I was glad he told Deek straight up. It didn’t matter if we’d voted yes. None of the Knights were keen on working with the Vipers.
“You crippled my club. Your mafia friends took out my Prez. You owe me.” He lit up his smoke and inhaled the nicotine into his lungs. It set off a chain reaction. The dude violently coughed and coughed, wheezing like crazy. It wouldn’t surprise me if he spat a lung on the dirt.
“I don’t owe you shit,” Storm hissed.
Deek regained control. “You young fellows, don’t start smoking, or you’ll end up like me.” He hit his chest.
“Good warning, Deek, but we’re not here for a public service announcement.” Prez shifted on the bench, showing his irritation. He wanted to get this meeting over and done to get back to the compound. We’d hauled ass out here. Made it in an hour and a half.
“Storm, I’m willing to do anything you want to rebuild.” Deek snuffed out his cigarette.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I backed away from the picnic table to check my messages. It had to be Grizz updating me on Eve, which wasn’t good.
Grizzly: Sugar left the state. I don’t know where she’s going.
I squeezed my cell phone in my hand.Goddamn, woman.It was wishful thinking she’d actually obey my order to stay at the club. She only listened to Storm. That would be changing.
Art: Where is she headed?
Grizzly: South on I35. She’s in Iowa.
Iowa? What in the fuck was in Iowa? I needed to get on my hog and go after my woman. Once I had her, I’d teach her not to disobey me. How? No fucking idea.
Art: Keep me posted. I’m leaving now.
Grizzly: K
I almost ran to my Harley when Storm said, “None of my crew wants to stay at your club.”
“I’ll do it,” I blurted just to end this meeting so I could leave.
Storm turned his head toward me. “What?”
“It’s fine. I’ll do it.”
“With your club’s help, I can recruit new members and protect my territory from local gangs moving in. But I need more than one of your men. Three might be enough,” Deek said.
“Christ Almighty. You’re asking for too fuckin’ much old man. We aren’t allies,” Storm replied.
Dammit, I needed to get on the road. What in the hell was I supposed to do? I didn’t run the show here and couldn’t draw attention to Eve and me, although I had no problem letting the world know I loved her. Out of respect for her and her sons, I’d keep my mouth shut… for a spell, anyway.
“No, but we can be. Knight’s Legion MC is known throughout the Upper Midwest. You’re admired and feared.” Deek scratched his long salt and pepper beard. It hung down to his chest, almost to his beer belly. He probably hadn’t zipped up his cut in a few decades. “Do you want to be responsible for the chaos that will hit The Cities if we don’t show strength?”
Storm slammed his fist on the table. “Don’t put that on us. Jordy kick-started the war between us.”
“Jordy went behind the council’s backs. Now they’re all dead except for me. I only have a few patched members and prospects. I’m too goddamned old to start over.”
Storm shook his head. “Just shut it down, man. Retire. Enjoy life.”
Deek laughed. “My life will be over before the end of the year.” Weirdly, he looked at me. “Lung cancer sucks.” Another coughing fit started.
“Son of a bitch,” Storm hissed. He jerked his chin at Hero. “What do you think?”
Our SAA crossed his arms over his chest. Hero didn’t appear to like being called out. “Only two men, their choice whether or not to stay at the Viper’s clubhouse.”
Storm looked back at Deek. “Two men or nothing.”
Finally, we were getting somewhere. I moved toward Ire and whispered. “Something’s come up. I need to leave.”