Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 114819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 574(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 574(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
“The local news is sayin’ the Maligno club’s responsible. Is that true?” Ray-Ray asked, cutting Dev off, sitting directly across the table from him. His brother looked ready to spit nails. His tone held all the judgment in the world, showing he believed the idea of the Maligno’s culpability.
How the hell was he going to control this group of men?
“I don’t fuckin’ know who did shit, but I got our people on it.” Dev dropped his phone on the hard mahogany table and crossed his arms over his chest, standing with his chin lifted at his full height. If he could magically grow another foot that might help in the intimidation factor. “But here’s what we’re not gonna do. We aren’t goin’ half-cocked on anyone or thing. We’re in a hard position, and until we know for sure, we ain’t pointin’ fingers anywhere. Those days are over. We’ve called a fuckin’ truce for at least the next week, and that’s what we’re gonna have. We’re gonna show up, handle our shit with strength, unity, and pride. Period. When the time comes to exact revenge, I’ll be the first one to lead the way, but we’re not doin’ it now. Got it?”
“It’s bullshit. Our brothers were massacred in the fuckin’ street,” Rocketman shot out in defiance. He got a round of grunts and hollers of support.
Dev stayed silent at the front of the table, his glare and tic in his jaw showed exactly who ran this show. It worked well enough. The room slowly quieted. He wasn’t sure his old man could have ever gotten a hold of this group in just the same way.
“Try me and you’ll find yourself stripped of your patch and out on your ass. I’m not motherfuckin’ playin’.” He let the words sit between him and every other brother in the room. “We’re gonna honor my old man and our fallen brothers, and we’re gonna show the fuckin’ world that we’re on our game.” The words tasted like acid on his tongue. “Shanna’s expectin’ a thousand bikers to descend on our territory. That alone could create a hell of a lot of carnage. We get ’em in here, have a fuckin’ funeral, and then they’ll head out. By then our informants should know more about the truth of who did what. That’s when we go kick some fuckin’ ass.”
He dropped his arms, his fists still locked in place as the room erupted into a battle cry. He let go of a breath as he looked down at Diesel who was still in his seat. Diesel gave a single nod, whatever that meant. Dev’s phone rattled on the table. He saw a thumbs up emoji from Shanna’s phone number, meaning the text was from Cash, who watched this play out. He reached down and turned his phone over, the screen resting against the table, giving the group a couple more moments to show their support before he called their attention again.
“Listen up. We need to talk about who’s doin’ what. We need a bartender and someone to manage the clubhouse and the property for what’s comin’. The place needs to be shoveled out and shined up in the next twenty-four hours. We need food and liquor in masses. Do I have volunteers? And somebody better fuckin’ volunteer or I’m assignin’ Con-man without a vote.”
=♥=
“Daddy, it’s not my favorite,” Mae complained openly, taking the smallest bite of the cauliflower chowder Cash had made for dinner. He grinned as he started to jog back up the staircase. Mae had been doubtful of how well she’d like his dinner from the minute he began cutting the vegetables for the soup.
The puppy at his feet tried hard to keep up while navigating the steps. It didn’t come easy. She’d only made it halfway down before spotting Cash then executing a perfect pivot to come up with him.
Cash had to give it to the animal, she was smart. He guessed they had taken this same route about ten times together. This time, as Cash passed the puppy, he scooped her into his arms and ran the rest of the way for the both of them.
“You didn’t really try it,” Abi replied after she swallowed her bite. She had the exact opposite reaction to the dinner from her sister.
The girls sat on either side of Dev on the landing, watching as Cash got his cardio in by running up and down the staircase. The day started out hard, got harder with each passing hour. But the girls were like little magic healing balms, making all the day’s hardships easier.
“I did too try it. I don’t like it,” Mae shot back with sass. Dev lifted a hand to stop her from saying anything more and pointed to the peanut butter and jelly on her plate. He’d made the backup sandwiches after doubting that any of them would like the dinner.