Chapter 21
Billy
TWO MONTHS LATER
“Hey, man. How’s it going?”
“Can’t complain.” I sat down in the chair across from Viper’s desk as I told him, “Finally got Everleigh settled in at her new job, and things are going pretty good there.”
“She working with that investment firm in Brentwood?”
“Yeah, that’s the one. She was pretty nervous about it at first, but she’s already making a name for herself.”
“That’s good. Glad to hear it.” He eased back in his chair as he announced, “I spoke with DeLuca’s widow the other night. She’s taken the kids back to Texas to be with her family, and she used the money Everleigh gave ‘em to buy a hell of a place.”
When Everleigh told me about the money situation, I wasn’t sure what to do.
But we talked it over, and after a great deal of consideration, we decided that the money she’d stashed during her imprisonment was basically her salary.
It only seemed fair to use it to buy her a car and a closet full of new clothes.
The assets she’d recently moved were a different matter.
That was DeLuca’s money, and even though it was dirty, all those millions of dollars belonged to his wife and their two kids.
With money like that, they would be set for life, and from the sounds of it, Angela was well on her way.
“That’s great to hear. The poor girl deserves a break. ”
“Couldn’t agree more.” Viper studied me for a moment, then asked, “So, there a reason why you came by, or you just here to shoot the shit?”
“I’ve got something I need to discuss with you.”
“Figured that much. What’s on your mind?”
“The business.” His brows narrowed as I continued, “I’ve been at this a long time, and I’m thinking about making some changes.”
“Oh, yeah? What kind of changes?”
“Thinking it’s time for me to start cutting back.”
“How much cutting back?”
“I’ll try to hold on to two, maybe three, clients and let Hop take over the rest.”
“I see.” A determined look crossed Viper’s face as he leaned forward and said, “I think I have a way to make this easier on the both of us.”
“Oh? How so?”
“Patch in,” Viper answered. “Become a brother.”
“What?”
“You heard me. Become a Sinner.” He seemed pretty set on the idea as he continued, “You’re basically one now. You’ve even got your own road name.”
“Oh yeah? What’s that? The Butcher?”
“Fuck yeah.” Viper smiled proudly as he added, “You’re a legend among our kind in this town, and if things play out the way I think they will, soon you’ll be a Sinner.”
“I don’t know. I haven’t ever thought about joining the club.”
“Hell, we already consider you one of our own.” A smirk crossed his face as he said, “I should probably warn ya that there are a few brothers who are a bit squeamish about what you do. They think of you as some sort of mortician or something... They’d call you brother, but doubt they’ll ever shake your hand. ”
“Seriously? Thought your boys were tougher than that, but I get it. Not everybody has the balls to stomach my line of work,” I teased.
“No doubt.” Viper chuckled, then asked, “So what do you think?”
“I don’t know, man. I’m too old for prospecting.”
“You’ve been prospecting for the past ten years, so you’re good there.”
“But what about everything else? Stilettos, the partying, and all the running.” I shook my head and sighed, “I’m just too old and set in my ways for all that shit.”
“Oh, I get it. There’re times when I feel like I’m running a fucking daycare around here.” Viper chuckled under his breath. “But I think this is something you should really consider. Might do you good.”
“How’s that?”
“You’d have a family like none other, and I gotta tell ya. There’s something about knowing these boys always have your back. It gives you a sense of peace like you’ve never had before.”
I could tell by his tone of voice that he meant every word, and I couldn’t deny that I was tempted by the thought of having a family like theirs.
It was something I’d always wanted for Kiersten, especially after her mother died.
Country had given her that when he made her his ol’ lady, and now, I was being given the opportunity to do the same for Everleigh. “So, how would this work?”
“I’d present the idea to the officers, and if the majority approve, we’ll take a vote.”
“And if they don’t approve?”
“Then, they don’t. It won’t really change anything.” I felt an unexpected sense of comfort when he said, “In my eyes, you’re already one of us.”
“And then, I’d work solely with you and the club?”
“Yeah, that’d be a must. And you’d be expected to be there when we needed you... I have a feeling there’ll be times when we could use your expertise on some matters.”
“Then, I’m in.” I stood and extended my hand over Viper’s desk. “Just let me know what the brothers decide, and we’ll go from there.”
“And you’ll discuss things with Hop and Tripp?”
“Yeah, I’ll head over and talk it over with them now.”
