Page 7 of Devil's Due

Normally I’d include my best friend in any plans I’m making. This time, I keep my thoughts to myself. When I eventually tell my brothers my intentions, my decision doesn’t go unchallenged.

“You are fuckin’ jokin’.” Rock stares at me across the table. I’d waited until all other business had been sorted at Friday night’s church, then tabled my request. “You knew about this, Prez?”

Drummer eyes my best friend. “Of course I fuckin’ did. Beef has my blessin’.”

“You’re really walking out on us?” Peg’s shaking his head.

“Sergeant-at-arms,” Drummer snaps. “Beef’s request fits in with my plans. I need eyes and ears in Pueblo.”

“Yeah, but Beef?” Blade’s looking utterly shocked. “We need him here, Prez.”

“This have anything to do with the woman you’re shacking up with? She been putting pressure on you to move?”

Drummer was right. I really don’t want to air what a failure I’ve been at having an old lady at the table. My response to Rock is simply to tell him, “Nothing at all. She won’t be coming with me.”

“Christ, she’s going to love that. You told her?” Lady seems to have got her measure.

I just glare at him. The fact that I haven’t,yet, is none of his business. Got that pleasure to come.

“If you don’t want to agree to Beef removing his Tucson rocker, who else do you suggest? Who’s volunteering?” Drummer asks in a reasonable tone.

We’ve got the best clubhouse in the charter. Swimming pool, houses being built at the top of the compound for any couple who wants one, enough women snapping whips so the prospects keep the clubroom clean and tidy. Anyone would be a fool to want to leave. A wave of homesickness crashes over me, even though I haven’t yet packed my bags, and I remind myself, one word to Drummer and I’ll be back. I tell them that, too. “It’s not forever. Just until I’ve sorted business.”

“And after Colorado. Where will you send him then?” Dollar asks.

My eyes snap to Drum’s. Hoping he won’t say that I’ll be wandering clubhouse to clubhouse.

Prez gazes at me intently. “Wherever there’s a need.”

He means until Sally’s given up on me coming back, doesn’t he?

Rock’s stare is almost worse than that of the prez. “You un-claiming your ol’ lady?”

“I can’t take her with me, not that she’d want to go. Seems wrong to keep her tied down when my future’s uncertain. So, yeah, Brother.” It’s not like I’ve patched her yet. Since she’s not shown any inclination to be on my bike, nor party at the clubhouse, I haven’t given her a vest.

“Your mind’s set?” a voice sounds resigned.

I’ve an affinity with Road. After Rock met Becca, and before I had Sally, I’d taken to sharing women with him. You get a certain closeness when you feel another man’s cock as he’s sliding into their ass, and you’re in their cunt. Or vice versa.

I take a moment to look around this table, realising this is the last time for fuck knows how long. The table I first sat at when, like Drifter who’s keeping silent, I’d first got my patch.I’m gonna miss this. Miss every-fuckin’-one.I then focus on Road and raise my chin. “Yeah, it is.”

He stares back, then nods in resignation. “Then let me wish you good luck, Brother.”

There’s silence. A few eyes look toward Rock as though for guidance. It’s no secret that while we’d all give our lives for each other, Rock and I have a bond that’s stronger than most. I took a bullet while sheltering his injured body under my own, and had no problem doing it, knowing he would have done the same were the positions reversed.

I watch him dropping his head into his hands as he realises things will change. His friend who he’s relied on for so many years, who’s always had his back, will no longer be sitting opposite him. No longer will we high five each other across the table when we share a joke.

Everyone gives him the time he needs until finally he looks up and meets my eyes. “Will miss the fuck out of you, Beef, but you have to do what you need to.”

That’s all everyone needs. They go from suspicious to full one-hundred percent support. My eyes water. This is my family, and I’m leaving them.Not forever.But being nomad is dangerous, riding without a brother at your back. There’s always the chance, however much I want to, I won’t be sat around this table ever again.

A thought Peg seems to echo. “Prez, we’re leeching members instead of trying to build up the club. Aren’t you worried about that? Dart went to San Diego, and now Beef’s going off to Colorado. And Truck…”

“Truck will be back,” Drummer says firmly.

“You think?” Blade challenges. “Man refuses to see us, or his fellow firefighters. All we know is that he’s fucked up. Might not be able to take his place around this table even if he wanted to.”

There’s a moment of silence as we all think about the new member. Patched him in on the eve of his transfer to a hotshot wildfire fighting team in California. He’s didn’t die, but that’s as far as anyone knows.

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