Page 114 of Property of Rattler

“Club’s lawyer would do all that,” Saint tells me, seemingly on board with the plan.

Prez has been listening, now he motions he’s going to speak. “There’s a lot of ground to go over here. Firstly, would Ames agree to ‘die’ and take a new identity? She’d have to consider the ramifications. And if so, would she be safe to stay here? Is there a risk she could be recognised? Secondly, aren’t we transferring the problem, if it’s Rat who ends up with the money?”

“Rat’s got no connection to Volkov or the Russians. Even if they put out a hit on him, it serves them nothing but revenge.” Saint presses his lips together. “But just to be sure, Rat can write a will leaving everything he owns to the club.”

Gee thanks, VP. For making plans in case I die.

“I don’t want the money,” I tell them. “But what if I agree with Volkov to give it to him? It gets him off our backs.”

“And for what reason?” Paint asks. “That would be like a signed confession we were up to something.”

Stalker’s sucking his lower lip into his mouth. “Club agreed to protecting Ames for a share of her inheritance. That way, we’ll end up with nothing.”

Bullseye has his elbows on the table, he’s propped his chin on his hands. His eyes are half-closed, but I suspect he’s listening to everything. While the brothers start circling the arguments around, he appears to be thinking.

Suddenly he comes up life. “We’ll have the twenty thou from the insurance that would clear Stone’s debt. They’re just being greedy wanting more, but that doesn’t mean they’d stop coming after AmesandRat once they know they’re husband and wife. Ames won’t be safe until she’s twenty-five and can do whatever she fuckin’ likes with her inheritance. Words is onto something, if Ames dies, Rat gets everything, and no one’s got a call on that money.” He pauses and grimaces. “We can talk it out, plan and keep going around in fuckin’ circles, but we can’t do much unless Ames is on board with disappearing, and Pippa’s set to make this work. I suggest we get both the women in here and talk it out with them present.”

All eyes come to me. “Satin’s death sent Ames into shock.” I hold my hand up at the murmur. “I’m not saying she shouldn’t be involved, but we’ve got to tread carefully. Any sign she’s getting distressed then I want her out of here.”

Still everyone is staring at me. I shake my head, “What?”

Woody snorts. “We’re waiting for you to make some snide comment about bitches being allowed in church.”

I feel my face burn. “Er, yeah. Brothers, I said shit in the past…”

“Makes a difference, doesn’t it, when the other shoe’s on your own foot?” Short chortles.

Prez looks down the table at Lancelot who’s stayed silent during his first church. I was probably the same when I initiallysat at the table in this hallowed space. “Lance, could you go find Pippa and Ames and bring them in here, please?”

Lancelot stands so fast his chair almost topples over. Then he’s out the door like the demons of hell are after him.

Tempest chuckles. “Takes a brother a moment to get out of the prospect headspace.”

“Didn’t take Rat long as far as I remember,” this comes from Piston.

I just raise my middle finger.

Conversations start around me as we’re waiting, I don’t join in. Asking Ames to completely change who she is is a pretty big ask.

Pippa enters first. “I’ve given Jade to Trixie,” she tells Saint. Then, as normal when she comes into church, her man pushes back his chair as an invitation for her to sit on his lap. When she does, he uses the time while we wait to give her a scorching kiss.

Knowing my legs won’t allow me to do the same thing with my woman, I ask, “Can someone bring another chair in for Ames?”

Woody stands and claps his hand on my shoulder in passing. When he returns, he not only brings the spare seat in, but pauses with it angled behind me. The brothers shift down to make space for it next to mine. For which I thank him profusely. Ames will be out of her depth entering this meeting, me being able to at least hold her hand will hopefully make it easier.

At last, Lancelot returns with my woman in tow. He immediately spies where he should direct her, and leads her over. She’s biting her lip and her eyes are wide open, but takes my hand when I hold it out to her.

Leaning in, she whispers to me, “What’s going on?”

Something that might change your life forever,I think to myself. While out loud, I tell her, “Nothing to overly worry about.” My eyes examine her. “Are you feeling okay? Because ifthis is too much for you, we can delay it.” And fuck what anyone else has to say. She’s mine, and I’ll do what’s best for her.

My attention is caught by Saint who’s talking quietly to Pippa. Then he indicates Bullseye should lean in. There are murmurings at the end of the table, but when the three part, they seem to be in agreement.

After a couple of minutes, Prez bangs the gavel to get our attention. Then he raises his chin toward Saint’s old lady.

Pippa sits forward, Saint’s arms at her sides. She glances across to where my woman is sitting beside me. “Ames,” she addresses my woman directly, “what I’m going to tell you is secret. My life depends on you keeping it quiet. As Rattler’s old lady, if you stay here, you’ll probably learn it anyway. But if you’re going to leave the club, please speak up now.”

Ames stiffens beside me.