Page 46 of Death's Deal

Chapter 25

Frustrated Mayhem didn’tgive me as much as I’d hoped, handing the badge to the guard at the front, and traipsing out to my ride where the waiting Toni sits patiently on the curb, her cute smile upon seeing me slowly fades. She sees the agitation that must be written on my face. She knows me well enough—even though we’ve been apart for years—she knows I am fucking fuming.

Looking down at my watch, knowing even with the best of traffic we’ll be late getting back to Humble for the meet I arranged, it annoys me further.

“Just one more nail in my fucking coffin,” I mutter, approaching the bike. Pulling free my phone, I send a quick text to let everyone know I’ll be a little longer than expected. Toni thankfully doesn’t say a word, she clasps on her helmet, and waits for me to straddle the ride.

Kicking it down into gear and pulling out of the lot, my mind swims with more questions. Mayhem said to not dwell on the past and to keep Jaz and Apoc out of this upcoming shit. I’m not sure I can do that. The club can vote this through if they want to, and I’m not sure I want to take that option away from them. If I do, it means I’m a dictator not a Pres of a club. Truthfully, I want their input.

Weaving in and out of traffic, and thankfully making it back to Humble in near record time, I pull up to my parking spot.

With the lot full of no less than thirty bikes, I know everyone is in attendance. From the oldest members, Hopper, Hunter, and Des, to the youngest Poc, Thunder, and Tweet. Reversing into my spot, Owl Guts, the youngest of our prospects is waiting. His greasy, string-thin ponytail is pulled back under a blue bandana, draped over his left shoulder, barely covering the “prospect” patch he wears.

Shutting down, grabbing the book, and stowing the helmets, I ask, “All in?”

“Yeah, Death. Last guy arrived not five minutes ago.”

Content with that, taking Toni’s hand and starting for the door, I turned back to Owl. “We’re closed for patrons for the next hour. You’re on point. I’ll send out another prospect to join you.”

“Sounds good, Boss. I’ve got ya,” he answers with that quirky sideways grin of his.

Opening the door, allowing Toni to pass before me, my phone rings. Pulling it free, seeing Busta’s name lighting it up, I answer, “Brother. What’s up?”

“Where are you?” he asks.

“Standing in the entrance, not quite inside the club yet,” I reply. “Just about to head for a club sit-down.”

His voice is strained as he answers, like he wants to say more but doesn’t trust the line. “You’re needed here.”

“Can it wait?” Like I need another issue.

“I’d like to say it could, but it can’t.”

Fuck.

“Do I need to gear up?”

“Nah. It wouldn’t do you any good.” His tone is heavy. Something major is going on, and he’s telling me not to bring guns or for the boys to be loaded for war, so it has me worried and wondering.

“Your club?” I ask, confirming the location.

Sharply, he confirms, “Yeah.”

“Give me twenty,” I reply.

As I’m about to hang up, he cuts in. “Tell Curse and Trigger to join you,” he adds, hanging up from his end.

That definitely does not sound good. If he’s asking me to come with votes in tow, something is truly fucking bad. Pocketing my phone, gaining my bearings, and considering how this day just keeps on giving, I look at Toni and smile. She hasn’t balked or bitched as I’ve carted her around. “We need to go out again. Grab a seat on the bike.” I place a kiss on her lips. “I need to grab a few guys, but I’ll be right out.”

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