Chapter Fourteen

Clive eyed the two men sitting across from him closely. Levi and Saul had ridden with him a long time and during that time Clive had ensured his sexuality had never been questioned. That was about to change. Roy still hadn’t arrived, and while Clive was tempted to wait for him, there was another part of him that knew he owed it to his men, and his relationship, to suck it up and tell the truth.

“There’s going to be some changes here and they affect you two the most.” Clive took a deep breath and then uttered the words that hadn’t crossed his lips in over twenty years. “I’m gay, I’m in a permanent full time relationship with Roy. Trent and I are both stepping down from our positions, and I’m offering you two the chance to take our places.”

Levi’s mouth dropped open and Saul’s eyes looked as though they were trying to bug out of his head. “Gay?” Levi whispered. “But….”

“Yeah, let’s not get into that,” Clive said quickly. “I had reasons for behaving the way I did in the past, that have nothing to do with today.”

“But why Roy?” Saul asked. “Admittedly, he’s a handsome enough guy if you like that sort of thing, but wouldn’t Trent…oh, shit, did you and T….”

“Don’t finish that question,” Clive warned. “One, Marly would have my nuts if he thought I was interested in his man, and two, I consider Trent my best friend and I’ve never once thought about seeing him naked.” Not now I have Roy, at least. Clive was looking to the future, not dwelling on his messy past.

“I think Saul’s just wondering, gay or not, why you’d pick a cop as a partner, when someone in the club, like Trent might be a better choice.” Levi leaned back in his chair.

“That’s it,” Saul agreed, happy his friend was helping him out. “Hell, everyone knew Bobby was falling all over you like a damn puppy, but you always ignored him as far as we could see. But a cop seems….” He trailed off.

“What can I say?” Clive grinned, ignoring the memory of Bobby’s email for now. “The man and I have serious chemistry. I’m not that old, I can’t enjoy myself while I still can. The only thing I want to know is are you two prepared to take over the club when Trent and I stand down?”

“Can we do that?” Saul looked doubtful. “I thought anyone who wanted to lead or be sergeant at arms had to fight their way into the position.”

“And what about the gun deals and security work we do?” Levi asked. “Do we have to find our own contracts and buyers like you said at the meeting or is that different too, with you voluntarily stepping down.”

“It’s a handover situation.” Clive struggled to explain, because the men were right to a point. “No disrespect guys, but you two couldn’t beat me and Trent in a fair fight and we’re not prepared to lose just to make you look good. I’ll need to thrash out the final details with Trent, but I figure he can teach you the business as it stands now. We have about a month before we leave. We step down, you two step up, after deciding who is doing what, and then you’ll fight any challenges that come from other members, just like anyone else would in our positions. Oh, and one of you at least will have to get a gun dealers license.”

He waited, watching as his last words sunk in. “We’ve been legal all this time?” Levi whispered.

Clive nodded. “For the past six years at least. Why do you think none of your skanky asses are in jail?”

“Fuck, no wonder you didn’t want anything to do with Jeff.” Saul shook his head.

“I want nothing to do with Jeff because he’s a low-life scum bucket who makes his money from the pain and suffering of others. Admittedly, I can’t interfere with any changes you guys might want to make to the club once me and Trent are gone, but there’s good money to be made on the legitimate side of things if you keep at it. You just have to keep the members drug free to do it.”

“At least with booze you only have a hangover,” Saul agreed. “My missus is dead set against drugs and she’d divorce me if I went to jail.”

“Pussy whipped already.” Levi laughed as Saul backhanded his chest.

“Was there anything else you wanted to ask? I’m expecting Roy any minute.”

“So, you and Roy….” Saul leered. “Does he let you play with his handcuffs?”

“Or maybe his night stick – I bet that man knows his way around a night stick.” Levi waggled his eyebrows.

Clive felt his cheeks flush. “On that note, you two can go. Think about what I’ve said. Talk it over between you two but keep the information to yourself for now. If Trent and I get pounded out because of the few staunch homophobes in the club, then believe me, I’ll take the whole club down and laugh as I’m riding away.”

Saul and Levi stood up, shuffling their feet. “I hope things work out for you and the cop,” Saul said, looking at Levi who nodded. “If it doesn’t, we’ve got your back. It’s not going to be the same without you around.”

“Appreciated.” Clive was touched. “Now get out of here before we’re blubbing like babies.”

“Yes, boss.” They’d just got to the door when there was a sharp tap and the door opened, Roy peering around it.

“Okay to come in?”

“Yes.” All the tension Clive had been carrying since he left his house that morning disappeared. “These two degenerates were just leaving.”

“Close the door on your way out, boys.” Roy pushed past them, and Clive got out from his desk and met him half way. “Fucking missed you,” Roy growled too low for the others to hear.

“Fuck, me too.” Tilting his head up, Clive didn’t care who was watching. Roy’s lips were hard, moist, and tasted slightly of strawberry syrup.

“You gotta admit that looks hot,” he heard Saul say.

“Get out!” Roy and Clive said together.