Page 126 of Devil's Due

They’re laughing at me? What the fuck have I said that’s funny? I run back over my statement in my head. Nah. Can’t see anything amusing there.

“What the fuck is going on?” I ask. Quickest way to tempt my fists to start flying is to make me the butt of a joke I don’t understand.

At last Demon’s set face relaxes and he leans his elbows on the table. “That’s what we’ve been meeting about today, Beef. Don’t need you to tell us there’s a weakness in our ranks. We know that. And we also know what we want to do about it.”

Well, that’s great. I can leave them to sort it out themselves and point my bike toward Tucson. Yeah, that’s… great.

Thunder takes over. “We’ve found just the man we want. All we need to do is find out if he wants to transfer to Colorado.”

“You have?”

Murmurs of assent go around the table.

“Unanimous vote,” Demon confirms.

That’s a weight off my mind. It means I can go… home. Yeah, home. To Tucson. About fuckin’ time. Steph will love it there. “So, right. Have you got the ball rolling? Have you asked him yet?”

Demon shakes his head. “Not yet, no. Had to get permission from his prez.”

Of course he does. “Want me to make contact?”

Again, I don’t understand the sniggers, but I ignore them and focus on Demon.

Demon gives a quick shake of his head and grins. “Nah. Did that myself. Just need one thing from you, Beef.”

I nod sharply. Whatever he wants, he’s got it. My parting gift to Pueblo.

He doesn’t immediately continue. Instead, he looks around the table. The mirth has gone like a switch being thrown. Now brothers are sitting forward, regarding Demon, and, for some reason, me, intently.

As chin lifts go his way, as though in encouragement, Demon takes a deep breath. Then, at last, he speaks. “Need an answer from you, Beef. You want to transfer to Colorado and sit to my left? As my VP?”

I draw in air sharply, then hold it. I glance around waiting for them to all laugh, wondering who will be the first to crack. This has to be the joke.Yeah, it’s a good one.They’re pulling my leg. I’m not officer material, and certainly not a vice president. To step up in Demon’s place if necessary? I’m muscle, that’s my role. Nothing more than that.

My head moves side to side. “Oh, come on. Joke’s over. Who are you really looking at?”

“Think they’re looking at you, Brother,” Hell says from my side.

“Nah, I’m not—”

“Whatever you think you are, Brother,” Demon interrupts, “isn’t the fuckin’ point. We need a vote, but from what I’ve heard, every man at this table respects you and knows you’ll have their backs. You’re fair, but firm. You don’t take shit. You stand up to the likes of RIP, and you’ve got a fuckin’ good head on your shoulders. You’re a friend, a true brother, to all of us in this club. Men will follow you as you’re a natural leader. That’s how we see you. How Drummer sees you as well. Why the fuck do you think he sent you here in the first place? He never let on until today, but that was his plan all along.” He breaks off to shake his head. “Cunning motherfucker, the mother chapter prez. Knew we had a gap to fill, thought you could fill it. Wanted us to get to know you, and you to get to know us. We might not have a swimming pool, but I’m sure we can offer enough to compensate. So, what do you say?”

Drummer, you crafty motherfucker.

I hold out my hands, palms up. “What can I say?” my voice sounds choked. “Yes.”

“Vote.”

Ayes come from all around with no dissent. Buzz pulls a book toward him and writes it down. Demon reaches behind him and pulls out something which he shoots down the table to me. Two patches. One a large Colorado rocker, and the other, a VP patch. I turn them over in my hands disbelieving but grinning broadly.

“Crazy fuckers,” I say at last, still clutching the VP insignia tightly, as if someone might change their mind and snatch it away from me. “Not sure I’m the right man, but I promise I’ll try to live up to the trust you’ve placed in me, and I’ll never let you down.”

“Party!” Sparky yells loudly.

It seems there’s going to be a celebration held in my honour. Last time it was when I was patched in, many moons back and in a very different club. As men walk out of church in a celebratory mood, I sit for a moment, pondering how my circumstances have changed. Sure, I’ll miss Wraith, Drummer, Rock and everyone else in Tucson, but now I’ve got a new purpose in life; a role to be proud of, a woman at my side. All totally different from when I first rode into town.

I don’t spend too much time in contemplation. There’s someone I need to break the news to.

Steph’s still talking with Vi, I go over and pull her to her feet. “Need a word.”

---