Page 1 of Devil's Betrayal
Prologue
Micah
Camille Donaho was the love of my life, even though she always seemed too good for a dirty fucker like me. Despite our very different lifestyles, I was determined to keep her by my side. In our youth, we naively believed we could withstand the pressure by her family, who felt she was better suited for someone like my best friend Franklin. I was a kid from the wrong side of town who paled in comparison to Camille's purity, sweetness, and aspirations. She embodied everything virtuous in a girl and we were considered an odd couple. To those who disapproved, I simply said, "Fuck 'em!" I laid my claim on her the day she gazed into my eyes with that enchanting shade of blue.
She was the first girl who truly kept my attention, making me think about the possibility of a meaningful relationship. I was accustomed to casual encounters, but Camille was different—she held a special place in my heart, and I couldn't get enough of her. When she started expressing her love for me, I found myself unable to reciprocate. Despite the hurt in her eyes, I couldn'tbring myself to utter those words. At eighteen, I was aware that love wasn't in the cards for me; it was beyond my capacity.
Camille insisted she could see beyond the rebel in me and believed that one day I would confess my love for her. I dismissed it as nonsense and treated her as if she meant nothing, fucking her without an emotional commitment. Despite her willingness to give herself to me in every way, allowing me to explore my desires, I refused to acknowledge any deeper connection. Surprisingly, she loved kinky, filthy sex, embracing a freedom that contradicted her prim and proper appearance. I was the only one who had the privilege of knowing that about her.
When she told me about her acceptance into the college she applied for, I found myself grappling with mixed emotions. The prospect of a long-distance relationship was not something I was willing to entertain, and college wasn't a part of my life goals. My only motivation for attending school was because my mother made me, backed by the threat of being shipped off to live with my no-good father. There was no way I was going to live with that loser, so I did just enough to ensure I would graduate and get the fuck out of her house. Despite my love for her, I considered myself a free spirit, dancing to my own tune, with no intention of prolonging my time in a classroom beyond graduation. Camille's family had different aspirations for her, envisioning a life that included marriage to someone they believed would provide the same kind of upbringing she had. It sounded like a form of grooming or some shit, but who am I to judge?
Life continued, and a few years later, Camille and Franklin ended up together. They became a powerful couple destined to create the perfect family. Meanwhile, our friend Jake and I chose a different path, founding our own motorcycle club known as the Rebel Souls. We earned a reputation that warned peoplenot to fuck with us. However, I soon realized that being under the leadership of someone unwilling to take risks wasn't in the cards for me. Consequently, I was eventually voted out, and Jake became an enemy. Despite my desire for change, I cherished the solidarity and brotherhood I experienced with the Rebel Souls. Eventually, I established the Devil's Inferno, determined to do things my way. While our actions led to plenty of trouble, the fear we instilled in others provided a rush unmatched by the mediocrity of a club like the Rebel Souls.
When I caught wind of Franklin and Camille relocating back to Iron Forge, it didn't matter to me one way or the other. I had moved on, re-establishing my club in Grants Pass. However, one day, Franklin reached out to me for a business matter that would involve getting his hands dirty. This led to an agreement that had me visiting Iron Forge more frequently than I had anticipated. Encountering Camille again after all these years stirred up emotions I thought I had long buried. Love has a funny way of catching up with you, even if you proclaim to steer clear of it—the funny thing is, in the end, it has a way of coming back to bite you in the ass.
Fast forward thirty-some years, and a lot has changed. I'm older now, and find myself wanting to settle down. Despite the initial plan for my son to take over the club, witnessing its decline under his leadership leaves me uncertain about his readiness for the role of President. It disgusts me to think that I might have to seek an alternative successor, but I've managed to restore order, and I won't let it become a shit show again. Then there's Camille, left to mend a heart broken by the man she trusted enough to marry. While my perspective on love remains unchanged, an unexpected desire arises within me—to piece together the fragments of her shattered heart.
1
Micah
The room goes eerily quiet as my son stares at me with a mixture of anger and pain in his eyes. I’m sure he’s confused but what other choice did I have to make the decision I’ve made. Kevin aka Hammer, my Sergent At Arms, doesn’t look surprised because I’ve already talked to him about the announcement I just made. I wanted so bad for my son Ezra, aka Hawk, and V.P of the Devil’s Inferno, to take over the club but he’s been fucking up so bad lately that I had to pick someone else who I felt could lead our club in a different direction. Not that long ago we banded together to help our rivals rescue a little girl named Harper. Harper is the daughter of Torch, the Sergent At Arms for the Rebel Souls MC. When that little girl’s life was at stake, we had no choice but to help them. I say that because Zeke, one of my Enforcers, had a hand in everything that went down with Torch and his family. Although he tried to save her when he found out she was being taken, he was the catalyst that got the ball rolling.
