Gavin's Song (Road to Salvation A Last Rider's Trilogy 1)

Viper’s face firmed. “You said you wanted to make a difference in the town you picked. You can make a difference in Treepoint. We both know it. You’re not the only one who knows how to do research. The last time someone tried to start a business in Treepoint, the investor promised dozens of jobs. The town put the last of its resources to get that factory started when the coal mines shut down. Several people lost their life savings while the investor is now living it up in the Bahamas. If anyone needs a break, it’s Treepoint.”

“Fuck.” Gavin ran his hand through his hair. He had refrained from researching Treepoint because he knew himself well enough to know he had a soft spot for those who were trying to get ahead and then had the rug pulled out from under them.

“Let’s think of this logically,” Gavin started, trying to convince Viper away from the direction he was heading, despite his own changing opinion. “Number one, the brothers will hate it there, and number two, and most important thing, is we’ll never be able to convince Shade.”

“You don’t think so?”

“I know so. He shut me down on locations that were better suited than Treepoint.”

Viper grimaced. “You’re right.”

Gavin tried to hold back the words that would seal The Last Riders’ fates, as well as their wallets, but he couldn’t. “Shade would give the go-ahead if he thought Lucky needed The Last Riders to help him deal with his PTSD.”

“That must have hurt.” Viper’s mouth curled upward in a crooked smile. “I know you don’t want Treepoint either.”

“As much as I hate to admit it, I think his PTSD is getting to him. He also filled me in on the pipeline. He thinks it’s much larger than the DEA thought. If that’s true, I don’t want him there on his own.”

“Me neither,” Viper agreed, looking thoughtful. “Talk to Shade, get his go-ahead, then email me the property you saw.”

“How do you plan to convince the brothers?”

“I won’t have to.” Viper hooked one thigh over the other. “Most of the brothers can stay here. We’ll outfit the factory in Treepoint for manufacturing and leave distribution here. We can pick a few brothers to set it up and, once Lucky’s investigation is over, they can come back to Ohio after everyone is trained. The inn can be used for buyers who are interested in seeing the manufacturing process.”

Dropping his thigh, he turned back to his desk. “You use mom’s maiden name when you were in Treepoint?”

“Yes. It’s easier to get a lower price on the property if they think we’re a start-up instead of looking to expand.”

“Sounds good.”

Gavin rose to his feet. “Except one thing, how about Rider? A large chunk of the money will be coming from him.”

“We both know all you have to do is ask.”

“I don’t use our friendship where money is concerned. That’s how we stay friends.”

“You would stay friends even if he turns everything he owns to you.”

“Viper ….”

His brother sighed. “Then work up the figures, and I’ll talk to him. He can make his decision based on the numbers you put together. You think The Last Riders will make money building another factory?”

“Yes.”

“There you go. Problem solved.”

Gavin nodded. Viper might have taken the pressure off him with Rider, but it still remained that all the brothers were putting their futures in his hands and he couldn’t do it unless he was there to make sure they didn’t regret placing that trust in him.

“I want to be the one who gets the factory started.”

Viper turned back to him. “That’s going to take at least a year. I don’t want you gone that long.”

“I can’t let the brothers lose that money. I’ll stay until I have the factory on its feet and the workers trained.”

Viper narrowed his eyes on him. “No.”

“I’m not a fucking kid anymore. I don’t need you telling me if I can or can’t do something.”

“Maybe not as a brother, but as President of The Last Riders, I can. You’re the one who talked me into being the president. You’re not going to listen to orders from me when every brother in this club knows the repercussions for disobeying me?”

“You wouldn’t have a problem doing it if we chose Florida or Texas.” Gavin forced himself to keep his tone even. He was too old to get in yelling matches with his brother. “Which one do you think I can’t handle—building the factory or helping Lucky?”

Viper didn’t have the same hesitation at raising his voice. “I didn’t say you couldn’t handle it, just that I need you here. What the fuck, Gavin? You didn’t even want to pick Treepoint, and now you’re busting my ass because I’m not making you go?”

“I don’t need you watching over my shoulder all the fucking time, Viper.”