Page 2 of Concede

Chapter 2

Maverick

“Where’s Dom?” I yell as I get to the bottom of the stairwell.

“He had some family matters to handle,” Boston says as he lights a cigarette.

“That’s right. His sister.” I scrub a hand across my face as I walk past Romeo, who is passed out on top of the pool table.

Like we need another distraction at the moment. We got our own shit to deal with. Now Dom has to play daddy to his kid sister. Fantastic. I round the corner into the kitchen to see my mom cooking breakfast. Her long hair, which was once a beautiful honey brown, is now streaked with a light silver. She still looks beautiful, not a day over forty.

“Morning mom,” I mutter with a kiss at her temple.

“Morning sweetheart.” She scoops up an omelet and lays it on a plate for me.

I smile as I grab a coffee cup from the drying rack.

I admire my mother. My father, the former president of the Knights of Paradise MC, passed away three years ago. Which in turn, forced me into the position I hold today as the president. I know he would want me to continue his legacy. I watched him long enough, I knew what it took to run this club and I made a promise to him the day we laid him in the ground. I would not only kill the motherfuckers who ended his life, but I would make him proud. My mom could have left. She could have left this life behind her and found a safe quiet neighborhood. Maybe married a banker, or a podiatrist. Some fucker in a bow tie. She chose to stay loyal to this club, and to me. Honestly, I think she feels closer to him here. I know she does because I do too.

My dad wasn’t alone that day. Our VP was with him. Our two leaders were gunned down in the middle of fucking Bourbon Street and no one saw anything. Typical. We had choices to make and plans to execute. I became President, and my best friend Dom was chosen as our VP. It was rough at first, like any transition of power. But, like the brothers we are, the club came together, and we never abandoned our purpose. The last three years have run pretty smoothly, but trouble always comes knocking at some point. They say money is the root of all evil, I disagree. I believe it’s power.

“Thanks.” I lift the plate at my Mom in appreciation as I walk back to the main room of the clubhouse.

“Church in ten,” I shout as I push open the double doors with my foot.

My feet carry me to the end of the large wooden table built by my grandfather. I glance at the shield and two swords carved in the middle. This club has been my family's legacy and I will honor it no matter the cost.

“Morning Prez.” Preach yawns as he enters the room. He reminds me of Merlin from the Sword and the Stone. I chuckle to myself as he takes a seat. Preach has been around for a while. He’s the man we go to when shit gets wild, and we need a reminder of why we do what we do. He is the road captain, and there is no one I trust more than him when it comes to the decisions of this club.

“Morning. Maxine, keep you up late, Preach?” I prod with a grin as I kick my boots up on the table.

He runs a hand over his gray beard. “I’m sure you’d like to know.”

I laugh and tilt my head back. “Okay, I can respect that.”

Preach is one of the brothers who doesn’t share. He’s been married to Maxine for twenty-five years. He’s stayed faithful, and I commend him on that. It’s not my style, but to each their own. I prefer my women like I prefer my food. A variety, and sometimes three times a day.

The door swings open. Widow, Romeo, Boston, and Buck file in.

“Morning boys,” I nod.

“Knuckles and Tank are still on a run, so they won’t be back until tonight,” Widow says as he opens a bottle of Jack. It’s 9:00 AM

I lift an eyebrow in question. His expression says don’t ask, so I look away as he tilts back the bottle.

I raise a hand in the air. “Can someone please call Dom, his ass is-”

“I’m here, chill the fuck out,” Dom says calmly as he swaggers through the door.

He plops down beside me in the chair and winks.

I shake my head and look at the men surrounding the room. “Now that Dom has finished his fatherly duties we can begin.”

“Oh yeah. I forgot your sister is here,” Romeo chimes in.

“Is she hot?” Buck asks with a wicked smirk.

“All of you can fuck off. She’s off limits,” Dom growls and pulls out a cigarette.

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