It sounded like it could be true. Donovan craved love and acceptance after his shitty childhood. I just hoped he would continue to let us all in.
Chapter Twenty
Blade
I listened to Merrick go on about the issues we had with the Hurley bid, but my mind kept drifting to Layla and thoughts of fucking her this morning. It had been nearly two weeks since the night I’d shared my shit with her, and she’d been nothing but fucking amazing since.
“Blade, are you listening?” Merrick cut into my thoughts.
“Yeah. Tell me where we are with the union.”
“Whatever Onyx said to Phil worked because the union negotiations are almost finished and didn’t hurt us too much. Phil obviously talked to his buddies there.”
I snorted at his choice of words. Phil Deacon didn’t ‘talk’ to anyone, he used force.
“Thank fuck,” I muttered.
“I’ve still got Ben watching him, though. I don’t trust him not to fuck with us again.”
I raised my brows. “Surely not. I would have thought, after our last encounter, he’d realise that’s not a good idea.”
“You were too soft on him. You know he’s a fucking loose cannon.”
I scowled at him. “We’ll see.”
Shaking his head, he muttered something I didn’t quite catch.
Ignoring him, I asked, “Have you heard anything on the street about Ricky and what he’s up to with regards to Storm?”
“No. Scott hasn’t kept you updated?”
I stood. “No, I haven’t spoken to him for over a week. It’s about time I set up a meet with him. I want an update on Ricky and also on Blue.”
“Today, yeah?”
“Yeah.”
I grabbed my keys and phone and walked towards the door. “I won’t be back in today,” I said.
He grinned. “Fucking pussy-whipped.”
I headed out into the fresh air, my thoughts drifting back to Layla.
Her back arched, head thrown back, hair splayed across the bed.
Her hands gripping the sheet as she screamed out my name.
Her eyes as they focused on mine after her orgasm.
He’s right.
I’m fucking pussy-whipped.
I forced her out of my mind and called Scott.
“Blade,” he answered.
“We need to meet and go over where we’re at.”
“Today?”
“Yeah. Can you guys do it now?”
“Pretty sure we can both make it. I’ll let you know if there are any problems. Usual place?”
“Good. I’ll see you then,” I said and hung up.
It was time to move this fucking plan along. And it looked like Ricky Grecian just might be the key to make that happen.
***
I arrived at the meeting place an hour later. It was a hidden picnic area in a national park far away from Storm’s clubhouse, and it was the place we met when the three of us needed to talk without having any prying eyes or ears on us. I watched as they walked towards me, thinking the day we put this plan into motion was a turning point in my relationship with Scott. Griff had come up with the plan so he could get closer to Marcus and find out insider information that would help Scott boot Marcus out.
“Scott, VP,” I greeted them with a chin lift.
Scott chuckled because he knew how much Griff hated it when I called him that.
“Fuck off,” Griff muttered.
I smirked. “Griff, it’s too fucking easy to shit you.”
“Yeah, well, you’d be the same if you had a mind full of shit and people in your fucking ear all the time about bullshit club business.” He looked at Scott. “I don’t know how the fuck you managed to do this job and not lose your shit.”
“Which is why we need to move this along,” I said. “The sooner we get rid of Marcus, the sooner you can restore some order in the club.”
“We still haven’t located Blue,” Scott said.
“I think it’s time we gave up on that,” I suggested. “We can use Ricky instead.”
Griff furrowed his brows. “How so?”
“We need to flush him out, make him show his hand where Storm is concerned. He wants you guys to back off his territory, and if you push him, he’ll come for you.”
They contemplated it, and then Scott said, “So, he fucks with us which will hurt Marcus and cause his supporters to think twice, yeah?”
“Yeah, you just need to make them doubt him so that once he’s gone, they’re more receptive to you stepping into his shoes. Up until now, he’s had too much support for that to have much impact but there’s so much disorder in the club now, I think this has a shot at working.”
Griff nodded. “I like it.”
“You know Ricky well, Blade, so what do you suggest is the best way to piss him off?” Scott asked.
“Contact him and tell him you have no intention of stepping away, and then flood his territory straight away.” I looked at Griff. “It will be up to you to get that timing right with Marcus and to get him to flood it more than whatever he has planned.
Griff nodded. “Yeah, I can do that.”
“And what’s his reaction likely to be?” Scott inquired.