Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
SKEETER
“Nice of you to join us,” Matteo said sarcastically as I walked into the Shed, but I ignored him and headed towards the bar. Diesel frowned as I grabbed a bottle of whiskey and poured a large glass before downing it.
My phone buzzed, and it was a shock to see Marco’s name on the screen, despite knowing he was going to text me. It had been a long time since we’d texted last.
I opened it, finding nothing more than the video I’d asked him to send me.
“What happened?” Diesel asked quietly, knowing I’d run out of here because of Rory.
“Who here was involved in Savage’s human trafficking scheme?” I asked bluntly, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Diesel pulled back in surprise like I knew he would, a few others whispering among themselves, while others either looked mad at me, or not surprised in the slightest.
I turned my attention to Matteo, the lack of surprise on his face as expected. Of course that piece of shit would have been involved.
“He was bringing me in but then he died. Don’t get on your high horse, Maddox. You were the one transporting them,” he bit out.
“We’ve always had a strong stance on staying the fuck away from the skin trade. As far as I was concerned, I was transporting weapons and drugs. You know how I fucking feel about that shit,” I spat, and he rolled his eyes.
“Not my fault you were too blind to see it. Who’d you get in a fight with?”
I was probably bleeding and bruised. I’d forgotten all about it when I realized I’d punched Rory.
“Had a run in with Rivera.” I opened the video, pressing play and showing Diesel. He flicked his gaze to mine, obviously seeing who’d sent it to me. He knew I’d had that fucker blocked since I was seventeen.
“You’re sure the video’s from one of our hauls? He could be lying.”
“I’m sure. This is the truck and the warehouse in Riverside from the machine gun haul. I remember it because it was one of the bigger hauls that Savage had trusted me with. He’d driven another car and told me to take myself home when we got there,” I explained.
Brick and Samuel approached to have a look, seeming just as disgusted, but Matteo scoffed.
“You know, this is your problem. Both you and Slash were always too soft to run this crew. Savage was turning it into something great, and then you two took over and destroyed it. We’d be rolling in cash right now if he was still here. You’re not fit to lead, Skeeter. Face it.”
“You want to lead?” I bit out, looking around the room at the others. “Would you fuckers prefer Matteo lead you? C’mon, let’s discuss this. If you’ve got a problem with me, fucking say it.”
“I’d rather you lead. Matteo would have us killed within the week,” Brick said dryly, leaning against the bar.
“Savage had a plan and they destroyed it!” Matteo barked, making Diesel scoff.
“There’s kids in this video, man. You really want to build a life based off that bullshit?”
“I want to build a life where we’re feared and have fucking money. You don’t see people walking all over Rage and his boys. That could be us.”
“I’d rather have nothing than be a piece of shit rapist who rules with fear,” Diesel snapped.
“You do have nothing, Maverick. No family, your girl’s dead, and all you do is pour beer and jerk off to the Donovan cunt when Skeet’s not looking.
Don’t act like you’ve got it good. I won’t lie though, Sasha’s pussy was fucking tight, so no wonder you liked her,” he threw back, and I didn’t bother holding Diesel back as he dove at him.
Matteo had crossed a fucking line that time.
The guys around us didn’t seem to know what to do, but I motioned for them to stay back and let them fight it out. It was personal, and Matteo had been asking for it.
People forgot how dangerous Diesel could be because he wasn’t a loose cannon and avoided fighting unless he had to.
Talking shit about Sasha was one way to bring out the monster he kept buried.
I’d almost bet money on Diesel beating me in a fight if I pissed him off enough, which I’d never do.
I finally motioned to the guys to pull them apart, Diesel trying to fight them off as his chest heaved.
“C’mon, man. You got him,” I murmured, clarity starting to cross his eyes as some of the blackout anger faded and he focused on me.
He returned to my side after a moment, where I clapped him on the shoulder and gave him a nod to make sure he was good, while Matteo stayed on the ground, partially knocked out as blood coated his face.
“That’s why you’d be a shitty leader, Matteo. You’re meant to support your brothers, not tear them down. If anyone’s involved in the skin trade, I want to know right fucking now.”
No one spoke, and Diesel scowled, wiping blood from his lip where Matteo had gotten a hit in.
“You fucking heard him. Speak!”
“Want me to run fresh checks? I can see what skeletons are in people’s closets,” Brick offered, and I shook my head.
“This shed that we’re standing in? We might not live here, but it’s our home.
