Page 73 of Salute, To Bravery
“Same here. However, that piece of shit has an issue,” I said, nodding to Jay, who was huddled behind Raddock, who had gagged and cuffed him.
“Yeah?” Drake asked.
“Asshole is selling drugs in my bar, which is going to be legal. And he’s also scamming me, sending me receipts for top-notch liquor and serving swill. Wonder what else he’s running,” I mused.
“Considering the waitresses you got in there, I’d say pussy,” Ace offered.
“Only seen the one, and that wasn’t pretty,” Bat said, and another guy grinned. His name was Fish.
“I wouldn’t be touching that wearing a hazmat suit,” Fish commented, and I completely agreed.
“You’re shutting this shit down?” Drake asked
“Yup. I want a clean bar that the Air Force and local vets can use. That’s our aim,” Bat answered.
“You bought this together?” Texas inquired, swapping a glance with Drake.
“Yeah. Why is that an issue?” I demanded.
“Seems they’re more like us than we realised, Pres,” Ace murmured.
I folded my arms and levelled my stare at them that had made men crack.
Drake laughed. “Nice try. Rage runs a clean club. Well, we do now. Why don’t you deal with Jay here and do what you gotta do tonight? Tomorrow, come to the Rage garage; our clubhouse is behind it. We serve better shit than this craphole, no offence,” Drake said.
“We’ll be there. Parley?” I asked.
Drake’s eyes narrowed. “Get you’re new. But if you are offered to visit Rage, Parley isn’t needed. Rage’s word is our bond, and while on Rage, no blood will be shed. We’ve beenclean since two thousand and seven and have a story similar to yours. We’ll shoot some shit, share stories, and see where we go from there. Rage is always looking for allies; you won’t have any yet. So, let’s see how we get along, okay?”
“Fine, but my family will be armed. They earned that right,” I warned.
“Family is a strange word for brothers, Lance.”
“Isn’t it just.” I smiled.
Drake raised an eyebrow, offered a chin lift, and walked away. I turned my attention to the trembling Jay and gave him a feral smile.
???
“Don’t like this,” Tempest complained, almost sulking.
As I dismounted, I faced my complaining secretary. Tempest had argued against us meeting Rage and then demanded we have some snipers on the empty building opposite Rage. I told her Parley rules were in place, and she’d pouted before giving me the bird. I had more respect as a lieutenant than a president. Sucks to be me.
“We are going in together, and don’t bullshit me; you’re armed to the teeth, Tempest,” I murmured.
“Fuck, yeah,” she agreed, swinging off her Harley.
Reaper swung down beside Tempest, her blank gaze taking in everything at once. “We’re being watched, but not hunted.”
“No snipers?” I asked, almost teasing, but I knew Reaper was scanning the surroundings.
“All clear.”
Reaper parked behind us. She was under orders that at the first sign of trouble, she got the fuck out of there, grabbed Kane,and ran. We had a secret location where we’d meet if we ever had to flee.
Bat climbed off his bike as he studied the building in front of us. The doors swung open, and Drake and Ace came towards us with a walking mountain behind them.
“Welcome to Rage,” Drake announced, stopping short. His eyes took in my people, and then he landed on Tempest and Reaper.
