Page 76 of Marcus: Sins of the Father

“He say anything?” Shane questions, staring in the direction the officer drove.

“Not really. Just called us thugs and said the Dead needed to be taken off the streets and put behind bars.”

“Well, isn’t that the fuckin’ pot calling the kettle black?” Shane shakes his head. “Talk about thugs. They’re corrupt as hell.

“Let’s get to the club. Cole’s gonna want to hear about this shit,” Crash orders, and we all mount our bikes.

***

An hour later, TJ makes his way to the bar. He’s been in church relaying what happened to Cole and all the club officers.

“What’s going on?” I ask, sliding him a beer.

He takes a swig and glances to the hang-arounds and club girls at the pool table, then dips his head, keeping his voice low. “Dad is pissed. Wants to know why the cops are suddenly up our ass. Apparently, our man on the books isn’t our man anymore. Won’t even respond.”

“Wow. I didn’t know we had a guy on the inside.”

“The MC’s been paying off the dude for years. Suddenly something’s changed. Seems like some back door shady shit may be going down. That’s all I heard before I was sent out.”

I take my own chug of beer as the door opens and the brothers troop out.

Crash beelines in our direction. “No more riding solo anytime you’re within ten miles of the club. Understand?”

“Yes, sir,” we both reply.

After he walks off, TJ and I exchange a look. Between the Death Heads and the cops, things are getting pretty intense.

CHAPTER NINETEEN – FIGHTING DIRTY

Marcus—

The cops have kept the club on edge all week. With all the police drama, I’ve had little time to think about the fight with Holt. Now it’s looming over me. Even with the cops breathing down our throats, the club plans to throw a victory party tonight. They have no doubt I’ll go in and kick Holt’s ass. I fight for the club on a pretty regular basis, so I’m sure I have much more experience than Mr. Preppy.

Red Dog went with me on the beer run for the planned party, since we’re still under orders to pair up when leaving or coming to the clubhouse. I follow behind his bike in the van, which is now loaded with cases of beer and bottles of liquor.

A squad car sits in a warehouse parking lot, watching the MC. Red Dog lifts one hand to flip them off as we go by. They flash their lights at him in warning, but Red Dog just laughs and keeps riding. It’s a weird time. Usually, the Dead and local law enforcement get along fairly well. Clearly, something or someone has changed the atmosphere. Cole is itching to figure out who the fuck is behind this new problem of ours.

We roll to a stop, and Red Dog makes his way into the clubhouse while Billy and TJ come over to help me unload the cases.

“You ready for tonight?” Billy asks, sliding a case out of the back of the van and throwing it on his shoulder.

“Yeah, I guess. I mean, I know I can beat the shit out of him. Just hoping Brandy is okay with that.”

“She’ll have to be,” TJ pipes in, grabbing a paper bag full of bottles. “Is she coming?”

“Yeah, I think she, Melissa, and Harley are all riding together.”

That has Billy pausing long enough for me to notice.

“You talked to her since JP’s birthday party?” We set the stuff down behind the bar and head outside to get the rest.

He scoffs. “I’m trying to keep my distance. As impossible as that’s been, it’s the best thing for both of us right now.”

“Well, that’s the smartest decision you’ve made in a while.” TJ grabs a stack of two cases.

“You’re fucking hilarious,” Billy snaps back, slamming the van doors shut.

I grab his shoulder, so he looks at me. “Hey, just a little while longer, right?”

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