Our failure to protect our sisters.
I knew what they would be going through. Hell, I still was myself. I had no words to give them. I just hoped that they fared better with their grief than I did.
Like me, I still had my niece.
They had Jess.
As different as our clubs were, the reality was we were brothers who lost a sister and were left to pick up the pieces. Our lives would never be the same again.
“You, okay?” Jess asked, hugging me closer.
“Yeah. I will be,” I muttered, as their figures disappeared into the bright sunshine.
“Savage, I need you to head to the bank. You have a safety deposit box to look into.” Reaper instructed, while he started dishing out orders to brothers who were milling around.
Nodding, I quickly kissed Jess and got to it.
No rest for the wicked it seemed.
Life moved on.
The Purgatory National Bank was located on the corner of Main Street and Second, across the street from the police station. Geographically, it was a great place and added security for the bank, however, today it couldn’t have been in a worse place, because the second I parked my bike, the new police chief walked out of the station and headed over. If that wasn’t bad enough, Patty and her two boys were heading my way. Patty owned the local diner in town. The club looked after Patty and her boys while her husband Patrick was off serving his country. We also helped because Patrick was one of us, a Golden Skulls brother. He was due home soon but I wasn’t sure when. It had been over a year since I’d seen Patrick and couldn’t wait to welcome him home.
“Savage, I need to talk with you,” the new police chief said.
“Jason. Go get a snow cone or something,” Patty said, marching right over to me. “I’ve got a bone to pick with Savage.”
I tried unsuccessfully to hide my smile. Poor kid got no respect.
It was no secret that Jason Seaver, the new police chief was young. He only got the job because the town didn’t want to hold another election. It also helped that the kid was born and raised in Purgatory and some sort of football legend in these parts.
Jason was the high school Quarterback that took his team all the way to the State Championship and won, earning him a full ride to USC. Jason was headed for the Pro’s until he blew out his knee in his senior year. After finishing college, he returned home and took a job with the Purgatory police and worked under Brian Connor, the former police chief until Reaper sliced and diced his deceiving ass. Now the kid was the law around these parts.
“One minute Officer Seaver,” I politely said. Just because he was still a kid, didn’t mean I didn’t respect his position. Plus, I felt sorry for the kid. “Patty. Beautiful day. How can I help you?”
“Patrick told me that he’s rejoining the club when he gets back.”
“Uh, that’s more of a conversation to have with Reaper.”
“He won’t see me!” she shouted. “I get he’s busy with that new baby of his but Patrick is my husband.”
“Then have this conversation with Patrick.”
“He won’t’ talk about it. Says it’s club business.”
“Patty, I will tell Reaper you want to see him. Now, you can wait for him to call you or you can ride out to the compound. You know you are welcome.”
“I know,” she sighed. “Look Savage, Patrick has been gone for over a year. I miss him, the boys miss him. I just want some time with him before Reaper gets ahold of him.”
I understood that. I really did. Being a club brother and a member of the armed forces wasn’t easy but our club respected and honored those brothers that served. We didn’t have a lot of them, just Patrick at the moment but we’ve never denied our devotion to our country.
“What can I do for you Officer Seaver?”
“It’s personal,” the kid whispered, looking around to ensure no one else was around. After saying goodbye to Patty, the kid and I walked over to my bike.
“What’s up?”
“I want to join the club.”