Chapter 5

~nick~

I don’t know what I’m doing. Seeing Lily again brought back memories I thought I had buried and burned.


The day I came back to the club after a run, I was so excited to see her. So when they told me she left, I didn’t believe them. Not until I came to her room and noticed that all of her stuff was gone. She didn’t leave a note or anything; she just up and left.


Fuck. But who would have thought it was her rerouting our shipments? I knew she was always tech-savvy, but to break into the shipping dock just to get our attention was beyond crazy. Now, here she was, asking me for help.


I walked down the hall, heading to the bar to try to clear my head, when I heard her voice. She was talking to Ironhead. Those two always used to be close when she was at the club. I think I broke Ironhead’s nose once when I thought he was fucking her.


I stopped outside the doorway, listening.


“I know I messed up, Ironhead,” she was saying. “But I’m here now, and I want to fix things.”


Ironhead’s gruff voice responded, “I know, Lily. Just give it time. Lightning’s got a hard head, but he’ll come around. He just needs to see you’re serious.”


I sighed, the frustration bubbling up inside me. Part of me wanted to storm in and confront her, but another part of me wanted to give her a chance. Maybe she did want to make things right. Maybe she was here to help.


I took a deep breath and pushed the door open, walking into the room. Both Lily and Ironhead looked up I paid them no mind, but it was still too much. I turned around and left.


I heard her sigh before I made my way back to my office. The weight of the past and the present was heavy on my shoulders. I needed to clear my head, to think.


As I sat down at my desk, I couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal mixed with a glimmer of hope. Could I really trust her again? Could she help the club like she say she wants to?


A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. It was Ironhead.


“What is it?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.


He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. “Prez, we need to talk about Lily.”


I sighed, rubbing my temples. “What about her?”


“She’s serious, man. I’ve known her a long time, and I can tell when she’s being genuine. She wants to help why else would she come back, she’s got the skills to do it. We need her right now.”


I looked up at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. “I know, Ironhead. But it’s not that simple. She left us. She left me. How can I just let that go?”


He nodded, understanding. “It’s not about letting it go. It’s about moving forward. We’ve all made mistakes. This is her chance to make things right. Give her that chance, for the club’s sake.”


I leaned back in my chair, considering his words. He was right. The club needed her expertise, and maybe, just maybe, I needed to see if she could truly make things right.


“Alright,” I finally said. “I’ll give her a chance. But I’m not making any promises. She’s on thin ice.”


Ironhead smiled, relief evident on his face. “Thanks, Prez. You won’t regret it.”


I blew out a breath when Ironhead left. Better go and talk to her and see what ideas she has to bring down this company.


I got up and made my way to the room where she was staying. Snake sat at the door, keeping watch. He nodded as I knocked.


“Come in,” Lily’s voice called from inside.


I pushed the door open and stepped inside. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, her laptop open in front of her. She looked up, her eyes wary but hopeful.


“Hey,” I said, trying to keep my tone neutral.


“Hey,” she replied, closing her laptop.


I leaned on the door. “So, tell me what exactly is on the flash drive you gave me.”


She sat up on the bed, thinking. “Documents about your shipping routes. Well, not only you guys but other clubs around the country. Drug imports too, but not you guys. They’re dealing drugs, making them, and selling them to other clubs. Then, when they get the money, they betray the club, causing them to either go to jail or worse.” She trailed off. “Anyway, their eyes are set on this club at the moment. They don’t have much yet, but they’re digging. Look, Nick, I just want to help. I’m hoping to shut them down before things get really dirty.”


She looked at me, her eyes filled with desperation. I could see the fear behind her resolve, but also the strength she was trying to muster.


I took a deep breath, considering her words. “Alright, Lily. We’ll take them down together. But you need to be careful. They’re not going to go down without a fight.”


She nodded, her expression serious. “I know. I’m ready for this.”