“Did you tell him about the Jacks backing Mad Dog?” Dax always liked to know his intel was being put to good use.
“Yeah, I told him. He wasn’t surprised, but he’s reluctant to raise the issue before the election in case it backfires, or the Black Jack puppets outnumber his supporters. He needs us to clean house, as much as we need Brethren support.”
“That might be part of the reason why Mad Dog accused Cade and Gunner,” Dawn said. “He’s afraid you’ll actively back Wolf. With the Sinner support clubs and resources behind him, Wolf will be sure to win. By accusing Cade and Gunner, Jimmy effectively cuts Wolf off from any potential Sinner support, makes the Sinners look bad, and wins himself the sympathy vote. Wolf’s only hope now is if you back him openly.”
Gunner scrubbed a hand through his buzz cut. “I dunno. Then it’ll look like we tried to off Mad Dog so Wolf would win. Could turn everything against us.”
“Or it could be just what Wolf needs.” Dawn hesitated, acutely aware that she was now the center of attention. The Sinners were listening in a way the Brethren never had. All those years sitting quietly in the corner at the Brethren clubhouse hadn’t been a total waste. She’d listened and learned, watched the political game and understood the players.
Worthy. And it felt damn good.
“Keep going,” Jagger said. “You know them better than we do.”
“If the Brethren think Wolf is cunning and powerful enough to enlist the Sinners to take out Mad Dog, they’ll vote for Wolf. Yeah, they might grumble that Wolf didn’t support Mad Dog, but in the end they aren’t hung up on rules or creeds or honor. The only thing they respect is power. And if the Sinners come out and show their support for Wolf instead of hiding in the shadows like the Jacks, they’ll see Wolf as the strongest candidate and the Sinners as the strongest club, and they’ll vote for the man who can bring a patch over to the table.”
“We got intel that Mad Dog might be paying off supporters,” Gunner said. “If that’s the case, it won’t matter who they think is stronger. They’ll just follow the money.”
Dawn sucked in her lips, considering. “Mad Dog came to my house demanding money. He seemed almost desperate. If he needs money that badly, he must not have paid off enough supporters yet to win the election.”
Jagger’s eyes narrowed. “You got any ideas?” he asked. “A good way for the Sinners to show their support for Wolf?”
“The Brethren love a good party.”
“Done.” Jagger slapped his hand on the table. “You organize it. Tell Banks we’ll need the bar on Saturday.”
Dawn’s gaze flicked from Jagger to Cade and back to Jagger. She’d given them information that could tip the balance in the Sinners’ favor, now it was time for payback. Only a few weeks ago, she’d considered the idea and dismissed it out of hand, not just because she lacked confidence, but also because she had nothing to offer. Now she had both.
“I want something in return.” She swallowed hard and firmed her voice. “I want my girls back. Now. Wolf is president. If he tells Mad Dog to keep Shelly-Ann and the police off my back, then he’ll have to do it; otherwise he risks being kicked out for disobeying his president and he’ll lose his chance at running for election. He’s put me at risk by making Mad Dog untouchable, and you’ve seen how Mad Dog took advantage. I’ve had enough. No more talking about it. No more negotiating. I’m a Sinner old lady and they are Sinner girls and I want them to come home.”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding,” Zane spat out. “We’re not getting involved in a fucking marital dispute.”
Dawn dropped her hands to her hips and stiffened her spine. “And I didn’t want to get involved in a biker war, but that’s what this is. The Brethren are a pawn in the war between the Sinners and the Jacks. Yes, you can take the information I gave you, ignore my request, and help Wolf win the election so he’ll patch his club over to the Sinners, but it’s not the right thing to do, and it’s not how our world works. I’m calling in my mark and I expect you to honor it.”
“I vote in favor,” Cade said. “Anyone opposed?”
Not even Zane lifted a hand.
Jagger nodded. “I’ll talk to Wolf.”
She thought her heart would burst.
EIGHTEEN
I will never let down my guard.
SINNER’S TRIBE CREED
Her girls were home.
Dawn sat on the floor of the bedroom that had been unused for the last year, hugging her knees to her chest, still unable to believe her angels were home. But there they were. Maia and Tia. Asleep in their twin princess beds, tucked under duvets bearing the images of handsome princes, horse-drawn carriages, and happily-ever-afters.