“You're an idiot to not consider it. You’ve been too busy playing house with Stone’s sister that you don’t stop to consider the obvious, jackass,” Bronx said.
“You wanna say that one more time a little louder, asshole?” Texas asked.
“The two of you need to calm down right now. This doesn't help a damn thing,” Notch said.
“Says the guy who was living it up in New Mexico when we fucking needed him here! Why the hell weren’t you answering your damn cell phone!?” Bronx roared.
The guys erupted into an argument and I pinched the bridge of my nose. We’d all been in high-stress scenarios before, but nothing like this. And we were without a plan, to boot. We’d been totally blindsided, and crews like this without a plan who were also taken by surprise were volatile, at best.
“Shut the fuck up!” I yelled.
The all stopped in their tracks, their fingers in the air and their fists ready to pound one another into the fucking carpet.
“If you want someone to blame, then blame me. This is my fault,” I said.
“It’s not your fault, Stone,” Texas said.
“It is,” I said, my eyes connecting hard with his. “I’m the President of this crew. I’m in my position because I’m supposed to see shit like this coming from ten miles away. And I couldn't sniff it out even when it was under my nose.”
“You had a lot going on with Ella and Jett. You had a good reason,” Notch said.
“He’s right. Jett gave us all a run for our money,” Bronx said.
“What we have to do now is stay on high alert. Boulder is still out there, and probably gunning for us. If he was following you, and you’re sure of that, then he’s aiming to take us down. He couldn’t do it from the inside, so he’s looking to catch us in the act of something,” I said.
“So, what’s the plan?” Texas asked.
The guys dispersed back into a circle as I gathered my thoughts.
“For now, we pause our gun deals,” I said.
“The Chinese won’t like that,” Notch said.
“Deal with it. That’s your job when you’re not planning outings. There’s a shipment coming in tomorrow, that stays on track. We take the back roads Texas has laid out so we can get them safely to us. We have to assume all our old routes are being policed now,” I said.
“I’ll get it done,” Notch said.
“In the meantime, we deal with the guns we’re already used to using. We stick with that ammo and we don’t touch these new guns coming in tomorrow. If this drags out, we’ll have to sell those back out to keep our pockets lined with money. I don’t want any of you guys suffering hits to your bank accounts because of this shit,” I said.
“Thank fuck,” Bronx murmured.
“Okay. So, we’re pausing both purchases and sales for now?” Texas asked.
“Yes. We only sell once the need for income pushes us there. Notch, get on the phone with our contact in China and be honest with him. Let him know our ranks were penetrated, and until we can sort it out, all purchases have to be halted for both our safeties. I know Jin Yung. He’ll appreciate the heads up,” I said.
“I’ll call them once the meeting’s done,” Notch said.
“What do we do about our clients? We just wrapped up another protection detail and we’re supposed to dive into one in a week,” Texas said.
I paused. “Protection detail is fine so long as we use the guns registered legally in our names. No using the things we’ve got locked up. Stick to the laws and the rules, to a tee. And we should be good for now.”
“Good. Because that’s our other main source of income. We shouldn't have to sell at all if we can keep protecting. Which will keep our noses cleaner,” Texas said.
“And above all, remain on high alert. Keep one eye on your rearview at all times. Check your streets before leave, and trust your gut. If you feel like you’re being followed, do what Bronx did. Meander and take back roads until the feeling goes away before you head to your destination,” I said.
“How the hell are we gonna get this man off our tail?” Bronx asked.
It was a question I wasn’t sure how to answer yet.
“For now, I want to make sure our purchases and sales are on pause. Once Notch has that under control, we’ll tackle that question,” I said.
“Also known as, you don’t fucking know and you need time to come up with some shit,” Bronx said.
I tried my best not to pop off at Bronx. I knew he was struggling the most with this. The man never opened up to anyone. Not with all the shit he’d been through. And he really took a liking to Boulder. That man had manipulated who I thought was the strongest in our ranks. Despite the fact that Bronx was our numbers guy, he was mentally fortified, emotionally intelligent, and never misstepped. Until now.
And I could tell he was really beating himself up over it.
