Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40297 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40297 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
I straightened in my chair, genuinely startled. “You’ve been thinking about options?”
He raised a brow, amusement flickering faintly in his eyes. “You’re surprised?”
“Maybe a little.” I shook my head, my mouth quirking slightly. “Didn’t expect you to let me go without giving me shit about all the money you were gonna lose but…”
Kane rolled his eyes. “I have no intention of losing a damn cent. You think I’m gonna let some other asshole exploit your Midas touch?” He leaned forward again, his powerful frame radiating steady authority. “You’ve helped me build every track and racing team in our empire, Tyre. I have no intention of letting you walk away completely. I knew we’d figure something out if it came down to this.”
My chest tightened fiercely with gratitude at his unspoken loyalty. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
He braced his forearms on the desk. “I’m thinking it’s time to expand west. We’ve got Florida and the surrounding states locked down, and the East Coast presence is in the works. But California—that’s new territory, untapped for us. If Cecily’s going there anyway, it’s the perfect opportunity to set up a new track and pro racing team out in LA.”
Excitement started to kindle in my chest. “A new track and pro team?”
“Yeah.” The corner of his mouth kicked up again. “I want you heading it up—managing operations, hiring staff, coaches, and recruiting drivers. You’ve had a hand in every damn track and team we’ve built, and your fingerprints should be all over this one too. But it’ll be pretty much all on you this time, brother. I can’t be there for the amount of time it’s going to take to get this off the ground.”
My mind was already spinning through the logistics. The challenge, potential, and idea of building something fresh from the ground up again. But beneath all of that exhilaration was something else, deeper and far more personal. Kane wasn’t just giving me a task. He was giving me a way to follow Cecily without losing what I’d helped build.
My throat tightened as I leaned back in my chair, my eyes locked onto his steady gaze. “You really think this is the right move?”
“Do you?” Kane tossed back, arching a brow. “Because this isn’t about whether we can pull it off. We can. This is about you. And her. About you making sure she doesn’t have to give up what she wants in a way where you don’t have to give up who you are.”
I swallowed roughly, nodding once. “Then it’s right.”
His voice carried an edge of dry humor. “Then I suppose you’d better start looking into real estate. And figure out how the hell we’re going to manage you running an entire West Coast operation for Redline Holdings from across the country without everything going to shit. We’ll find someone to help run things here, but they’ll be working under you.”
I chuckled softly. “Don’t worry, Prez. You know damn well I’ve got it covered.”
“I know.” Then his eyes narrowed. “But I’m also not real interested in letting some other MC get their hands on you.”
My brows pulled together. “What the fuck does that mean? I’m not gonna patch with another club after I leave the Redline Kings.”
The office door opened before Kane answered, and Edge sauntered inside like he owned the damn building. Which, technically, he partially did. His hair was still damp from a shower, and his cut hung open over a fitted black T-shirt that stretched across his chest and broad shoulders. He took one look at my face and smirked.
“Leaving the Redline Kings isn’t on the table either,” Kane stated.
“Oh good,” Edge drawled lazily. “Looks like Kane skipped right past easing you into it.”
I stared between them slowly. “Into what?”
Edge dropped onto one of the chairs across from Kane’s desk, stretching his long legs out comfortably. “Brother, you’d make a damn fine president.”
The room went quiet for a second.
“Of what?” I asked, still confused.
“A motorcycle club,” Edge said slowly, like he was talking to someone who didn’t understand English.
I barked out a short laugh and shook my head. “Absolutely the fuck not.”
Kane’s expression didn’t even twitch. “You already run most of our financial operations, half the underground infrastructure, and every major expansion we’ve built. You’ve been helping me build this empire since almost the beginning.”
“That’s different than starting my own MC.”
“Not really,” Edge countered dryly. “You already act like leadership. You’re just grumpier about it.”
I flipped him off automatically without looking away from Kane, who shook his head. “Told you. Not gonna let another MC have you. Even one you founded.”
“Then what…” It clicked. “A West Coast chapter?”
“Yep,” Kane confirmed.
That word sat there heavily because deep down, I knew exactly what they were saying, and hope burned in my chest. When I moved to California with Cecily, I wouldn’t have to walk away from the Redline Kings. I’d still be part of this family and the empire we built together in a way I’d never expected.