Devon

I had been home for about an hour and fuckin’ wrecked, both physically and emotionally. I’d had to leave a robotic Poppy on her front porch and I knew she’d shut herself down so she wouldn’t break down, but I hated it. My phone buzzed. It was a text from Doc.

Barney’s at five p.m. Tell no one. Need-to-know basis only.

Fuck, this was all I needed right now. A clandestine club meeting at the last place on earth I wanted to be. My thumbs, still aching from the long ride, fought back the urge to type back, “fuck off and die,” and instead opted for, “see you there.”

After changing out of my road-weary clothes, I texted Poppy to let her know I’d be out of pocket for a while and not to worry if she didn’t hear from me until later. I didn’t know exactly what tonight’s meeting was about, but I figured it was serious from the tone of Doc’s text. We were all on pins and needles to find out what he and the others had learned about who and what we were up against.

I heard Doc and Hatch’s bike’s fire up and figured they were heading off to Barney’s a little early. I pulled my boots back on and made my way out to the main room. Not wanting to throw off any suspicion as to why I’d be leaving, I checked the fridge, knowing full well its contents; a handful of ketchup packets, a jar of dill pickles and beer.

“Well, since none of you assholes have decided to do any grocery shopping, I’m gonna go grab a bite to eat,” I announced to Windows, Curly, and the small group of out of town brothers who were playing cards.

“Alright, man, see you later,” I heard Curly call out as I closed the front door behind me.

My cover story for splitting wasn’t complete bullshit. As much as a shithole Barney’s was, at least I knew I could get a great burger there, and I was starving. I pulled up ten minutes early and as I suspected, Doc, Hatch, and Doom were already there. They were in a corner booth, in the far rear of the building. This was clearly a strategic location, as they had a line of sight on every entrance, and were located right next to the back exit. I was confident there were also Dogs posted outside the back door.

“Hey. What’s goin’ on?”

The words had no sooner left my lips when Dash and Alamo joined us.

“Good, we’re all here,” Doc said.

“This is everyone?” I asked.

“I’ve got some trusted guys watching the front and back of the place, out of sight, but I wanted to keep this meeting tight. We have a lot of not-so-familiar faces around these days, and I want to make sure nothing said here gets out.”

“You think we have security issues?” Dash asked.

Doc shook his head. “I’m just being extra cautious is all.”

“But not without reason I assume,” I said.

Doc stared back at me but didn’t say a word.

Hatch leaned in and spoke quietly, “We know who beat up Badger and who torched the club...” He and Doc shared an ominous look, “... and it’s not good.”

“What does ‘not good’ mean?” Dash snapped. “Who the fuck did this?”

“Keep your cool and lower your voice. We’re just here to have some beers and shoot the shit, as far as the locals are concerned,” Doc said smiling as he looked around the room.

It was still too early for the hard-drinking crowd, and Barney’s wasn’t good for much else, so we had the place mostly to ourselves at the moment. I flagged down Sally Anne, the place’s one and only waitress. She had been working there for what had to have been one hundred and seventy-five years now, and ordered a burger. She said nothing and merely raised a single bony digit in acknowledgement of my order.

Hatch continued, “We had assumed that it was the Dixie Mafia behind all this because they wanted us out of club business in Savannah, and we were right...  but not about why.”

“Or how much deeper all this goes,” Doc added. “The Dixie Mafia has been in total chaos lately and apparently we’re caught right in the middle of their shit storm.”

“Why? What the fuck do those assholes have to do with us?” Alamo asked.

“The way Lucky put it, it seems the Mafia and the Dogs have some mutual friends,” Doom provided.

“Oh shit,” Dash said.

“What?” I asked.

“Torrance,” he replied.

“Who the fuck is Torrance?” I ground out.

“Torrance isn’t a who, it’s a what. And what Torrance is, is a group of rich, powerful, murderers who believe they are above the law. They killed Willow’s father for his church’s land, and are protected and hidden at the highest level.”

“Shit,” I said.

