Page 49 of Undone

“This is war.”

“I know.” I muttered, kicking another chair over. I thought I was done with war when my last tour was over. Guess I was wrong. A soldier always has more battles to fight even if his uniform has changed. My patch, my cut, my men are different than when I served in the marines, but I’d die for them just the same. The only way I can get through this without losing my head is if I cut her off. Completely. I’ll go crazy trying to protect her, love her, while cutting this snake’s head off.

“I can’t even tell Lucille what’s going on. The less she knows, the better. I don’t want any of this shit to touch my princess. Especially since I’m gonna have to get the feds involved.”

Will nodded and took out his cell. I already knew who he was calling. There was no need to ask.

“Duke. We have a situation… I don’t give a rat’s ass you ain’t Prez anymore. This shit is serious. It’s the Felons. They’re targeting Smith’s woman. Yeah, I know that shit can’t stand. Will do, brotha,” he replied, hanging up.

“Duke’s in.”

My response was a grunt. Duke and I are close despite how pissed he was at me for how I’m running things—knowing he has my back as I go to, yet another war. We’re both around the same age, both served our country, and now I’m following in his shoes as Prez. He joked they would be big—not friggin’ titanic.

My cell rang.

It was her.

It killed me to do it, but I hit ignore and stuffed my phone into my pocket. Our clubhouse in Oakland isn’t a fortress like what Rog has underneath Sassy’s in Springdale. He built a goddamn bunker under his bar. I used to rag on him relentlessly for it. But he knew what I didn’t—saw much more shit than I ever have despite never going overseas. Now I feel like a boy caught with his pants down, balls showing, while wondering where in the hell I’m gonna hide her.

---