“Good deal.” Viper shook my hand as he said, “It should’ve been this way from day one.”
“Yeah, you might be right, but better late than never.”
“You got that right.”
Viper saw me outside, and I was just about to head over to my bike when a thought crossed my mind. I immediately stopped and asked, “I meant to ask earlier, but how’s the girl?”
“Which girl?”
“The one from the club... The stripper with a switchblade.”
“Oh, you mean Misty.”
“Yeah, that’s her. How’s she making it?”
“Better,” Viper answered. “She’s been seeing a counselor—one that seems to know what the hell they’re doing, and she’s stepping away from stripping and has been working out at the nursing home with Delilah.”
“Glad to hear she’s doing better.”
“Yeah, well, she’d have been in a hell of a mess if it hadn’t been for you.”
“I’m sure you would’ve figured something out.”
After a quick farewell, I left the clubhouse and drove over to Hop’s.
I wasn’t there long. I simply informed him of my plan to pass the business over to him, and he was quick to accept. He knew that I was setting him up with a sweet deal and was beyond grateful for the opportunity. Tripp, on the other hand, needed a little convincing.
He looked genuinely wounded as he asked, “So, you’re just gonna walk away?”
“Never said that.” I’d always thought a lot of Tripp.
In some ways, he’d been like a son to me.
I’d done what I could to be there for him and give him some direction when he needed it, but he’d grown into a fine man who no longer needed my guidance.
He just didn’t know it yet. “I’ll still be around if you need me. ”
“You know how intimidating the Renegades and the Ruthless Sinners can be. You really think Hop can handle them?”
“I think he can handle them just fine. You both can, but as of now, you won’t be dealing with the Sinners anymore. I’ll be taking care of them on my own.”
“And when you have a big job like a few weeks back? There’s no way you can take on a job like that by yourself.”
“I won’t have to. I’ll have them to give me a hand.” I gave him a slight shrug as I added, “And I can always call on you and Hop, and you guys can call me.”
“Sounds like you have it all figured out.”
“No, but I’m getting there.” I could see that he was still troubled by the idea, so I stepped over to him and placed my hand on his shoulder. “I wouldn’t do this unless I thought you could handle it.”
“I just wasn’t expecting it to end this way. You’ve always been like a father to me, and now....”
“You know where I live. My door is always open.”
“You mean that?”
“Absolutely. I’d be hurt if you didn’t drop by now and then.” I gave him a fatherly pat on the shoulder, then headed back over to my bike. “Take care of yourself, brother.”
“I’m gonna try.”
He gave me a quick nod, then watched as I eased out of his driveway and headed home. By the time I got to the house, Everleigh had dinner ready and was setting the table. I went over and gave her a kiss on the cheek as I asked, “How did it go today?”
“Really good.” Her eyes lit up as she explained, “I got those new clients I was telling you about.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“I know, but I am.” She turned to face me as she said, “No one has ever heard of me, and my portfolio is basically a joke.”
We both knew if she decided to go back to work, she’d face some struggles, but Everleigh insisted.
She’d done the work and had gotten her degree, and it was only fair that she got the career she’d worked so hard for.
Unfortunately, DeLuca had screwed her. He’d made it look like she’d been in an accident and died, so she had to start from scratch.
It would’ve been easier if she’d moved off where no one knew her.
Since that wasn’t an option, I provided her with a name that would cover her in case someone recognized her.
She was now Leigh Freeman—Everleigh Freeman’s twin sister.
Her license, passport, and even her degree had been altered with her new name.
To me and everyone close to her, she would always be Everleigh, but I wanted her to be covered if she happened to cross paths with someone from her past.
The change in her name had kept her safe, but it came at a cost. I tried to reassure her as I told her, “Just give it time. You’ll be knocking their socks off before you know it... Hell, you already are.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“You got the client, didn’t ya?”
“Yeah, I did.”
“Then, enough said.”
She walked over and took the lasagna out of the oven. As she placed it on the table, she asked, “So, how did it go with Viper today?”
“It took a turn I wasn’t expecting.”
“Oh?” She stopped to look at me. “How so?”
We both sat down, and we ate dinner as I told her all about my conversation with Viper.
When I told her that I was interested in taking him up on his offer, she was more open to the idea than I expected.
In fact, she was very encouraging. The little time she’d spent with them had proven to be enlightening, and she thought it was something I should truly consider.
And after thinking it over for a day or so, I decided she was right.