Redemption (Rogue Nation MC #1)

35. Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Five

Mako

To say that I was emotionally exhausted by the time I made it to church would be an understatement. We were only here because I didn’t want to disappoint my mate and his friend. Maybe a little curiosity on my part. Things were said and done in DeLuca’s office that made little to no sense to me. I trusted that my mate knew what he was doing and nothing was done that couldn’t be reversed with minimal effort anyway if it went sideways.

Theo and Owen went into the room with their heads stuck together in whispered conversation. I was concerned with what those 2 may plan, but not so much that it put me in an off mood. Bear followed me into my office. “Hey man. I see everything worked out.”

“Yeah brother, he was more concerned with you knowing how many times I can make him cum untouched versus what I actually did to him. But you didn’t hear shit from me.” I huffed a laugh.

“Untouched? Damn Eddie. Respect, brother.” Fucker was laughing. “Not a word, man. Our secret. Bet, he tells Owen, and then it’ll explode. I’ll make my crack then. Not that I won’t be jealous.” Then we were both laughing.

Bear and I walked into church, and shit looked completely different. Not the room itself, but the setup on the table. There was a file folder in front of each member’s chair and a pile of files in the center. I called the meeting to order. Make no mistake. This was a business meeting, not actually church. The feeling was completely different. “Brothers. This meeting was requested by my mate and Little Brother with the backing of Gates, Doc and Teach. I’m gonna turn this over to them because I have a feeling that you’re just as lost as I am about this whole damn thing.” Grunts and nods came from around the table. “Theo, it’s on you.”

Theo stood up and looked each member around the table in the eye. “Thank you for being patient with the timing of this meeting. Mako and I kinda had to celebrate our marriage alone for a bit before we made it here.” He giggled. Hoots and whistles erupted around the table. “Now, on to business. I know that Little Brother and I aren’t allowed to vote or be in ‘Club Business’. That’s why we involved 3 fully patched members to help us with setting this plan in motion. When it comes time to vote, they’ll be able to answer questions you have.” Everyone nodded. “Every man here is aware of the circumstances that brought me to Rogue Nation. What some of you were unaware of was that my grandfather left me a large sum of money to come into my possession at 25.” whispers started in the back of the room.

Trash blurted out, “Holy shit Prez. You rich now?” A few men broke into laughter.

I huffed. “Nope, still as broke as you. He gave it all away.” Even more whispers and a few groans.

“Gates, please take the floor.” Theo nodded at our computer guy.

Brothers. I went over Theo’s grandfather’s will with a fine-tooth comb. The manilla folder in front of you includes the paperwork signed by Theodore and Edward Sharkey at Byron DeLuca’s Law Offices. Everything in that will has been transferred over from the original estate. Neither the President nor his mate owns it. They did for all of 5 minutes, but I don’t think that counts for these purposes. I’m here to explain the main codicil of the will. Theo’s grandfather put 2 stipulations in his will. First, if anyone attempted to contest the will, they would give up any right to inherit. Second, if they were convicted of any federal crime, they would also lose any inheritance. Since the other 3 persons listed in the will cannot collect their portions, 100% of the proceeds transferred to Theodore Mossdale.” Gates turned to Teach and nodded his head as he sat down.

Teach stood and addressed the table. “Before we proceed, I think we need to define the words ‘Club Business’.” Everyone had the same confused look, including me.

Thank Goddess Bear spoke up. “Well, I would define ‘Club Business’ as any business conducted in this room by officers that could carry negative legal consequences. It’s protecting the most vulnerable if us.” Everyone around the table nodded.

Teach nodded towards Owen. “Then I turn this over to Owen Michaels. Since nothing discussed with he and Theo in the room will be considered ‘Club Business’, I see no reason not to recuse him from the discussion.”

Teach sat as Owen stood up. “Thank you Teach. By the way, even when I’m big, I like the name Little Brother. It’s my road name.” Everyone laughed again. “On with the show. If you would please open the folders to the first page. Theodore Sharkey inherited 65 million dollars, vehicles and a warehouse. On page 2, you see that those assets were turned over to Edward Sharkey as Theodore’s Alpha under current federal law.” Everyone looked at Theo and I as if we were insane. “On page 3, you see that every one of those assets were signed over by Edward Sharkey to Rogue Nation Motorcycle Club.” Shock quieted the room. Owen continued. “Gentlemen, as you see. As of 4pm today, the coffers of Rogue Nation MC sit at 67 million dollars. Now you guys can stop any illegal shit you’re doing. You got plenty of money.” Finished with his presentation, Owen sat back in his chair and grinned at Theo and me.

