CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
– XANE –
“If we’re going to do this, then I suggest we go tonight,” Roux states and turns his laptop to show me the screen.
“The fucker managed to pull off three deals under the radar. And I mean for fucking real under the radar because there’s nothing digital until the money ended in one of the sketchy bank accounts we have an eye on. ”
I release a string of curses. “You’re right, we need to make our move.
If we don’t, they’re going to slip right through our fingers.
It’s the only reason why they put a damn rush on getting as much cash as they can.
Yet, it doesn’t make sense. The way Luisa killed Balta?
They won’t leave their son behind, and they know we have him.
Well, had ’cause the fucker left in a damn body bag.
If they had an eye on the clubhouse they wouldn’t have noticed since he was transported out through the back. ”
Fuck. I can’t leave Z unprotected and we need to deal with this shit right now. Luisa is fucking nuts. I’ve seen the documentation the government has on her and her brother. They ran the cartel together for decades, until she vanished. Well, not vanished, she married Neron.
“Which is why we have to take them down before the bitch kills again or goes on a rampage,” Fawkes states. “You might need to call Spence, get more manpower so the clubhouse is protected while we raid their mansion.”
“Agreed.” I pull out my phone. “All of us will be needed for the raid anyway, and I can’t take Z with me.”
Neo rasps his knuckles on the table. “Or I could sneak her out and take her to the clinic. Chopper and Ivy are there, and you guys will be able to handle the raid. We could do it right now, they won’t expect it.”
“In the middle of the day?” Malic snorts. “Yeah, they will expect it because they will see us coming from a mile away. We need the darkness to cover our asses and create the element of surprise.”
“Not if we go from the side, jump the stone wall, and surprise the fuckers while teams of two go into the front and back a few minutes later,” Stellan suggests. “We will have them caged at all angles...no surprise needed.”
Neo nods. “Sounds like a solid plan.”
I rub a hand over my face. “I still like to have more brothers protecting my old lady.”
“Dude. Chopper is ex-military, and one of the older generations of Broken Deeds. I’ve heard some of his stories he shared over the past few nights.
He’s more than capable of protecting his own woman, and yours.
Not to mention, I will be there too.” Neo stares at me, and he might make sense, but my gut is telling me a whole different thing.
I slowly shake my head. “I’m still calling in some reinforcements, and don’t want my woman to leave the premises. Ivy is working and Chopper needs to stay there for her protection.”
Spence’s voice fills the room after a few seconds. “Grayer, what can I do for you?”
The way my former president uses my first name is a vivid reminder how different everything was a few damn weeks ago. Taking the undercover assignment when my father was killed, becoming president and using my middle name because everyone in my hometown knows me as Xane was part of the job.
Now, the job has become real. No more undercover.
I’m the president and since my brothers are already used to calling me Xane it would be crazy for them to call me by my first name.
Besides, most are calling me Prez anyway.
The only one who still calls me Grayer is Zora, and it sounds fucking special when my name tumbles from her lips.
“We need to strike. Now,” I tell him, cutting straight to the point.
“Well, that’s your decision, you being the president and all,” Spence dryly replies.
I grit my teeth. “I know that, fucker. I’m calling to request assistance. Either with the raid or protecting the clubhouse.”
“Correction...protecting your old lady instead of the clubhouse, right? It’s a pain in the ass to have an old lady.
Fucks with your head, doesn’t it? No worries, it will take some getting used to but in time you’d be able to do shit without feeling like you’re leaving your other half behind. ” Spence’s voice carries a smile.
The brothers sitting around the table snort and I feel judged. Am I overthinking shit? Being overprotective when there’s no reason for it? Dammit. Spence’s right, it does feel like I’m leaving my other half behind. He’s also right about this shit being my decision.
Time to honor my name; Balls. I need to grab them and face the challenge lying before me.
“Fawkes, Stellan, and Neo are staying at the clubhouse. Which leaves six of us for the raid. I’d appreciate it if you could send four brothers to meet us there,” I tell him while I glance around the table, letting the others know I made my decision.
“You got it, brother,” Spence instantly replies. “Give me half an hour to get ready, and twenty minutes to get to Neron’s mansion. I assume that’s where the raid will take place, right?”
“Yes. See you there in fifty minutes,” I grunt and disconnect the call.
