Page 90 of Tick Tock, Boom!

The Royal Bastards had gained back our name, our rep, our standing. There’s been bloodshed, bullets, and betrayals, but we’d come out the other side with steel in our bones.

Minneapolis. Florida. New chapters are rising everywhere. Oakland's got Level. Oahu's got Paniolo. And Ontario? Ontario had Lynx, our second female Prez. A hellcat. Tougher than most of the men I’ve served beside. She proposed starting a rally, a President 's Only network. Share trade secrets, stay connected. Smart. Strategic. She has a vision and reminds me of my father in that way.

The Royal Harlots are also growing and bringing in some value. The Duchess, their National President, has expanded the club under the Royal Bastards umbrella. They have our protection, and we get forty percent of their gains. It’s a win win for both of us. They also provided a strength I didn’t know we needed. They had gained all our respect, and I was willing to back them up for as long as I could.

I turned to Hoax. “What’s going on up north?”

“The Scorpions are stirring shit up in Maine. Warden’s handling it, but he asked for backup.”

“You’re going,” I said flatly. Hoax gave a short nod. No questions asked.

Hellsing let out a long sigh beside him, arms folded, drawl thick as honey from the bayou.

“Ain’t nothin’ but swamp politics and gator shit up there,” he muttered.

The table chuckled. Hellsing, our current Chaplain, was young, bold, sharp as hell with scripture and sarcasm alike. As Virgil’s protege, he took over his seat when Virgil retired. He was a genuine smartass, but he’d grown up with the club and he’d seen some bad shit in his lifetime. I should know, the Devil had come after me once. In my book, after dealing with that evil, he gets a free pass and a well-deserved seat at the table just for keeping us sane and out of evil’s way. Unfortunately he was our conscience, God help us.

“How's the Mydnight Witch doing?” I asked.

He froze. “Ohhh, fuck no.”

“Bloody Scorpions were sniffin' around Grace’s place. I need you to keep watch.”

“Not a chance in hell. Fuck, not even in hell's basement.”

Powertrain barked out a laugh. “Tag, you're it, brother.”

“She’s gonna kill me. Swear to Christ, that woman sharpens knives with my name on the steel.”

“Still breathin', aren't you? Good. Then do your fuckin' job and keep her alive.”

The room cracked with more laughter. Because we all knew the truth. Grace was Virgil’s daughter. She owned a little shop down in the French Quarter. We all knew they had a thing for each other even if they didn’t know it yet. They may despise each other now but I sure as hell knew Hellsing wouldn’t let anything happen to that girl.

“Everyone here’s got an assignment but you.”

“Seriously, you’re going to do this to me?”

“I need you to do what I ask you, Hellsing.” I said sternly.

He was smart enough to lower his head and take the job. “Yes, Sir.”

“Anybody have anything else for me?” After a few seconds of silence, I dismissed them.

Sitting back in my chair I took a deep breath.

This club?

This family?

It was mine. My father had left me with something special and I wasn’t going to let him down.

Looking down at my wrist, I fiddled with the beaded bracelet. It had been my mother’s, and it was blessed by Madame Laveaux.

I hadn’t told anyone this, but she had told me the truth back when I returned. She had read it in the cards. My father had been brutally murdered, and my mother had died from heartbreak. The thought of my mother, had me swallowing back tears and I regret not having taken her with me that night.

My father’s death I had avenged, over and over throughout the years. But that bitterness and that anger changes a man.

My world was full of regrets and rage. They say Vengeance is a dish best served cold, although if I had my hands on Rancid, I’d kill him all over again for what he did to my family.

---