Chapter 18
A couple of weeks had passed, and Haze had kept a low profile.
Hades called him and let him know that everything was cleaned up.
Apparently, his father was the mayor of Ellwood, and they pretty much had the police in their pockets, even more so than Haze had in Desmore Bay.
Hades told Haze not to come to Ellwood for a while but that he was a free man and could keep breathing fresh air.
Haze knew Hades would come through for him and decided to send the man his winnings from the race. It was quite literally the least he could do. Hades took that shit without a thank you. All Haze could do was laugh.
That day, he had a heavy heart as he kicked it at the compound.
It was family day. They hosted one once a quarter because Haze truly believed this was his family, and he wanted his members to feel the same.
He smiled when he saw Hazel playing with the other toddlers.
His eyes found Devyn, who chatted happily with Glimmer, Kyomi, Deja, and the other old ladies.
A few vixens were spotted about, but they were on their best behavior that day and knew they were only there for the niggas who didn’t have any family.
The atmosphere was live, but Haze felt a mixture of relief and sadness as he worked up the courage to do what he knew needed to be done that day.
The new recruits had been doing well, and he saw how they vied for his attention, but they had no idea that his attention and approval wasn’t what they needed. Not anymore.
With a sigh, he stood and walked over to Gideon. “It’s time, man.”
“You sure about this?” Gideon asked as he looked at Haze in concern.
Haze nodded. “I’m sure. I might be back one day, but for now, this is how it has to be.
I need to focus on being a father and marrying that fine ass woman over there.
” He pointed at Devyn and smiled. She’s worth it, he thought as he turned to Pup, who had been talking to Gideon before Haze interrupted. “Come wit’ me, lil nigga.”
“Aw, man. One day you gonna come up off that lil nigga shit. I’m grown now,” Pup joked.
“Super grown,” Haze agreed, and he truly meant it.
Pup had put in work and came up from the literal bottom.
He’d even gotten shot behind Vicious King business and got right back to work within days.
The kid had heart and was beyond smart. Since Gideon didn’t want the position, Pup was the only man for the job.
“Can I have everyone’s attention?” Gideon’s loud voice boomed through the large space.
Almost at once, everyone stopped what they were doing and focused on Gideon, Haze, and Pup, who were now on a small platform they used for times like this when there was a crowded room and they needed to give out information or make a speech. “Prez has a few words for y’all.”
“Come on, Prez,” Dame called out.
Haze smiled sadly. “What’s good, y’all? Welcome to all the families. I know shit is chaotic here, but that’s how we like it. Ain’t that right?”
“Damn right,” Dame called out above all the cheers of his club members.
Haze looked out at them all and laughed. He marveled at the fact that he had built this shit from the ground up. His father would be proud of turning his chaos into something so good.
His eyes landed on his godfather, Juke, who also happened to be Glimmer’s father.
He and Big Hen, Haze’s dad, had been best friends their whole lives.
A part of Big Hen lived on in Juke, and Haze had always recognized that.
He nodded at his godfather. Juke nodded back proudly.
It was an impactful moment and one Haze needed to keep going.
“Look, y’all know what family means to me.
I love y’all like we blood. Vicious Kings, the strongest and the elite.
I think so highly of every single one of y’all, and it’s been an honor to build this shit from the ground up.
” More cheers sounded as Haze gathered himself for his next words.
“Some of y’all know I have a beautiful daughter and a woman who don’t really understand yet that she’s gonna be my wife. ”
Devyn blushed as she held Hazel in her arms. The image was captured into Haze’s brain to keep forever.
Simply beautiful.
“I know that’s right, Brother,” Kyomi called out.
Haze chuckled. Nobody ever believed he would ever settle down. Not even him. Devyn came in and proved them all wrong.
“Because of the shift in my life right now, I’ve decided to step down as president and take a step back from all business activities.”
Before he could even get his words out fully, murmurs spread through the club, and Haze hung his head.
He knew everyone would be disappointed in him, but he had to do this.
He knew it was the right thing to do. He wouldn’t leave them completely.
He would still go on rides and attend the parties. He just wouldn’t run the shit anymore.
A soft hand on his caused him to look up. Devyn was by his side. He looked out into the crowd and saw a worried Kyomi holding Hazel and gazing at him.
“Bae, are you sure about this? Didn’t I tell you to talk to me before any decisions?” she asked, concern lacing her tone.
He nodded. “I know, baby, but this is somethin’ I gotta do. Trust me, okay?”
Though she hadn’t known Haze for long, she knew how much the club meant to him. Everyone did. He knew people would be concerned, but though he was sad, he felt good as hell about this path. He didn’t know what was next for him, but he knew it would be big.
Haze squeezed her hand, and with his free hand, he held it up to silence the room. Once he had everyone’s attention again, he spoke.
“Trust me, I know this shit is a shock, but I ain’t about to leave y’all hangin’. You know I’ll still be around, and I’m leavin’ you in good hands.”
Haze’s large hand landed on Pup’s shoulder, and the younger man’s eyes grew wide. “Fuck goin’ on?” he asked hesitantly but with a hint of excitement.
“Pup, current secretary of the Vicious Kings, you are now appointed the president of the Vicious Kings.” Haze unpinned his presidential patch from his leather jacket and pinned it to Pup’s on his right shoulder.
Pup shook his head with glossy eyes. “Why not G? Why me? Me?”
“You,” Haze confirmed with a grin. “Make me proud, . . . Prez.”
People clapped and cheered for Pup. He was a loved member of the club, and Haze knew he would do great.
“T-thank you,” Pup said, barely loud enough for everyone to hear, but Haze heard.
“We’ll get wit’ you to go over everything within the next few days. For now, celebrate,” Gideon said with a wide smile.
Pup soaked it in while Haze quieted the crowd again.
“I know y’all have questions for me. I just ask that you hold them until tomorrow. I’ll still be around. I ain’t about to disappear on y’all. This club is my baby, so I’ma still be behind the scenes. For now, let’s celebrate Pup and turn the fuck up.”
More cheers sounded as everyone chatted excitedly. Haze turned to Pup once again and said, “Congrats, man.”
Pup hugged Haze, not caring one bit about how he looked at that moment.
To know Pup’s story was to know this was a big ass moment for him.
Haze patted his back and then pulled away with a big smile.
He had to make a joke so he didn’t get choked up right now.
“Aye, man. Go hug on that big ass teddy bear.”
Pup gave Haze a knowing look. The kid understood him well. He patted Haze on the back and, without another word, leaned into Gideon’s open arms.
Finally, he turned back to Devyn and kissed the back of her hand. “I love you, Thicka.”
With tears in her eyes, she flung her arms around him. “I love you, too, Haze.” And then quieter, so quiet he almost missed it, she whispered, “Thank you.”
His heart soared. His baby knew this was for her. He hoped she also understood that he was 100 percent okay with this decision. It was the end of an era but the start of a brand-new one. One he couldn’t wait to see unfold.