Page 3 of Devil's Due

“Well, I might.” The words are said triumphantly.

“Yeah?” Maybe things have started looking up. Now if I could get her…

“Look Beef. I’d feel safe on that.”

She turns her tablet toward me. My eyes roll back in my head. She’s showing me a Goldwing, with a rear passenger seat like a fucking armchair. Safe? Yeah. “Sal, that’s a fuckin’ Honda. I’d be thrown out of the club.” Probably wouldn’t. If push came to shove, we’d change our by-laws rather than expel a member due to his choice of bike. But all the members ride Harleys, well, a couple in other chapters have Indians, and some have vintage bikes they ride time to time, but what she’s showing me? I can just imagine doing a high-speed chase or getaway on it. It would be a complete joke. Her idea is not going to work.

Seeing the disdainful expression on my face, she pouts. “If you don’t like the make, doesn’t Harley do a similar model?”

“Yeah, they do, Sal…”

“Well why not get one of them?”

Because I like the speed and manoeuvrability of my Fat Bob.“Haven’t got the money to buy a new bike. Those cost close to thirty big ones.”

“I’ve got the money.”

Abruptly I stand, the cushion bouncing back displaces her, causing her to reach out her hand to regain her balance. “I said no, Sally. You wanted to be with a biker? Well, you have to love the man, the club, and his choice of bike. I’m going to bed.”

Chapter Two

Ipretended to sleep but spent most of the night awake worrying about three things. How badly I may have damaged my long-time relationship with Rock, what was going to happen with Sally, and on top of the list, what would happen at the promised morning’s meeting with Drummer?

Not only is Drummer the president of the Tucson Chapter of the Satan’s Devils MC, he’s also the national prez as Tucson is the mother chapter, the club having been started way back in Bastard’s day. When Drummer, Bastard’s son, took the helm, he got us out of a lot of the shit we’d previously been into. Easy money, but an easy way to die. It takes a strong man to lead not just one, but all the chapters of an MC, and Drummer hasn’t maintained the top spot for as many years as he has by being weak. A fair man, he’ll give it to you straight when you’ve fucked up. Words out of his mouth, that withering stare from those steel-grey eyes, and even a muscle man like me wants to slide under the table.

After last night’s fiasco, I reckon I’ll be flayed alive.

“Mornin’.”

“Ah, fuck, man. You okay?” I step toward Rock, my eyes squinting to take in the damage.

“Becca’s not happy with you,” he replies, shrugging off my concern.

“Shit.”

“Aw, come on. Messin’ with you, man. She’s fine. Worried about you more than me, I think.”

Flashing him a grin I laugh, “And so she should be. Me and her? We’re close.” I press my forefinger and thumb tightly together and hold them up in front of his face. For which, not unsurprisingly, I get a clout around the head. Then, flicking worried eyes toward the clubhouse, add, “Well, I better get inside.”

“Yeah, you’re seeing the head teacher, aren’t you? You might have detention. Oooh. Or homework. You might have to write out ‘I must not hit Rock’ fifty times.”

“Shut it,” I growl, shaking my head.

“Or you could get expelled.”

I shoot my middle finger toward him as I walk inside. One thing you’re not when you’re summoned to see Drummer, is late. Pleased to see I’m right on time, I knock on his door.

“Yeah.”

Entering, I pause until he waves me to the chair in front of his desk. I suppose this is going to take time. Prez asking me what the fuck happened last night, and me being unable to explain, or admit I know the reason why. I decide to take the initiative and sit forward. “Look, Prez, I’m…”

“Sorry you beat the shit out of your brother?” Drummer leans back in his chair, linking his hands behind his head. “Gonna give me a fuck load of excuses about why?” Suddenly he lurches forward. “Why don’t we cut to the chase and I’ll tell you?”

I suspect he’s going to give me a few home truths I don’t want to hear. But what can I do? He’s my prez.

“You’ve let that woman get her hooks into you. Every fuckin’ brother here could see she wasn’t right for you, but you let her lead you along by your dick.”

My dick makes bad choices. Even he ain’t happy now.

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