Page 64 of Savage

When we got close, Torch signaled us to follow him over to Puckett’s. We parked and then made our way across the street. We didn’t want to draw any unwanted attention, so we played it cool, acting like we were actually going into the old shithole for a drink. But as soon as we got close to the front door, gunfire erupted, and bullets started splintering through the old wood.

For a split second, I thought the shots were coming from inside the bar, but when a bullet buzzed past my ear and into the brick wall, I knew better. I immediately ducked down and shouted, “Behind us!”

We drew our weapons and started firing back at the two cars, but after a couple of shots, both sped out of the parking lot, sending gravel and dust hurling through the air. We raced back to our bikes and tried to follow after them, but it was too late. They’d already ditched us.

Clearly pissed, Maverick shook his head, then gave us the signal to head back to the clubhouse. We all followed suit, and as soon as we were parked, Maverick got off his bike and said, “Call the others in. It’s time we let them know what’s going on.”

“You got it, Prez.”

Torch and I started the call chain, then headed inside to join Maverick and Rooster in the conference room. We’d barely gotten seated when the guys started rolling in. It was our first church with Maverick as president and me as VP, and again, it felt a little strange. At the same time, it felt pretty fucking good. I was finally making my way.

Dad walked in and took his seat at the opposite end of the table. He looked over to me and gave me an approving nod, then turned his attention to Maverick as he said, “Seems our last run for Bruton has brought us some blowback.”

He spent the next few minutes explaining the situation to the others, and as soon as he was done, the room erupted in various side conversations. After a few moments, Wrath looked over to him and asked, “What do you want us to do?”

“The Stingers aren’t a small gang. Going up against them would be a hell of an undertaking. I’m hoping it’s not going to come down to that.” He glanced over at me and Torch, then back to the others. “We encroached on their territory, and we all know how we’d handle it if they’d done that shit to us.”

“Their asses would be done.”

“Exactly.” Maverick ran his hand over his beard, then added, “We need to put this fire out, or we’re gonna have a war on our hands.”

“How are we supposed to do that?”

“We send them a peace offering. It’s a sign of respect, and hopefully, it will squelch things, and we can put all this behind us.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

“Then, we’ll show them what it means to fuck with Fury.”

“Sounds good,” Torch answered. “Just tell us what you need us to do.”

“These guys are slingers, and from what I hear, they’re running hard stuff. Let’s get them a duffle bag full of whatever we can get, and I’ll make sure it gets into the right hands.”

“Consider it done,” Rooster volunteered.

“It’s gonna take some time to get this done, and until we do, I want you to be on high alert. Don’t let these guys tail you to a place they have no business being.”

“Understood.”

With that, church was dismissed, and the guys quickly dispersed. Once the room was cleared, I stepped over to Maverick and asked, “How are you planning to get this bag of goods into the right hands?”

“I’m not sure. I’m gonna have to make some calls.”

“Call Mason Hicks. He owes the club a favor.” Dad announced from the doorway. “His son is a Stinger. If he can manage it, Mason will get him to help you get the offering into the right hands.”

“Thanks, brother. Appreciate it.”

“No problem.”

Without saying anything more, he disappeared down the hall. Maverick pulled out his phone as he asked, “You think this is the right way to go?”

“I think it’s worth a shot.”

He nodded, then dialed Hick’s number. I figured he wanted some privacy, so I stepped out of the room and let him make the call alone. After a few minutes, he stepped out into the hall and announced, “Got it.”

“Good deal. What do you need me to do?”

“Check in with Rooster and make sure he’s got the goods.”

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