Page 69 of A New Era

Lighting a cigarette, I draw long and hard, exhaling for even longer and drain half my coffee.

“I paid her a visit last night at her house, let her know that if she comes for us again, her entire family will disappear.”

Conflict shines in his eyes, but he says nothing.

“You don’t agree?”

“You gotta be careful.”

“It’s either let her use us or go extreme. I chose extreme.”

“Extreme brings heat, Leo, and heat brings a whole world of bullshit.”

“You wanted me to set my place, I’m setting it. I can’t live trying to appease her or tread carefully. Between the Haywards, Effie, and anyone else who wants to start with us, I want them all to know who I am and what I’ll do to keep the club in one piece. We’ve got our Southern Chapter running from their town, which I will personally step in and rectify the situation. You always said to keep shit tight and I’m going to do just that.”

He takes one of my cigarettes and puffs on the unlit stick. “I don’t think you’re wrong. I think you’re making waves…”

“But?”

I know there’s one coming.

“But… I’m afraid there’ll come a time when you can’t come back. When it comes to the law, there’s always an agency above the fucker coming for you, with more power and fewer jurisdictions.”

“If you didn’t have faith in me, you shouldn’t have stepped down.”

“Fuck you. I told you I’d advise you, I guess I forgot to say I’ll give it to you whether you ask for it or not.”

I laugh. The old timer will never change. My phone pings with a text and I quickly glance at the notification, it’s from Gabe.

“You can put your old heart at ease in a few minutes. The Mercy Chapter is a minute out and the sheriff is tailing them. We’ll find out how my late-night visit will affect us.” I finish my coffee. “All I need now is to hear Mercy has trouble of its own.”

Dad smirks. “Welcome to life at the top, my son.”

We walk together around to the front of the bar and the sheriff parks out front while our Mercy brothers ride in.

“Go see what the bitch wants, and I’ll deal with Mercy.”

The sheriff leans against her cruiser, and I keep my eye on her as I take my time welcoming the Mercy Charter.

“Good to see ya, brother. It’s even better visiting under happy circumstances,” Gabe says as he pulls me in for a hug.

“Well, we’ve got some shit to sort out, but it’ll wait till later.”

“It’s a day ending in Y, so yeah, there’s always shit to sort out.”

Slapping him on the back, I make my way over to the gate and walk out onto the road.

“I’ve said all I have to say and I’m not in the game of repeating myself.”

“I come in peace,” she begins, throwing me off track, not that I show it. “I’m here to make a deal.”

“Yeah? Let’s hear it.”

“You stay away from my family, you forget they even exist, and in return, I’ll forget you’re out here… and I want fifteen thousand a month.”

“Fifteen grand?” I snort. “We’ve been in town for years, I’m born and raised here, the same as most of my brothers. We’ll be here long after you’re not. Why the fuck would I pay someone on Effie’s payroll?”

Her eyes widen and I smirk. “I haven’t been on her payroll since the explosion out at the farm. Your money will make me and my office blind to the Lost Souls. It’s a good deal and you know it.”

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