and the gangs were known to cut temporary deals out of respect for each other's territories.
"Currently, we would have enough to influence their activities." Priest looked around the table. "For this to happen, there could be times when we'll need more men on the inside."
"Fuck," murmured Paco beside Whip. "How will that be decided? Some of us have kids involved. We can't separate families."
Recently, Paco had announced Josie was pregnant. Whip understood his concern. The last thing he wanted was Rick going back inside and leaving his sister and their kids.
"Obviously, if we need to send anyone in, it'll be singles first. Tarkio takes care of families, and we'll do whatever we can to keep them together." Priest pointed at Whip. "Rick and Whip will be in charge of correspondence with those in prison, making weekly trips. They'll let Walker know what needs to be done, and he'll pass it on."
The news wasn't a surprise to him. Priest had pulled him and Rick into the meeting room beforehand and gone over the idea. Because they'd both served time, they knew the codes and could have conversations during visitations without anyone picking up on what information was passed back and forth.
While he had no desire to revisit the penitentiary, it was a job for Tarkio he couldn't refuse. He could see the benefits.
With Moroad Motorcycle Club inmates and Tarkio inmates siding together in prison, they could control the Cusclan members on the inside, keeping those threatening the club on the outside in line.
Twyla would be safe.
His sister would be safe.
The club would be safe.
The job put him in a position that kept him on the outside.
"What did Walker say about the job?" Curley thrummed the table with his thumb. "He's risking adding more years to his sentence."
"He's on board," said Priest.
Hell of a risk. Walker was currently serving a twenty-five-year sentence. By now, he had no life outside waiting for him. Walker deserved his freedom. He'd lost half his life already.
"So we back off on Cusclan?" Banks, standing by the window, stroked his beard.
"The announcement about the deal goes out at noon on Friday. By the end of the day, the news will spread throughout the Montana State Pen. Walker believes it'll take twenty-four hours, and the prisons in Idaho will know. A day after that, Washington State Prison will come into play—by the way, we've got Brikken on board already. Chief just came out himself and has one of his sons in state custody now. He suggested word of mouth would be faster than him getting word in." Priest tossed the folder to the middle of the table. "For the next two days, stay in position. We want Cusclan to believe that we're still on high alert."
"What's stopping them from coming at us on Saturday after Cusclan gets the news about the changes," asked Chrischris.
"Because the first hit we're making is taking out five percent of the Cusclan members in custody. If they don't listen after that, more will die." Priest paused and looked each of the members in the eyes. "We're not playing around. In six weeks, we can guarantee Moroad will be in charge of the illegal weapons trade again. As a result, Cusclan will become a former shell of itself."
A quiet uniformed chuckle spread through the room before a cheer deafened each one of them. Priest hit the table with his fist, calling the meeting to an end. Whip stood, taking the slaps of congratulations.
It was a win for Tarkio and a change of operations for everyone.
If someone would've told him four years ago when his ass was in prison that he could make changes for the club from inside, he would've called bullshit. Then, he would've jumped at the chance to participate.
But desperate times, not only for Tarkio, but all motorcycle club organizations called for change. It wasn't the seventies anymore where they could take their fights to the street, then go their separate ways.
MC life had become more dangerous. Men grew more ruthless, the more perilous their life became. The Feds were coming down hard on everyone.
His gaze connected with Rick. He lifted his chin at his brother-in-law. They hadn't had time to talk about their new job privately yet. All he knew was that Rick believed Priest had made the right decision.
As an ex-Cusclan member, Rick would be the best at knowing if the change would push Cusclan back out of Missoula. That's all Whip needed to know.
He trusted Rick with his life and