If there’s no trust under the roof, what’s the point?
If you’re involved with that shit and don’t say anything now, you’ll be punished if things come to light later.
This is your only chance to own up and be honest,” I said firmly, making sure to make eye contact with every man in the room.
“No one? Good. Psychos run drugs and weapons. That’s it.
If I get a whiff of anyone buying or selling in the skin trade, you’re done. ”
“You can’t decide that on your own,” Matteo wheezed as he picked himself up from the floor.
“Does anyone object to this?” I asked, seeing everyone shaking their heads. A few older members looked annoyed but shook their heads anyway, which was good enough for me. “Then it’s settled.”
“You can’t kick people out. Once you’re in, that’s it,” Matteo growled, spitting blood on the floor. Diesel had really fucked him up.
“Then I’ll fucking kill them. Happy? I won’t have my crew dealing in that bullshit. I don’t give a fuck what you stick your dicks in, as long as they’re willing and fucking legal.”
“Your girl’s barely legal.”
“But she is legal and very fucking willing.”
“She’s a fucking slut on a power trip. We all know she was fucking Slash. Probably trying to fuck Diesel too from the way they spend time together. Hey, D. She’s damaged goods like Sasha was, right? Maybe her pussy will feel familiar for you,” Matteo smirked, and this time I did hold Diesel back.
“You want to talk shit about our girls? Things are going to fucking change around here. Anyone here wishing to date has that right, and no one is to touch or disrespect them. Is that clear?”
“You all want to get wifed up and have the white picket fence? Bunch of pussies,” Matteo muttered, and I was a little surprised when Samuel stepped closer to punch him.
“Skeet’s fucking trying here, asshole. Slash had him as his right-hand for a reason, so respect it.
He’s worked like a dog since Slash died, not complaining once when we all go home but he doesn’t.
That’s why he’s the leader and you’re not.
You throw tantrums the second you don’t get your way,” he gritted out, turning to face me.
“I won’t lie to you. It’s easy to doubt your loyalty to the crew when you keep running off with Donovan, but if you can keep putting us first, then what you have with her is your business. It has nothing to do with us.”
“Thanks,” I said awkwardly, not really expecting that kind of reaction from him, considering he was besties with Matteo.
He nodded and stepped back, making Brick sigh as he eyed me.
“So was your run-in with Hunter personal, or do we have to get involved?”
“Personal. I handled it. I know Aurora pissed a lot of you off just by breathing, and I’m trying really hard to keep her safe while also leading this crew.
The Devils have been making that difficult since they keep following her.
I’m sorry if my attention strays sometimes, I’m trying to find a balance. ”
“Fuck balance. You need to be all in,” Matteo answered, and this time the others started grumbling at him to shut up.
“I’ve organized almost everything for the funeral for Friday,” I said, moving on like he hadn’t spoken. “We’ve paid for it out of the Psychos’ account. He’ll be buried near Sasha.”
Matteo scoffed but the others nodded their agreement.
We discussed the rest of the week’s business plans, and by the time we were done, Diesel had thankfully cooled off from his fight, and the others all seemed a little more calmer about me running the crew.
One of the guys, Jonah, approached me when the meeting was over, a grim look on his face.
“One of the junkies from Rawson got pretty chatty today. Apparently, Rage is on the warpath.”
“He’s making moves?” I asked, needing him to clarify.
“He got his hands on Razor. It’s not pretty.”
“Is Razor still walking?”
“Unfortunately. Soldiers have gone underground it seems. They’re waiting out the storm that is Rage. We might have the Kings as our problem next. No word from them?”
“No. It makes me wonder if that’s a good thing or not,” I grumbled, checking my phone. There were no messages or missed calls from Rory or the guys, so I hoped that meant she was okay.
“I think we take it as a win,” Jonah replied, patting Diesel on the shoulder. “Hey. The prick was out of line. No one should talk ill of the dead.”
Jonah was twenty-nine and had been locked up when Sasha had been assaulted. He hadn’t really liked her, but he was against hurting women. I was kind of relieved that he wasn’t around at the time because he would have refused to participate and gotten himself killed over it.
“Thanks, man,” Diesel mumbled, flexing his split knuckles.
“Maybe you should clean up,” I suggested, realizing just how busted his hands were.
“Says you. You look worse than me. What happened?” he asked, and since Jonah was one of the guys that didn’t seem to give a shit about Rory, I shrugged and replied.