Page 45 of No Mercy

Several brothers nodded. “Think it’s the same Blue Knights?” Big John asked, a heavy frown on his face.

“Thought he took off soon after his club broke up,” Painter remarked.

“He didn’t disband his fucking club because he wanted to,” I reminded everyone. “He did it to take the heat off them for the murder of Covacks’ son. Nothing stopped him from leaving the area and starting over.”

“Keeping the same fucking name? That don’t make any sense.” I had to agree with Jumper. “Besides, he didn’t have the balls for running a real MC.”

“Jumper’s right. Dirk and his pretty college boys were soft and more like fucking poster boys for a Calvin Kline commercial than bikers. But−” Hawk held up his hand, “we all know that years and what goes on during them can change a man. Go into prison a boy and come out a man. Go in a man and come out a buffed-up hard-ass that everyone fears. Life scars a person, inside and out, makes them who they are.”

“The women said the men watching them were young, handsome, didn’t give them the impression they were bikers.” Everyone looked at Fox. “What if they’re leading a double life?”

It grew quiet for a moment. “Interesting thought,” I acknowledged, seeing the feasibility of it. “We know the Blue Knights are nomads. But so far no one has mentioned seeing their colors other than when they attack.”

Painter snorted. “So now we have a bunch of pretty-boys playing civilians by day and rat-thieving bikers by night? How the fuck are we supposed to find them if they aren’t wearing their colors twenty-four-seven?”

“That’s just one possible scenario,” Hawk sneered. “Anyone seen Dirk around lately? Know if he’s acquired any scars on his face?” His question drew a lot of head shakes. “We need to find him, find out what he’s been up to these last few years.” Hawk’s gaze went to Fox. “You know what to do, brother.” Fox responded with a chin lift and Hawk’s gaze swung to Big John. “Once Fox pulls up his last location you and Clay go check it out. If he’s there, bring him in.”

“Why don’t we put someone on Ruby’s in case those fuckers show up again,” Jumper suggested, lighting a cigar.

“We don’t know what those fuckers look like,” I snorted. “Clean cut, casual, good looking just about describes everyone who goes there.”

“I’ll tell you one thing,” Ned snarled, taking a deep drag on his cigarette and blowing it out before continuing. “None of the fuckers that ambushed us last night were pretty.” Laughter followed his comment. “And they knew what they were fucking doing, hard to believe they can be the same useless fucks-from years back.”

“The key is finding Dirk and going from there. In the meantime, keep your eyes and ears open and stay on guard. Good news is, we don’t have any protection runs for a while, and so far that’s the only thing they’ve been hitting. It’s clear they want merchandise.”

“They might want merchandise, but the fucker who threatened Allie made it clear that he wants her,” I reminded Hawk.

“Could have been a hollow threat, brother.”

I snapped my gaze to Jumper. “Had it been your woman would you still feel the same way?”

“Fuck, no,” he admitted honestly. He looked at Hawk. “We goin’ on lockdown?”

Hawk shook his head. “Not necessary. I’m inclined to think like Jumper. Think the threat made to Allie was to get a reaction, keep us on our toes.”

“I hope you’re fucking right, brother,” I grumbled. “We’ve had things easy for a while now, hope we haven’t gotten soft.” I could tell Hawk didn’t like what I’d said, but this was church and brothers were allowed to voice their opinions, as long as we kept it respectable.

“You mean weak,” Painter joined in, a heavy scowl on his face. “Don’t exactly like what you’re implying, brother. We’re not pussies.”

“Did I say we were pussies?” I snarled.

“Rock’s right,” Hawk said, surprising the fuck out of me. “The peace in the club has been nice, but when life is easy it doesn’t take long to forget survival skills. This thing with Blue Knights might be good for us, as long as we don’t have to shed too much blood.”

Ned slammed his fist down onto the scarred table top, his expression fierce. “Regardless of who these fuckers are, I want their asses! Bullet’s laid up in the fucking hospital because of them.”

Several brothers nodded.

“Enough.” Hawk rose to his feet. “We find the men at Ruby’s and we find Blue Knights, or at least a connection to them. We find Dirk, rule him out, the pieces will fall into place.”

“And if he’s involved?” Clay asked.

“We deal with it like we always have. Blue Knights is a nomad club, they’re easier to do business with than a club who’s after territory rights. But after last night, they need to be taken out of the equation completely, and I think we all know what the fuck that means.” He looked around the room, his gaze landing on Clay. “I think Jumper’s earlier comment has merit. Take a prospect and stake out Ruby’s for a couple of nights in case those men return, or Dirk shows up. Be looking for a man with a scar that cuts through his brow. We’ll play their game, don’t wear your cuts.” Clay acknowledged him with a sharp nod. “Go home to your women, brothers.”

Hawk was standing, but I remained sitting. We usually had words after church. It was late, but my gut told me that it didn’t make a difference. I was eager to get back to Allie, and knowing that she was upstairs in my room had kept my dick hard during most of the meeting. As soon as I stepped into my room I was going to show her how much I wanted her.

How much I fucking needed her.

The door shut behind the last brother. Hawk lowered himself down into his chair with a heavy breath. I grinned, getting a mild scowl in return. “You think this is Dirk’s old MC?”

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