“You never gave him any of our financial rundowns, right?” I asked.
Bronx sighed. “No. I didn’t. He asked about them a few times, but I stayed above board. Something told me it was odd that he’d ask, but you guys ask all the time, too. And I don't give you guys specifics.”
“Good on you,” Texas said.
“Doesn’t feel that way,” Bronx said.
I reached out and patted him on the shoulder. I squeezed it firmly and he gave me a head nod. Something he always did when he was done with whatever physical interaction was happening. Bronx didn’t do close interaction. He didn’t do conversation. Not if he didn’t have to. Hell, I’d never even seen him hook up with a woman that came into our bar, and the man practically held that shit down regularly. But, Bronx was loyal. To a fault.
Boulder had fucked with the wrong guy in our ranks.
“We’ll get him off our tail. None of us saw this coming,” Texas said.
“I spent the most time with him. I should have seen it coming. My gut kept telling me things, and I kept ignoring it or rationalizing it away,” Bronx said.
“Doesn’t matter. We’ve all been in that position with people and places and things. All we can do is learn from it and keep going,” Notch said.
“Yeah. Listen to the manwhore over there. He knows what he’s talking about. He has shit choices in women all the time. He’s had to run from his share of stalkers,” I said, grinning.
And finally, after over a damn month, I got a chuckle out of Bronx.
“That was a good one,” he said.
“Glad you can laugh at my expense,” Notch said flatly.
“Oh, come on. Be a good sport about it,” I said, grinning.
“Yeah, says the man who takes home fat women with muffin tops,” Notch said.
“Hey, they’re thick women. Not fat. ‘Fat’ is a derogatory term. I ever hear you use that in front of one of my women, you won’t have a face,” I said.
“You do like ‘em big, though,” Texas said.
“Because they’re so fuckin’ comfy that way,” I said, groaning.
All of us took a moment to chuckle. To breathe. To think about something other than the shithole we’d found ourselves in. Hell, even Bronx was finally joining in, and it felt like we were a core group again.
A family, however fractured we felt at the moment.
“Okay. Church dismissed. You have your assignments. Keep at them,” I said.
“I’ll go make those calls,” Notch said.
“I’ll head back to the bar and keep working and running numbers,” Bronx said.
“And I’ll stay in touch with our clients. Keep setting up appointments and such,” Texas said.
“Good. Notch, keep in touch. Bronx, you do the same. And Texas?” I asked.
“Yep?” he asked.
“Don’t you dare wrap my sister up in any of this shit,” I said.
He shook his head. “Wasn’t planning on it, Stone.”
“Good.”
Want more? You can pre-order Stone HERE!
More Books by Savannah Rylan
Series
Jace (The Black Hornets MC #1)
Maverick (The Black Hornets MC #2)
Duke (The Black Hornets MC #3)
Colt (The Black Hornets MC #4)
Thor (The Black Hornets MC #5)
Jagger (The Black Hornets MC #6)
Knox (Dead Souls MC #1)
Grave (Dead Souls MC #2)
Brewer (Dead Souls MC #3)
Rock (Dead Souls MC #4)
Diesel (Deal Souls MC #5)
Girth (Marked Skulls MC #1)
Rodeo (Marked Skulls MC #2)
Abe (Marked Skulls MC #3)
Oz (Marked Skulls MC #4)
Dash (Marked Skulls MC #5)
Hawk (The Road Rebels MC #1)
Talon (The Road Rebels MC #2)
Snake (The Road Rebels MC #3)
Fox (The Road Rebels MC #4)
Gunner (The Bad Disciples MC #1)
Hunter (The Bad Disciples MC #2)
Tank (The Bad Disciples MC #3)
Glock (The Bad Disciples MC #4)
About the Author
Savannah Rylan is a romance writer that spends most of her time writing and reading with her cat, Gris. When not penning the next great American novel, (HA), you can find her on the beach with a drink in her hand or at the gym testing out some strange new position. Yoga, obviously. She lives in Southern California with her husband and Gris, the true love of her life.
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Texas: The Lost Boys MC #1 Page 16