“Deep shit,” Doc said. “Let’s face it, those mafia assholes have never been so much of an organized crime syndicate as much as they’ve been a tight network of scammers and meth runners, but now that they’ve got some funding and leadership behind them, there’s no telling what they could do in Savannah.”

“Jesus help us,” Alamo said.

“That’s not all,” Doc said grimly.

“What else could there possibly be?” I asked.

“Russians,” Doom said.

“What Russians?” I exclaimed, apparently a bit too loud.

“One White Russian!” I heard Sally Anne call out to the bartender, before nodding at me.

I smiled and waved to her as Doc glared at me. “Sorry.”

“Like I said, we were right in assuming our club was torched because the mafia wanted us out of town, but not because we’d interfere with their current money laundering operations, but because we’d be competition for a handful of new strip clubs they’re about to open in Savannah.”

“That’s where the Russians come in. Our intel has lead us to believe the Russian mob is supplying girls to the Dixie Mafia run clubs, which are being bank rolled and protected by the Torrance group. Three well-funded, well-armed, criminal organizations, all working together in Savannah, all who have personal history with the Dogs of Fire, and multiple reasons to want to wipe us off the face of the earth.”

“How do you know all this?” I asked.

“Let’s just say that I have a long and intimate knowledge of how these Russian assholes work.” Hatch and Doc shared a knowing look. “A while back we helped our FBI buddy Dalton on a case.”

“The FBI? How the hell did you help the FBI?”

“Dalton needed some extra protection for some witnesses here in Savannah, and Alamo did some work with him.”

“What kind of work?” I asked Alamo.

“He owns high-class dealerships, so I run the shops on occasion. Went to school with him back in the day, but he went into law enforcement, and I didn’t,” Alamo said.

Doc chuckled. “Anyway, one of those women was kidnapped and stashed at a Russian mob safe house. The FBI has been onto them for a while, and I’ve served as an extra set of eyes and ears ever since, but until now we had no idea they were linked to the Dixie Mafia.”

As if on cue, Sally Anne dropped a plate with an enormous burger, and mound of fries with a White Russian in front of me. Unfortunately, I had lost my appetite, and hated vodka.

“What’s our move, Doc?” Alamo asked.

“Your job is to put the compound on lockdown. I want every Dog and every weapon accounted for and on-site, should anything pop off. Dash, I want you to go with Hatch and Doom. You guys are going to rent a couple of motel rooms near the harbor and set up camp for eight or ten guys.”

Me, Dash, and Alamo exchanged confused looks.

“Sparky, you’ll be with me in the van and we’ve got a couple of stops to make, so get that burger to go. I need everyone to work fast, but quietly. We don’t want to let on that we know anything about what’s about to go down.”

“What the fuck are you talking about? What’s about to go down?” I asked.

“According to Lucky, a shipment is coming into the port sometime within the next week. A shipment of girls, brought here by the Russians, paid for by Torrance, to be used as sex workers in these new clubs.”

“So, what does that have to do with us?” I asked, still confused.

“The Dixie Mafia guys want to have a sit down with someone from the Dogs,” Doc answered. “Apparently, they want their newly bolstered presence to be known here in Savannah.”

“So, what are you gonna do?” Dash asked.

“I’m gonna meet with them, and find out all the information I can about their operation... then we’re gonna make sure that shipment of girls never gets to where it’s headed.”

“How the fuck are we supposed to do that?” I asked.

“With the help of my old friend at the FBI.”

“Jesus, Doc, the Dixie Mafia, the Russians, and Torrance aren’t enough? You wanna invite the feds to the party?” Dash laughed nervously.

“You wanna face all of them without ’em?” Doc challenged. “I know Dalton and I trust him. He’s coming with a small team of guys and we’re gonna figure out a way to work together to bring the assholes down once and for all.”

“And how exactly are we supposed to do that, Doc?” I asked.

“Patience, Sparky. All will be revealed, but right now we have to lay low and stick together. No one goes out of town and no one does anything without a partner.”

