Page 29 of Deserter

“You did just turn—”

“You finish that sentence and I’ll gut you where you stand.” His lips curled up into a smile. “Now, about my membership to your fine club. I’m staying on. God knows you’re gonna need someone to mentor you. As far as the guys out there know, it’s all you.”

I stood up and matched his stance. “And what if I don’t like your advice?”

“When have you ever liked my fuckin’ advice? I’ll ride with you ’til the day I die, but as the original founder, I will offer you advice from time to time. Just do me a favor and listen.”

“Anything else?”

He placed a hand on my shoulder. “Yeah. Don’t let anyone here see you as weak. You gotta make an example out of someone, do it and move the fuck on. Keep your heart under lock and key.”

Wolverine had gone soft. Those years he spent locked up had turned him into a sentimental fool.

I would’ve laughed in his face if I didn’t think he would’ve knocked my ass out. Whatever goodness he saw in me as a kid died the same night my mother did.

If I wanted something, I took it.

And I never lost a minute of sleep feeling guilty for it.

Chapter Eight

Grey: 1989

Ipulled up outside the clubhouse and wiped the road grit from my face with a grin. I should’ve been picking bugs out of my teeth as I hadn’t stopped smiling since leaving Black Hawk.

“Holy fuck, it’s good to be home,” Bear announced, stretching his arms overhead.

I agreed with him. It wasn’t just good to be home. It was good to be back on top. One of my ideas had just paid off in a big way.

Wolverine met me at the door with a beer. “Well?”

I’d planned on playing it cool, but the corners of my mouth turned up even higher. “It’s done. I didn’t expect much, but the vote was unanimous.”

“You did it. A biker syndicate. I never thought I’d live to see the day.” I didn’t miss the fact that his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“It didn’t start out very promising, but once I reminded them that we all had only one true enemy, they came around. It’s hard to take down a fuckin’ army.”

“I need a drink and a whore. Pres?” Comedian followed us inside. “You name it and I’ll get it for you.”

I wanted a shower and a fuck, but Wolverine obviously had something on his mind. I clapped Comedian on the shoulder. “I’m good.”

Everywhere I looked, men were celebrating. It was deafening… but they deserved every bit of it.

I waited until Comedian hit the bar before turning back to Wolverine. “I’m assuming you need a word with me?”

He nodded and gestured toward my office. “We got a problem.” He shut the door before elaborating. “Today was collection day and one of our clients couldn’t pay up.”

I nodded and took a swig of beer. “Yeah, and? Happens all the time. That’s always been our policy. They pay, in one form or another, and don’t make the mistake again, am I right?”

He gnawed at his lip. “Well, usually, but the guys—”

“Who was it?”

“Richard Cross.” He hesitated, and I wracked my brain to put a face to the name.

Richard…

Richard…

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