Page 27 of Diablo

“Like I told your Vice President,” Brewer replied. “We heard about the bad luck of your brother, Tarzan, and we put it to a vote. Passed by a narrow margin. We were promised neutral ground during our visit. Does that still stand?”

“Absolutely.”

Lloyd held out his hand. Brewer grasped it, sealing the truce for the duration of the rally. I wished I felt more relief over the gesture. Without Diablo around, it seemed slightly off-kilter. I wanted to ask about him but there was no reason for a VP to be concerned with another club’s Prospect. So, I kept my mouth shut.

Instead, I acted like everything was fine and I shook Brewer’s hand.

“I appreciate your consideration,” I said.

He nodded. “It took a lot of guts to walk into a situation that you knew would be hostile. You spoke up for a brother in need though. We can respect that.”

After getting the Alpha Riders settled with plenty of food and drink to go around, I drifted off behind the clubhouse. The noise was quieter back here, muffled, and I could be alone with my thoughts for a few moments.

Leaning back against the wall, I pulled my phone from my pocket and thumbed through my contacts list. Diablo’s number wasn’t there. I’d deleted it after the things he’d said the last time I spoke to him.

If you thought some nasty sex in a filthy bar restroom was a confession of love, you’re more desperate than I realized.

I sighed and rubbed my forehead. Is that what I was chasing after like a fool? Love? With Diablo, of all people? He was self-centered, rude, and arrogant. I couldn’t keep lying to myself though, claiming this was just about sex. There were dozens of men that would have been easier to sleep with, and they wouldn’t be a pain in my ass about it either.

Without paying much attention, my gaze idly wandered over the crowd milling around in the parking lot. I wasn’t looking for Diablo anymore. I’d stopped doing that ever since the Alpha Riders had arrived.

Then I spotted the Alpha Riders’ Vice President, his dark blue t-shirt and kut spread tight across his broad shoulders. A beer in hand, he was busy surveying the three bikes that were on auction to raise funds for Tarzan—two Harleys and a Honda.

An idea took shape in my mind and I pushed away from the wall, on the move. Heading straight for him, I wasted no time clearing my throat to get his attention.

“Thinking about getting yourself a new ride?” I asked.

He shook his head. “I have kids. The diaper stage is expensive enough. Then I’ll have to put them through college.”

I shrugged. “So, buy a bike for the kids when they grow up. You can use it until then.”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were trying to get me in trouble with my wife.” He gestured at me with his beer. “Stevie, right?”

“Yep. Unless you’re looking for a scapegoat to blame when you take one of those bikes home. Then I go by a completely different name and I have the right to remain silent until proven guilty.”

He chuckled as he shook my hand.

“I’m Tank. And before you ask, no, Diablo isn’t coming.”

I blinked in surprise.

“How did you know?”

He shrugged—a giant heave of his big shoulders.

“We were supposed to patch Diablo into the club earlier today. The vote was canceled. Brewer wouldn’t say why but I overheard a few things when he was talking to Diablo. About you.”

“Me?”

Tank nodded. His sunglasses shielded his eyes, giving nothing away.

“Under normal circumstances, I’m not a gossip. I don’t spread rumors and I don’t talk about anyone behind their back. But since this involves you—and you were the one to come to me—the only thing I’ll say is that Brewer doesn’t want Diablo’s loyalty divided between Riders and Howlers.”

“Wait.” I shook my head. “Diablo has no loyalty to my club—”

Tank arched an eyebrow. I broke off with a gulp. A warm flush of guilt swept across my cheeks.

Diablo was catching heat because of me. Because we’d had sex. How did Brewer find out in the first place? I didn’t know and it didn’t matter now. The damage was done.

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