Page 59 of Devil's Due

The ayes around the table are resounding, More than one brother glances at his neighbour and nods. It saves us from an outright war with either the Jokers or the Wretched Soulz. Of course, it also means we’re helping the feds with their business. But in this instance, if it means Stevie stays breathing, they’re the lesser evil.

“Motion carried. But I think we all know we’ll be revisiting this again.”

Demon’s right. At least we’re not as much in the dark as we were, we know who’s after her and why. Just not who betrayed and outed her.

“Prez?” Hellfire raises his hand. “All this talk about possible outcomes, is it time to consider strengthening our ranks? It was going to come up soon anyway; how about bringing Wills and Dan to the table and giving Beaver and Karl their prospect patches?”

With his lips curved sarcastically, Demon responds, “Is this the right time to bring new blood around the table?”

What he means is the more people in the know, the more risk of something slipping. I have a contrary view, one which supports Hell’s desire to have a larger pool of men. “Wills and Dan done their time?”

“And then some.” Demon’s eyes stare at me, and he raises his chin.

He knows I’m going somewhere, just not where yet. “Then you trust them to know where the bodies are buried.” A round of low laughter and smirks. Of course they do, wouldn’t be near getting a patch if they didn’t. “Beaver and Karl. Investigated enough to bring them on board as prospects?”

Cad perks up. “I have. Nothing in their backgrounds looked off.”

“Where you going with this, Beef?”

“Wills and Dan. If there’s nothing else in their way, bring them to the table. Can’t trust them with the life of a brother, then we shouldn’t even be discussing giving them their patch. And they already know Stevie’s staying with me.” Nods of agreement from everyone. “Beaver and Karl, though, they stay in the dark. Get them to bring shit up to the cabin, but warn me, for fuck’s sake. I’ll get it looking like a bachelor pad, find somewhere to stash Stevie while they’re visiting. If they’re on the up and up they won’t spout shit in any event, if not, they won’t see anything to talk about.”

“Like that idea, Prez.” Hellfire’s regarding me carefully.

Prez raises and dips his chin. A silent communication goes between him and his father. Then he picks up the gavel again. “Next church we patch them in. Think we’re all talked out tonight, Brothers. I, for one, want a drink and to fuck my ol’ lady.”

The gavel starts to descend. “Prez, before you finish up, can I say something?”

Skull’s spoken for only the second time this meeting. There are sighs that their gratification in whatever way they prefer is going to be delayed for a moment, but Skull gets the nod to continue.

He shifts awkwardly in his seat. “I, er, I, well. There’s a woman.”

“You want some advice?” I ask, my lips curving. “You know your dick, well…”

“I know what to do with my dick, thank you,Brother.” But his lips quirk as he continues, “I’m pretty serious about her. Would like to bring her to the club.”

“You talkin’ claimin’ an ol’ lady?” Demon’s eyes are wide. So are everyone else’s. “She a civilian?”

“Yeah, that’s why I’d like her to come around. See if she’ll be a good fit.”

“Give me her name, Skull. I’ll look into her.”

“If she passes Cad’s investigation, sure, Skull. Be interested to see what’s got your motor revving.”

There’s laughter, but also shock. Unlike in Tucson where brothers are dropping like flies falling into the old lady trap, here in Pueblo, most are single. Looks like another one’s going down soon though. I eye Skull thoughtfully. Whoever this woman is, he seems pretty smitten.

“She comes here? She’s mine.” Showing more determination than I’ve noticed before, Skull goes on the offensive.

“We’ll behave,” Ink reassures him.

“Gotta test her out though.” As Skull starts to stand, Pyro continues fast, “Not gonna fuck her, man. Whether her pussy is tight is your business. Nah, just gotta make sure she understands club business ain’t hers. Ain’t gonna put up with a bitch whining she’s not being told shit.”

This time the gavel does hit the table. “Church fuckin’ over.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Icould have hung around to have a beer, but I’ve got enough back at the cabin. I could have fucked a sweet butt, but I’ve got…Damn it.I’ve no idea what I’ve got waiting for me on my return. As I pass the brothers stopping only to exchange a few necessary pleasantries, I try to make as direct a line as possible to my bike. Once outside in the fresh air, I’m suddenly not so impatient, and my mind starts whirring.

Will Stevie be waiting to continue what was interrupted this afternoon?

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