She slams the bottle down on the bar in front of him and then grabs a couple of beers, pops the tops off, and sashays her way to the guys who are over at the pool table.
“What the fuck did she offer you? What services?” he grits, throwing all that anger in my direction.
“To kill my pops.”
His shoulders drop, and he looks back over to the girl. I don’t understand why he doesn’t just claim her already. It’s so fucking obvious to the rest of us that he’s in love with her. But for some unknown reason, he won’t make a move.
“I heard he blocked our bar permit. He’s back to his old shit, huh?”
“Yep.” I take a swig of my drink, lettin’ the burn run slow on this one. “I’m gonna go pay him a visit tomorrow.” Make sure it never fucking happens again.
His chin tips and then his attention shifts back to the other side of the room again, watching Shayna’s every move. She’s giggling at something Dagger has just said, and Link looks like he wants to tear our brother’s head off. I stand from my chair and clasp him on the shoulder, leaving him to stew in his jealousy. Maybe one of these days he’ll finally get off his ass and do something about it.
After what my ex did, I would never willfully encourage anyone to trust a woman, but Shayna’s one of the good ones. She’d never betray him like my ex betrayed me. Loyalty runs through that girl’s veins thicker than blood.
I grab the bottle off the bar and head to my room. Gonna find myself at the bottom of it so I can get some sleep tonight.
3
Rogue
“Are you guys ready to roll?” I turn to Bones and Dagger, and they both tip their heads, revving their engines. It’s time to go pay daddy dearest a visit.
As we ride into town, every head turns. Some people even scurry away like cockroaches. The only ones who need to be afraid are the ones who’ve crossed us. And my dad has put himself at the top of that list.
I flag the men, signaling them to turn, driving my bike right across the manicured lawn and parking directly in front of the entrance. Bones and Dagger flank my sides, forgoing the parking lot. The three of us span the entire walkway, and anyone coming or going from the building will have to pay the toll. It’s time to remind the good ol’ folks of this town who’s boss in these parts, and it’s not William Zegman.
“You can’t park there,” comes a shout from the old man himself as he storms out of the building. He must’ve heardour arrival and known exactly who was here to pay him a visit. I cross my arms, taking a wide stance, noting how Bones and Dagger do the same. My father seems to have gotten shorter in his old age. Or maybe I’ve just grown into a tall-ass motherfucker who towers over him now. As a kid, I used to be intimidated by his size. Now he looks like a pissant who can be squashed under my leather boot.
“You and your thugs need to get off this property before I call the cops.”
I almost want to smirk as I watch the steam fume from his eyes and the pulse on the side of his head starts racing with his rage. Looks like daddy dearest is mad.
“What?” I tilt my head, my voice smooth and calm. “No hello for your kid?”
No, the asshole only has one son now. I’m the lowlife who became a criminal and joined a gang. I’m no longer a member of the family. Haven’t been a member of the family since I told him I wasn’t signing with the team but was joining the military instead.
“You are no son of mine,” he grits, spitting at my feet. Years ago, his disdain would have cut me to the core, but I’ve grown numb to the ways of his world and his nasty opinion of me. His hatred is like an old familiar friend.
“You shouldn’t be so quick to denounce our relation, pops. The Savage Knights protect family. But since you’re no longer my dad, you’re going to get what’s coming to you. This is my one and only warning. You better sign off on the permits for the bar, or else you’ll be gettin’ what’s owed.” We did this man a kindness the last two times, but my fucking patience has run out. “And that means you’ll be paying for the last two stunts you pulled, too.”
“If you think I’m going to let you bastards destroy this town with your drugs and your alcohol, you’re wrong. Your threatsmean nothing, Xander. I have the law on my side and I’m going to call the cops right now.” He pulls out his phone, unlocking the thing so he can dial the police. Let them come. I’d love to get a look at his face when he realizes where their loyalty lies.
“And see…” I shake my head, taking a step forward and crowding his space. “This is where you’re wrong. You must not be paying attention because anytime there’s a so-called ‘drug problem’ in this town, we’re the ones the cops call to deal with the issue. They rely on us to keep the people of this great city safe. They respect us. So, please, be my guest. Call them.”
He starts to resemble a lobster. His face is so red it looks like he’s boiling in that pot of anger he’s simmering in. But it’s the truth. We have the respect of the police. The man before me hasn’t done a goddamn thing for this town other than play a good game of golf. I’d love to hear what he has to tell them. More so, I’d love to watch them bitch him out for wasting their time.
“You need to get back on that piece of scrap metal and get off my property.”
I can’t help but smile. He looks like he wants to shit bricks. Thing is, he’s not going to get away with speaking to me in that tone anymore. I step forward and grip the bastard around his neck, a flash of Davis’s face coming to my mind. Both of these men look so much alike. “Like I said.” I get right in his face. “Deliver the permits or else you’ll be regretting your choice. And if you ever try to stand in our way again, you won’t be able to stand, period. Do I make myself clear?” His eyes narrow in further, refusing to answer me, so I squeeze harder.
“You’ll get your permit.” It’s a strained whisper laced with hatred, but it’s what I needed to hear.
I release him and watch with a smirk as he grabs his neck, struggling to catch his breath. “Come on, brothers. Let’s go to Magda’s and get ourselves a chicken potpie. I’ve worked up quite an appetite.” It’s not every day you get to have a fun visit withthe family. Now, it’s time for a warm, soothing meal to erase the heaviness trying to weigh down my chest.
I leave the bastard with one last glare before turning and heading back to my bike, slipping my shades on and ignoring the onlookers as I saddle up. Dagger and Bones hit my father with a warning glare of their own before they come and climb onto their rides. My brothers want to kill him for what he did to me, but this is not their war. This is a family matter.
“You’ve got one week,” I state, backing my bike up.
