I hear the laughter in his tone and point my gun at the phone.
“Stay where you are, little brother. You handle your city, and I’ll handle my shit here.”
His laughter fills the line but it’s not friendly. Always mocking with him.
“Well, if you find yourself in need of my expertise, call.” More laughter and it’s starting to weird me out. This is the most laughter I’ve heard from him, ever. “And brother, prove Dad wrong. He’ll be waiting for it.”
“I intend to.”
The call cuts out and I grab the phone and head out. Brothers are preparing to get the call, and I make my way home.
“Babe, come quickly,” Holly squeals as I step into the house. “Listen,” she orders as Rayna makes funny noises over her brother lying on his playmat.
His laughter has both Holly and Rayna beaming with happiness, and I grin. This is the shit I need after dealing with club business.
Rayna continues to make him laugh and when he becomes tired, she gets bored and tells us she’s going over to Sebastian’s.
Holly busies herself preparing a bottle and I pick my son up and settle down on the couch.
“He’s getting so big now,” I murmur, holding him up so his little feet rest on my thighs.
“He should be, he always wants feeding.”
She sits beside me and passes me the bottle after I’ve repositioned him in the crook my arm.
While he gurgles on his milk, I tell Holly, “I’m waiting on a call from JJ then I’m heading out. I won’t be back till late.”
“Be careful.”
“Always am.”
Roman slaps at my cut as he drinks. This is what I did with my dad. I’ve seen the photos mom took.
Did he wonder what I’d be like one day, if my future would be the club? All the thoughts I have with my son. Will he one day be worthy for me to pass the gavel down to him? Will I question his decisions like dad did to me today?
“He’s looking more like you every day,” Holly murmurs softly as Roman’s eyes start to droop.
“Since I’m a good-looking fucker, then I’ll say he’s a lucky boy.”
She laughs quietly and rests her head on my shoulder.
“I love these small moments.”
Kissing the top of her head, I say, “I do too.”
Once Roman’s fed and has been put down in his crib for a nap, I get on with the odd jobs Holly has been on at me to do to keep myself busy waiting on Jay to call. I told the brothers ten minutes, at least they’ll be good to go when I finally give the nod.
Dad meets my eye as I straddle my bike. I hear what he’s saying though his mouth is shut.
His eyes bore into my back as we ride and don’t let up once. This needs to go well for many reasons but mainly to show my dad that my choices as president are right.
JJ and Shane join the formation, and we ride on to the bar. We’re not affiliated with this drinking hole, and I have no concerns about the carnage we’re about to inflict.
Parking side by side along the street, we block in their motorcycles and without wasting a second, we draw our guns, and I lead my club.
It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness, but it takes the Hogs longer to realise it’s us who has walked in. Anyone who doesn’t belong to a motorcycle club scatters, either for the back exit or to find cover. I let off the first shot and the brothers come up beside me and nothing, but gun shots can be heard.
Two Hog bodies hit the floor, and the rest take cover behind the pool table. Lost Souls split off and I use the small table as cover and I let off the rest of my clip. The adrenaline pumping through me spurs me on and I start to feel like my old self.
