Page 74 of Red's Peril: Part 1

“Take care, Wraith.” I know this must have hit them all badly. “I’ll see you in a couple of days.”

“Want me to warm Pussy up for you?” His tone, which had understandably been sombre, lightens.

I snort. Trust Wraith. But the thought of sharing Pussy just like old days? Fuck yeah. I end the call having answered in the affirmative.

I’m the last to enter church. As I take my seat, Brick is watching me carefully.

“Problems?”

I tap the table and grimace. “Tucson’s lost Lefty, their VP. Came off his bike, apparently.”

“A hit?” Indian queries.

“Nah.” I’m basing that on the way Wraith told me. “Accident. Anyway, the funeral’s Monday. We’re all invited.” I catch Brick’s eye and hold it. “I’ve given your apologies already.”

“Whatcha up to, Prez?”

I round on Titch. “He’s got a meet with Missile.”

Brick raises an eyebrow at me and gives a nod showing he’s caught on quickly. “In turn, I’ll give your apologies to the Wretched Soulz. You’re right, one of us should be there.”

“I’m up for a shindig,” Rope says.

“Me too,” Cuff joins in, not surprisingly.

I bite my tongue to stop myself growling that they’ll be going to pay their respects, but they hadn’t known Lefty, and wouldn’t know how much the man meant to me.

As it turns out, with the exception of Titch, most want to go. Lefty was a Satan’s Devil, and he’d get the send-off he’d have been right to expect.

After our normal business is sorted, Joker gets his instructions to make sure everyone gets their bikes ready for the ride. It’s decided Sarge will be coming to drive the crash truck.

I start to look forward to returning to Tucson, even if it’s for a reason I wouldn’t have chosen. The Arizona chapter started me on my MC journey. I’ve a lot to be thankful to them for, including Lefty, of course. Fuck, but it will seem odd without him there.

Joker proves I was right to suggest him for the role, and thanks to his diligence, our ride to Tucson goes without incident. He’s planned every detail down to all the fuel stops, taking account of the various sized tanks. The crash truck was loaded with spare tyres and parts, thankfully none of which were needed.

Having set off in the small hours, it’s one in the afternoon when we arrive. There’s not much time to do anything other than take our place in the escort following the hearse. Then, as always, we all stand with heads bowed as we remember our fallen brother while he’s being laid into the ground.

There but for the grace of God, or of Satan, go I,goes through my head and I don’t doubt the majority of others. A turn misjudged, a slick of oil on the road, a spoke through a tyre could happen to any of us at any time. There’s a reason why bikers pledge their lives so readily. Just riding means they’re already living on the edge. Any person who mounts a two-wheeler knows they take their life in their hands each time they ride.

It doesn’t mean the loss of a brother is made easier. It’s always fucking hard and serves to remind us all of our own fragile longevity.

Honours done, we again fall in line and ride back to Tucson. On the compound, we meet with a variety of people. Colorado, Utah and San Diego have turned out in numbers. As the highest-ranking member from Vegas, I have to exchange pleasantries with the prezes of the other clubs. Hellfire and Snatcher are both old-school, gruff, but clearly good at their jobs and have a ton of respect from their members. Bird from San Diego also seems alright. It’s the first time I’ve been greeted as a fellow officer, and I don’t feel I let myself or my club down.

Thank fuck.If Brick’s health declines, I’ll soon be their equal. That’s still hard to get my head around.

Eventually, my duties as Vegas’s representative are done, and I catch up with Wraith.

“You fucker!” I pull him in and slap his back. “I’ve heard your news. You kept that quiet.”

Wraith looks in no way contrite. “It’s Lefty’s day.”

“True. But congrats are also in order. Hey, Brother. Look at us now.” I stab at the brand-new VP patch on his cut.

He can’t hide his pleasure and he gives a wide grin. “Puts all that back-breaking work into perspective,” he agrees.

“What’s it like working with Drummer?”

“Give me a fuckin’ chance.” He chuckles. “But it will be fine. Prez and I have similar views.”

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