Page 196 of Savior
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
DEAN
After last night, Church is the second to last place I want to be right now. The first, is where I’m headed right after I deal with Daniel, for Madeline’s sake. Viper and Viking are seated at the table, looking at me with vaguely curious expressions as to why they were the only ones I asked to meet me in the War Room. I don’t bother sitting. I don’t anticipate staying long. Especially not after what I just asked them.
“I really don’t care what anyone else thinks. But I am biased in my preference that he not stay here. So, you guys make the call. I don’t need this on my conscience, too. Whatever you decide, you’ll get no push back from me.”
Viper and Viking glance at each other. “This is a serious question?” Viper looks at me incredulously. “Not only did that prick break a sacred code, but he was with the enemy as of twenty-four hours ago. My vote is a Fuck No, even if you were okay with it, Dean. Fuck. No.”
“I second all of that.” Viking scoffs, looking at me as if this should have been a no brainer. Honestly, it was. I’m going through the motions for Madeline alone.
“Fine by me.” I say, pulling my cell out of my pocket and texting Daniel to come inside. “I’ll let you guys tell him.”
There’s a knock on the door within a few moments, and Daniel steps inside, shutting the door behind him. He takes a few steps towards the table, pulling out a chair.
“The fuck you think you’re doing?” Viper snaps at him.
Daniel freezes. “Huh?”
“You ain’t sitting at this table with us. Ever again.” Viper’s scowl remains.
Daniel slowly pushes the chair back in and takes a step back. “Alright. But-”
“Shut up, Snatch.” Viking snaps at him.
“Snatch?” Daniel looks at him with confusion.
“You fuckin’ heard me.” Viking folds his arms, his grin more of a sneer. “I’m callin’ you Snatch from now on. And not in a Big Pussyfrom The Sopranos type of way, either.” He chuckles, though there’s a notable edge. “I had a couple of names in mind for you. Bitch Made, for example. But Snatch fits the bill for what you did to our boy, here. You should have to live with that, at the very least.”
“What the fuck?” Daniel gripes.
“That’s your M.O., ain’t it? Daniel… the Snatch Snatcher.” Viking keeps on.
Viper laughs. A rare occurrence. Viking has a gift for saddling guys with the absolute worst road names.
Daniel shakes his head, blowing out a defeated breath as he stares down at the floor.
“The Jokers will take you in, until this blows over. Slice owes me a few favors.” I say to him. He looks up at me, and I can’t deny the genuine regret I see behind his expression. “I warned you, this wouldn’t work. Not here. Not with our history. You made your bed.”
“And we all know what you fuckin’ did in it.” Viking grumbles.
We roll up to the JoCo Jokers’ club house and dismount our bikes.
“You just keep your mouth shut and let me do the talking.” I warn Daniel, removing my dome and hanging it on Serene’s handle bars.
Viking shove’s Daniel roughly as he walks past him to enter the clubhouse with me. Viper lingers for a moment beside him, leaning into Daniel’s ear.
“You should be kissing your brother’s boots… After what you pulled…” His tone is low and deadly, “I’d have made it so nobody would have ever found your body.”
Daniel glares back at him. “Dean forgave me.”
A humorless laugh escapes me as I turn from them to ascend the stone steps. “Mercy is not the same as forgiveness.” I remind him.
We’re greeted by a couple of prospects, who escort us over to where Slice is lounging about with a few members of his crew. He stands up to shake my hand, giving Viking and Viper a chin lift. I watch his eyes slide to Daniel with a look of surprise, before they settle on me again.
“I need to call in one of those favors you owe me.” I say.
A grin slides across his expression. “I’m gathering this favor has to do with your brother… And considering the fucked-up history between you two, the nature of this favor, could go a couple of ways.” He makes a point to rest his hand on the handle of the sheathed knife at his hip.