Shit. Poppy’s graduation was less than a week away and this was going to be a problem. There was no way I was going to miss her big day, but my club needed me and I couldn’t let them down. Doc must have read the look on my face.

“Devon,” he said sternly.

“Yeah, Doc?”

“No one leaves town.”

I nodded.

“Alright, let’s hit the road, and everyone keep your head on a swivel out there.”

I was glad I’d already texted Poppy, as Doc would no doubt be watching me like a hawk just to make sure my head was in the game. I can’t say I blamed him. To say Poppy had been my central most thought for the past weeks would be an understatement, but lives were at stake here which was not lost on me. Still, I had to do whatever I could to be there for her on graduation day. I had to prove to her that she was the single most important person in my life.

* * *

Poppy

Two days. It had been two days since Devon had texted. This was not good. With each passing hour that I didn’t hear from him, the more panicked I became. It didn’t help that Grace was gone most of the time either. She was doing her ballet showcases all the way up until graduation (her final one that I planned on attending was the night before), so I had no distractions from the fact my man could be lying dead on a slab somewhere and I wouldn’t know.

I pulled out my phone and tried one more time: I’m getting stabby, Devon. I need to know you’re okay.

When the three little dots of a potential reply flashed on my screen, my heart lifted and I felt my body relax of its own accord... but when the dots went away, I let out a roar of frustration and stomped my foot.

Apparently, the three little dots understood the power of my wrath and they returned, and once again I stared at the screen willing the dots to form words.

I’m okay. Will call as soon as I can.

“Um, no, goddammit. That’s not acceptable.”

But I was talking to a blank screen. This called for the big guns. This called for Mum.

“Hi, poppet,” she said immediately. “Are you okay?”

“Define okay?”

Mum sighed. “That bad, eh?”

“Have you heard from Sid?”

“Why do I feel like that’s a loaded question?”

“Mum, have you?” I pressed.

“Yes, darling, I have.”

“Goddammit!” I snapped.

“I really think they’re in the thick of something quite severe, darling. If Devon hasn’t reached out, it’s because he can’t.”

“Well, then why can Sid?”

“Because it’s different.”

“How is it different?”

“Daddy and I have children together—”

“Bullshit.”

“We don’t have children together?” she asked. “Well, then who did I shag?”

“Mum,” I growled. “He would call you a million times a day regardless.”

“Well, that’s because I threatened to chop off his penis if he didn’t.”

“You don’t think I didn’t do the same to Devon?”

“Look, darling. Daddy and Devon have two very different jobs in the club, which means, Devon doesn’t have as much autonomy as Hatch. But you must know that Daddy’s got his back, so Devon’s protected.”

“I do get that,” I admitted. “I just want Devon to make me as much of a priority as Sid makes you.”

“This is where I excuse myself, poppet, because it’s between the two of you... but I will say, you need to cut the boy a little slack.”

“Shouldn’t he cut me some?”

“Do you really feel that way?” Mum challenged.

“No,” I grumbled. “I’m just frustrated.”

“I get it, darling,” she said gently. “But let me say one more thing. Daddy and I have been together for more than a decade. We have a shorthand. You and Devon are just beginning, and that means you’re writing your own story. Things will calm down and you’ll settle into a more normal routine. It’s tough to do that being hours apart from one another, but if this is meant to be, you’ll figure it out.”

“Oh, it’s meant to be. Because if anyone or anything gets in the way, I will murder them.”

Mum laughed. “There’s my girl.”

“Thanks, Mummy,” I breathed out.

“Of course, precious. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“Okay, I’m going to feed your brothers. We’ll see you in a few days.”

My family was flying out for graduation and staying with me and Grace, and I couldn’t wait to see them.

“Okay, can’t wait.”

“Us too, love. ’Bye.”

I hung up and flopped onto the sofa. As I channel surfed, my phone buzzed, and I snatched it up to find a text from Grace letting me know she wouldn’t be home for another hour or so. I texted her back, but I couldn’t stop the disappointment that it wasn’t Devon texting... or calling. Calling would be better.

