Addictive (Houston Defiance MC #2) - K.E. Osborn Page 0,59
starting something we can’t fucking finish.”
“What’s your plan?” Kevlar asks, sitting forward.
“We have to wait to see where the trackers stall. But we can’t all go, that’s asking for trouble.”
Fox lifts his chin. “So, we send someone… someone inconspicuous to investigate.”
“Blake should go. He’s been here the shortest amount of time. Not many know he’s associated with the club. Might give him a chance to prove himself,” I put it out there.
The table all nods their agreement.
Neon starts pressing buttons on his device. “I’ll set the prospect up with a body cam, so we can see what’s going on.”
“Good idea. Okay, let’s get him prepped. We will reconvene in fifteen when he’s on his way.” I bang the gavel on the table, and everyone stands. I stride over to Neon, patting him on the back as he gathers up his shit. “Good work, brother.”
He dips his head, then scurries off to grab the shit he needs for Blake.
As I turn—it’s just Fox and I left in the room—I exhale knowing this is coming. I lean my ass back against the table, crossing my arms over my chest and my feet over each other. “Okay, brother, hit me with it.”
Fox exhales, moving to close the door. Whatever he has to say must be serious. The muted thud of the door jamb clicks into place as he spins around. “Wraith, I know you stepping into this role is a-fucking-lot—”
“You can say that again.”
“I want you to know… you’re exceeding expectations.”
My eyes widen at his words. I was not expecting that.
The corner of his white-bearded lips turns up. “You’re doin’ good. We all know how fucking hard this must be for you. It’s an unenviable task for anyone.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it, Fox.”
“There is a but.”
I purse my lips and nod. “Of course, there is.”
“You’re pushing yourself, too fucking hard. To be the best, to walk in shoes that can’t be filled, don’t try and be Zero, Wraith. You need to be you. Stop comparing yourself to him and lead the way you want to.”
“Fucking hell, I don’t want to lead at all, Fox.”
He grips my shoulder with a warm expression. “The best leaders never do.”
“It’s hard to know when I’m doing the right thing. Making the right calls.”
“Trust yourself. Trust your gut instinct. You’ve been at this club long enough to know how things work. If not, you have a band of brothers willing to work through it all with you. You’re not alone in this, pres.”
“They can’t help me with a fiery princess, though, can they?”
Fox chuckles. “I saw you two sitting by the fire last night before I went up to bed. You seemed to be getting along.”
“We were… until we weren’t.”
Fox folds his arms across his chest. “You have an argument?”
I turn away from him knowing walking away from Prinie would have hurt her, but acting on our feelings, especially while Zero is locked up doesn’t sit right with me.
“No. You had a moment?” Fox offers instead.
I turn back to him, dipping my head once in confirmation. He pulls his lips together, letting out a small laugh. “So that’s why you’re not sleeping. Not because of the presidential duties, but because of Prinie.”
“Maybe. Actually, maybe it’s both—”
“No, it’s Prinie. Zero told you in no uncertain terms to stay away. You’re having trouble doing that, and when you can’t, you feel guilty.”
“You a psychic or something?”
He moves in to stand beside me and exhales. “There’s a reason a brother is tasked with being the Wise One. Not because he’s fucking old like me, kid, it’s because we see shit for how it is after being at the club for so fucking long.”
“Well, then, oh Wise One, what the fuck do I do about Prinie?”
“You’re loyal to Zero.”
“Is that a question or a statement?”
“More an observation. The thing is though, Wraith, when you fall hard for someone, love doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care who their family is or what their social standing is. When you fall, you fall.”
“I’m not following.” Rubbing the back of my neck, I sigh.
“If you’ve fallen for Prinie, your heart is never going to be whole until it has it’s other half.”
“You saying Prinie is my other half?”
“Only you know the answer to that. But if she is, then that, kid, that is worth fighting for. No matter the obstacles others or you have put in the way. You just have to figure out if she is worth the risk.”