“Shit!” Gaige yelled.
Normally, Blaine would just take the punch. But not this time. Blood spilled from his lip and he jumped at Miller. The two tangled until Nate put his head down and rammed his head into Blaine’s gut and lifted him up, carrying him away.
Gaige put a hand to Miller’s chest. “Hey, what are you thinking?”
Miller licked blood from the corner of his mouth. He eyed Blaine. With one swipe, he knocked Gaige’s hand away. He went after Blaine again. Blaine pushed Nate out of the way. The two faced off and then hugged.
“Goddamn,” Miller said. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too,” Blaine said. “I shouldn’t have swung back.”
“This is a lot for all of us,” Miller said. “A table member gone and we know who did it. And we can’t just act.” Miller patted Blaine’s face. “I promise, it’ll work out. The pain, the anger, it’ll work out.”
“Your words ain’t matching your eyes, Miller,” Blaine said.
“I know,” Miller said. “Let’s ride. Let’s go meet this fucking prick and then find a way to kill him.”
“I’ve got it here,” Nate said. “Don’t worry about a thing.”
Miller shook hands with Nate. “Thanks, brother.”
“Okay,” Gaige said. “Let’s get this over with. He’s going to flex his muscles. We flex harder. We already fucked up his ambush attack on you, Miller. So he’s rattled.”
“He’s going to be dead soon,” Miller said. “That’s a promise.”
That was enough talking as far as Miller was concerned. He led Gaige and Blaine to their motorcycles. Out of respect, Gaige and Blaine rode first, wanting to protect their President. With so many enemies out there, Miller needed all the protection he could get.
Fuck that, he thought.
At the gates, he throttled his motorcycle and shot forward, almost taking Gaige and Blaine out. They hurried to move to the left and right, giving Miller a path. He shot out of the lot and took the lead.
The way a President should be.
He didn’t need to fucking hide from a thing. Hell, in some ways, he’d spent years now hiding. Hiding behind his own heart and a choice he made a long time ago. A night when the entire world waited in his damn pocket. A night that got so fucked up, it changed too many lives to count.
The thundering roar of his motorcycle and smack of wind helped to chase away the thoughts. The freedom was short lived as he led the way to the east side of Frelen, where old factories stood as rusted and crippled skeletons. There had been lots of talks about turning it into something, but guys like Chief Jerry and Miller worked hard to keep politics and businessmen out of Frelen.
Now Miller felt more alone than ever in this war. Especially if Frelen ended up developed into some shithole suburbia lifestyle complete with retail shops, car dealerships, and everything to give the illusion of a safe and good life.
Miller gritted his teeth as he turned off the main road to a side road. He spotted Chief Jerry’s SUV up ahead, parked along the side of a building. He put up a fist, ordering Gaige and Blaine to stop. This was going to be face to face and that was it.
When Miller stopped and climbed off the motorcycle, he felt his heart beating a little faster than normal. There was a chance that he could walk around the side of the building and another ambush would be waiting. This time, however, there would be no warning and no plan.
Miller made fists and walked toward the SUV. As he turned the corner, the door to the police vehicle shot open and Chief Jerry climbed out. The first thing he did was draw his service weapon and put it on the hood.
“No guns,” Jerry called out.
“Fair enough,” Miller said.
He took out one of his guns and put it on the ground. Miller knew damn well that the chief was packing more than just one gun.
Jerry touched his breast, at his badge. “Pretend this isn’t here.”
“I’m not pretending a damn thing,” Miller said. He stepped forward. “You took out one of my guys. A fucking table member. A man that put his ass on the line for the MC and for you. A man that helped you with finances when your department was struggling. A smart man. A good man. A fucking loyal man.”
“And let me guess,” Jerry said. “You’re thinking about killing me.”
“Oh, I’m not thinking about it,” Miller said. “I’m going to do it.”
They now stood just feet apart. Chief Jerry slipped his hands into his pockets. So cocky. So confident. It was the reason why Miller hated that right side of wrong and justice. It gave guys like Jerry power they didn’t deserve.
