Page 1 of Room One Hundred and Four: Shock and Awe

CHAPTER 1

SPARK

As I look around the room, pride fills me. This is my home, my family, and being surrounded by my brothers is where I belong. I grew up with the Devil’s Saints MC as my family for my entire life. That’s what happens when your father is the Prez, and you grow up with uncles who have motor oil and chrome flowing through their veins.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

From a young age, I fell in love with bikes. The sound of them. The feel of them whenever Dad, or Purgatory as he was known as by his brothers, took me for a ride. The power underneath me when I earned enough for my first one. The time I was able to spend with Dad and my uncles pouring over fixing and understanding how the bike works.

Learning how to be a boy and then a man surrounded by leather, stoic faces, and gray areas of legality wasn’t always easy, but it was the only life I was given. I’ve made the most of it and I don’t apologize for the way I live my life.

Why would I?

If someone is going to judge me, they can fucking get in line.

I know who my brothers are. I know what my purpose is in this life. I feel the weight of leading my brothers, of the trust they put in me, on my shoulders.

I’ve felt it there since the moment I got patched in because I knew that one day I would hold the gavel in my hand and have the Prez patch on my cut. There was no other option in my mind, and I looked forward to it.

There were times when I had to prove myself and my loyalty because nothing less would be acceptable to my brothers. I was more than okay with it and up for the task.

My willingness to be on the front lines of anything the club had going on while I was coming up through the ranks to sit as the right hand of Purgatory gave me quite the reputation. I had no problem being ruthless and bloodthirsty. My best friends, Crucify and Rites, were right there with me.

We earned our positions in blood and violence, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Ten years ago, the path of the club took a slight turn when one of our Prospects, who is now our brother Monk, found his sister had gone missing.

Even though we found her and shut down the trafficking ring she was pulled into, the trauma ended up being too much for her. Do I wish it had ended differently, especially after seeing the way it impacted Monk? You better fucking believe it, but it also ignited a fire within me and the rest of the club.

We’ve spent the last ten years working against those who want to use women and children. It’s caused us to see some horrific things and be exposed to some of the worst people this world has to offer.

But it’s also allowed us to see the resilience of humans and the way they can fight against trauma and degradation. It never happens overnight, and none of us expect it to, but we’re stronger men and more compassionate people because of what we’ve seen in the last ten years.

When I feel manicured fingernails against my arm, I look over to find Tiff and Brianna, two club angels, standing next to me at the bar with big grins on their faces. They’re beautiful women, not gonna lie about that shit, and I’ve had fun with them in the past.

I won’t ever fucking apologize for having a little fun and blowing off some steam. Why would I? I deserve that shit for leading the fucking degenerates I lead and love. It’s not an easy job and the hard decisions are always on my shoulders. Just because I wouldn’t change it doesn’t make it easy.

“Ladies,” I greet them before grabbing my glass of Hammond whiskey and draining the last of it. When I set it back on the bar, our newest Prospect, Huxton, is right here and pouring me another drink. I give him a chin lift before giving the angels my attention again. “Up to no good tonight?”

Tiff giggles and winks while Brianna shoots me a smile that she probably thinks is saucy or sexy. It’s really not, but I don’t need the angels to flirt with me. When I’m interested, I make it known, we get down to business, and then they walk away.

There’s nothing more to it and I don’t want there to be.

More than a few of my brothers have found their old ladies in the last year around here. I’m more than happy for my brothers, but I can’t imagine the right woman coming into my life like they’ve experienced. Being the Prez’s old lady is a whole other level.

Hell, I have no fucking idea how Purgatory was able to keep my mom happy for all the years they’ve been together. Mom is the strongest woman I’ve ever met, and she stood by her man and the club through so much shit. I don’t think there’s another woman out there who could do the same as she did.

Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe there is someone out here for me, but I doubt it.

I’ve seen my brothers who have found their women find even more of a purpose in their lives and I’m damn happy for them. I don’t need more of a purpose, nor do I need someone in my life who could become a liability because being involved with me would put a target on their back. No, that wouldn’t be a good idea at all.

“We just wanted to wish you a happy birthday, Prez,” Tiff practically fucking purrs.

Brianna’s smile grows as she pushes in closer to my side. “And we wanted to make sure you know we’re here for a little birthday fun later,” she coos. “We could show you a good time.”

My eyebrow arches and I take a moment to look over both women. It wouldn’t necessarily be the first time I fuck two women at the same time and both angels are dressed to fucking impress and entice. I should be taking them up on the offer, but there’s something about the idea of taking them up to my suite that leaves me feeling cold.

Huh.

That’s a new fucking feeling. I’m not sure I like it very much.

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