The morning air smelled of fresh brewed coffee and booze. My head was pounding and the pressure behind my eyes was building. My whole body felt sore like I ran a marathon during the night. Hangovers were a daily occurrence for me. Nothing that a shot of whiskey couldn't cure.
With my eyes closed, I groaned and shielded my face from the burning sun. I just needed a few more hours of sleep. I rolled over to get more comfortable and pulled the sheet over my head.
A soft voice whispered next to me, “You're one hell of a fuck, Dagger. I can barely move my legs.”
My eyes shot open to find a blonde under the sheets next to me—Sadie. I'd slept with her once before but told myself that it would never happen again. Fuck and forget, Dagger. It's not that hard. Apparently my drunk alter-ego had a mind of its own. Sadie was one of the MC groupies, meaning she'd fuck anyone with a patch and some ink. She gave one hell of a blowjob but she was a pretty lousy fuck. Over the years she had been passed around from member to member like a used bike. Her long fake eyelashes batted at me and I wanted to melt further into the covers.
I jolted out of bed and started putting my clothes on. “I need to go downstairs,” I told her, avoiding eye contact.
Sadie sat up and tucked the sheets around her heaving breasts. “We can go one more time.” She winked, dropping the sheets and exposing her big tits. The thought of coming all over her chest crossed my mind.
In your dreams, slut. I laughed at her as I slipped my leather cut on. I rushed out of the room without another word. She was trash and it was time to throw her out. Luckily the alcohol prevented me from remembering any of the details from last night.
I came downstairs to find Breaker sitting at the bar, nursing a drink. His wedding ring reflected in the sunlight. He was the only member that was married which everyone thought he was crazy. Now he was going to be father which was absolutely insane. Pain came close once with Emily but that was ages ago.
“Rough night?” he asked me, taking a sip of liquor.
“You don't want to know.” I sat down next to him on the creaky barstool. “Get me one of those will ya?”
Breaker reached behind the bar for an empty glass and poured me a shot of whiskey. I downed it in seconds, embracing the burn, feeling the hangover dissipate slowly. “What are you doing here so early in the morning? Don't you have a wife that needs tending?”
Breaker finished his drink and nodded. “She had an early shift at the hospital. Couldn't fall back asleep after she left.”
“She's still working, even with the baby coming?”
Breaker laughed. “Melissa has a mind of her own. No amount of talking could convince her to stay home. She says that if the baby comes then she'll already be in the hospital.”
I poured myself another glass. “Can't argue with that.” I raised my glass and clinked it against Breaker's.
“What's on the agenda for today?” Breaker asked.
“We have a MC meeting in a couple hours. Or whenever everyone can get there drunk asses over here.”
“Know what the meeting is about?”
Should I tell him? Pain giving up the presidency was huge news. He was going to find out anyways in a couple hours. “Don't tell anyone else but Pain is stepping down as President and nominating me.”
Breaker's eyes shot open. “No fucking way! Congratulations!”
I put my finger to my lips. “Shh. Keep it a secret for now. I want everyone to hear it from Pain first.”
Breaker nodded. “Of course. Let's have another drink, shall we?”
There was still more to tell him but that surprise could wait until the meeting.
—
Pain slammed down the gavel on the wood table with a Devil's Hellions spider engraved on it. All the members surrounded the table except for one empty seat that used to sit Isaac. The finances had become a fucking disaster since his death. We needed a new Treasurer and it would be up to me to find one.
“I'd like to just get it out there,” Pain began, “I'm stepping down as President of the Devil's Hellions MC and nominating Dagger to take my place.”
Everyone's jaws dropped except for mine and Breaker's. I gave him a slight nod and turned my attention back to Pain.
Pain rubbed his wrinkly eyes. “I've been the head of this club for way too many years. I think it's time I finally let some new blood control the future. I'll still be around as an active member. But it will be nice to not have to deal with all the stress. Everyone in favor of Dagger as President say aye.”
The table erupted with “Aye's” and fists slammed down on the wood. In one fell swoop, Pain ripped off my Vice-President patch and began stitching my President patch on. “Looks good on you,” Pain said, grinning. He stepped out of the way and gave me the head chair.
The applause roared through the small meeting room. There had only been two presidents of Devil's Hellions before me and now I made the third. A new era. I waved my hands down for everyone to be quiet. After a moment of silence, I cleared my throat. “Thank you all. You don't know how much this patch means to me. First order of business is to nominate a Vice-President.” The club looked at each other, eyeing who could it be. “I nominate Breaker to become Vice-President of Devil's Hellions.” I didn't even get to call for a vote as everyone hammered their hands on the table.
Breaker looked stunned as he sat down in my old chair. I'm glad I was able to surprise him. Breaker thanked the room as Pain stitched my old patch on his chest. I'd need Breaker during the dark times to come.
“As you all know,” I began, “The Death Merchants are about to wage war. Slade talked to the Blacks and they confirmed it. All of you need to step up and do your duty.” I looked into the eyes of every member. “We won't lose.”
There was a knock at the door and a prospect peeked his head in. “I have a police officer outside.”
“What does he want?” I asked.
“The sheriff wants to see the President tomorrow morning at ten.”
I looked over at Pain and he nodded to me. Everything fell to me now. “Tell the officer, I'll be there.” The prospect looked confused for a moment as he left. He would find out soon enough. I picked up the gavel that Pain had used so often over the years. The wood was cracked and old. Splinters were spiked out and threatened to pierce me. This job was going to be painful. I brought down the gavel with all my might. “Meeting adjourned.”