Page 54 of Duke

IF I’M NOT CAREFUL, people could die tonight—myself included.

“You don’t have to ride with me.”

“I do brother.”

I bow my head, praying to God I’m making the right move. “Alright then, let’s go.”

Tucking a hunting knife into my boot with a few extra clips for my Glock, I lead Smith out of the warehouse, to the back gate cloaked in darkness.

I smell the butt of his cigarette before my eyes make out his shadow. My hands instinctively, reach for my Glock with the speed of lightning, “Back the fuck up.”

“Duke, it’s me.”

“Will?”

Without lowering my gun, I walk closer to the only man I trust in the Sacramento chapter of the club my father burned to the ground. My old man trusted Will—writing he was the only honest one of them all. He never let his head get cloudy from girls or drugs.

But he also knows the dirt. It’s no wonder, they make me do “favors” holding my balls, prepared to break them any second.

“He’s going to go after your girl if you do this.”

“It doesn’t matter. She’ll never be safe until I put an end to this shit.”

He throws his butt on the ground, snuffing it out with the heel of his boot. “Fuck. I thought you might say that. All right then. Let’s ride.”

“Are you betraying your club? Going against your brothers on this? They’re going to gut you.”

“No, they won’t. This is a coup brother and I’m about to coronate you our new leader.”

“Fuck. I don’t want this. I have a girl that I’m planning on making my bride. She’s too good for this life.”

“Buck-up boy. It’s your destiny. Take it. Zach’s leading us down the wrong path; you’re the only one the club will follow. You’re our blood but been livin’ on the outside; you’re not tainted by all the bullshit that’s been going on. It has to be you.”

Lowering my head, I let his words sink in. I’ve dodged this moment for years. Evaded my place in the MC, mostly to stick it to my old man. But he’s gone, and vengeance will be mine. Shanna’s mother wasn’t the only victim here. I just received intel—that my proud, stubborn son-of-a-bitch father’s death was a hit. His heart attack was legit, but someone on the inside of the hospital snuffed out his life before he had a chance to fight for what was left of it.

Zach’s been stirring the pot; luring me out ‘cause he knows I’m his greatest threat—the one man who could take his kingdom. But the question is: Will she be my queen when I take the throne? Lifting my head to the moon like a wolf I give my answer.

“Ride.”

Smith and Will bow their heads grinning like mother-fuckers, “Amen, brother.”

“Shut the fuck up Smith. You’re gonna have to earn your patch. I’ll be right back.”

Jogging back inside the metal gate to my office, I unlock a storage cabinet and take out his coat putting it on with pride. I’m glad I held onto it when I was seconds away from burying it with my old man.

Ride or die.

It fits me like a glove and still smells of old cigars and bourbon. I couldn’t save my men in Iraq, but I’m gonna make damn sure I save this club, the women Zach stole andShanna. She’s not gonna be safe until Zach is handled—put-down like a rabid dog.

“I’m gonna get that mother-fucker,” I tell my old man, tipping my head back and raising it to the sky. I’ve never killed anyone in cold-blood before. I don’t intend on starting now, but I will if it comes down to it—I don’t wanna touch my girl with the fresh stain of blood on my hands and soul. But I’ll do anything to keep her safe—even if that means becoming a killer.

“It’s too quiet.”

Both of my knees are planted in the rocky terrain on the side of a hill as I crouch low, scouting the cabin a few hundred yards away.

Cloaked in darkness and leather, I move with the ease of a hunter; slow and deliberate.

“Is this a trap, Will?”

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