Page 93 of Diesel's Perseverance
“I figured you were. You’ve been talking to Myla, right?”
“Yeah. She was scared and worried about you. She told me you were in danger.”
“Do you know where she is?”
“She’s been staying at the Insurgents’ clubhouse. I brought her there ’cause I knew she’d be safe.”
“So, she told you about Cano and all that?”
Afraid that his brother may get angry and hang up, he replied, “Myla just said some bad people were after you, and she was afraid. She said she didn’t know much about your clinics.”
“Is she in San Diego?”
Diesel hesitated, then said, “Yeah.”
“At the clubhouse?”
“Yeah.”
“You put her in the cage with one of yourbrotherswho’s dirty.” A peal of raspy laughter came over the line. “You fucked up.”
“Myla’s fine. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried. If something happens, her blood is on your hands.”
Suddenly paranoid, Diesel looked over his shoulder to make sure no one was listening. He doubted anyone was even up; if they were, they’d be nursing a helluva hangover. Just to be safe, he walked down the porch steps and settled a distance away from the club.
“Nothing’s gonna happen to her,” he replied.
“Do you have yourbrotherstaking turns guarding her? You know, I always hated hearing you call your friends and club membersbrothers.It made me feel like I wasn’t your brother. It made me feel like I was a nobody… like I was invisible.”
“You’re my true brother. Nothing can change that.”
“I’m not convinced of that. You adopted the club as your family, so where did that leave me?”
“As my true brother. The club is my life, my world. It doesn’t replace my bond with you. Lemme pick you up, and we can get some breakfast and talk. We haven’t seen each other in a long time.”
“I’m not hungry. Besides, I’m drinking my breakfast.” There was another peal of laughter.
“But—”
“Just let me go. That’s the best thing you can do for me. It was great for a while, but it’s time to go.”
“Freddy.”
“You were a good brother, Diesel. You watched out for me.”
He hissed. “I did a shitty job.”
“Don’t blame yourself. This is all on me. I knew the risks. It’s okay, really, it is. I got a good safe place here. I’m gonna chill and enjoy myself before I move on.”
“Move on where?”
“Don’t know yet. Maybe Argentina or Bali. The whole world is open to me. I can start a new life… reinvent myself. There are a lot of possibilities,” he slurred. “Wait a sec.”
“What’s going on?”
“I dunno. I think… oh, fuck I’m…”