I stood and grabbed Theo from his chair. I walked out of the room and straight to my office, slamming the door behind me. “So, this was your plan when you said, ‘trust me, Alpha’? To give every dime of that money to Rogue Nation?” I bellowed.

Theo wrapped his arms around his middle and made himself as small as possible. “Y-Yes, Alpha.” Tears sprang from his eyes. “I thought it’s what you would want.”

“Did you even bother to ask me? Didn’t you think of yourself or our child? Theo, we can’t raise the baby in this fuckin clubhouse and my house needs so many repairs to make it safe for a child.” I was still yelling. Never noticing that Theo was shrinking himself into a corner. All I could see was my inability to provide for my mate and child. I thought there was a way out, now there wasn’t. I guess I could borrow the money from the club, but I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to be independent, not take from my club to support my fuckin family.

The more Theo sobbed and curled into a ball, the angrier I got. I’d never lay a hand on him in anger, but by Goddess, part of me wanted to. Just to shake some sense into him. Suddenly, my office door burst open, and Bear was there with Owen and Clip. Owen rushed in and fell to the floor in front of Theo, wrapping him in his arms. “You arrogant, selfish bastard. How dare you? He’s pregnant with your son. You’re scaring him.”

Still seeing red, I yelled at Owen. “I’m sick and tired of you defending the fucked up immature actions of people in this club. They do as they please and you defend them. Not this time. He took my son’s future and gave it away, asking me to trust him. This is shit that happens when I trust.”

Owen cried along with Theo. I rolled my eyes. Great, just great. “If that’s how you see it, Mr. President, then I’ll go. I’ll pack my room and leave tonight.” Owen stood and walked to the door when Bear grabbed his arm.

“Theo, Owen, sit. Right there on the sofa. NOW.” Both boys sat on the sofa, still crying. Holding onto one another. “You.” He pointed at me. “Sit in your fuckin chair.” I puffed up my chest against him. Who in the hell did he think he was? Clip stepped beside him and pointed at my chair. Two against one, not great odds and now that I wasn’t yelling, my temper was fading. So, I sat. “I’m sick and tired of everyone trying their hardest to destroy this family. Someone does something someone else doesn’t like and their first reaction is to run away. No more. We’re not leaving this room until it’s settled.”

With the last of my bravado, I growled. “It’s between me and my mate.”

“No Eddie, it’s between you and Pacey. You gotta let that shit go bother. You didn’t allow anyone to finish what was started. You took in part of the information and ran with it, thinking you were getting fucked over.” He sat in the chair opposite me and placed the file on the desk in front of me. “There was a second part to it, man.”

“It wasn’t about me. It’s about my son. I can’t raise him here in the clubhouse. I don’t have the reserves to remodel my house for him and my mate. I’ve got nothing.” I put my head in my hands. I just admitted out loud to everyone in the room that I was a failure as an alpha.

Theo got up from the sofa and came over to me. He pushed the edge of my chair away from the desk and settled in my lap. “Mako. I was thinking of our son. Giving him the legacy both of you deserve.”

“How? We have nothing. I alone am not Rogue Nation. It takes 3 signatures to access those accounts. If I reverse the papers and take it all back, I betray both you and my club.” I wrapped my harms around his waist, laying my forehead on his shoulder.

“Well, the 3 signatures for the accounts are in this room. Correct?” Theo ran his fingers through my hair.

“Baby, I can’t borrow money like that. It’s too much. Even if the club can afford it. It’s not fair.” My pride wouldn’t allow me to be indebted to anyone, including my club.

“Are you willing to listen to everyone here? Clip is the only one who’s not aware of what’s going on, so he’ll be hearing it for the first time too. But first, I have some things to say, then I have a 2 questions for you.” He sat up straight in my lap and pulled the folder to us.

“OK, I’ll listen.” I nodded my head to everyone in the room.

“Well, first, if you ever come at me again like that, I’ll leave. You scared me with your temper, and I refuse to raise a child like that.” I nodded my head. “Second, you will apologize to Owen. He didn’t deserve those hurtful things you said, even if you didn’t mean them.”

“Owen, I’m sorry. I snapped at you because of anger, fear and my alpha pride.” In true Rogue Nation fashion, Owen just nodded at me.

“Now Alpha of mine. Do you trust me?” He waited patiently for my answer.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “With my life, Omega of mine.”

He grinned at me as he ask the second question while handing me the folder. “How attached are you to your family house?”