Cross stared at me with no judgment. “Some of the bitches overheard you fighting with her, said she just wants money to get out of town. Or get high. Why don’t you let her?” But his tone conveyed he knew there was more to it than that. Or was it my imagination? Learning how to read the room the way the Prez had to.
I explained, “I’ve been trying to get some info out of her. About the Jacks, Crusaders, her own fucking father. But withdrawal has been a motherfucker, so she’s less than cooperative. She’s pissed off and hurt about being forgotten about. Maybe a little bit of kindness will make her open up about The Crusaders and Mueller, anything that will help us fight these motherfuckers.”
Cross nodded. “Good plan.”
I didn’t need his approval, but having it gave me a confidence boost I didn’t realize I needed. “Yeah, thanks. Any other business?”
No one spoke up, so I adjourned the meeting, eager to get back to check on Savannah. I hadn’t planned on using her for information, but now that I said it out loud, it was all I could think about. She could use some help, maybe a friend, and I could be that friend in exchange for some intel.
The room emptied quickly. Most of the guys were eager to get home to their women or businesses, and others were eager to get the party started as early as possible. I was the last one out, locking the sacred door behind me.
Outside, I chatted with some of my men before we put our helmets on and headed out. Jameson waited for me beside my bike. “You sure you know what you’re doing, bro?” His cool gray stare tried to see through my blank stare.
“No, I’m not sure, Jamie, but what else can I do? You all don’t get it because you just hear that she’s Savannah Rhymer and remember all the horrible shit that goes along with that. But all I saw was a woman in need, even before I realized who she was.”
“And this isn’t about sex?”
I glared at my kid brother, and he held his hands up defensively, laughing. “I had to ask. We’ve all done some crazy shit in the name of good pussy.”
I couldn’t deny that. “I wouldn’t put the MC at risk over pussy, Jamie.” It pissed me off that my own damn brother thought that was a possibility. “She’s been through hell, man. Fucked nonstop against her will. Pumped full of drugs so she wouldn’t put up a struggle as three or four guys fucked her. At once. I mean, I know some chicks like that shit, but she had no choice. How can I not help her?”
Jameson nodded. “Isn’t that what old man Rhymer and Mueller do? Steal girls for their pervert friends? Against their will?”
I ran a hand through my hair, letting out my frustration on a long slow breath. “Yeah, I know. I’m trying to wrap my head around this.”
I pulled a cigarette out of my jacket pocket and lit it. I took a drag and blew the smoke out. Not helping.
“You know Jamie, we have fucking whore houses, but those girls are all clean, legit, and love what they do. I’m okay with that. If a woman wants to fuck for money, more power to her. But forcing someone to get high and fuck twenty-four-seven is wrong. No matter who does it.”
“I hear ya, bro. Makes me sick that someone who calls himself a man would do that to anyone.”
“Yeah, Jamie. It is wrong. And we have to stop those fuckers. I’m hoping I can get some intel from her. Just give me the chance.”
“You got it. Ma says she’s a looker, even though she’s too skinny and beat up.”
Of course, Ma did. “Ma just likes her because she’s a smart ass.”
He stared at me for a long time, nodding before a ghost of a smile appeared on his face. “You’re a good man, Charlie. I hope you never forget that. Ever.”
“Yeah, I’m a regular fucking Eagle Scout.”
“I wouldn’t go that far, but maybe just a do-gooder.” Jameson laughed when I flipped him off. “If you think helping her is the right thing, I support it. You can count on me to back you up.”
“Yeah?”
He nodded.
“Thanks, I appreciate that.”
He shrugged, still uncomfortable with praise for some reason. “What are brothers for?”
“Fuck if I know.”
“Dick,” he murmured with a smile, flipping me off one last time before he jumped on his bike and rode away, giving me a lot to think about.
Too much to think about.
The only thing that would help was a long ride with the wind at my back.
Chapter Eighteen
Savannah
I should have felt better, but I didn’t. Charlie had eased up on keeping me locked in the guestroom all day long. But roaming the small two-story home by myself after he left to do whatever bikers did only highlighted my loneliness. And boredom.