“Don’t look so shocked,” he says, chuckling again. “You were born into this life, you didn’t choose it, and we know that. Maybe you want to strike out on your own. We sure did when we were your age.”
He means himself and Cross. They’ve been like brothers since forever, and unlike Hunter and me, they’ve managed to keep it going all these years. These days they can finish each other’s sentences without even exchanging a glance. Uncanny.
“You’re my family,” I say. “All of you. I’d never dream of leaving or betraying you in any way. But I just… I don’t know… I need more… I need something more important to do.”
This is the first time I’m admitting that out loud and the least likely time for it to get me what I’m asking for—I messed up too bad to be trusted, I know that.
They do exchange a glance this time, and I have no idea what kind of understanding passed through it, but something did.
Cross sighs and leans back in his seat. “Yeah, you and Hunter both do. But you’ve both now proven that you’re not ready.”
“Hunter? Come on, he’s already doing all those important things and he took to it like a duck to water,” I say before thinking better of it.
They give me a nearly identical sharp look.
“The Riders want revenge for the way you three messed up their operation at that camp,” Cross says.
“So let them come and get it,” I snap. “I’m ready.”
“Three of theirs got arrested over it, their president’s son among them,” Tank says. “They want blood.”
“Fucking up that job is on them,” I say. “They’re a bunch of incompetent assholes.”
Whatever they got in punishment isn’t enough. Targeting little twelve-year-old girls, who the fuck does that?
“It’s on you and Hunter too,” Cross says. “He should’ve told us when he found out about what you and Jax were doing, instead of going after you on his own. We would’ve handled it better.”
“No doubt,” I say and sink back into the sofa. What Hunter said outside makes more sense now, but I’m still having trouble believing he did something wrong. That just doesn’t happen. “So let us fix it now.”
They exchange another glance and this time I have no trouble reading the condescension and exasperation in it.
“We may be your family, Chance, but you have some making up to us to do,” Cross says, speaking to me like I’m twelve again. “I want you to stay as far away from the Riders as possible. That means no goading them, no confronting them and no making this any worse than it already is.”
“They almost turned me into a child molester and now they want to come after me?” I say. “And you want me to stand aside and let you handle it?”
“And show a little more respect—" Tank says, but Cross interrupts him by giving us both one of his signature black looks.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”
I grit my teeth to stop myself from saying anything. Everything I could say would come out wrong.
“You, Hunter and Jax knew nothing about the true nature of the job you were taking part in,” he adds. “I take issue with three of mine being used as you were. I will make that clear to the Riders. It has nothing to do with your age or anything else. As for your part in this, you will carry out your community service in an exemplary way, you will not have anything to do with the Riders again and you will not jeopardize the club in this way ever again. Am I being clear?”
Now this sounds more like the other conversations I’ve had with him about this. This Riders wanting revenge must be a new thing and the main reason I’m here today.
How do I make this promise though?
I can’t sit back while my daddy and uncle, or whatever, get me out of trouble.
“I want to be a part of handling this,” I say.
“No,” Cross says with finality. “We will not be starting a war over this. I will handle it, and you will keep your head down and prove to the brothers that you are one of us. I’m willing to trust you implicitly and take you at your word, but many of the others aren’t, Chance.”
“This club is only as strong as the trust between the brothers that have your back,” Tank adds.
“I know,” I mutter. I’ve heard it often enough growing up.
“Then stop whining and prove it,” Tank snaps.