Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 397

CHAPTER 216-2

“I remember my place, but I also remember what this club used to be.” Damien said as I

stared at him.

“We were strong because people trusted the man leading them.” He added.

His words cut deeper than he probably intended and I stepped closer.

“You are finished.” I said and Damien looked around the room.

“Maybe I am, but I’m not the only one thinking it.” Damien said.

Nobody spoke but that silence was worse than shouting and I turned toward the others.

“Anyone else want to question me?” I asked but no one answered.

“Good.” I said as I returned to my chair and spread the map across the table.

“We have one operation left, and after it, we will have enough money to rebuild.” I continued

and one of the younger riders frowned.

“How much money do we actually have?” He asked.

“Enough.” I said.

“That isn’t a number.” He said and my eyes narrowed.

“Enough to complete the operation.” I said and Damien gave another humorless laugh.

“You can’t even afford to answer him.” Damien said but I ignored him.

“The club still has resources.” I said.

“Which resources?” Damien asked and I slammed my palm against the table.

“I said we have enough.” I yelled as Damien stood.

“Everyone here deserves to know what they are risking their lives for.” Damien said and my

anger surged.

“You think I am afraid?” I asked.

“No.” He said as his voice remained calm.

“I think you are desperate.” He added and the room fell silent so I stared at him before forcing

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a smile.

“Desperate people do things others are too afraid to do.” I said.

“And that’s supposed to make us feel better?” He asked.

“It should.” I said.

“It doesn’t.” He said as I looked around the room.

“Then leave.” I said but nobody moved.

“Anyone who believes I am wrong can walk out that door.” I said.

+25 Points

The compound remained silent as I waited and nobody left, but several men kept glancing

toward the exit.

They weren’t staying because they believed in me. They were staying because they didn’t

know where else to go.

That realization unsettled me and the meeting finally broke apart shortly after midnight.

The riders left in small groups, and Damien was one of the last to leave.

I watched him disappear into the parking area, and for a moment, I wanted to kill him before

his doubt infected everyone else.

Instead, I stayed inside because I had more important things to deal with.

I stopped beside the office window and noticed two younger riders near the side entrance.

They waited until Damien’s motorcycle disappeared down the road before walking away

together.

Something about it bothered me. I considered sending someone after them, but I dismissed

the thought.

I had bigger problems. So I returned to the table and stared at the map.

The Black Reapers were running out of money, men, and places to hide, but I still had one

move left.

The Iron Vipers believed they had won because they had taken our warehouses and forced us

backward.

They had no idea what I was preparing and I picked up my phone and began calling the

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remaining riders, giving them instructions, locations, and times.

Most answered but one didn’t.

I stared at the unanswered call before trying again, but there was still no response.

+25 Points

Then I heard a motorcycle outside and I looked through the window and saw one of the two

riders returning alone.

He entered the compound and stopped when he saw me.

“Where is Eric?” I asked and the rider hesitated.

“He went home.” The other one said.

“Why?” I asked.

“He said he was tired.” He said as I studied him.

“You should both be here.” I said.

“I know.” He said.

His nervous expression confirmed what I already suspected.

“You have something to tell me?” I asked.

“No.” He said.

The answer came too quickly and I watched him until he finally looked away.

“Get some sleep.” I said.

“Yes, President.” He said.

He walked down the hallway, leaving me alone by the window.

Something was wrong.

The club was breaking apart, and I had spent too long pretending otherwise. But I wasn’t

finished.

I wouldn’t allow the Iron Vipers to destroy everything I had built, and I wouldn’t allow Damien

to turn the others against me.

And I wouldn’t allow anyone to walk away with information that belonged to the Black

Reapers.

3/5

<CHAPTER 216-2

+25 Points

What I didn’t know was that, several miles away, two of my own men were standing behind

an abandoned building with their phones in their hands.

They had left the compound together. They had waited until they were far enough away that

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