Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 127

CHAPTER 79

new the Iron Vipers weren’t saints and that realization had arrived a long time ago.

The club did a lot of good for the community. They protected people. They supported local businesses. They raised money for charities and they looked after their families.

But they also operated in a world that existed outside ordinary rules. A world filled with secrets rivalries and business I wasn’t part of. And that was exactly how Jace wanted it.

The shipment was proof of that and I knew something was happening before anybody said a

word.

The clubhouse felt different all week and members came and went at odd hours. Phone calls became shorter, meetings became more frequent and the atmosphere carried a quiet tension that everyone seemed to recognize.

Everyone except the spouses and families were included in whatever planning was taking place.

That wasn’t unusual.

The club protected its own by keeping certain things separate and I respected that. Even if curiosity occasionally drove me insane.

On Friday afternoon I was finishing paperwork when Jace appeared in the office. He looked tired.

Focused and determined.

The expression immediately told me everything I needed to know. Something important was happening tonight and I set my pen down.

“You leaving later?” I asked and his eyes met mine.

“Yeah.” He said and I nodded.

That was enough. No questions. No demands and no pressure.

The relationship worked because we trusted each other and I didn’t need details. He didn’t need explanations and his hand settled against the back of my chair.

“You okay with that?” He asked and I smiled slightly.

“Jace.” I said.

“What?” He asked.

“You don’t have to ask every time.” I said and his expression softened.

“I know.” He said as I reached for his hand.

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CHAPTER 79

“I have the garage.” I said.

“You have enough work for three people.” He said.

“Exactly.” I said and a small laugh escaped him.

For a moment the tension faded and then he leaned down and kissed my forehead. A quick

affectionate gesture.

“I’ll be back tomorrow.” Jace said.

“Be careful.” I said as his thumb brushed lightly across my cheek.

“Always.” He said.

Clai

That evening Lawson Customs closed right on schedule. Ben headed home and Mia practically sprinted out the door because she had plans involving dinner and absolutely no paperwork.

I finished organizing the office while Diesel slept beneath the counter. Outside, darkness slowly settled across town. Everything appeared normal.

Yet somewhere beyond the garage walls, the club was preparing for something much larger.

By nine o’clock I finally headed upstairs. I showered and changed into comfortable clothes and made myself a cup of coffee.

Then settled onto the couch with a movie I had already seen three times. But my attention lasted approximately fifteen minutes.

After that I spent most of the evening checking my phone. Not because I was worried. At least that was what I kept telling myself but the truth was that whenever the club handled dangerous business, a part of me always remained uneasy.

I trusted Jace and I trusted the Iron Vipers. I just didn’t trust the world they operated in.

Across town, meanwhile, the Iron Vipers gathered at a warehouse near the edge of their territory and motorcycles lined the parking lot.

Trucks waited nearby as club members moved efficiently between vehicles. Everyone knew their

role. Everyone understood the plan.

The shipment itself wasn’t unusually large by club standards. Complicated and valuable and risky.

But manageable.

Jace walked through final preparations while Hunter and Derek checked routes and Roman reviewed communication channels while Mason coordinated timing.

The operation moved like a machine built through years of experience. Everything appeared under

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CHAPTER 79

Claim

control and everything appeared secure. That confidence would have been reassuring. If someone hadn’t already been watching.

Several miles away, hidden among trees overlooking the warehouse access road, Victor Kane lowered a pair of binoculars.

A satisfied smile crossed his face.

“They’re moving.” Victor said and Damien stood beside him.

“You were right.” Damien said.

“I usually am.” Victor said and the younger man watched the activity below.

“So we hit them tonight?” Damien asked but Victor shook his head.

“No.” Victor said.

“They’re transporting enough weapons to make a fortune.” Damien said and Victor looked

amused.

“You still think this is about money.” Victor asked.

“It isn’t?” Damien asked.

“No.” Victor said as he lowered the binoculars.

“This is about destruction.” Victor added.

The answer seemed to confuse Damien and Victor gestured toward the convoy.

“Stealing the shipment helps us once.” Victor said.

“And?” Damien asked.

“Using it helps us forever.” Victor said.

Understanding slowly appeared on Damien’s face. A dangerous understanding and Victor smiled and now he was paying attention.

“We don’t take the guns. We let them deliver the guns.” Victor said and Damien nodded slowly.

“And then?” Damien asked as Victor’s eyes darkened.

“Then we use them.” Victor said.

A cold silence settled between the two men because the plan was becoming clear. The shipment

itself wasn’t the target.

The shipment was the tool. The Black Reapers intended to create violence. Chaos and bloodshed.

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CHAPTER 79

And when the dust settled, every piece of evidence would point toward the Iron Vipers.

Glam

The authorities would blame them. Their allies would question them and their reputation would

suffer.

And most importantly, territory lines would erupt into conflict. Exactly what Victor wanted.

Back at the warehouse, the final preparations were complete and engines started one after

another.

Headlights cut through the darkness as the convoy formed up.

Jace climbed onto his motorcycle and adjusted his gloves. Hunter moved into position and Derek gave a short nod.

No speeches were necessary. No dramatic declarations. Just experienced men doing a

dangerous job.

The lead vehicles rolled forward and the rest followed.

Within minutes the convoy disappeared onto the highway and everything appeared smooth. Everything appeared successful and the shipment was underway.

At the garage, I stood at the apartment window looking out across the dark parking lot and Diesel slept beside the couch.

The town remained quiet. Peaceful and for a brief moment I allowed myself to believe everything

would be fine.

That maybe the night would pass without problems. That maybe tomorrow would simply be another ordinary day.

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