Page 19 of Outlaw Xmas
Rubbing his eyeswith his callused fingers, Banger tipped the leather chair back and stretched out his legs. He’d been sitting at the desk most of the day, and the glare from the computer screen was playing havoc on his baby blues. He glanced out the window and stared at the falling snow.Someone’s messin’ with us and I don’t know who the fuck it is.His chest tightened and the dull throb at the base of his skull indicated a doozy of a headache was on its way. Gripping the back of his neck, he rubbed it while he watched the snowflakes twirl and turn as they fell silently down.
As president of the Insurgents MC, Banger was the man the brothers depended on to make the right decisions for the club. He wasn’t just the president of the MC in Pinewood Springs, but he was the national president as well, and that honor came with a huge burden. Decisions made in the national club carried over to all the chapters throughout Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Utah, and Kansas. If he fucked up, it’d ripple to all three hundred and fifty brothers.
Glancing down at the papers on his desk again, he picked up a bottle of aspirin, shook out three tablets, and guzzled them down with a gulp of water. He thumbed through the various correspondences he’d received from Insurgent charters as well as affiliate clubs around the country. Something wasn’t right. It seemed like the Deadly Demons were trying to move into Colorado and set up shop selling fucking smack, crack, and acid, but some of the reports coming in led Banger to question whether Reaper was behind the push, or some other club or organization was trying to mimic the Deadly Demons and start a war between the Insurgents and them.
Fuck!He pushed the papers away and closed his eyes, only opening them when a soft knock came at the door.
“Come in.” A smile spread across his face when Kylie walked in. He hadn’t seen her in over a month, and he missed his daughter terribly. “You’re a nice sight for sore eyes. When did you get back to Pinewood?”
“Last night. The drive was a bitch.” She walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek while wrapping her arm around his shoulders. “You look exhausted. I worry about you.”
“Well don’t. I’m fine. Anyway, Belle’s doing enough worrying for the both of you.” A frown settled on his forehead. “You made the drive from Crested Peak by yourself? Where the fuck was Jerry?”
“He drove me back. You’re always on his case, Dad.” She went around and sank into the chair in front of his desk.
“I just wanna make sure he’s treatin’ you right. I’ve told him I have zero tolerance for any shit he does that hurts you.”
Shaking her head, Kylie’s blue eyes sparkled. “Poor Jerry. You’ll never ease up on him, will you?”
“No fuckin’ way. I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be that way until I die. You gonna stay for supper?”
“Yes. Jerry’s playing poker with the brothers at Throttle’s house. I’m surprised you’re not over there.”
“I have too much shit on my mind to concentrate on the game so I passed this time. Maybe next month.”
“You getting one of your headaches?”
Banger nodded and she rose to her feet and moved behind him, placing her hands on his shoulders. Slowly she massaged the tight muscles, her fingers working wonders on the knots at the base of his neck. He closed his eyes and let himself relax as memories of a young Kylie flooded his mind.
“Does it feel better?”
“Yeah.” He grasped her hands, brought them to his mouth, and kissed them. “You’ve still got the touch. I remember how you used to have to climb up on a chair to give your old dad a neck rub. You always knew when I needed one.”
“I still do. You need to relax more. Belle told me you have something big worrying you. She said you’re not sleeping well, and you bury yourself in here or at your office at the clubhouse. She’s worried about you, and so am I.”
“Sometimes shit happens and I’ve got to figure it out. That’s what a president does.”
Kylie came back around and plopped down in the chair again. “How much longer are you planning on being president?”
“What the fuck kind of question is that?”
“I mean, don’t you want to slow down a bit? Go on trips with Belle? It’s freezing cold outside, so wouldn’t it be awesome to go to California, take Harley to the beach and to Disneyland?”
“You went to the beach and Disneyland when I was president. As a matter of fact, Harley has it better ’cause I’m older and at home more. I don’t go to the parties unless I have to, and even then I only stay a few hours. I have no intention of stepping down. Did Belle put you up to this?” Kylie hung her head down. “I thought so. I knew this shit didn’t come from you. You’re the daughter of an Insurgent. You know what that means. You grew up with it. Belle still doesn’t understand that this is in my blood and I can’t fuckin’ retire from it.”
“Please don’t be upset with her. She’s only worried about you. Mom used to be too. You know our world is dangerous and can be deadly. Mom at least grew up in the life with Grandpa being in a biker club, but Belle is still trying to assimilate. And she’s scared to death that Ethan and Harley will join the Insurgents.”
Banger shook his head. “I don’t think we gotta worry ’bout Harley since he just turned five and has a while yet to decide if he wants to join. Ethan’s only thirteen, but if he wants to join when he’s eighteen, he’ll have to prospect like all of us did. A lot of guys can’t handle prospecting.”
“I think Belle just wants you to assure her that you’ll talk him out of it if he decides to join.”
“I’m not talkin’ anyone out of joining. When parents start doing that shit, the kids join for sure. The chips will fall where they’re supposed to. Now tell me how you’re liking graduate school.”
“I love it but Jerry hates it. We’re back to commuting, so next semester I’m going to take all my classes online. He’s still a little mad at me for going to grad school. I told him it was always in my plan. I think he’s feeling neglected or something because I study so much. I don’t know.”
“Don’t let him tell you what the fuck to do. He’s a grown man. He needs to deal with it. There are times when he’s gone for days for club business and you don’t give him shit.”
“I know. I shouldn’t have said anything about it. I guess I’m still hyper from finals. I have a month off before next semester starts. I’m excited about doing the semester online. It’ll be good to be home again. I miss Jerry a lot.”
