Page 49 of Red's Peril: Part 1

Well, hot damn. What can I say to that? My skin says it for me as again I blush.

It’s Wraith’s turn to take out his cigarettes. I need one. Hell, I need another few stiff drinks to process Drum’s commendation. This time, Prez doesn’t join us in lighting up.

“Say you lose one of us.” Wraith draws smoke into his lungs, then blows it out. “If we give so much to Tucson, not saying I agree with you on that,” he adds fast. “But if that’s your thinking, won’t it leave the mother chapter short?”

“Initially, yes. But Dale’s doing well. He’s got a business degree and we’ll be able to put that to use. And the hangaround working on his bike with Blade, Tse, the native American, he’s got some mean computer skills. There’s talent emerging here, Brothers.” He pauses and rubs his hand down his cheek. “Won’t say we wouldn’t miss you, but we can make do. Vegas though…” Again, he pauses. “I don’t want to see a chapter wound up.”

“That’s not where it’s heading, is it?” I freeze, holding my cigarette halfway to my mouth.

“Brothers don’t like their takings being short each month.” Drum states the obvious and shrugs. He leans forward, bringing his two fists down, gently for him, onto the desktop. His action still makes the papers on it jump. “So, like it or not, I’ve got to lose one of you. Question is, which should I choose?”

Chapter Eighteen

Iturn to stare at Wraith. He looks at me, and I can see my expression of horror mirrored on his face. Neither of us want to relocate, that’s for certain, and being such good friends as we are, neither wants the other to go either.

Lowering my gaze, I look down at my hands.I don’t want to leave Tucson.After Vermont, it had become my home—more of a home than I’ve ever had if I’m honest. Sure, prior to my dad getting injured, I’d thought my parents to at least have had an adequate marriage. To me, my mom was okay, making sure I was clothed and fed. My dad, though, he’d been my rock until that fateful accident that had taken them both away. Mom, by choice, Dad, through no fault of his own. Looking after the shell of the man meant I’d grown up fast, and home became somewhere I’d had to be by design not by choice.

It might have been an accident the way I’d landed in Tucson, but I’d stayed because I’d found a family I wanted to be part of. Tongue, Rock, Beef… all of them up to and including Wraith were the friends I’d always have chosen. It was no chore or formality to agree to give my life for theirs when I was voted in as a full member. I belong here.

I know all the brothers in Vegas would have my back, simply because I wear the same colours as them. But it’s not easy knowing I’d have to trust them, without knowing the type of men that they are. And from what Drummer is saying, the club’s in a mess. How could I be so arrogant as to think I might be able to help sort it out? Drummer’s got the wrong man. Sure, he might not want to lose an officer, but Beef, to my mind, would be a great choice. He could bang heads together if needed.

I’m not saying I’m a slouch in the brawn department—Peg’s made certain of that—but I prefer to use my head rather than my muscles, and sometimes that just doesn’t work. Some people need to have sense knocked into them.

Wraith’s the same,which is partly why we’re such friends. He prefers to use reasoning without resorting to fists, or at least, at first.

Maybe that’s what Drummer’s looking for?

Wraith’s head is in his hands as he seems as deep as I am in thought. If I don’t volunteer, he will. I know that. I’ve no doubt our friendship will transcend the miles between us, but what kind of kindred spirit would I be to let him go somewhere he doesn’t want to go just so I can stay comfortable?

His base has always been Tucson. For me, it’s only been a couple of years. I found my place here, maybe I can do that again with a new bunch of brothers beside me. Is it fair to expect him to move on?

It’s not.

Raising my chin, I open my mouth and let out the fateful words, “I’ll go.”

Problem is, I’ve said them at exactly the same time Wraith has reached his own, and similar conclusion. We’ve spoken together.

Drummer snorts. “’Bout what I fuckin’ expected.” He reaches for the whisky and tops up our glasses again. His eyes actually twinkle. “We ride, live and die together. I thought you’d have each other’s backs.”

“So let us both go,” Wraith states, almost pleadingly.

Being a solution I can get on board with, I nod.

“No can do,” Drummer states. “I think you’ve both got great futures in front of you, and I’m not letting Brick have two of my best.”

“What do you want us to do?” Wraith snaps. “Fight it out?”

I smirk toward him. It would be far from the first time we’ve been matched in the ring. The outcome has always been fairly balanced between us—sometimes he gets a lucky shot in, sometimes I get there first. We always provide the brothers with good entertainment, and money put on us are even bets.

“While that would be fun,” Prez starts with a grin, but quickly his face becomes serious, “that’s not how I want this to go down. A move like this has to be permanent. I can’t have you going, thinking you’ll give it a try for a few months and then come back home. That wouldn’t be fair to Brick, or to the Vegas members. Whoever goes can’t go in half-hearted. This is why I’m talking to you. You’ve got to decide between yourselves who’s the most prepared to make this move.”

I have to admit, I’d been thinking along those lines.Go to Vegas, help get them on the right track, then return to Tucson.Now Drummer’s ruled that out, I need to give it more serious thought.

“Drummer, I respect the fuck out of you,” I start, having to stop when Drummer purses his lips.

He pretends to blow me an uncharacteristic kiss, and states, “Love you too, Brother.”

It makes us both snort and relieves some of the tension.

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