Page 14 of Savage Angels

“Yeah, we aren’t all married to a rock star who earns millions.”

Scoffing, I say, “If that’s what you think of us, then you don’t know us at all. Kat’s money is Kat’s money. Dane was pulling us away from all that long before she came on the scene.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Slipping my cell phone away, I say, “So, what do you want?”

“Help. The four biggest industries in Chicago are…” Onyx holds up four fingers and puts them down one at a time as he says, “… manufacturing, transportation, technology, and healthcare. The Tourmaline chapter already has a freight business established, and we’d like them to expand into Chicago. My city is key to expansion due to our central location, and when we are successful in overthrowing the Abruzzi family, there will be a vacuum, and I’d like to take advantage of it.”

“What are we talking about?”

“We have the trucks and the drivers but not the contracts.”

Scrubbing a hand down my face, I say, “Sal isn’t going to let you takeover distribution in Chicago.”

“He will if Dane asks him.”

Pursing my lips, I give a quick shake of my head. “Sal might be open to a negotiation, but you’re not going to get everything.”

Onyx leans in. “We want the Abruzzi contracts. No more, no less, and we want to be attached to the freight company that operates out of Tourmaline. It’s established, it has a good rep, and it’ll help with the plans we have for the future of the club here in Chicago.” He stands and walks away.

***

I’m still sitting in the same position when Dane and Dirt walk through the clubhouse doors. I raise a hand to signal them. Dane settles in a chair nearest to me and Dirt sits opposite us.

“We have a problem.”

Dane cocks his head to the side. “With?”

“Onyx.” Dane scans the clubhouse looking for him. “He’s not here. He rode out a while ago.”

“What’s the issue?” asks Dirt.

Sighing, I say, “They want the Abruzzi transportation contracts out of Chicago, and they want to fly under Grinders Transport for distribution.”

Dane’s lips turn down, and he tilts his head from side to side. “Smart. I’ll have to talk to Sal for the first part of his demands, but the second is easy. We need to expand. Chicago is a good choice, but as the mother chapter, we’ll get a cut.”

“Grinders Transport is yours, not the club’s,” I state.

“Yeah, it is. But for a while now, I’ve considered expanding throughout the Savage Angels’ network. We could dominate the industry and push out UPS.”

“And the mother chapter gets a cut of all of it,” I reply.

“Yep.” Dane grins.

Chapter Six

Dane

Leaning against my bike, I take a deep breath. Now, more than ever, I need them to understand we must change if we want to survive.

“Listen up, brothers,” I say, catching their attention as they huddle around me. “I’ve been thinking about the future of the Savage Angels MC, and it’s time we start planning for it.”

“What do you have in mind, Dane?” Judge asks, his brow furrowed.

“The Grinders Transport is going to branch out into some of the Savage Angels’ chapters.” They all go silent. “But only if they are clean.”

“Clean?” asks Bear.