Page 53 of Catch a King (Five Kings 1)

We raise our glasses and nod. “To dad.”

Slade pounds the desk in anger and says roughly, “That bitch. Why didn’t we see behind her lies?”

“I’m guessing she was good at what she did.”

They look at me and I shrug. “Stands to reason, whoever sent her was sure she would succeed because if she blew their cover, they would have the Reapers rolling into town all guns blazing. I’m pretty sure Ryder King knew who it was from the look in his eye.”

Axel nods. “I agree. What about you?”

He looks at me with interest and I shrug. “I’m not leaving until we sort this club shit out. Then I’m heading back to my unit to tell them I’m leaving and as soon as I’m free, I’m heading to Washington to claim my girl.”

Axel grins. “At least something good came out of this. Millie.”

Slade nods. “The most annoying thing about this is…” He throws me a sly look. “I called her first, and you ignored that.”

I shrug and drain my glass. “Someone had the save the poor woman from a life of hell with you.”

Slade shrugs, “I don’t get any complaints.”

Axel sighs and leans forward, looking so destroyed I’m worried about him. “I have something I need to get off my chest.”

Slade looks surprised and makes to speak, and Axel holds up his hand. “I need to tell Sawyer.”

I’m not sure I like the prickle of tension that twists in my gut as he looks at me with a determined glint in his eye. “You should know something about me, something I’ve kept hidden for far too long and the dirty secret I have hidden from everyone, even myself at times.”

Slade looks down and I think it’s the most emotional I’ve ever seen my brother outside of when our parents died. “I’m gay, Sawyer.”

Axel exhales deeply and I see his eyes glittering with tears. “I’ve hidden behind this club, using it to guard my secret out of fear of it coming out. Not that I’ve acted on it, not really because if the Dark Lords got to hear about it, we’d be ruined.”

“Does Marina know?”

He nods. “We have an understanding.”

He looks at Slade who says gruffly, “Axel made Marina his old lady after I had enough. He needed her to keep his secret and keep the men from guessing. Marina likes the power it gives her and I… well, I help keep the secret by seeing to her needs on occasion.”

For some reason, it’s that part of this that tears me up the most. For all his darkness, Slade has more loyalty than I give him credit for. We have always been a family of secrets, smoke and mirrors and I suppose I always knew there was something hidden, an unspoken word, a misplaced look and an air of tension, but I never guessed this.

I shake my head and smile at my uncle. “It doesn’t matter if you’re gay, straight, or undecided. You’re still the president of this club and the best uncle a guy could ever wish for. I’m sorry you’ve kept it hidden for so long. I understand your reasons, but you need to do what’s right for you now. Maybe this is that time. Things have changed around here and the club needs to change, or die. Ask yourself if you’re the man for that job, or if another should step up and make it count.”

I glance at Slade and he nods. “Sawyer’s right, we can’t go on like this. We’re falling apart and the fact the guys were out of their fucking heads when the Reapers came calling, wasn’t our finest hour. It’s no wonder they looked at us like we’re shit on their shoes. Sawyer’s right, it’s time to do what’s best for the family, the club and everyone that relies on us and so if it’s ok with you, uncle, I’m taking over.”

I think it’s the relief on Axel’s face that tells me we made the right decision. He looks emotional as he nods and looks down, taking a moment for the news to sink in. Slade looks across and I see his eyes filled with emotion and I smile. “It’s the right thing.”

For a moment, it’s just the three last remaining Channings in the place where four lives changed forever the day Billy was shot, all in the name of something connected to a gold coin and Ryder King.

“What the fuck is happening?”

Marina stands at the door looking antsy and Slade grins. “Change, darlin’, things are gonna change around here, starting with the president of this club.”

“What are you talking about?”

Slade grins. “We’ve had a shift of power and you are now looking at the new president of The Dragon’s Ruin.”

“But…” It’s not often we see Marina lost for words, and we enjoy the moment.

Axel says gently, “I’m heading on a road trip. East perhaps.”

“Where the fuck does that leave me, unless…”

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