This woman isn’t aware of the kind of strength she gives me.
Pulling away takes strength I don’t realize I have. Separating from her, I fight the urge to collect her in my arms again.
Hearing Ripper call out my name, I’m one of the last to get on my bike. Shoving on my helmet, my entire body tenses in anticipation.
After all these years, it’s going to feel good getting payback. Unlike Blaze, who sends others to half-ass a job, I’m going to make sure he’s dead by my own hands.
My fingers squeeze the handlebars, and deep down, I feel an excitement forming. Not just for revenge, but to let out this stress that’s been building in my chest all this time.
Warden gives the signal before the roar of bikes fills the air.
With Penelope filling my rearview mirror, I shove down any fear that tries to swell up and let the need to return consume it.
There’s no room for debate. I will return.