I shove my phone back in my pocket and address my club brothers. “Get ready. We all have special equipment from the government, so damn well use it. Kevlar vests over our cuts, got it? No exceptions.”
Everyone stands and before they can leave church I call out, “Fawkes, Stellan, and Neo. A word, please.”
They stay behind and Roux closes the door behind him.
We’re all standing when I tell them, “I’m trusting you three with the safety of my old lady, and I will personally hold you responsible if anything happens to her.”
“Each of us will lay down our lives protecting her, you know that, Prez,” Fawkes states.
Stellan bobs his head. “Yeah, no need to remind us in case we fail because we won’t be there to face your wrath if things go wrong.”
“What they said, Prez. Her life comes before ours. That shit goes without sayin’.
We’re all more than thankful for the way you stepped up after your father was killed.
It’s clear these fuckers are responsible, taking him out so they could create the crime spree and make a smoke screen for their money scam,” Neo rumbles.
“The way you handle shit and gave us the opportunity to officially work law enforcement is fucking amazing. So, we’re here for it no matter what, and each task is just as important.
Hell, more when it involves the president’s old lady. ”
I take a deep breath and grunt, “Thanks, brothers. I know I’m overreacting...”
Fawkes smacks my arm. “Say no more. We’ve watched others take the fall when they met their old lady. It’s no longer your own ass you need to think about. Hey, imagine how Spence feels right now. The fucker just became the daddy of a little girl. He must be going insane, right?”
A string of curses flow from me and I rub a hand over my face.
“I can’t imagine bringing kids into this world while there’s danger at every turn.
Not to mention, a fucking girl? Horndogs swarming her when she gets older?
Damn. Don’t fall in love, fuckers.” I shake my head and grin.
“Scratch that. It might drive me nuts, but the woman completes me in every other way.”
Neo chuckles. “Balance of life. The good and the bad. Thank fuck you have us to keep you sane.”
All I can do is bob my head in agreement. We walk out of church and I head to my room in search of Zora. She’s sitting in a chair, reading a book when I step inside. She instantly jumps up and drops the book into the chair.
“I want to go back to work,” she states before I can say something.
I have to blink a few times to process her words. We agreed it was best if she stayed on lockdown here at the clubhouse for the time being. Her throwing at me how she wants to go back to work is a complete surprise.
“Why?” I grit, unable to keep the frustration out of my voice.
Z steps closer and gives me a smile that makes my cock twitch. “I want things to go back to normal.” A blush spreads her cheeks and she quickly adds, “I know we agreed things are still dangerous, but...”
Leaning forward, I capture her lips with mine. The blush and how she mentioned wanting everything to go back to normal? It’s because of last night, where she made me finish jerking myself off in her presence. Back. To. Fucking. Normal. It’s everything I want too. Just not yet.
“Soon,” I tell her when I end the kiss and watch her face fall.
Dammit. Reaching out, I cup the back of her neck and stare right at her so she can see the promise in my eyes when I tell her, “We’re riding out in half an hour to raid their mansion and bring them down, okay?
The government wants the cartel, but we’ll get them once we have Luisa and Neron.
We found out they made a huge money deal with three projects and we get the feeling they’re about to skip town.
We can’t afford to lose them so we’re gonna take them down now. ”
“Oh, no,” Z gasps and horror fills her eyes.
I let my thumb stroke her jaw. “We’ll get them,” I vow. “No fucking way will I allow them to slip through our fingers, okay?”
She shakes her head. “No, that’s not why I...I just don’t want you to get hurt. I...I don’t want to lose you.”
My mouth twitches, remembering how I was freaking out about leaving her to go on a mission. I guess the feeling is mutual.
“This is my job, darlin’. Something I’ve been trained to do for years. The only thing that’s changed now is my fear of leaving you behind, of not being there to protect you while I do my job.”
Understanding dawns and she presses her body closer to mine as she slides her arms around my neck. “So, we’re both freaking out?”
A bark of laughter escapes me. “Yeah, I guess we are.”
She brushes her lips against mine. “Then we both need to buckle up and ride it out.”
Damn, I love this woman. I capture her lips one more time before I get ready. Time to get this shit behind us so we can focus on the future, because when it comes to this woman? I want it all.