“You’ll never take me out, Miller. I know it. You need me. I need you.”
“I thought you were cashing out? Wasn’t that the plan?”
“Yeah, it was. But since you took out Jake…”
“What? You needed the judge to suck your dick?”
“That’s why I have my wife. Sweet and perfect Ella.”
Miller felt his blood boiling now.
“What the fuck do you want?” Miller asked. “I have a club to go take care of. Guys are on edge. Guys are mourning. Guys are ready to lose their minds.”
“Sad,” Jerry said. “Such a tragic thing. I mean, it’s what happens though, right? When people poke around and they’re not supposed to.”
Miller grabbed Jerry by the shirt and put him against the building. “And what about putting a hit on me? Trying to have Coast Road take me out?”
“I had nothing to do with that,” Jerry said. “I heard about it. I wanted to see you, to make sure you were okay.”
“Fuck you, pig.”
Jerry laughed. “Calling me a pig doesn’t offend me.”
Miller pushed away from Jerry. “You can’t defeat us. I don’t care about your badge. Your department. It’s all bullshit. You’re in as deep as we are. Everything is tied to you, Jerry.”
“I can get out of anything.”
“And what? Take your family on the run?”
“No. I’m not interested in that. I’m going for a fresh and clean slate.”
“So you’re going to leave your wife and kid behind to suffer?”
“Suffer,” Jerry said. “I’m on my own. It’s the only way to be, Miller. You know that. That’s why you never showed up that night. You knew better than to take it somewhere else with her. So I took control. I had the balls to do it.”
“You fucking piece of shit,” Miller said. “You brought me here to talk about the past?”
“Boo-fucking-hoo,” Jerry said.
“Hey, Chief?”
Miller turned his head and saw a woman standing there. Short shorts, a tight black top, her hair pulled back and messy. Everything about her screamed southside drug induced slut.
“Get in the fucking SUV,” Jerry ordered.
“That guy is making noise. I’m trying to sleep. This is when I sleep.”
“How about you spend the next six months in prison, bitch.”
“Next time you need your dick sucked, good luck.”
Miller looked at Jerry. “Are you serious?”
“What? She wants to work the street, fine. I’ll just cash in when I need it.”
As sad it was, it was almost like a small glimmer of hope for Miller. If Jerry was getting pussy somewhere else, then that meant at home…
Stop. You fucking asshole, just stop.
“Playing with dirty pussy,” Miller said.
“It’s the best kind. Doesn’t want to talk about feelings, insurance, and all that shit.”
“All that shit,” Miller said. “You’re a real fuck. I can’t wait to watch…”
Jerry put a hand up. “Save it. I want to show you something.”
“What?”
Jerry nodded and walked. Miller followed. They went around the SUV and sitting in the backseat was one of the Back Down Devil MC prospects.
“What the fuck is this?” Miller asked.
Jerry opened the door. He grabbed the prospect and pulled him out. He s
lammed the young man against the side of the SUV. There were tattoos on his neck. Down his arms, his hands. He wore his plain black cut with the Back Down Devil name on it.
“This piece of trash was having lunch with his mother,” Jerry said.
“You left the lot?” Miller asked.
“I jumped the back gate.”
“For your mother?”
“She’s got fucking cancer,” the prospect yelled.
Miller punched the guy in the mouth. “Don’t raise your voice to me, son.”
The prospect coughed and spit blood. “Sorry, sir.”
“I’m sorry your damn mother has cancer,” Miller said.
“Me too. I try to have lunch with her as much as I can. She’s refused treatment and she’s going to be dead soon. Maybe by now after what happened.”
“What happened?” Miller asked.
“Your prospect here, real name Ben, had a little gun problem a couple years ago. Funny how I stumbled across the paperwork just this morning. I realized that perhaps his gun charge could help point me in the direction of some other gun related crimes.”
“Fuck you,” Ben said. “You’ve got nothing on me.”
