Page 15 of Army
Army sat atthe back of the room watching the last of the members as they filed in and quickly took their seats in the meeting room. Steel and Paco stood at the front of the big wooden table, and the minute the second hand hit twelve, Steel hit the gavel on the block. All eyes were on the president as he called church to order.
“We’re going to put off talking about the fall rally until next week. Paco, Sangre, and Diablo all got some disturbing news about the fucking Satan’s Pistons. They got this shit from different sources, and Chains has been doing his computer magic to make sure it’s true.” Steel picked up his beer bottle and drank then set it down with a thud. “It is. The word is that the Pistons are trying to get a hold of the drug money in Colorado.”
“When the fuck are they gonna learn that they need to stay their asses in Arizona? We already warned them a couple of years back. We never should’ve left until we knew each one of them was dead,” Army said.
“They’re sonsofbitches. We have to stomp them out for good.” Crow jerked his head to Army. “He’s right. We shouldn’t have let anyone live the night we attacked them. Now we got this shit to deal with. Again.” He slammed his fist on the table.
“Are they still trying to get in with the 39thStreet Gang in Durango?” Muerto asked.
“Yeah. That’s what the grapevine is saying.” Paco splayed his hands on the table. “We gotta shut them down for good. They don’t have many members, but since we hit them, they’ve opened a couple more chapters. They’re hell-bent in getting a foothold in our territory.”
“Banger’s not gonna like this shit,” Army said, and several members yelled out in agreement.
Steel held up his hand. “The Insurgents know what’s going on. They’re on board if we need them. Considering the size of the punk gang in Durango, we may need them and the Fallen Slayers. If things go the way I think they’re headed, it’ll be an all-out war.”
A contemplative silence descended over the room. Going to war with a rival club meant total lockdown for women, children, and even siblings and parents. The Night Rebels couldn’t leave anything to chance. Satan’s Pistons MC and the 39thStreet Gang had the reputation of dirty warfare—taking out family members and children. Lives would be lost, and the war could drag out for years. No one wanted it, but the Night Rebels wouldn’t sit back and let any other MC or gang come into their territory. The 39thStreet Gang was involved in dog fights, sex trafficking, and drugs, and the Night Rebels didn’t want any of that on their turf.
“When would we attack?” Eagle asked, breaking the silence.
Steel shook his head. “Not sure yet. We’re monitoring the situation, but knowing Shark, he’s chomping at the bit to start his shit with us.”
The president of Satan’s Pistons was ruthless and vindictive. He survived the attack on his clubhouse along with the vice president, Demon, and a couple of club members. He’d been slowly recruiting new members to bring the MC back to life. Diablo had been monitoring it along with Chains. The Night Rebels knew it was only a matter of time before they’d have to deal with the Pistons again. The Pistons’ recent alliance with the 39thStreet Gang would make the fight more challenging than when the Rebels had kicked their ass the last time.
“Right now they’re in the talking stage. The fucking punk gang is only hooking up with the Pistons because they want to get into southern Arizona. They can’t be trusted, so that shows what a bunch of dumbasses the Pistons are,” Steel said.
“We already knew that about the fuckers,” Goldie said, and the members guffawed and cheered.
“Let’s hope we can still have the rally. I know the biker community looks forward to it as well as the women and kids. It also brings in some good revenue for Alina,” Paco added.
“What if they start their shit at the rally?” Tattoo Mike asked.
“We’re gonna have security tighter than Fort Knox. I’m working with the Insurgents. They said they’ll hit up their chapters in Nebraska, Kansas, and Montana for help. Maybe even in California. The Fallen Slayers are on board, and even the Twisted Warriors in Ohio said they’d help out. We got allies in Louisiana, Utah, and Idaho. We’ve got this.” Diablo crossed his large arms against his chest and rocked back on his heels.
“Any questions?” Steel asked. When no one answered, he hit the gavel down on the table. “Church is over.”
The scraping of chairs and heavy footsteps bounced off the walls as the brothers left the meeting room. Army hung back until everyone but Steel, Paco, Diablo, and Chains had gone. The four members huddled in the front of the room no doubt discussing the impending declaration of war.
Paco looked up and motioned Army to come over. “What’s up, bro?”
“I don’t know if this is the right time now that all this shit about the fuckin’ Pistons has come to light, but I wanted to take about a week or so to visit my family in Durango. It’s not that far, so if something blows, I can be back here in under an hour.” Army shifted from one foot to another. “If it won’t work out, that’s cool. I can just go for the day.”
Steel and Paco exchanged looks, then Steel said, “I don’t see a problem. You can help out and meet with our snitch to see what he knows about the punk gang. We can get another brother to cover you at Lust.”
“Brutus does a kickass job, but you’ll need to get another brother to help out with the door and kicking assholes out.” A rush of excitement surged through Army.
“I could help out,” Diablo said.
“When are you thinking of leaving?” Steel asked.
“In a couple of days.”
“Wednesday?” Paco said. Army tilted his head. “I’ll talk to Brutus. Have a good trip if I don’t see you before you leave. If you find anything out, let us know.”
Army bumped fists with the brothers then walked to the main room and sidled up to Crow and Patches. The prospect, Ink, put a bottle of beer in front of him.
“You’re actually cracking a smile. First time in a while,” Crow said as he picked up his glass.
“I’m gonna take a week off and visit my family. I need the fuckin’ break.” He pushed down the strands of anticipation that knotted in his stomach at the prospect of seeing Stiletto again.
