Page 13 of Devil's Queen

Monte throws his head back in a laugh. “You’re such a good little lapdog, Coffey. Tell me, do you lick the dirt off his boots too?”

Coffey’s face turns red, his fists clenching at his sides. “Watch your fucking mouth, Monte. I’ve had enough of your bullshit.” His usually calm demeanor shatters, replaced by a burning rage that matches mine.

“Enough!” I shout, my voice reverberating through the room. “This ends today. We’re putting this shit to bed now.”

Monte smirks, clearly unfazed by my words. “We’ll see about that,” he sneers, his voice dripping with arrogance. “This club needs new blood, new leadership. Someone who’s not afraid to take what’s rightfully ours.”

The tension in the room is suffocating as every member of the Zulu Kings MC watches our standoff, waiting for a spark that could ignite the powder keg. Curly shifts uncomfortably in his seat, his eyes darting between Monte and me. Coffey stands by my side, a pillar of support, ready to back me up if things get out of hand.

I step closer to Monte, the distance between us narrowing as I lock eyes with him. “You think you’re the one to lead this club? To take on Rene’s legacy?” I challenge him, my voice steady and firm. “You don’t have what it takes. You’re driven by your own selfish desires, not the well-being of this brotherhood.”

A low murmur fills the room as some members take sides, their loyalties wavering in the face of this internal conflict. But deep down, I know that the heart and soul of the Zulu Kings MC still beats strong within each of them.

Monte’s face contorts into a snarl as he clenches his fists at his sides. “I’m willing to fight for what’s best for this club, and you’re not it.”

The room is now a battleground, the lines drawn between loyalty and dissent. The old-timers exchange glances, unsure of how to proceed.

“You calling a vote?” I ask. My fists clench involuntarily at my sides, the desire to pummel Monte into submission coursing through my veins. The old-timers exchange cautious glances, sensing the impending storm about to break. “Fucking do it. I’ll happily beat your ass a second time to shut you up.”

Coffey steps in between us, placing a firm hand on my chest. “Easy now, Prez,” he says, attempting to diffuse the situation. “We’re all on edge here. Let’s not do something we will all regret tomorrow.”

I take a deep breath, trying to regain control of my emotions. In these moments, a leader must rise above petty conflicts and focus on what truly matters—the club’s survival. I straighten my back, meeting Monte’s gaze head-on.

“If you had an ounce of what it takes to lead this club, it would be you at the head of the table and not me.” I take another step toward Monte. “As you’re not, let me make myself clear, not just to you but to all of you. This shit with Rene’s business is done. Over.” I slam my hand down on the table, the sound echoing through the room. “We will not be tearing each other apart over something that doesn’t belong to us. The Zulu Kings MC is built on brotherhood, loyalty, and respect. We all swore an oath to protect this club and its legacy. It’s time we start acting like it.”

Silence hangs in the air as my words sink in, the tension still thick.

“We’ve been through tough times before. We’ve faced threats from rival clubs, law enforcement, and internal strife. But we’ve always come out stronger on the other side because we stood together. That’s what makes us different from the rest,” I say, my voice steady and commanding. “Monte, if you truly believe in this club and its values, prove it through your actions. Work with us to build a future that benefits us all. Find another way to contribute instead of trying to tear us apart.”

Monte’s face flushes with anger, but he says nothing. The weight of my words seems to hang heavily on his shoulders as he contemplates his next move.

“All of you,” I continue, addressing the room. “All of you, remember why you joined this club in the first place. Remember the brotherhood, the camaraderie that brought us together. We’ve stood side by side, fought together, and bled together. Now is not the time to let our differences divide us. Now is the time to come together, stronger than ever.”

There is a collective nodding of heads, a shared understanding passing through the room. The tension dissipates as the realization dawns upon each member that we are stronger when united.

“Rex is right,” Coffey adds, his voice steady and resolute. “We need to focus on rebuilding and healing the wounds left by Wolff. Our priority should be protecting this club and its legacy, ensuring that future generations of Zulu Kings can find the same sense of family and belonging that we did.”

Monte’s eyes narrow as he scans the room, a flicker of defiance still evident in his gaze. But slowly, almost imperceptibly, his shoulders relax, and his stance softens.

“Fine,” he grumbles through gritted teeth. “I’ll play your game for now. But mark my words, Rex, I’ll be watching every move you make.”

I hold his gaze, unyielding. “And I’ll be watching you just as closely, Monte,” I reply.

With that, Monte turns on his heel and storms out of the room, leaving behind an air of uncertainty mixed with newfound determination. The remaining members exchange glances, their expressions a mix of relief and apprehension.

With the immediate threat diffused, tensions in the clubhouse gradually eased. The members disperse, the weight of the confrontation still lingering in the air. Coffey and I find ourselves alone in the dimly lit room, exhaustion etched on our faces.

“That was intense,” Coffey says, rubbing his temples. “I didn’t expect things to escalate that quickly.”

I nod, sinking into one of the worn leather chairs. “Yeah, me neither. But it needed to be done. We can’t let dissent tear this club apart again.”

Coffey takes a seat across from me, his eyes filled with concern. “Do you think Monte will cause more trouble?”

I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “He’s unpredictable, but I hope today’s confrontation made him realize we’re not going down without a fight. We’ll be vigilant and ready for anything.”

We sit in silence for a moment, both lost in our thoughts. The weight of leadership rests heavily on my shoulders, but I have no intention of backing down.

I can’t because if I do, it will put Rem back into the crosshairs. There’s too much at stake for all of us if I don’t rein Monte in, but even I know he’s brazen enough to try something on his own. With that knowledge, there’s only one thing I can do.

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