“You’re right, I don’t,” Jerry said. “But I’ve got a suspicion. And considering you’re affiliated with a motorcycle club that’s had a sketchy past, I think it’s best we take you in. Pull some old files and dig around.”
“He kicked in my mother’s door,” Ben said. “She fell to the floor and was losing her breath. Goddamn ambulance had to come and get her.”
“You can’t do this,” Miller said.
“It’s done,” Jerry said. He put a finger to Miller’s chest. “And I’m not done yet. I’m going to take you apart, Miller. Piece by fucking piece. Until I get everything I want.”
Miller looked at Ben. The prospect was damn tearing up.
“Miller! Boss!”
It was Blaine, waving a phone.
Miller ran and Jerry called out, “See you soon!”
“This better be fucking good,” Miller growled at Blaine.
“It’s Nate,” Blaine said. “There’s some guy in the lot. He’s got a gun. He’s looking for Griffin.”
five.
Gaige and Blaine were first this time. It pissed Miller off but wasting time arguing was wasting time with a gunman in their lot. They pulled into the lot to a full stand off happening. Erik, Jace, and Landon stood with their guns out. Nate was behind them, shouting orders.
Across the lot, near the motorcycles was a man with a gun to his head.
For a second, Miller didn’t know what the hell was going on.
The guy was short, fat, in old clothes. His hair and facial hair were messy and unkempt. He looked like a bum.
Miller ran to Shay and grabbed him by the shoulder.
Shay took a drag of a cigarette. “Goddamn fool, aye.”
“Who is that?”
“Griffin’s goddamn brother,” Shay said. “Gary. Jesus Christ.”
“The fucking prick wants to die, let him,” Miller said.
“Hey,” Shay said. “It’s his brother. Blood brother.”
“You killed your brother,” Miller said.
Shay nodded.
Miller turned and stepped right out in front of all the weapons. “Everyone wearing leather cut! Stand down! That’s a direct order.”
“Hey, boss,” Blaine said, almost whispering. “I can get behind him. Neutralize this thing. We don’t need guns and blood in the lot right now.”
“Fuck,” Miller said. “Do it. I’ll distract the fat prick.”
Miller stepped forward, staring straight ahead at Griffin’s brother. He knew nothing of Griffin’s family. Some of that family shit was left behind when a man took his leather cut and promised to stay loyal to the club.
Gaige stepped up next to Miller.
“Hey, let me do this,” Gaige said. “In case you get shot.”
Miller looked at Gaige. “You have more to lose than I do.”
There was a second when Miller and Gaige stared at each other, both surprised at Miller’s words.
But dammit if that wasn’t the truth.
Gaige had Emily. She was young, beautiful, and wickedly loyal to Gaige’s lifestyle and his commitment to the MC. If this asshole with the gun wanted to kill someone…
“I’ll do it!”
Miller pushed Gaige away and then approached Griffin’s brother.
“Gary,” Miller said. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“He’s really dead? I want to know. I want to see.”
“There’s nothing to see, buddy. Griffin is gone. He’s buried. I can tell you where…”
“Fuck you!” Gary yelled. “You killed my brother.”
“No, I didn’t. I didn’t kill Griffin. I loved that man. He was a brother to me.”
“He was my brother!”
Miller touched the patch on his cut. “Hey, he was both our brother. In different ways. Now why don’t we go throw back a few shots of whiskey to remember him?”
“That’s what you do?” Gary asked. “You drink? You forget him?”
“I’ll never forget Griffin,” Miller said. He was close to Gary now. Close enough to grab the gun. “I truly loved him.”
“You really mean that?” Gary asked.
Miller nodded. He turned and leaned against the railing, next to Gary. The crazed son of a bitch still had the gun to his own head.
“He helped build this place,” Miller said. “All of it. A smart man with money.”
“He was always smart,” Gary said. “He always helped me. And I was the big brother.”
“You’re older?”
“Three years,” Gary said.
“I never knew that.”
“I haven’t talked to Griffin in five years,” Gary said. “And now I never will.”
