Page 107 of Devil's Dilemma

“Fuck no,” groans Thunder. “I don’t want to go back to the heavy work.”

“We’re small fry.” Beef’s brow has deep lines etched on it. “Even if we were into illegal shit in a big way, taking down the Satan’s Devils MC isn’t going to make big headlines.”

“What are you thinking, Beef?”

“Prez, I’ve just been mulling over the conversation we’ve already had. That the Wretched Soulz might have been his target, or maybe even the Mafia by way of the Silvestris.”

“Got any further than what we already discussed?”

“Not really,” Beef sighs. “But it could have been what he hoped to find out. Talk about our associates that wasn’t discussed openly at church. We know there’s no one else here, but what about the Wretched Soulz? Could he have been part of a larger operation?”

“Fuck.” Prez’s quiet for a moment. “I’ve already told them about Skull, but not to look inside their own houses. Guess I’m going to have to have another chat.”

“RIP cool?” Hellfire asks.

Demon shrugs. “Hard to read him. Making the admission we’d patched in an undercover cop wasn’t easy. He was taking it back to the table. Guess I’ll get an update when I next speak to him.”

He lowers his head into his hands after speaking and takes a deep breath. Fuck, I don’t envy him having those conversations. I’d heard the one with Drummer hadn’t been as bad as he’d feared and focused more on future prevention. But as for RIP? This is the second time in a year we’ve gone up against the Wretched Soulz, when normally we co-exist without often crossing paths. But an MC can’t afford to upset the dominant. There’s a chance it could risk losing our charter if they think we’ve been careless. A few glances are being exchanged around the table. The Soulz approve our rules and regs including the vetting of prospects. Could they blame us for letting Skull in? That Demon’s thinking along the same lines is confirmed when he next opens his mouth.

“I promised to give Drummer the head’s up if anything further goes south. Let’s hope it doesn’t. Getting back to what we can deal with. Skull.” Prez brings the meeting back on track. “What’s the plan?” He looks at me.

“Plan is when Mel’s feeling mentally stronger, she’ll bring a case against him. Her dad’s doing the groundwork now. Trouble is, once he submits the disposition, it’s pretty clear they’ll want to interrogate her.”

“She ever going to be strong enough for that?”

“You fuckin’ bet,” I growl. “My old lady’s got inner strength. Just got to give it some time to come back.”

“How is she doing, Ro?” Hellfire’s voice oozes sympathy.

“She has good days and bad days.”

Ink’s eyes half close. “She going to come back around?”

The old ladies have been visiting her, but she’s not yet been to the club. “I hope so.” It’s the best I can offer for now. “Vi’s helping, Demon. I think in her downtimes Mel’s worried that you might think she was a spy.”

“Never,” he growls. “She was innocent. But note that, Pyro. The fact she feels awkward now, all part of the case against the motherfucker.”

“Can’t see how he can keep his job,” Mace observes. “I hope once he’s not wearing a badge, you’ll take the restraints off us.”

I nod, though it’s Demon’s call. I’ve had more than one conversation with the enforcer about finding Skull and showing him extreme prejudice.

Mace shakes his head. “Could save a fuck ton of money if we find him and take him out without the legal shit.”

“He’s disappeared, Mace,” I remind him. “Only way to dig him up is to get him to appear in court, and any damage to him then would shine a light straight on us. And anyway, we’re not spending money. Mel’s attorney is providing his services for free.”

“Which means she’s got the best.”

Her dad certainly has a vested interest in getting justice for his daughter.

“Keep us posted, okay? Updates every church.” Again, Demon pinches the bridge of his nose. “I’m actually siding with Mace. If Skull turns up prior to going to court, if it’s safe, we’ll revisit a permanent solution then. No guarantee the cops won’t close ranks and he’ll get away and walk free.”

“But only if we can guarantee Satan’s Devil’s come away clean,” our VP warns. “Skull’s damaged the club enough, don’t want to add seeing men behind bars for the crime he’s done.”

Everyone nods in agreement. But I reckon, like me, they’re already making plans.

Although Skull had been the main topic, Prez moves on to the normal business of the club. I contribute where necessary, finding a comfort in returning to the men I’ve ridden beside for so long. I smile when, as I expect, Liz says something inappropriate, in return receiving glares from the top of the table. Cad stays serious, offering good observations. Thunder is all for action, and Mace thoughtful. I know and can predict how most people around this table will react in any given situation.

Brothers in Vegas were Devils and had done what they could to make me feel welcome and one of them. But it’s this crew I’m pleased to return to, and this chair my rightful place.

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