I continued to flip through the channels, landing on a murderous wife show just as my phone buzzed.

Finally.

“Hi,” I breathed out.

“Hey, baby. Do me a favor, yeah?”

Shit, he sounded pissed.

“What?” I asked carefully.

“Don’t sic your dad on me when you need my attention.”

“I would never,” I ground out.

He sighed. “Well, then why the fuck did he just force me off what I was doin’ to call you?”

“He did?”

“Yeah, Poppy, he did.”

I smiled. God, I loved Sid.

“Mum might have said something to him,” I admitted. “She and I spoke earlier.”

“What do you need, Poppy?” His voice sounded irritated and growly.

“Oh, hell, no. You don’t get to be all pissy with me when I didn’t do anything to warrant it,” I snapped. “I have been worried sick. You haven’t texted me for two days and you gave me barely anything today... until now... and this is the attitude I get? Feel free to hang up and call back when you want to be less of a dick.”

“Poppy, settle.”

“Ohmigod, telling me to settle is not the way to go here, Captain Chauvinist. Actually, it’s never the way to go.”

I heard him sigh... then sigh again, and I deduced he was probably taking a few deep breaths to keep from completely losing his mind. “Baby,” he said, sounding like he was being very deliberate with his words. “I’m sorry you’ve been worried. I haven’t been in a position to call or text because we’ve been on radio silence. If anything happens, Willow’s got your number on speed dial.”

“Oh, that makes me feel so much better, thank you,” I deadpanned.

Another loud breath. “Tell me what you need to hear, Poppy, so I can get back to work, yeah?”

“Nope, I’m good, honey. You go ahead and go back to work.” I poured on the saccharin. “Try not to get dead, okay?”

“Goddammit, woman, I’m doing all of this so that I don’t have to miss...”

He didn’t finish his sentence.

“Don’t have to miss what, Devon?” I pressed.

“Your graduation.”

I gasped, jumping to my feet. “That’s a possibility?”

“Babe.”

“And Sid?”

“Sweetness—”

“No!” I snapped. “You don’t get to call me that when you’re breaking my heart.”

“It’s not a done deal, Poppy. We’re tryin’ to get this shit sorted so it doesn’t come to that.”

“How bad?” I rasped.

“Can’t tell you that,” he said.

I blinked back tears.

“Baby? You still there?”

“No,” I said.

“Hey. I love you. We’re figurin’ this out, okay?”

“Hmm-mm,” I hummed in response, biting back sadness.

“Look, I have to go,” he said. “But I’m not hangin’ up until we’re okay.”

“You’re gonna be here all night then,” I retorted.

I could hear the smile in his voice when he said, “I wish.”

“Me too,” I whispered.

“I promise we’re doing everything we can, baby, yeah?” he said. “I love you and I don’t want to miss anything that involves you, especially big moments like this.”

I sighed. “I know.”

“I will try to be better about texting you so you don’t worry, but know that if you don’t hear anything, all’s good.”

“Or Willow just hasn’t been informed of your beheading,” I countered.

“I’m being beheaded now?”

I would not smile. I would not smile.

I smiled. “I’m sorry Mum said something to Hatch... but I’m not sorry he threatened your life if you didn’t call me.”

“He didn’t threaten my life,” he countered.

“I bet he did,” I argued. “You just didn’t get the subtle message.”

Devon laughed. “Fuck me, I love you.”

“I love you too, even when you’re mean.”

“I really do have to go,” he said. “Do you want me to call you later, it might be after midnight.”

“I don’t care if it’s two a.m., I want you to call me.”

“Okay, baby, I can do that.”

I bit my lip. “Thanks, Fluffy.”

He laughed again. “I’m hanging up now.”

“Okay,” I whispered. “Please, please, please be careful. I want to be the only one who beheads you.”

“I will, sweetness.”

“Thanks, honey. I love you.”

“Love you too, baby.”

He hung up and I sat back on the sofa and wrapped myself up in a blanket and fell asleep.