Page 33 of The Devil's Weakness

We haven’t had many heart-to-heart conversations through the years, but he’s always been there for me if I ever needed his advice. I could sure fucking use it right now.

“All right, everyone, settle down.” Stone stands at the front of the room, gathering our attention so Church can begin. “There’s not much to discuss tonight.”

Church is our once-weekly meeting that serves as a round-up of current events, issues, gatherings, etcetera that we’re involved with. We meet in the den of our clubhouse, which is a sacred room. Only fully patched members are permitted here.

“First on the agenda this week—”

My attention is anywhere but on whatever Stone is talking about. I know we have a few things going on this week, but I can’t concentrate enough to listen to him fully. Right now, my focus is solely on the man in the other room fighting for his life and the beautiful girl locked up in the basement.

I blank out for a while after that. When I finally refocus my mind on Stone and his announcements, he’s just about wrapping up.

“Okay, last order of business, the memorial ride in Salisbury. We leave a week from tomorrow… assuming Iron…” he cuts himself off, and I know he’s thinking about whether Iron is going to make it. “Well, let’s just plan on leaving in a week. Make sure you get Cap to inspect your bikes really well over the next few days, so there’s no issue when it comes time to leave. That’s all. Dismissed.”

Stone wastes no more time before exiting the room, no doubt to go lock himself away in his office.

“Man, Stone is more on edge than I’ve ever seen him before,” SoCo speaks up as soon as Stone is out of earshot.

“Yeah, well, that little bitch in the basement isn’t helping matters,” Drama answers.

Don’t do it, Blade. Keep your mouth shut.

“I hope Stone gives us a chance at her before he lets her go, you know what I mean?” SoCo grabs his junk as he speaks, and the entire room erupts in laughter.

Except for me.

“Hey, why don’t you shut the fuck up, SoCo,” I snap.

You did it. You motherfucking idiot.

I should never have said anything, but the idea of him—of any man—putting his hands on her pushed me to my limit.

“Dude, what the fuck, Blade?” Cap chimes in.

Standing from my seat, I walk away. I need some fucking air.

“Blade, what’s the matter with you?” Drama asks, sounding genuinely concerned.

I stop and turn around, facing my brothers.

“I don’t even fucking know. I’m just… fucking worried about Iron, that’s all. Okay?”

They stare at me in silence, and I hope at least one of them believes me.

“I’m sorry,” I offer to SoCo who nods his pardon.

“Yeah, man, we get it.” Hawk stands and walks toward me, placing a hand gently on my bicep. “It’s going to be okay.”

I thank my brother before I head over to The Lair to see if Stone and Bon-Bon need any help tonight. I need to keep my mind off of the girl in the basement.

* * *

I helpedin The Lair for a little while until I saw Sasha’s brother come stumbling through the door. He was fucked the fuck up from whatever the hell he was on. He fell into a couple of patrons, one of which gave him a good shove into one of our bar tables. I was on him, pulling him up from the ground before the other guy had time to kick the shit out of him. I noticed a small packet of powder lying on the floor where he was. I recognized the insignia on it as soon as I saw it.

A skull with a knife through it.

It belongs to our biggest and most hated rivals—a Club just north of us over the Mason-Dixon Line.

Death’s Road MC.

---