Page 18 of Peer & Coco

Carrying everything into the other room, he found Brage standing by the door. He handed over Tyr to Coco.

"I could've saved you a trip." He hung the clothes on the doorknob of the coat closet. "We're getting ready to come over to the club."

"I was in the area anyway." Brage scratched his jaw and glanced over at Coco.

He followed his MC brother's gaze and connected with Coco, giving her a wink. She nodded and took Tyr out of the room. She'd been around long enough to know when the conversation veered toward club business and gave him the privacy that he needed.

"We've got a clusterfuck happening," said Brage.

"What's the problem?"

"In twenty-four hours, Bantorus Motorcycle Club put Moroad out of business."

"The guns?"

Brage nodded. "Moroad is backed into a corner. They won't survive without any supplies to sell."

"What's happened since?"

"All hell broke loose inside the Idaho State Penitentiary early this morning. The incarcerated Moroad members went full-on-out with Blue and Red gangs, took back their contracts. The extortion money we were counting on is no longer coming to us."

"Fuck." He crossed his arms.

Slag relied on the money from the extortion contracts they'd stolen from Moroad. Without the extra cash, they'd have nothing to send to Norway to help the Mother Chapter in their survival during the territorial wars. Hell, it'd be tight for every member of Slag in Portland and Seattle, too.

"There's more." Brage met Peer's gaze. "While all that was going on, Brikken Motorcycle Club found their opening with Bantorus and lifted the stolen vehicles on the car hauler five miles from their destination, turned the trade around, and took Bantorus's business."

"Jesus Christ," he mumbled, shaking his head. "What else can go wrong?"

Brage's chest expanded. "Agent Vance Campbell is sitting in his car outside The Fire Ring."

Peer walked off, came back, and said, "Are the Feds suspecting we have our hand in everything that went down?"

"We don't know, but Moroad, Bantorus, Brikken, and even Lagsturns would love to pay us back for the trouble we put on them. I'm sure they'd love to point the fingers that all of this was Slag's fault." Brage straightened his beard. "I need to go and update Elling. He was aware of the activities going down, but he was stuck watching the Fed staking out Slag. I'll meet you at the clubhouse."

He dipped his chin. "Watch your back."

"Same, brother." Brage walked out.

He inhaled deeply, letting the news soak in. As with everything in his life, shit happened at the worst times.

Behaviors always brought consequences. Slag acted, and they could bet their life on others retaliating. He had unprotected sex, believing Kelli was on the pill, and Tyr was born. There had never been a moment in his life when he could sit back and relax knowing nothing would happen.

"Coco," he called.

A minute later, she walked out, leading Tyr slowly toward him. "We're all ready."

He lifted his son, checked to make sure both shoes were still on his feet and led them outside. Once he had both of them in Coco's car, he went back in the house and grabbed his duffle and helmet.

They were at the clubhouse in under ten minutes. Lately, he only let his guard down when he had both of them behind the gates and on Slag property.

Today, more than the normal number of members clustered in the alley, talking amongst themselves. He knew what the discussions were about without hearing the conversations.

Coco's arm brushed his side. "What's going on?"

She'd been around Slag often enough to sense when the routine of living the biker lifestyle shifted. He moved Tyr to his other side, holding him in one arm.

"I imagine by the end of the meeting we'll be locking things uptight for a while." He put his hand on her back when she stopped walking and urged her through the door of the club. "I'd feel better if you stuck around the clubhouse until I know more."

"You're worrying me." She turned, walking backward to keep up with him and put her hand on Tyr's back. "Should Tyr be here?"

"He's fine. It's safer here than away from the club." He stopped in the middle of the room. "I'm going to find Holly and see if she can keep an eye on Tyr."

Coco reached out and squeezed his arm. He wanted to stay with her, watch to make sure she remained on Slag property.

As if reading his mind, she said, "I'll stay and help the women wherever I can and probably call Lizzy to see if there's anything she needs. Maybe talk her into coming to the clubhouse if things are up in the air with Roar, too."

"That's good," he said.

Tyr slapped his shoulder, jarring him from ogling Coco as she walked away. He bounced his son against his shoulder and walked to the kitchen to see about handing Tyr off to one of the women. Thankful he was too young to feel the hardships raining down on them.