Page 15 of Madame Mayhem

“If wedon’tstop, I won’t be able to start the Church meeting babe,” I tell her, spoiling her with a flurry of hurried kisses. “You got that strawberry shampoo going on again. Fucking yum. I can’t help it when you wash your hair with that.”

“I love you Slash.”

“I love you too… sometimes it’s hard to put into words just how much but know that I do.”

“Trust me I know. Keep that tiger in your pants for after the meeting, but not for too long.”

“It’s all yours.” I break away from her, taking her hand instead and cooling off. “You feeling good about what we’re doing? You got it?”

“I got it cos I’m bringing the fire!”

“Sweet.” I arch my eyebrow at Fi. She’s fierier than I could ever imagine. Two flames walking together as one. “We’re gonna take this club right to the top. Nobody is gonna try the Dark Angels. We’re going to have the whole West Coast on lock. I can see the expanding chapters. I can taste it Fi, and I want itbad. One by one we’re gonna take over. I feel like with you by my side I can do anything. That sounds like a cheesy line, but it’s the honest truth. You’ve got more strength in your little finger than I’ll ever know, but I’ll try to match up as best I can.”

I can’t help but join that mouth with mine again. She’s dynamite and it tastes good mixed with mine.

“You’re stronger than you know Slash. We got the job done for the betterment of the club. Keep a level head in there and let them know who the real fucking leader is. Way to step up.”

“Sure was. Okay, let’s roll.” I walk with my chest high and extra swagger in my step. I got my girl. I got rid of the disease fucking up the club - avenging my father’s death and the death of Fi’ father. It’s time for this Dark Angel to spread his wings and lead.

I lock my fingers loosely with Fi and see Sledge walk in first with Switch following. Snatch is in, the prospects are in. The boys are settling into their seats. I know whassup, but I let Sledge do the honors as I step to my rightful seat of club president.

“Listen up fellas,” Sledge calls out, a grim expression housed on his face. He turns his head to Fi who takes a seat next to me with a make-me-move glare in her eyes. “Hold up just a minute! Yo chick, what the fuck you doing in here?” Sledge throws his hands up in the air with disbelief.

Fi snarls, waving her hands right back at him. “I'm fire bitch!”

“Slash, what the fuck? Get your fucking chick man,” he shakes his head while Switch scoffs and I make a slashing of the neck symbol at him. “And why the fuck are you in Bull's seat?”

I strip him bare with a stare down, letting my dark silence stand as the answer. My eyes tell the story of him shutting the fuck up and standing the fuck down.

Slowly turning back to Sledge, I ask; “What's the news”

Sledge hesitates to speak, his face racked with confusion at first, then eureka! He gets it. His mouth opens into utter shock.

“B-b-Bull,” he can hardly form the syllables of his name in his mouth. He's maintaining eye contact, still in disbelief with the truth he won’t speak. He’s eyes stay fixated on mine, and I don’t back down. I hold his gaze, he’s trying to gauge my reaction, but it’s deadpan. “They found Bull dead in a traphouse near the Mexican border.”

Our eyes are still intensely locked, neither of us backing down. I hear Snatch's voice from my left shout out, “Motherfuckin' Cardez!”

Sledge keeps his eyes trained on mine, “Nah Snatch, I don't think Cardez did this… we worked out a deal with him already.” His fingers are spaced out, he’s hunched over the table and his breathing is as loud as the air conditioning in the room.

“Fuck Bull! How'd they do 'em?”asks Switch, thumping his hand on the table. A twitch forms on the right side of my lip. I wanna curl it up in a smirk, but I can’t.

Keep a straight face Slash. Don’t give shit away. Let Sledge think whatever he needs to.

“Very carefully Switch, he was burned up to the neck and his face was slashed up.”

“What the fuck burned?”Switch asks confused, looking around at the others for clarity he’s not gonna find.

Sledge cricks his neck, the room is filled with chatter and bullshit as he looks up towards Fi with the answer;

“Fire,” he slowly turns his head over to me, “and Slash.”

The temperature in the room drops, a deadly silence blanketing over the table. You couldn't slice the tension in the room with a machete. I stare blankly at their faces, as one by one each club member starts to realize the gravity of the situation. After I’m sure everyone’s got the murder memo, I break the silence.

“Now that taken care, on the to next order of business. Is there anyone at this table who wants to run for President of the Dark Angels MC?” My mouth forms a hard line, daring anyone of them to step up and challenge me. Not a single one replies.

“Alright then, I declare myself the President of the Dark Angels MC, does anyone have a problem with that?” I bark. The silence stays. “And I assign the position of Vice President to Fiona.”

“On what merit?”screams out Psycho, a nasty scowl riding on his face. “Tha fuck, Slash?”

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