Page 81 of Diesel's Perseverance
“Could be. It doesn’t hurt to look into it.” Panther glanced over at Jagged, Iceman, and Demon. “Help out Diesel with whatever he needs. Keep your eyes on Sprocket. I’ve wondered about him making the grade to becoming a full-patched member but didn’t get the impression he was disloyal, but you never know. Money is one of the strongest motivators to do a whole lot of shit you wouldn’t normally do. Any questions?” he asked, glancing around the room.
“Did Viking make it out without getting his ass arrested?” Diesel asked.
“He did,” Jagged replied. “Some of the other Angry Disciples got busted. A few of the fucking East Bay Dogs got their asses hauled away. Only two brothers got popped—Fish and Gears. Our attorney is setting up bail as I speak. The fucking badges charged them with lame shit. The attorney said it’s bogus, and he’ll get them dropped. Neither had weapons on them when they got nabbed. I heard several dumbass East Bay Dogs and a couple of Grim Henchmen got caught carrying.”
“We always knew they were dumbasses,” Demon said.
“At least it’ll take some of the East Bay Dogs assholes outta commission for a while,” Smokey said.
“We’ll make sure we takeallof them out of commission. They’re getting to be a real pain in our asses,” Panther said. “If there isn’t anything else, we can adjourn.”
The sound of chairs scraping back and steel-toed boots stomping on the terra-cotta tile resounded through the room. The men scattered when they walked out of the guest house. Diesel, Tank, Rags, and Animal strode over to one of the palm trees across from the guest house. Tank pulled out four joints, handed three to the bikers, and slipped one between his lips.
“I don’t think a prospect is the shit rat,” Animal said before lighting up.
“No fucking way,” Rags agreed.
“It’s a club member, but I get why Demon doesn’t want to believe it’s a patch-wearing member.” Diesel inhaled deeply, then slowly blew out a stream of smoke. “It fuckin’ blows to think a brother you’ve laid your life for on numerous occasions is the one stabbing you and the club in the damn back.”
“And all the times shared between the brothers. Fuck, I can’t even imagine it,” Animal said. “All the rides taken together, the rallies, the poker runs…” his voice trailed off.
“The club parties, the women you fucked together,” Rags added.
“It’s the worst knife in the back,” Tank said. “I’m fucking pissed about it, but the rat isn’t a brother in our club. We’ve been there in the past, so we know what Demon and the others are going through.”
“It’s the worst, and the fucker’s gotta pay for his disloyalty to the club, the colors, and the brotherhood,” Diesel said.
“Damn straight. Are you getting any closer to Cano? I’m with you, bro, about there being a connection,” Rags said while Animal and Tank nodded in agreement.
“I’ll get him. Viking’s helping out, and so is the security guy Demon knows. I just want to get to him before he finds Freddy,” Diesel replied.
“No word on him?” Animal asked.
“Nope. If he’d call me, I could get the trace going. It’s so fuckin’ frustrating.” Diesel pounded his fist against the trunk of the tree.
“We hear you, man,” Rags said. “How’s Myla holding up?”
“She’s tough. I know it’s killing her, but she’s doing all right.” Diesel stubbed the dying embers of his roach.
“What the fuck are you standing around the tree like a damn broad’s group?” Demon asked as he approached the quartet.
“Just shooting the shit,” Diesel said.
“Beast, Stoney, Lucky, Iceman, Gears, and me are going for a ride up the coast. Wanna join us? Smokey, Throttle, and Shadow are coming along,” Demon said.
“I’m in,” Tank replied.
“Me too,” Rags said.
“Right with you, bro,” Animal added.
Diesel glanced up at the clubhouse. “I’ll pass. I’ve gotta check on Myla.”
“Check on her, then join us. It’s a kick-ass ride.” Demon grinned.
“Another time, buddy. Have a good time.” He bumped fists with Demon and then made his way toward the club.
When Diesel walkedinto the room, Myla greeted him with a smile and a cold bottle of beer. Unexpected tenderness mingled with excitement rushed through him as he realized her sparkling green eyes and bright smile aroused him more than all the nakedness of the club girls.