He lowered his head and the gun.
From the corner of his eye, Miller saw Blaine down the ramp. He was ready to grab Gary by the ankles and pull, sending the large man down to his face. Miller waved his hand, keeping Blaine away.
Slowly, Miller reached and touched Gary’s shoulder.
“Hey, I’m really fucking sorry. I didn’t know Griffin had close family. I would have called. But we did it the right way for him. As a family. Buried with other brothers. With kindness. With love. With a memory that we will never let go.”
Gary turned his head. “I hated him for being here. Our parents were killed when he was just ten. I was thirteen. We ended up on the street together. We ran and ran. Griffin got smarter and I got dumber. Last time I saw him, we fought. I beat his face bloody, telling him I hated him. And now he’s gone.”
“You believe in religion?”
“No.”
“What do you believe in after death?”
“I’m not dead,” Gary said.
Miller flickered a smile. “You look like him. I never thought I’d say this… but Griffin was skinnier.”
Gary laughed.
The gun was relaxed in his hand.
That’s when Miller moved. He grabbed Gary’s wrist and twisted it. He took the gun out of his hand. Blaine grabbed Gary’s ankles and pulled, sending him toppling to the ground. The fat man burst into tears again and Miller stepped on his back.
“You think you can just come onto my lot and pull a stunt like this?”
“No, I’m sorry,” Gary pleaded. “I need to know.”
Blaine slid through the bottom railing.
Miller waved and all the guys collected around Griffin’s brother. That’s when Miller took his foot away. There was a dirt footprint on Gary’s shirt.
“I just want to know how it all happened,” Gary cried out.
Miller crouched down. He looked up at Blaine and gave a nod. Blaine grabbed Gary and lifted him like he weighed nothing. He sat the large man on his ass.
“You make a move and I’ll break your neck,” Blaine warned.
“I’ve had a bad fucking day,” Miller said.
“The town I’ve built to keep safe is now corrupt. One of the men I’d go to in this situation is dead. Your brother.”
“How did he die?”
“Like a man,” Gaige said. “Bullet to the neck.”
“No,” Gary groaned.” No. That meant if he wasn’t here, he’d be alive. You fuckers did kill him.”
“Call me a name again and watch where that gets you,” Miller said.
Gary looked like he was going to spit at Miller. Miller shot his hand forward and covered Gary’s mouth. He pushed hard and put Gary on his back.
“You listen to me,” Miller said. “We were his family, not you. I don’t know what the fuck you want here. Griffin is fucking dead. He’s gone forever…”
That’s when it finally sunk in for good for Miller.
Gary’s face turned red and he shook his head, trying to fight Miller’s hand away. When Miller took his hand away, Gary gasped for air and cried out for help. Miller slowly stood and backed up.
“Miller,” Gaige said.
“No. Take care of him. Get him out of here.”
“What do you want us to do?” Blaine asked.
“I don’t care,” Miller said. “I just don’t fucking care.”
He turned and charged toward the clubhouse.
He went right inside and right to the bar. A prospect poured him a shot and Miller took it to the conference room. He sat in his seat and stared at Griffin’s seat.
For all the years he and Griffin spent together, he never knew of Griffin’s past life. Not that it ever really bothered him at all though, at least not until now. It sunk in deep that every man out there wearing the cut had a past.
Hell, Miller had his own past.
Miller drank the shot. It tasted like death and burned like hell. He wanted another one. But he didn’t move. Instead, he just sat there, letting the rest of the day waste. His mind going back to a different time. A time he should’ve avoided then and definitely fucking avoided now.
The door opened and Gaige came walking in.
“Hey. You okay?”
“Define okay,” Miller said.
“You need a drink? A bite to eat? A woman?”
“Where’s Griffin’s brother?”
“Gone,” Gaige said.
“Gone as in…”
“He’s not here anymore, Miller. That’s all you need to know.”
SAVAGE LOVE (A Back Down Devil MC Romance Novel) Page 3
