Page 81 of Red's Peril: Part 1

She glances around one last time, her eyes landing on the whisky glass sitting next to an unemptied ashtray, where presumably Brick sat last.

“I’m not sure if I can come back.”

“You will, Rosa. But there’s no hurry. Take your time. You’ve always got a home at the club, and we’ll help with the twins. You’ve lost Brick, but you haven’t lost us.”

Some of her tension leaves her at the reminder we’ll still be there waiting for her. She reaches up and pats my cheek. “Take care of my boys when I’m gone. They’ll need you now.”

Taking boys in this context to be the club members, I don’t hesitate to make her a promise. “I’ll take care of them, Rosa.”

“His bike—”

“Leave it to me. I’ll take care of everything. You don’t need to make any decisions until you get back.”

She bites her lip and looks more vulnerable than I’ve ever seen her. “I feel I’m running out on you.”

I give an exaggerated shake of my head. “You’re not. You’re taking care of yourself and your sons. The other boys you can leave to me.”

“You’re a good man, Red.”

And she was a great old lady to an amazing Prez, I think to myself, as with one final look at the home she shared with Brick, as if soaking in his presence for one last time, she turns to go, leaving me to lock up.

The clubhouse is sombre when I return. All brothers are here. Our businesses are closed. No one’s got any inclination to keep things going. While they all seem to have a glass or a bottle in their hands, conversations are kept low and subdued. I remember it was more of a shock to them than to me. At least I knew it was coming.

As I walk in, I whistle, grimacing when I realise I sound like Brick. When they all turn around, I update them.

“Titch is driving Rosa and the kids to Baker. When he returns, we’ll have church.”

Then, waving off Twister’s offer of a beer, I go into the prez’s office.Brick’s domain,which, if all goes the way he was planning, might soon be mine.

I stand for a moment, eyeing the Satan’s Devil’s insignia hanging behind the desk, recalling the day I vowed myself to be loyal to the patch. I never dreamed of how much it would ask of me.

Then, I move to the rear of the desk, but avoiding Brick’s seat, open the second drawer down. I extract the sealed envelope. Taking it away with me, I go to my room, pour myself a vodka, then settle down to read the missive he’d left me. The last words from Brick.

After reading, I place four phone calls. The first to Drummer, the second to Hellfire, the third to Bird and the last to Snatcher. Annoyingly and strangely, it takes Utah a moment to get their prez on the line, enough time to wonder about the quality of their prospects if along with the title I had to state the name of the man I was after. In each call, I said the same few words and received the same commiserations. To say all were shocked is an understatement.

Drummer, with the sixth sense he’s known for was the only one to question how long I’d known. I’d hedged my answer, but he’d guessed.

“Brick was stubborn to the fuckin’ end. Okay, Red, let me know if there’s anything you need from us, and we’ll talk more at the funeral.”

Nursing the one drink I’m allowing myself, I stand at the window and look out. The sky is blue without a cloud in it, and the sun blazes down. It’s a reminder that life goes on even when there’s one man less breathing.

I challenge myself.Do I really want to do this? Am I ready?I could propose someone else, another VP perhaps willing to move to Vegas and take over. But who is there? Demon from Colorado, perhaps? Thor from Utah? I shake my head. Such a backward club, I doubt anyone would put his name forward. Snake from San Diego? I shudder. I’ve never taken to the man, not that there’s anything particular I can put my finger on, but he’s too arrogant for my likes.

I chuckle as I think of the other option. Wraith. How would it feel for him to be prez and me to be his VP? Workable, perhaps, but in that situation, I’d prefer to be boss. We’d clash, we’re too alike. Equals, I think, which is why he’s the perfect balance for Drummer at the mother chapter. And against him is he’s only been VP for a number of weeks, while my experience is at least measured in months.

I snort. Put like that, there’s little between us.

Except for the note I’d left on my desk.

If Brick’s right and his words count, he’ll have his way, and I’ll get the votes to become the new prez.

That’s why I’m using this alone time to question what is in my grasp to become reality. Until today, it wasn’t certainty, just a notion voiced.

I ask myself again,am I ready?Well, if I’m not now, I never will be.

Do I want to do this?Fuck yes. It’s the realisation of a dream ever since I joined the MC. I thought I’d reached the pinnacle when I was made VP, but to have the top role within my grasp? I’ll be fucked if I’m not prepared to reach out and grab it.

“Red? You in there?”

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