Page 3 of Rafe: Sins of the Father

The one closest to me, wiping a glass, nods and lifts his chin toward the door that leads to a hallway. After crossing the room and skirting a pool table, I push through the door. The moment I do, I hear raised voices coming from the room halfway down the hall.

I rap my knuckles a couple of times and a moment later TJ lets me in. He’s our president’s son. He, Billy, and my brother Kyle all lean against the wood-paneled wall. The chairs around the table are filled by officers—my father, Wolf—being one of them. He stares at me from across the table, a look of displeasure in his eyes. It’s the second time I’ve been late this month.

“Ah, speak of the devil.”

My gaze swings to Cole, seated at the head. He leans forward, his chair creaking, his eyes never losing mine. “How much did you say he owes in back dues, Green?”

“Three months’ worth.”

Cole’s brow arcs. “You got it, kid?”

He knows I’ve been out of work, but apparently, I’ve run out of road, and our president is not shy about taking action when necessary. I swallow and make a snap decision. “I got hired on with Sawyer Lumber. Start tomorrow.”

He nods. “All right. You’ve got a month to get caught up.” With that, he slams the gavel down. “Meeting adjourned.”

As chairs scrape across the floor, I look over at my brother. “What’d I miss?”

“I’ll tell you outside,” Kyle murmurs, and we file out, spilling down the hallway and into the open room.

We pause long enough at the bar to grab a couple of longnecks, then head to the parking lot.

Kyle twists his cap off and tosses it, then tips his bottle back. I do the same.

“So, what’s this job?” he asks.

“Met the owner today. Pulled him from a burning vehicle. In gratitude, he offered me a job.”

“In gratitude?” Kyle stares at me.

I shrug. “I saved his life. Guess he felt he owed me something.”

“That doesn’t sound like the best way to start a new job, with the boss thinking you’re only there because he owes you a favor. But I guess whatever gets you through the door, huh?”

“Yeah, well, I need the money, so… I’ll make it work.”

“What the hell do you know about the lumber business?”

“Nothing, but he didn’t seem to think it’d be a problem.”

“You better stay on your toes, Rafe,” he warns. “Lumber mills can be dangerous places.”

“So can MCs,” I snap back. “You think I can’t fucking handle it?” My anger surges to the surface. It’s the same anger I’ve felt for months now. “Quit worrying. I don’t need another mother.”

“All I’m sayin’ is don’t get your fucking hand cut off by some saw blade. Accidents happen in places like that.”

“Whatever.” I know what’s really behind his remarks. He’s been acting like my damn babysitter ever since my injury.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see him studying my expression. My eyes narrow and my jaw thrusts out.

“Look, Rafe. I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s only that I worry, okay?”

“Well, quit fucking worrying about me, Kyle. I’m just as capable as you are.”

“I’m not saying you aren’t.”

“Aren’t you? Isn’t that what you’re saying every damn time you give me this fucking brotherly advice crap? I know why you do it. Guilt. Well, you can stop feeling guilty. I went into that alley on my own. I follow club orders just like you. Nothing that happened that night was your fucking fault.” I chug my beer and slam the empty bottle into an oil drum. It smashes loudly as Green and Billy push out of the door.

Green whistles at the explosion of glass and stares at me as I shoulder past him, headed back inside. “You okay, brother?”

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