Page 74 of Devil's Marker

“I’m gonna need you to expound on that. I want to hear you describe our agreement, in words, so that everybody’s clear.”

“Stars & Bars are leavin’ out. Right now,” Dredge started. “We’re not comin’ back and we’re not takin’ girls. Anymore. Ever.”

“Okay.” Boss nodded. “I think we understand each other. You can go.”

Dredge shoved back from the table, stood, and stomped out. S&B went with him.

Win was gaping internally. He thought Boss had managed to get rid of the scourge without a single act of outward violence, unless you counted Zipper’s interrogation.

The Marauders followed S&B out to the parking lot.

Dredge pointed to the S&B members who had not been in the meeting, saying, “Get on your bikes. We’re leavin’.”

Catcher caught Win’s eye and asked the silent question. Win shook his head to mean, “Let’s get them gone. Then we’ll talk.”

Boss stood on the porch of the Double D flanked by Marauders on both sides. It looked like he was going to pull off a strategic manipulation of epic proportions, right up until the S&B V.P. pulled out a pistol and aimed it at Boss.

Cue saw what was happening fast enough to shove Boss aside and take the bullet meant for the prez. As he went down everybody pulled out weapons. Catcher shot the V.P. in the ass, sending him to the pavement howling like a dog whose hind end had been run over.

The fire fight didn’t last long. Win had purposefully parked his bike on the far end of the row of Marauder motorcycles. He started in that direction, but looked back. Dredge was turning his pistol in Catcher’s direction. Catcher was standing in the middle of the parking lot firing at S&B members like he thought he was wearing some kind of magical flak suit that made him uniquely invincible.

Without hesitation Win drew his gun and fired, hitting Dredge in the throat. Catcher pivoted in time to see Win putting his gun away and straddling his bike.

Hearing sirens approaching, Win took off in the opposite direction, which meant across a vacant lot, a field, an abandoned strip center, and a rundown residential neighborhood. It was a miracle he didn’t tear up a tire, but he made it free and clear.

It was a long time before the adrenaline began to subside. He was halfway to Austin before he stopped shaking, at which point he yelled into the wind, “IT IS NOT A GOOD DAY TO DIE!” He laughed until he was hoarse, feeling more alive than he ever knew imaginable, with more to live for than he ever thought imaginable.

It was nine o’clock when he pulled up to the SSMC compound. It was late for somebody to be manning the gate, but there was a prospect ready to let him in. He supposed that was what Brant had meant by, ‘keep the light on for you’.

Inside all the SSMC members were gathered. They’d apparently been waiting for him. The giant screen TV was turned to news of the Waco motorcycle gang shootout.

Brant came forward and held a glass of whiskey. “Told ‘em where you been, what you’ve been doin’, and what I promised you. We’re all here to deliver on that promise.”

Win took the whiskey, eyes going to the screen. “What’s the outcome?”

“Three dead. Eleven wounded.”

“Who?”

Brant motioned to Arnold. “You got details?”

Arnold typed something into his phone. After a few seconds, he got a ping and read what was there. “Three members of the Stars & Bars motorcycle gang are dead, six wounded.” He looked at Win. “You care about the names?” Win shook his head. “Members of the Marauders motorcycle gang who were wounded. Chapel Roagsen, Paul Smith, Brendon Cravet, Marshall Polosek, and Travers Allender. The five are hospitalized and being held for questioning. Also held for questioning are Bolivar Greer, Stephen Queens, Mack Tripoli, and Travers Catch.”

Win handed the whiskey back to Brant. “I have to make a call.”

Win walked outside while club members exchanged looks.

“Win!” R.C. was sniffling like she’d been crying. “Thank God you’re okay. What happened? They’ve arrested Pop and half the MC. When you didn’t call, I thought maybe…”

“I know. I’m fine and everything else is gonna be okay. Cue took a bullet for Boss. Your dad is fine. They won’t be in jail long. I was there. Saw the whole thing.”

“Where are you?”

“Not in jail. Can you hold on for a couple of hours? If you can, I’ll be there.”

“You’re coming tonight?”

“Yeah. If you want me.”

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