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Give Me Strength
Broken Deeds MC #7.5
Esther E Schmidt
A man will acknowledge his own strength when he feels the power of his woman standing strong beside him.
1
Lynn
“Ma! You could at least knock before you enter,” Archer grumbles.
I roll my eyes. “Very funny, Archer. But you of all people should know that if I didn’t do it when you were a kid…I’m not gonna start now.”
My son huffs and tucks his phone into his jeans pocket. “I’m the President of Broken Deeds MC, even Dad knocks before entering my office.”
I can’t help but smirk. “Now, see…I’m not a biker, I don’t have to stick to the whole biker rules thing. And speaking of your father, he’s actually the reason why I’m here.”
Concern fills Archer’s gaze and my heart tugs because I share the same concerns. “Dad has been more withdrawn than before his third operation.”
“I hate to say it but the reality of never regaining full strength in his hand is hitting him hard. It’s like he’s giving up while there’s no need. He can still do so damn much, and has come a long way with PT, but he doesn’t see it. All he’s focusing on is not being able to do everything with his hand like he used to do.” An angry growl slips past my lips. “Stubborn asshole. He needs to start looking forward, and see what’s right in front of him, instead of having his eyes on the past.”
Archer jerks a hand through his hair. “There’s only so much we can do. And you know how it is when you can ride a bike, but not long enough for any of the normal runs we do that require hours of holding a steady grip. It was one of the things he said to me when I refused to take over the MC the first time he offered. It wasn’t my time yet, you know as well as I do, he could have been President for many years instead of passing the gavel on to me.”
Archer is right. Deeds, my old man, should have been President for many years but he stepped down after he agreed he would do the surgery. He didn’t want another operation but it was something he needed. Many years ago, he was stabbed in the hand, and though it took some time, it healed completely.
But then sometime after he was shot straight through the same hand, and that does screw with the ability to use it. A hazard that comes with the job, he always says, but nowadays it’s always said through clenched teeth.
Broken Deeds solves cold cases or high-profile cases the government can’t seem to close themselves. All the bikers of Broken Deeds MC are skilled and trained and will go above and beyond to solve each case we take. And yes, sometimes there’s a risk and they are injured.
And though Deeds’ hand healed, he didn’t regain full ability. This is the reason they suggested a third operation. They wanted to try to get his hand from fifty to at least eighty percent functional.
Like I mentioned, he finally agreed to the operation. But I think the only reason he did was so he could distance himself from the club, from his job, from everything even more. Because his stubborn ass thinks not being able to use something fully means you fail completely.
And the third and final operation? They were able to get his hand back to about seventy-five percent in strength. Obviously the third operation was worth it, only he doesn’t see it the way we and his doctors do.
“Stepping back doesn’t mean he’s completely out,” I snap. “And I won’t be standing on the sidelines to watch him deteriorate. I’m sick of pussyfooting around him, and that’s not who I am, or who he is for that matter. So, I’m going to shove my boot up his ass, and leave him no other choice but to jolt up and act like he’s still alive and kicking. And you’re going to help me.”
Archer groans and mutters, “I’m going to regret this.” He clears his throat and asks, “What’s your brilliant plan? Because I know you have one or you wouldn’t be standing here.”
I have to keep a straight face because a victory smile is threatening to burst free. “You need to put him on a case.”
Archer shakes his head. “I can’t. Already tried and even Depay and Lochlan also asked him for help but he won’t budge. He keeps saying he’s retired.”
“Retired my ass,” I growl and point at the stack of files on his desk. “What is an easy open and shut case that needs action right now?”
“Ma, you know I can’t share those details because—” The male I put on this Earth has the sense to stop midsentence due to my raised eyebrow, recognizing the fact I’m about to snatch him by his ear to pull him over the desk so I can yell at him from up close.
His fingers slide over the pile and he pulls one out and throws it in front of me. “I was going to give this one to Kray so his old lady could help out but I’m guessing you want a case where you can have input and force Dad into action, right?”
Now the victorious smile does spread my face. “You got it,” I tell him and grab the file.
Glancing through it, I have to admit, it’s no wonder he wanted to give this case to Kray and Vienna. It involves some undercover work to draw this guy out and it’s perfect for what I have in mind. Time to put my plan into action.