Nate
I lean back onto the seat of my bike on the remote wooded path, waiting for Brax to arrive. Pulling out a smoke, I light it and take a huge drag.
I see the SUV approaching and I stand, stepping closer to it as it slows. Finally coming to a complete stop, Brax jumps from the SUV.
“Hey, man,” he says, opening his arms and I take his embrace, patting him loudly on the back. “How’re things going?”
“Good,” I reply. “Real fucking good, Brax. There’s a definite shift in power at the club. The men don’t trust my father and have wanted reasons to get him from the head of the table for a long time.”
“I fucking knew it,” he says leaning back against the van, his arms crossed over his chest.
“What?”
“You. Head of the table. I knew it from the first time we worked together dealing with that motherfucker Alvrez.”
I hold up my hands, cocking my head. “Let’s not get carried away just yet.” I let out a little chuckle, taking another drag of my smoke.
“The one thing that concerns me, Nate, is you taking him out. Not only is he your father, he’s the president. If the club finds out you took out a brother, there’ll be no trust there. Can’t run a club on no trust.”
“I have no conscience when it comes to doing what needs to be done.”
“I don’t see it, Nate.” He smirks. “I have no doubts that your father would take you out. But the other way around.” He shakes his head. “I’m not so sure.”
“You don’t think I got the balls, man?” I ask, my voice low as annoyance fuels me. I flick my cigarette to the ground, returning my focus back to Brax.
“Hey. Hey.” He draws his brows together, standing tall and dropping his arms by his side. “That’s not what I’m saying and you know it.”
“Just what the fuck are you saying, man?”
“I’m saying that you’re better than that. It isn’t about having the balls, it’s about you having a better moral conscience than that asshole of a father.”
“He’s been threatening Tara. He wants what is mine, and for that, I’ll fight to the death. Tara is my future and if it means leaving my father in the past, so fucking be it.”
“I can handle this, Nate. I can make it so that you never have to be questioned about your father’s death. Men that will take him out, leaving us clean out of it.”
I nod, appreciating the offer. “That would be the easy option. I feel like I owe it to Tara to be the one to end this.”
“Well, the offer stands. I’m only a call away.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Don’t mention it. How is Tara? She seems to be avoiding me.”
“She’s back, man,” I say offering him a smile.
“What do you mean?” he spits back.
“Yeah. Got back today. I spoke to her earlier and arranged to see her tonight.”
“Is that safe? Shit...” He blows out a breath. “She should be with us. I want her at my place where I know she’s safe.”
“She ain’t going for it, man. It didn’t work last time, and it won’t if you try again. You can’t push her. She’s a stubborn fuck.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” he replies with a chuckle. “So, what can I do for you, man? Why all the secrecy and meeting here?”
“I need you to get me some intel on the Deathseekers. I need to find out exactly what went down that day and why. But most importantly get me some background on the son, Tyler.”
“Okay,” he replies pressing his lips together, tilting his head ever so slightly. “But why? Why so much interest in Tyler?”
“I don’t know, man. I got a good feeling from him on the meet. If my feelings are right, maybe enhancing him to Prez and creating a new alliance would work in the MC’s favor.”
A smile twitches at his lip. “You’re a smart one. I like it. Thinking outside the box.”
“Dealing drugs and weapons is not really my thing, man. It brings too much heat.”
“But the drugs have made you guys a lot of money.”
I sigh, stepping toward him and leaning back against his SUV. “Drugs were never a club thing. The drugs are a Jeffries thing. And yeah, it’s worked out so far. But it’s only a matter of time before the feds make the connection and it all blows back on the club.”
“So what? You’re giving the outlaw lifestyle a miss?”
“Nah, man. But what I propose is offering protection. Working with local businesses offering our services. I see it all the time. People come to my father asking for help. Because we are feared. But what if I turn that fear on its axis and use it as a tool? A way to make serious money. With the studio, the bike modification garage, and the gym, I think we can make enough money to keep the whole club comfortable, all while keeping the law off our backs.”
“Easier said than done, man. That would mean an end to our working relationship.”
“Listen, there are thousands of MC clubs out there willing to work with someone of your caliber…” I start to say, only to be cut off.
“But I trust you.”
I let out a rush of air, focusing on him standing in front of me. “Until I met Tara, nothing really made sense to me. I wasn’t living or feeling. I was simply existing. Fuck, I had nothing in my life that made any sense. I love the club, it’s all I know. The brotherhood is something that is so ingrained in me, that without it, I’m not sure what I’d do. But that need for the club is because I know no better. I’ve never known anything different until I met Tara. She showed me something I hadn’t realized I was missing. Before her I was numb. Numb to feelings and numb to life. But Tara has stirred something in me, some feelings that I never knew existed. So when I say I want to make this right, it’s for her. It’s fucked up just how much she makes me feel.”
“Can’t argue with that,” he replies with a look of defeat on his face. “Listen, I’ll get my guys onto finding out about the Deathseeker kid. Soon as I have anything, I’ll let you know.” I hold out my hand, and he takes it, pulling me in for a man hug.
“Appreciate it. Thanks, brother.”
Parting, I watch as he makes his way back inside the truck, turning and heading back down the beaten path. I mount my bike, following him and heading back to the clubhouse.
* * *
Pulling up outside, I back my bike in line with the rest. I walk past the front porch, making my way inside. The dull hum of music plays, and I head straight into the main clubhouse. Zane and Davo are waiting on me and I smile at Emily who is cleaning glasses behind the bar. I give her a nod, and she smiles sweetly.
“Hey, brother,” Davo welcomes me.
“Hey, man,” I say walking over to them at the pool table.
“So, any news?”
I quickly bring the guys up to speed with my meeting with Brax.
“I don’t know why we haven’t killed those motherfuckers already,” Zane whisper-growls.
“I know it still hurts, and I promise, you will have your vengeance. But we have to be smart. We need to find exactly who’s behind the attacks since the Deathseekers are denying responsibility.”
“But we know it’s them,” Zane yells.
“But we need proof. I also think someone from the inside is involved in the orchestration of what happened.”
“Our crew?” Davo asks with a look of disbelief.
I nod. Leaning in, I lower my voice until it’s barely audible. “I’m pretty sure my father had something to do with this. Why else would he jump into bed with the Deathseekers?”
Zane gives me firm nod. “True, man. He’s hated them for so long. Why the sudden change?”
“Exactly,” I reply with a lift of my brow. “Whatever has happened, I’m getting to the bottom of it. Just watch your fucking backs, boys. I’m not sure the current prez can be trusted.”
“It’s time for a re-vote,” Davo interjects. “You know we all want you at the head. There is only one person to vote against you. You have the majority, man.”
“Let’s take it to the table and put it to a vote then,” I say, pushing myself away from the table and striding over to Emily. “Hey, baby,” I say for added effect.
“Hey, handsome,” she throws back sarcastically.
I roll my eyes, a small laugh tugging at the corner of my lips. “Tonight. You and me ride. Be ready.”
She lets out an excited squeal, clapping her hands together lightly.
“Glad to see you settling in around here,” I say leaning over to her a little.
“The shift in power seems to have done that. Silver and Jeffries rarely come in here anymore. Plus,” she says tipping her head toward the guys at the pool table. “They both stay close by.”
I glance over to the pair at the table, realizing what a good pair of guys I have by my side. I’m floored that they believe in me and support me. Over a year ago, if someone had told me where I’d be today, I wouldn’t have believed them. There’s just one thing left to put right now. I have to fix the damage I did between me and Tara. I have to right my wrongs.
“Six p.m. sharp,” I say, slapping my palm against the wooden bar. “Be ready.”