Page 21 of Desert King

“If it’s not us, others will move in.”

“I know, brother. I’ll take a vote here and report up the chain. Compton was a no. So was Dallas.”

“Shit.”

“Gerard wants a meet in Vegas. All the Chapter Prez’s. This decision is too big not to have a council meet on.”

“When is he thinking?”

“Three days.”

“Well I guess I better go pack then. See you there?”

“You will, brother.”

I toss the burner in the trash and stand. I need coffee with a splash of bourbon. Maybe two. Maybe, I’ve gone soft. Maybe I need to return to my roots, clear my head and become the Apache warrior within me.

I walk back out to the main room, stopping short at the sight of the men from Creed—Smith, and Rog, at my bar. “Shit. I forgot you were still here.”

“We wanted to see how the vote went.”

“We are in, but the rest of the chapters are still voting. It will be all or nothing. Globally.”

Smith’s jaw clenches. “We’re not down with that, brotha. This will impact our alliance.”

I nod. “If it’s not us, it’ll be the Scorpions. At least we have a code. I don’t want to do it But at least we’ll handle it with the least amount of violence.”

“So fucked up,” Roger, breathes. “My wife won’t like it.”

“I’m glad I don’t have one.” But as soon as I speak the words, I know it’s a lie. I almost had one. Mandy…

“Roque’s woman had it. He’s gonna go berserk. You want a war with the Salvatore Syndicate?”

“I have no choice!” I roar, kicking a chair over. The two men immediately stand. “Look, I don’t want a war with anyone but my back’s up against a wall here.” The three of them eye me while I pace across the room with clenched fists. The decision isn’t sitting right with me either. But the survival of the entire human race is on the line. In my head I hear Mandy’s sweet voice. “If you lose your humanity, humans are already extinct…”

I stroke my chin, “Maybe I’ll call Salvatore myself. Explain the situation.”

“I’ll arrange something.” Roger gets up. “We’re heading back north.”

“Wait. I’ll ride with you. I’m heading to Vegas to meet with Gerard.”

“Boys!” I bellow to my men still at church. “It’s time to ride!”

I pack a small roll bag and head out. “Sis, you better be good while I’m gone. Don’t leave the compound. I mean it. Shit is about to go south.”

Regan is still bent over her garden. “I’ll do as I please.”

“Regan,” I warn.

Her eyes roll. “You men, think you run the world.”

“We do.”

“Don’t. We live outside of Santa Fe. The most exciting thing going down is our cousin’s Quinceanera next month..

“Shit, I had forgotten about that.”

“We’re hosting, idiot.”

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