Page 4 of Brooks

“Brooks,” Hawk said, joining me at the bar. His face was grim, mirroring my own feelings. “We can’t let those Pistons bastards keep pushing us around. We need to make a stand.”

I downed another shot before responding. “You’re right. But what’s our next move?”

“Hit ‘em where it hurts,” Hawk suggested, his eyes narrowing. “We need to show them that the Red Devils aren’t to be messed with.”

“Agreed,” I said, slamming the empty shot glass onto the counter. The sound echoed through the room, drawing the attention of our brothers, who were scattered throughout the clubhouse. They looked at us expectantly, waiting for direction. “But we have to be smart about this. No more wasted opportunities.”

“Exactly,” Hawk nodded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “What if we went after their supply chain? They’ve been moving in on our territory, trying to cut into our profits. If we hit them there, they’ll know we mean business.”

“Cut off the head of the snake,” I murmured, the idea taking root in my mind. “If we cripple their income, they won’t have the resources to keep this up.”

“Damn straight,” Hawk agreed, a fierce determination settling over him. “They think they can just waltz in and take what’s ours, but we’ll show them what happens when you mess with the Red Devils.”

“Alright then,” I said, raising my voice so that everyone could hear. “Listen up, brothers. We’ve got a plan to put those Pistons in their place. It’s time to remind them that this is Red Devil’s territory, and we won’t back down without a fight.”

“Damn right!” came the chorus of voices, our brothers rallying around us, ready to defend our family and our club.

“Let’s get to work,” I said, my heart swelling with pride and determination. “We’ll show them what happens when you mess with the Red Devils.”

As we began to strategize and prepare for our next move, the room filled with the energy of purpose. We were united, our bond stronger than ever. The Pistons had underestimated us, but they would soon learn the true strength of the Red Devils. And when all was said and done, there would be no question who ruled these streets.

3

I watched my little girl, Kennedy, twirl around in her princess dress. Today was her fourth birthday, and we’d gone all out for our princess. She giggled, running toward me with open arms.

“Look, Daddy!” she exclaimed, tripping over the hem of her gown. I caught her just in time, lifting her into the air.

“Careful there, sweetheart,” I said, a smile spreading across my face. “You’re the star of the party. Can’t have you taking a tumble.”

Kennedy beamed up at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Thank you for the bestest birthday ever, Daddy!”

I hugged her tight, a warmth in my chest that only my family could bring. I set her down, watching as she raced off to join the other kids in the bouncy house.

The backyard was alive with color, laughter, and the unmistakable scent of freshly baked cupcakes. Tina, my wife, had outdone herself. Streamers hung from tree branches, creating a magical canopy above the tables filled with finger foods, drinks, and an assortment of sweets. Balloons dotted the landscape, their vibrant hues lending an air of whimsy to the celebration.

The centerpiece of the party was the bouncy house, a fortress constructed entirely of inflatable walls and floors. The children’s laughter rang through the air as they bounced and played within its confines. Kennedy’s friends, dressed in their own princess gowns and superhero capes, ducked and weaved through the castle.

Nearby, a long table draped in a pastel pink tablecloth held stacks of plates, cups, and utensils. Parents mingled amongst themselves, sipping on cold lemonade or snacking on the treats Tina had prepared. A sense of joy and contentment filled the air, and for a moment, I could almost forget the harsher realities of life.

“Hey, Brooks,” Tina called from across the yard. She was standing behind the cupcake table, her apron covered in a dusting of powdered sugar. Her eyes were bright, her smile infectious. I couldn’t help but grin back as I made my way over to her.

“Need some help?” I asked, already reaching for a tray of cupcakes.

“Always,” she replied, nudging me with her hip. “Just be careful not to drop them.”

“Me? Drop something?” I feigned offense. “I’ll have you know I have the steadiest hands in town.”

She rolled her eyes, laughing softly. It was moments like these that I cherished the most—just being able to enjoy each other’s company without any outside interference. Together, we carried the trays of cupcakes to the main table, the sweet aroma wafting through the air as we walked.

The moment the cupcakes were set down, I felt a strong slap on my back and turned to see my brothers, Dax, Ryder, and Ace. Their leather jackets bearing the Red Devils MC insignia seemed out of place amidst the pastel-hued birthday decorations, but their grins were as genuine as ever.

“Happy birthday, little princess!” Dax boomed, bending down to give Kennedy a bear hug. She giggled, squirming in his arms until he set her down with a chuckle.

“Thanks for coming, guys,” I said, clapping each of them on the shoulder. “Means a lot.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, brother,” Ryder replied, his eyes softening as he looked at Kennedy bouncing excitedly between her uncles. “She’s growing up so fast.”

“Too fast,” I agreed, feeling a pang of melancholy mixed with pride. My little girl was getting older, and there was nothing I could do to slow down time.

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