Page 47

Dante

“This is all going to go tits up,” Sunshine said in his usual grumpy tone.

We had been in church for the past hour, and none of us were any closer to coming to any sort of agreement. The Rough Riders had sent one of their prospects to deliver a message. The note was currently sitting in the middle of the table.

We need to talk.

We have no intention of letting this go any further.

Macbeth is dead, and as far as we’re concerned, that’s the end of it.

When Macbeth came to us, we wanted to use him to mess with you, not to cause this much death and bloodshed.

We have the police breathing down our necks, as I’m sure you guys do.

We were not responsible for the fire that burnt down your clubhouse, and text messages on Macbeth’s phone will prove this.

We do not want war with the Devil’s.

If you want to discuss this further, send a representative to meet with our vice Friday at the border. 11am.

Harley.

“What do you think, Vienna?” Crash asked.

“None of my moles have a clue about this. Whenever this was decided, it wasn’t done with the approval of the entire club.”

“I’m sure Rachel said she heard Macbeth speaking to a member of the Riders when he broke into the town house. This,” I spat, picking up the note. “Is a smokescreen.”

“What’s the alternative?” Crash demanded. “If we don’t respond to this one way or another, then this situation keeps on escalating. We have a chance here to call a truce. It won’t last, it never does, but it gives a chance for cooler heads to prevail. ”

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I left the rest of the guys to argue amongst themselves as I pulled it out and checked the text.

The minute I opened it, my eyes almost bulged out of their sockets as I drink in the image on my phone.

Rachel was sitting on the edge of the bed, wearing nothing but her new leather jacket.

Her red hair was thrown over one of her shoulders, and the folds of the jacket covered her tits, but I could still see the round outlines of them in the middle.

Her legs were spread, but the belt buckle of her jacket was between them, shielding her pussy from my hungry gaze.

The caption “this may be my new favourite item of clothing. Aren’t memories the best?

” Was written across the bottom of the image.

You’re killing me , I quickly sent to her.

You killed me on that bike. Hurry up and finish your meeting so we can end our torture before Bee ends up an orphan.

Stay exactly like that. I won’t be long.

“Dante, are you with us?” Crash asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

Jesus, what was this woman doing to me?

I had never not given church my full attention before. I silenced my phone and pocketed it so I couldn’t give in to further temptation and listened to the discussion. I pulled out a smoke and sat back in my chair as I listened to the men argue amongst themselves.

After ten minutes of back and forth, I’d had enough and sat forward, stubbing my smoke out in the ashtray.

“Right,” I said, blowing the last puff of smoke to the side.

“This is getting us nowhere. Who here thinks this is a setup?” I paused as I waited for the men to speak up.

Around half did. “And I assume you others are going with a show of faith?” They murmured their agreement.

“Right. I personally am on the fence. I think, given half the chance, they’ll rough up whatever man we send.

Which is why the prospects and untitled men are off limits. ”

“You think the higher ranked, the less chance someone will get hurt?” Crash asked .

“I think they’ll be fucking moronic to hurt a ranked member.

They know war is on the horizon, and that we wouldn’t hesitate to kill for any man here.

But sending a ranked member shows them that one, we’re taking their offer seriously.

And two, that we also don’t fucking trust them. Which is why I’m going to go.”

“Dante?” Crash questioned.

“It’s the right decision. I—”

“I’m going,” Zach interrupted.

“The fuck you are!”

“I’ve known Harley since we were kids. I’m not saying we’re friends, but once he hears I’m going, this meeting will go much smoother. Trust me. I’m third in command. I know the history better than anyone, and I’m able to make decisions on the president’s behalf.”

“And I can’t?”

“You can,” he said slowly, as though he was choosing his words carefully.

“But you’re also as hot-headed as Damien is.

You and Harley’s son have never seen eye to eye.

And whilst you’re going to have to find a way to be on even ground once you’re both president, Harley and I already have that sorted. ”

I paused as I thought about what he said.

Damien was a first prized twat, and there was no love lost between us, but Zach was right when he said that now was not the time for two hotheads' meeting up.

One wrong move from either of us, and we were thrown into a war that none of us wanted.

Zach had the advantage of time. Whilst the Riders were our enemies, Crash and Zach had managed to maintain enough of a relationship with them over the years that we had been peaceful enemies.

Until Macbeth had gone stirring the pot, that is.

“Then I’ll go,” Crash interrupted.

“Not a chance,” Zach shook his head. “They’re not sending their president; we’re not sending ours.

Dante is needed here; Bee comes home tomorrow.

You’re not going unless we get word that Harley is going as well.

I can handle this. This is my job. You forget, I was vice for a long time before Dante took over – as he rightfully should have.

But I’ve dealt with them like this before.

This won’t be the first meeting I’ve had with them.

And Harley isn’t a stupid man. He’ll understand why I was sent and not Dante.

Honestly, I’m surprised he’s sent Damien. ”

“He’s wanting Damien to start taking a more leadership role,” Vienna said.

“This will be a good way for Damien to show that he can be trusted. Which is further reason for Dante not to go. Damien needs to be able to prove himself, and Dante will fuck it up. What?” he hissed, throwing his hands up in defence as I shot him a nasty look.

“You know you wouldn’t be able to resist winding him up. ”

“We put it to a vote,” Crash said firmly. “One by one, so there’s no mistaking your vote. Round the table, starting with Dante.”

“Aye,” I said with a heavy sigh.

“Vienna.”

“Aye.”

“Hacksaw.”

“Yes.”

“Shark.”

“Yes.”

“Trent.”

“No.”

That wasn’t surprising from Zach’s son, but unless others agreed, his vote would make no difference.

“Chris.” Zach’s other son.

“Aye.” I raised my eyebrows slightly but said nothing.

“Liam.”

“Aye.”

“Rooster.”

“No.”

“Chicken.”

“No.”

“Ant.”

“Aye.”

“Doc.”

“Aye.”

“Tools.”

“Aye.”

“Sunshine.”

“No.”

“Riley.”

“Yes. ”

“Monster.”

“Aye.”

“Prospects, I’m going to allow you a vote. Shawn?”

“No.”

“James?”

“Yes.”

“Then it’s decided,” Crash said, his mouth set in a grim line as he banged the gavel down. “Zach will meet with Vice President Damien in two days. Listen to me, brother,” he said firmly. “You keep in contact with me at all times.”

“I’ve done this dozens of times. And in more precarious circumstances than this. We all remember what happened with Gab…”

“Let’s not bring that up again,” I hurried to add, hearing Vienna’s sharp intake of breath.

“Agreed,” Crash nodded his head. “Meeting adjourned.”

“You better make Bee’s coming home party a good one, considering it might be the last one Zach ever takes part in.” Vienna laughed, earning him a slap around the back of the head from Crash as we all left the room.

I shook my head and ignored them, my thoughts going back to the half-naked woman waiting for me in the bedroom.