Page 36 of Doozer

“If the Beast poses such a big threat, why does this team of yours consist of bikers and hackers? Why doesn’t the FBI put together a proper task force?” Minus asked.

“I’m in charge because I helped put Wolf in prison, which made my boss look good to the top brass. You helped me, which earned your sweetheart deal with the FBI, and a promise to help bring the Beast down,” Taxi replied.

“That deal never said anything about using our members as bait.”

“She’s not gonna be bait,” Taxi said. “She’s going to be a trained operative, working under my command. You already know what a good shot she is with a long gun. Probably the best raw talent I’ve ever seen, but she could be great if I had more time with her.”

“Great at killing people,” Minus ground out, and I heard something in his tone that I hadn’t before. A layer of sorrow.

“Great at protecting her team from a safe vantage point,” Taxi countered.

“I can see what you get out of the deal, but what about Trouble? What about the Saints?” Minus asked.

“The best thing Trouble can do for the Burning Saints is to help me stop the Beast,” Taxi replied.

“And Trouble can decide what’s best for Trouble,” I said.

“That would be true if not for that,” Minus said, pointing to my kutte.

He was right and I knew it. I swore an oath on Red Dog’s staff when I joined the Saints. I’d committed myself to the club and the authority of its president. Minus had every right to keep me in Portland and I wasn’t surprised he was pissed at Taxi for “poaching” one of his members. As club president, Minus felt responsible for me, and I truly cherished that, but I really needed him to understand how important this was to me.

“What did your road captain have to say about all of this?” Minus asked.

“I haven’t said anything to Sweet Pea, yet. I thought it would be best to speak to you first.”

“And what about Doozer?

“He supports me,” I said.

Minus chuckled. “Uh, huh.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I challenged.

“It means for a couple of sharp-shooters, neither of you are very sharp.”

“What?”

“Neither of you have a clue what a thorn in your fuckin’ side that kid is gonna be the moment Trouble’s plane is wheels up.”

“I’ve already had a talk with him, and he’s fine with me going,” I countered. “We know it’ll be hard, but—”

“You don’t know shit,” Minus interrupted. “That boy is over the fuckin’ moon for you, and if you leave his orbit, gravity is gonna fuck with his head, big time.”

“Minus—”

“No,” he said. “Abso-fucking-lutely not. End of conversation. Now, get the fuck out of my office.”

* * *

Minus

“Is that really what you said?” Cricket asked me after I’d filled her in on my conversation with Taxi and Trouble.

I was currently sitting on our bed, my back against the headboard, watching my wife undress. Slowly. I had a feeling she was angling for something.

I just wasn’t sure what… yet.

“Yeah, what elsecouldI say?”

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