Page 13 of Devils Cut

My jaw tightened as I thought about how to respond. It was no secret that I wasn't the settling-down type, but Tempest had me questioning things. Not that I'd ever admit that to Pops. The man already had enough ammunition against me.

"Focus on getting out of here, Pops. Then we can talk about grand-babies and all that shit," I replied, trying to steer the conversation away from my love life or lack thereof.

"Sure, sure," he said, waving a dismissive hand. "But remember, Corvus, a good woman by your side can make all the difference in this world."

I stared at my old man through the scratched-up glass, seeing a faded reflection of myself. He was the president and I, now the vice president. But unlike him, I wasn't loyal to just one woman.

"Thanks for the advice, Pops," I muttered, my mind drifting to the relationship he had with Mom. He never cheated on her, not once. And she'd been by his side through thick and thin. Was I capable of that? Tempest stirred something in me sure, but was it enough?

"Enough about that," Pops said, snapping me back to reality. "How's work?"

"Busy, but good," I replied, choosing my words carefully. "The bar's doing well, thinking about expanding. Buy another place." It was all code, of course. The gun shipments were paying off, and we were looking to broaden our reach.

"Really?" His eyes narrowed, reading between the lines. "Well, keep focusing on what we got for now. Make sure everything's running smooth."

"Got it, Pops," I nodded, knowing he didn't want us to dive into new territory just yet. We needed to make sure our current operation was solid before we took on more responsibility.

"Good," he grunted, satisfied with my answer. "Don't bite off more than you can chew."

The rest of our conversation was filled with club matters and updates on our brothers. All the while, thoughts of Tempest and what Pops had said nagged at me. Did I really need someone steady in my life? Her age was keeping me at arm’s length though.

"Remember, Corvus, loyalty above all else." He leaned closer to the glass, his eyes intense. "That's what keeps this family together."

"Always, Pops." My heart thudded in my chest as I echoed his sentiment. Loyalty - it was the backbone of our club, the glue that held us together through the chaos of our lives.

"Take care of yourself, son." Pops' voice softened, a rare moment of vulnerability shining through. "And don't forget what I said about finding an old lady. You need someone who'll have your back, through thick and thin."

"Got it, Pops." As much as it pained me to admit it, he was right. Tempest had been on my mind ever since our encounter, and maybe she was the one who could finally break through these walls I'd built around myself.

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I got back to the bar around 3 pm, and it was already packed. Friday always brought the boys out early, eager to blow off steam and forget the week's troubles. The familiar roar of engines, the smell of leather and gasoline, and the laughter rising above the cacophony of voices reminded me that I belonged here.

They always started at the bar, then moved to the clubhouse later on – today seemed no different. As I approached, I noticed the only bike park left was my own, right at the front door. A small, satisfied grin tugged at my lips.

"Corvus!" a voice shouted over the din, drawing my attention as I stepped inside. "You're just in time!"

"Yeah," I muttered, scanning the crowd. "Looks like it."

The atmosphere inside was electric, fuelled by liquor, camaraderie, and anticipation for the night ahead. But beneath the surface, there was always an underlying tension that could spark into violence at any moment. We were a family, but we were also a powder keg.

The deafening sound of a local rock band filled the room. Brothers shouted above the music, their laughter wild and unrestrained. This was our world, our kingdom, and I felt at home amidst the chaos.

"Killer," I yelled over the noise, "how's it been?"

"Started filling up about thirty minutes ago," he replied, raising his voice to be heard. "Getting a bit rough in here now."

I nodded, taking in the scene before me. The small stage was alive with energy as the band belted out cover songs of old hits. It was a familiar sight, one that never failed to stir something deep within me.

Turning my attention to the front bar, I saw Amanda and Tempest working hard, pouring drinks and smiling. Their movements were fluid, almost synchronised, as they navigated the chaos with ease.

"Need any help?" I asked Amanda, sliding behind the bar.

"Grab the end of the bar, boss," she replied, her eyes never leaving the customer she was serving.

As I walked past Tempest, my hand twitched with the urge to slap her ass. If she'd been one of the club whores, I would've had no hesitation. They knew their place, and that place was to service me and my brothers. But Tempest was different - an outsider who'd stumbled into our world and managed to carve out a place for herself. The line in the sand had been drawn, but damn if the urge to cross it didn't gnaw at me like a caged beast.

It wasn't out of the ordinary for me to help Amanda out from time to time; we'd been doing this together for years. But today felt different, with Tempest there, so full of life and innocence. It made the darkness inside me feel all the more potent.

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