We walked together to the picnic area and grabbed a bench large enough to accommodate both clubs. One on each side of the bench. The area was mostly empty except for a group celebrating Braydon’s 8thbirthday according to the banner and balloons, and a janitor eating his lunch.
“Nice place you’ve picked for us,” Warlock said. “Maybe I’ll go visit the monkeys after we’re done with our chat.”
“Is that what this is? A friendly chat?” I asked.
“Absolutely. Why should it be anything but?”
“Oh, I don’t know. One could imagine that I might be a bit sore over the fact that the Spiders bombed one of our buildings, almost killing two of my people. Or that you’ve been putting the squeeze on businesses under the protection of my club. Or that you’re terrorizing children in my town.”
“Our town, old friend. Don’t forget. We share Portland.”
“If I’m not mistaken, your cut reads ‘GreshamSpiders.’”
“The greater Portland metro area is implied,” Warlock said.
“Is that so? And what about the Burning Saints? What do they have to say about your co-ownership of Portland?”
For the first time, Warlock’s smile dropped. “Don’t worry your pretty, long-haired head about them. I’ll deal with the ‘Burning Taints’ when the time comes. As for the unfortunate accident your property sustained, and my recent administrative work with some of the local businesses I have interest in, let’s just say that I hope that will all be water under the bridge once you hear my proposal.”
“Let me save you some time,” I bit out. “I don’t want to do business with the Spiders. In fact, I want our clubs to stay as far away from each other as possible.”
“Excellent,” Warlock said. “Right off the bat, we want exactly the same thing.”
“Then, what else is there to discuss? You know we run a clean shop, and you don’t see diamonds on our cuts.”
“Same old Hatch. You’ve always been the Boy Scout… with the dirtiest hands.”
“What the fuck’s that supposed to mean?” Mack growled.
“Come on. You guys don’t have to pretend around me. The Dogs of Fire may not officially be a one percent club, but let’s not act like you boys haven’t dug a few holes from time to time.”
“I’m ready to protect my club and my family at all times.” I nodded to my brothers. “As are each of our members.”
“More good news, because that’s exactly what I want you to do. I want you to do what’s right for your club and your family, and I want you to stay out of the Spider’s way as we continue to rebuild our club.”
“Then what’s this business proposal you keep talking about?” Booker asked.
“That’s it. You stay clear of any and all of my business interests within, let’s say, the tri-state area, and I will leave your little scooter club alone.”
“Simple as that?” I asked.
“Yup.”
“What about Motorworks and Daryl?” Flea asked.
Warlock clapped his hands together. “Tell you what. To show my good faith, you can keep your original deal with Daryl, and I won’t interfere. Plus, I’ll thrown in ten grand cash to say how sorry I am about his wife’s accident.”
“Twenty-five,” I replied.
“See, I knew you’d get into the negotiating spirit,” Warlock said. “Fine, twenty-five grand to Daryl’s old lady and you stay out of my business.”
I held out my hand. “Deal.”
Warlock shook my hand before rising to his feet, followed by the rest of us. “See, I told you guys Hatch was a reasonable man and a good president,” he said to his crew. “Hey, did I ever tell you guys that me and him used to ride together down in San Diego? Shit, if I recall, we even banged the same chick.”
“That was a long time ago,” I growled. That ‘chick’ had been my wife, and she’d started steppin’ out with him soon after we were married. I refused to let that settle in my blood because I had Maisie now, and she’d healed all of that, but Warlock was a piece of shit, and the fact he was bringin’ it up proved it.
“It sure was.” Warlock chuckled. “Look at us now, both wearing president patches, working to make peace with old enemies.”
