I’m grateful that the brig is soundproofed as Shark’s screams grow louder and louder, then he’s begging, crying, whimpering as the blowtorch does its work. Every member stares on, none of us turn away. It’s a brutal reminder that allegiance to the MC is everything. Betray the club and you don’t get a second chance.
I hadn’t lied. I don’t like the smell of burned flesh, nor do I particularly like screams that almost burst my eardrum, and blood, well, if it’s not mine, it’s not so bad. I just don’t much like getting it on me. But I know what I need to do.
I make a gesture, and one by one all club members advance on Shark, taking their revenge on the man who let them down.
There’s not much left of the man by the time I put the bullet into his head.
“Took you fuckin’ long enough. Should have pulled out a few teeth. Let Salem loose…”
“I got results,” I mentally confront the image of Snake.
“Not like me.”
No. Not like him. Just because I don’t do things the same way, doesn’t make me less of a prez. Why should I spend my life comparing myself to a man I’ve no desire to emulate?
Chapter Thirty-One
Patsy
“Ioverheard something.” Dan approaches me as Lost leaves the clubroom, his eyes following all the members as they walk out.
I stack the cue sticks away, ready to be used by someone else, fully intent on doing what Lost suggested and waiting for him in his room.Naked?On my knees?I’ve never wanted a man’s dick in my mouth before, I mean, they pee out of it for Christ’s sake. But for some reason my mouth waters thinking about his. If his mouth on me had blown my mind, could I return the favour, give him as much pleasure as he’d given me?
Distracted by the thoughts in my head, I speak in an off-handed manner to my son. “Yeah? What?”
“That you fuckin’ ran.” His growl gets my full attention. As I turn to him, he continues, “You were going to leave me without a word.”
“I left a note,” I object, flustered. He wasn’t supposed to know about my mistake. I try to justify my actions. “Alder wants me, Dan. If I’d gone away, left a trail away from the club, then everyone here would be safe. I didn’t want to put anyone here in danger.”
Dan stares, then breathes out loudly. “For fuck’s sake, Mom. Don’t you know anything about this MC yet? They protect their own, and you’re Lost’s, Mom, aren’t you?”
I suppose in his eyes I am. “Dan, I’ve never felt this way about a man before, and it scares the hell out of me. What if I stay and he ends up dead?”
“He won’t,” Dan assures me, his eyes like steel. “And if you were determined to leave, why the hell didn’t you ask me to come with you?”
“You’d have been fine.”
“Of course, I’d have been fine.” He rolls his eyes. “But you intended to set off on your own completely unprotected. I should have gone with you.”
He’s standing straight, his body taut, and I suddenly realise something. My son is a grown man, and in his eyes, I don’t need to protect him anymore. He sees himself in the role of protector himself. If he joins the MC, he’ll fit right in.
I lower my eyes, understanding how much I’ve wronged him. “I’m sorry. But I’m here now. Lost brought me back.”
“Thank fuck for that. Mom, promise me. Never, ever run off again. If you even think about it, talk with me first. If you do think that’s the only answer, then I’ll come with you.”
“But you’ve got the chance of a new life here. A new family, Dan.”
“Don’t give a fuck. Blood comes first, Mom. For years I didn’t behave like your son, and I’d like the opportunity to put that to rights.”
“You already have.” I raise my eyes to meet his again. “I know you’ve seen the worst of people and have put that behind you. When you were younger, if you said you were going to join an MC, I’d have acted like I did when you left to go with Phil. But I know what you’re getting into. Prospecting will be hard work and will try you, but I’ve no doubt you’ll get through. I’m proud that you’re going to give it a go.”
“You don’t think it’s all about living the life and free pussy?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Dan!” I admonish. “I’m your mom. I don’t want to think about that. And if I’m staying here with Lost, I hope you’ll be more discreet than some of the brothers.”
He smirks but doesn’t give me the answer I want. I bat his arm. “Anyway, prospects have to stay clear of the club girls until they get patched in.”
“Don’t remind me.” His face falls.
