Page 37 of Deacon

My heart races wildly when the ringing fills the room, alerting me that Tinker Belle is calling Squeak.

You have reached Janelle’s phone. I’m unable to take your call but please leave a message. When time permits, I’ll give you a callback.

“I should find comfort in the fact that you got multiple rings before the voicemail picked up. Instead, I feel like—” My wordstrail off when I’m able to fully express how I’m feeling at this moment.

“Let’s go by her apartment to see if she went home. If not, we can ride by her parents’ house, but Mom isn’t gonna let us breathe in Squeak’s direction while on our bikes. So for now, we’ll drive by to see if the car she’s driving is at the house,” Tinker Belle says.

“Let’s ride then. After this, your ass will be going to the ER, Deacon,” Diesel says, appearing out of the blue, causing me to lift my hand and nod wordlessly.

Unlike everyone else, I came from work because I didn’t have time to go home to get my bike. Therefore, I’m in my truck, and it's a good thing from the looks of my fast-swelling hand.

“I’ll drive because your dumb ass ain’t gonna be able to,” Gunz says, frowning.

“What I want to know is how did someone get close enough to Squeak to snap a fucking picture? Did you pull Jasper and Too Sweet off her detail?”

Staring at Diesel, I work to control the fury burning within me as he and Gunz guard my room at Shadow Stew Memorial. While Squeak wasn’t at her apartment, Tinker Belle pointed out the car she’d been driving when the club pulled up on Squeak’s parents' residential street. Following Diesel’s instruction to not make our presence known, everyone but Tinker Belle, Diesel, and Gunz, who was driving me, rode down the street after they got in my truck.

“Yeah, Bulldog released them since so much time has passed with no other incidents,” Diesel says.

A low chuckle escapes my mouth, and lava-like heat flows through my bloodstream before I speak my truth.

“So it's fuck Squeak, huh? Never mind you niggas forced me to toss her aside for club shit, but now she’s out there unguarded. What the fuck happened to loyalty and brotherhood? Did you know about this shit?” I say harshly, and my eyes shift to my best friend, who has yet to say anything.

“Actually, I didn’t,” Gunz says before shooting daggers at Diesel. “Since when did Bulldog call the shots like his ass still runs this club?”

“Makes me wonder if his old ass has a hidden agenda or some shit. What’s his problem? He mad that he didn’t get to stake a claim on Squeak with his grandpa dick.”

“This ain’t how we move, Diesel. I suggest you put Bulldog in his fucking place before I do,” Gunz says deadpan.

For some reason, Diesel allows Bulldog to have more input in the club than he should because he’s the club’s founder. However, Bulldog was never someone who had the ability to lead a motorcycle club. His motivation was power and pussy, which he often lets cloud his judgment.

“Putting Bulldog in the dirt if a scuff mark hits Squeak’s shoe won’t be challenging for me. About that woman, I’ll walk away from this club shit. Matter of fact, my loyalty to Baxtown Iron, keeping me from my forever, has just lost its grip on me. Fucked up hand or not, I got some hollow points for any nigga willing to challenge me on my stance. Letting Squeak fall into a nigga’s web is a wrap,” I say, staring intently at Diesel.

“My bad, Deacon. This shit is on me, and I take full responsibility. You won’t have any pushback from me or anyone else. Squeak is family, and I’m sorry for not protecting her or allowing you to do so,” Gunz says.

“Agreed,” Diesel says.

*knock, knock*

“Good evening, Mr. Redmond. What brings you in today?” a white man wearing a white coat enters the room with an iPad in his hand.

“My temper,” I say, holding my right hand out so he can inspect the reason for my visit.

“Oh. Looks like you did it good. Hm. Let me order some X-rays so we can see if that temper of yours will have you in a wrap or a cast,” the doctor says, typing quickly without touching my hand, which I appreciate.

An undetermined time later…

1. Go get my woman even if I have to knock Mrs. Stephens's wig lopsided.

2. Fuck her until she loses the will to leave me again.

Nigga, you left her with your list-making crazy ass. How are you talking about fucking Squeak after putting paws on her momma?

Ignoring the statement from my conscience, I look heavenward before adding another item to my list of winning Squeak’s heart.

3. Remove the nigga threatening Squeak’s peace from this world.

4. Marry Squeak’s stubborn ass, even if I have to get her drunk to do so.

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