Page 4 of Hawk's Cry

“Or, he’s got a reason to be in Arizona,” Dad states.

And that reason could be bad news for the club.

It’s indeed possible he’s dealing close by. The Herreras, the crime family that my father had had to deal with back when I was a kid, had ended up stepping on the cartel’s toes a bit too firmly a few years back. A big falling out ensued by way of a blood bath, or more accurately, a massacre. Since then, while the cartel had tried to take over the city, they’d not completely filled the void. Archangel might well have seen a business opportunity. The Satan’s Devils have never touched drugs themselves, but turn a blind eye to others dealing as long as it doesn’t affect the club.

The problem we have is that the Satan’s Devils were responsible for Archangel going to prison. Since his escape, the club has had cause for worry. If he knew about our part in sending him down, he’s the type who’d want retribution. Learning he’s back on our turf is concerning.

“Whatever he’s doing, I don’t like it.”

Wizard grimaces. “I hear you, Drum. Need everyone to keep their eyes open.”

Archangel will be their problem, not mine. I don’t intend to be a Devil very much longer.

“I’d like the VP’s thoughts on Archangel,” Joker states.

The words wash over me.

“VP,” Wizard snaps. “Joker wants your thoughts.”

He probably doesn’t, as I don’t have any. “I’ll support the prez,” I offer lamely. My comment is rewarded by looks of surprise. Normally I’d contribute a lot more, challenging the prez on his assessment if I think he’s taking a turn down the wrong road, but today I can’t find it within me to care. I’m too tied up in the thought this may be the last time I’m sitting around this table, which would mean I’d turned my world upside down. The touch of regret and sadness takes me by surprise. It’s what I want, isn’t it?

Wizard asks for any other business. Turns out there’s none. As everyone gets up to leave, Wizard shoots out his hand, his fingers curling around my arm.

“You’re not going anywhere,” he says sharply. Then before anyone leaves the room, he barks out, “Got some business to discuss. Stay close, brothers. I may need you all back in.”

With a few curious looks, followed by chin lifts, most trundle out. But looking around, I see several others are staying seated as well. Throttle, Hound, Drummer and Wraith to be precise and Wizard himself, who waits only until Lady, the last one out, closes the door.

“What the fuck’s going on with you?” Prez snarls, and Drummer and Wraith reposition themselves closer to the top end of the table.

“I spoke to Throttle in confidence.” Well, I thought I had. I suppose I hadn’t expressly told him to keep my thoughts quiet. In any event, I glare at the man.

“Throttle did exactly what he should. His role is to watch out for the safety of the club and enforce the rules as you very well know. And any member who is thinking about betraying us very definitely comes under his remit.”

I feel like a kid with my dad and my wife’s father in this meeting, both looking at me with the same disapproving looks they would use when I fucked up as a child. The familiarity of it makes me snarl, “Thinking of leaving isn’t a fuckin’ betrayal. And why the fuck are Drummer and Wraith here? I’m the VP. It should be officers of the club who reprimand me. Not fuckin’ family.”

“Every man seated around this table is your fuckin’ brother, as well you know, Hawk.” Wizard wipes a hand over his face, making me notice he looks tired and drawn. “I was of the mind to bring this up to the whole club in church, but I have a lot of respect for you and thought you’d appreciate talking shit through with a smaller group.” He leans forward. “And yes, I wanted Drummer and Wraith here. Until a few months back they were sitting in the seats you and I now occupy, and have experience we haven’t got. I’d like to get their input on something I’ve not seen handled before.”

Hound clears his throat. “I, for one, have no fuckin’ idea what’s going on. Throttle informed us just before church that you were thinking of leaving the club.” His worried eyes meet mine. “Has he got that wrong, Brother? Because I fuckin’ hope he has. You want to step back as VP? Now that’s something I’d vote to accommodate. But you walking away?” He shakes his head in answer to his own question.

My shoulders rise and fall. “It’s the club I want to move away from.” I speak slowly, carefully, not wanting to be misunderstood. “I don’t want to be VP. Hell, I don’t want to be a member anymore. I don’t want to live on the compound—”

“You gonna leave Olivia?” Wraith snarls, and it’s only Hound’s quick thinking that pulls him back before he can reach over the table to grab me.

“No,” I say fast. “Fuck no, Wraith. I’m not leaving my wife. She’ll be coming with me.”

“What’s she got to say about this?” Dad asks, almost lazily. “She happy with it?”

Again, I shrug. “I only told her today.”

“Told her?” Wizard’s eyebrows rise. “Doesn’t she get a say?”

I stare at him, explaining as though I’m talking to a child. “If I’m not in the club, we can’t stay here long term. That’s obvious. But there’s no rush for us to move. I’ll need to find somewhere to live, get a job. We can wait until the baby’s born—”

“Ain’t having anyone on the compound who’s not club or family,” Drummer snarls, then looks Wizard’s way. He gives a little apologetic shake. “Sorry, Prez.”

Wizard waves off his apology. “It’s why you’re here, Drum. I don’t know what the fuck goes in a situation like this. Never had a man walk away from the club before, in any of our chapters. Not without good fuckin’ reason, or unless they went out bad.”

What are they talking about? Surely they’re not going to kick us out? “Zane’s not club, and he lives here.” I can’t stop myself from pointing out. “And Jacob’s always welcome.”

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