Page 49 of Pike

“I’m sure, Prez. I need to know this is over, and his death wasn’t for nothin’.” Mask nods his head, running his hand through his hair.

“I don’t like the pills, Pike. I want them stopped.”

“I can do that. They just help me sleep at night.”

“Well, then you get no fuckin’ sleep until your body is ready. The pills gotta go.” I nod my head and pull the bottle from my pocket, tossing it to him. He takes it in his hands and sighs.

“I was you once. Saw some shit I shouldn’t have. I don’t make it a known fact, but it was bad. It takes time and strength to heal from this kind of thing, Pike. It’s been a bit now, but that isn’t enough. Time is your friend here.”

“Thanks, Prez. I’m workin’ on it. The fuckin’ nightmares are all the same, though. Seein’ him go down,” I shake my head. “It won’t stop.”

“I know, brother, and we’re here for you. We’re not big on talkin’ shit out, but if you need it, we’ll do it.”

“Appreciate that, Mask. I think I’m good though. Feather lets me talk when I need to,” I tell him.

“That’s good. You got a good girl there. She hangin’ in there?”

“I think she misses work, but she won’t let on. She’s adamant about bein’ here for me.”

“Then you hold onto that one. Not many would stick around with the way you’ve been actin’,” he informs me. I know that much already. Not many women would deal with the amount of shit I’ve thrown at Feather and still stick around.

“I know. I don’t plan on lettin’ her go,” I tell him. He nods his head and then motions for me to go. I shove out of my chair and head for the door, pulling it open to see her not far from it. She turns her head, her long hair falling over her shoulder as she smiles in my direction. She’s young, but she’s an old spirit. She knows what she wants in life and isn’t afraid to go for it. She knows who she is and who she wants to be. I think that’s what draws me to her.

“You gonna stare at her all day?” I turn my head and look over at Free.

“You care?”

“Nope. Just askin’.”

“I didn’t mean shit the other day, Free. I know it wasn’t like that.”

“I know, brother. You’re head’s in a different place right now. I didn’t take that shit personally,” he says, offering me his hand. I fist-bump him before I turn and look for her.

Then, I find myself stalking through the room to get to her. I pull her into my arms and kiss her roughly.

“What was that for?”

“I needed you.”

“You always seem to need me,” she teases with a smile on her face.

“I do always need you. We need to talk.” She nods her head as I slide my hand around hers and pull her down the hall. Once we’re in the room, I close the door, walk her over to the bed, and sit us both down.

“What’s going on?”

“We’re goin’ after them.”

“Who?”

“RRMC. We know where they’re runnin’ shit, and we’re gonna intercept it,” I tell her. It’s not really my place to tell her club business, but I need her to know what’s about to happen.

“Is that a good idea?”

“It’s the best shot at them we have. They’ll all be out, easy targets.”

“You’re going to kill them? What about the cops?”

“As long as we can get them in a certain area, the cops won’t be an issue.”

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