Page 50 of Dev

“I don’t know anything for sure. I just overheard a conversation that sounded a lot like Dev was thinking of leaving town.” She acts as if it’s going to be a weight off my shoulders.

“Leaving tow–” I realize I just shouted when everyone in here looks up at me.

“What conversation did you hear, Beatrix?” I drag her to the corner and grip her arm so she can’t get away from me.

“Well, Sinner got one of the other members to give me a ride home after we…ya know.” She rolls her eyes dreamily.

“Beatrix, stick to the point.” I shake her a little harder.

“Before we left, I heard him and Sinner talking about Dev moving back to the Nebraska charter. Apparently, it’s where he originally came from.” She shrugs.

“You’re sure? You’re sure you heard that right?” I ask, feeling my heart starting to thud.

“I was a little wasted, but I made sure I remembered that part. I know you two have something weird going on, and I was looking out for you,” she tells me.

“Cover for me,” I tell her, stripping off my apron and throwing it at her.

“What do you mean cove?—”

“I have to speak to Dev,” I call back as I rush out the door. It’s not even eight am, so I know Dev won’t be at the club yet. I often look out the window when I hear a bike engine pass, and his never goes by before nine. I can make it to his house on foot in twenty minutes, and hopefully in those twenty minutes, I can try to come up with a way to convince him to stay.

“Boss, I get the importance of this, but did we really have to get here so damn early?” Sinner takes off his sunshades as he takes his spot around the table, and now that everyone’s here, Raze slams the gavel.

“We all know why we’re here.” His eyes look out the glass window to where Greaser is sitting at the bar, and I notice how Vike’s are focused on him, too. He ain’t looking happy about having him back.

“Greaser came to me last night, apologized for the way he left, and asked if I’d consider taking him back as a member of our charter. As ya all know, that’s a club decision, not mine. So we’re gonna put it to a vote.”

“How does havin’ him back benefit us?” Ruckus asks, still looking bitter over how he left.

“Well, there's strength in numbers, and the way we keep getting tested, having an extra member could come in handy,” Raze points out, not giving away how he really feels about having Greaser back.

“And you believe that he shares your opinion on how things are gonna be run from now on?” Wrath checks, also looking wary.

“I’m more concerned about what's made him wanna come back.” Vike narrows his eyes through the glass so coldly, I swear he could cut through it.

“Well, I’m assuming it’s got somethin’ to do with the kid Griller fucked into Saul’s sister,” Sinner shrugs, massaging his temples. His words aggravate Vike even more, but he does his best to hide it.

“I believe that's true, and I also believe it’s making him view things a little differently. I guess he wants Long Beach to be a safe place for his niece or nephew to grow up in,” Raze points out.

“Niece,” Vike interrupts. “Alicia’s having a little girl,” he growls.

“C’mon, boss, I thought your old lady would have told ya that by now,” Ruck laughs, but the seriousness on Raze’s face doesn't change.

“I want a yay or a nay from each of ya.” He rests back in his chair and looks to Wrath first.

“Yay.” Wrath nods, not looking entirely convinced.

“Dev?” He comes to me next.

“Yay.” I’m down for building numbers, especially if I’m gonna end up bailing on these guys and heading back to Nebraska; from what I heard last night, Greaser’s come back with good intentions.

“Yay from me.” Sinner backs him, too.

“Squatch?” Raze reminds him he’s up next.

“Yay.” He nods, looking back over his shoulder toward the barroom and giving Greaser a look of warning.

“How about you, Rocco?” Raze moves on to our newest member.

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