Chapter 1 #2
“Whilst you’ve been away, they hit the strip club, so we’ve had to increase numbers for security there.”
“Everyone okay?” Rock asks.
“A dancer got shook up pretty bad as she was leaving. They threatened her, leaving her with a message that they’re taking over.
Her face was cut up pretty bad,” answers Clay, my right-hand man and Vice President.
“You should’ve been here. We could’ve done with the extra manpower,” he points out, making it clear he wasn’t happy with the situation either.
“Enough,” I bark. “It was my decision.”
“Sorry, brothers,” Rock answers, a flash of guilt on his face.
“We need the extra manpower at the club, but we also need to be mindful that they’re targeting the women to get to us.”
“Do we need to go on lockdown, Pres?” Joker asks.
“Nah, I don’t think we’re at that point yet, but I don’t want the ol’ ladies leaving without some form of escort.” I look across at Rock and Clay, as they are the only other brothers with ol’ ladies.
“Rock, you can take Brute and help out at the club this evening. Talk to some of the girls and see what the grumblings are amongst them.” They both nod in acknowledgment.
“Me and Clay are going to hit the streets, target some of our dealers. Try to get some information out of them. Slider, you’re on ol’ lady duty.”
He sighs. “Do I have to, Pres?” he whines, infuriating me further.
Clay hits him around the back of the head. “Have some fucking respect,” he snaps. He’s getting grumpier in his middle age. You’d think now that he has Bella, he would chill out a little, but he’s gotten more uptight recently, especially now the club’s being targeted.
Slider rubs the back of his head. “Ouch, was there any need?”
“Yes. You’re a prospect, so just do as you’re fucking told.”
“Slider, look at it this way, it’s only three women—” I begin.
Clay cuts me off. “Who are off fucking limits.”
Slider blows him a kiss, earning him another slap around the back of the head.
“For fuck’s sake, Clay,” he shouts.
“Stop being a cunt and I wouldn’t have to,” he taunts, and the entire room erupts into laughter apart from Slider, who’s left licking his wounds like a scolded puppy.
“You’ve all got your orders,” I say as I bang the gavel on the table, bringing church to a close.
I kick the stand on my bike as we pull up at one of the local spots our dealers run. I hate being out here, but these fuckers are messing with the wrong club, and they need to understand the repercussions.
Dexter approaches us as we get off our bikes. I notice the way he’s constantly sniffling, which means he’s not just selling our merchandise, he’s likely snorting the fucker too.
“How’s it going, boss?” he mumbles, rubbing his nose.
I get closer and see his pupils are dilated. He’s definitely off his face, and I make a mental note to check the takings.
“We need information, Dexter,” I say, and he nods as he eyes Clay warily.
“Sure thing, boss.” He sniffles, wiping his nose on his sleeve again.
“Has Reaper been sniffing around here?”
His eyes dart between us, a telltale sign that he’s about to lie through his teeth.
“Who’s that, boss?” The high-pitched tone of his voice gives him away. He’s panicking.
Clay grabs him by the scruff of his neck, pushing him up against the building. “Don’t play fucking stupid, kid,” he spits.
Dexter stutters, not able to form a sentence, and I’m sure he’s about to piss his pants.
“Er . . . erm . . . I . . .” Clay mimics, taking the piss out of the kid’s display. “Reaper from the fucking Steel Delinquents MC?”
His brow furrows. “Erm . . . oh . . . him, yes . . . no . . . I mean—”
“Which one is it, Dexter, yes or no? Pick your answer very fucking carefully before I let Clay put a bullet in you for snorting our shit and lying,” I snap.
“Oh shit,” he mumbles. “Yes, he’s been around here. And I’m not snorting your shit, boss, I promise. I wouldn’t do that to you.”
I raise a brow, hardly believing the balls on this stupid fuck to actually lie to my face. “Whose shit are you snorting then?” Clay growls.
“Reaper’s,” he stutters. “He supplies us with some for ourselves as long as we sell on your turf.” He has the audacity to look defeated. “I’m sorry, boss. I really—”
Before he can finish, Clay’s fist lands a clean punch to his jaw.
“Are you fucking stupid?” Clay snaps, shoving him away. Dexter slides down the wall, covering his head with his arms as he cowers away.
I grab hold of Clay’s arm, holding him back from inflicting more damage. He glances back questioningly, and I give my head a slight shake.
“I want you off our turf. Do I make myself clear?” I bark, my voice rattling off the walls. “Boss, it won’t happen again, I promise,” he whimpers.
“Too late. You fucked us over once, and if anyone else is doing the same, you take the bastards with you, else I’ll put a bullet in every single one of you.” I turn to leave.
“You’re just going to leave him?” Clay hisses, falling into step beside me.
“Yes, Clay. He’s just a fucking kid. We aren’t in the business of killing stupid kids.”
“But what if he goes back to them? I can’t risk Bella and the boys.”
“Then I’ll fucking end him, but right now, he’s got the opportunity to pack his shit up and leave. We’ve gotta be better than them, Clay, else what’s the fucking point? We may as well let them take over. You aren’t the only one with a family, remember.”
My phone buzzes as I straddle my bike, and I inwardly groan until I see Hell’s name flash on the screen.
“What’s up, Hell?” I answer. Hell is my little pet name for her because ever since I met her, she’s been a fire that burns so brightly within me, I’m sure she was sent from hell itself to corrupt me.
“It’s time,” she chimes, the excitement evident in her voice.
“What, right now?”
“Yes, Drifter, right fucking now.” She laughs. “We’re on a clock. Remember, the window isn’t big.”
“On my way.”
Don’t get me wrong, being inside Hell is my favourite place to be, but this thing with her body clock and timing our sex is becoming a little .
. . tiresome. I’ve got shit to do, with club business at the forefront of my mind, and now, I gotta drop that and perform whilst looking in her hopeful eyes, knowing she’s wondering if this will be the one time it works.
All this whilst mentally preparing myself for the crushing disappointment in my woman’s eyes when she realises it isn’t.