His thirst for revenge got the best of him and he got mixed up with the wrong person and got played. If you’re going to play the game, you have to know that one day you’ll get burned. Sometimes the hunter becomes the hunted and you better be ready to kill or be killed. It’s not enough to distrust your opponent, you can’t even trust your ally in the world we live in. Just because you shake someone’s hand doesn’t mean they won’t stab you in the heart if it benefits them. Zeke learned that lesson the hard way and almost got himself kicked out of the Devil’s Inferno. We’re a band of misfits that love to cause trouble but lately I’ve felt a shift in the wind. Working with instead of against the Rebels has got me thinking we should do things a little differently.
I’ve never been one to follow the rules and I have no plans to become that person, however, there comes a time in everyone’s life where you evaluate things and evolve so that when you’re ready to settle down, you have something to show for yourself.
“What the fuck do you mean Hammer will possibly be taking over the club when you retire?” Ezra demands through gritted teeth as he interrupts me. He looks as though he’s ready to choke the life out of me and I suppose I can’t blame him for being angry but I don’t take kindly to blatant disrespect.
“Watch your fucking mouth Hawk. You may be my V.P but I’m your father and you will check your tone and words when you address me.”
“Oh! So you remember that I’m your son yet you’re making Hammer the Prez?”
“First of all, you being my son has no bearing on your rank. Nepotism is not part of the equation when it comes to what’s best for the club. Secondly, I don’t have to justify shit to anyone here. You either vote yes or no on the proposal and if you vote no, it better be for a valid reason and not for some bullshit like you being my son.”
“I’ve done more for this club than any of these fuckers at this table and..”
“What you’ve done is cause more trouble for this club and you’re lucky I haven’t stripped you of your rank with this latest shit show. Can you honestly say you’ve done anything to benefit the Devils? Can you honestly say that you weren’t being selfish in all the decisions you’ve made lately although you claimed it would take the Devils to the next level?”
I’m met with silence because he knows that I’m right. He’s been doing so many crazy things lately that he can’t keep count of the enemies we’ve gained in the last year. Between him and Zeke, Hammer and I have had to put our own lives on the line to keep them from getting killed by sticking their noses in the wrong people’s business. What makes him think that he could ever lead my men into the type of future I want for the Devils? There’s no way I’m trusting him and as his father I’m disappointed. My upcoming retirement is supposed to be a good thing but transitioning has been difficult because of all the shit that Ezra and Zeke have gotten into. It’s either choose someone else or stay active and that’s just not something I’m wanting to do.
“There’s only one way I’m willing to table this discussion and that’s if you can prove to me that you’re ready to lead the Devils into a club that we can all be proud of. Are you willing to do what it takes to turn things around, Hawk?” I challenge with my own stare. He knows that I’m not up for any bullshit so if he makes this commitment, he better do whatever it takes to change my mind.
“Yeah, whatever it takes Prez,” He answers in a way that I’m not sure was sincere or in mockery and that’s just not good enough.
“Listen here you little shit, you better put some respect on that tone or I’ll take your ass outside and show you why I should choose someone else to take over the club!”
There’s no mistaking my irritation at this fucker. Son or not, I won’t be disrespected or mocked in front of my brothers. Hawk knows better so I don’t understand why he’s choosing to be a dick. With a little bit more humility, he says,
“I’ll do whatever it takes to prove that I’m ready to take over,” he humbly says responding to my rebuke.
“Okay then. We’ll table that discussion for a few months while you prove yourself. In the meantime, we need to discuss something else that’s starting to become a problem.”
“What’s that, Prez?” Bane questions. Wyatt, aka Bane, is our other Enforcer and he’s really stepped up since Zeke’s been in the hospital recovering from getting shot a few months ago. He should be released soon so Bane has been pulling double duty ensuring we’re safe and training our new prospects in their own journey. He’s the eyes and ears of the club and what he told me this morning has honestly got me shook.
“As you all know, we’ve been making some pretty decent money with the buy ins from the gambling ring but it’s been brought to my attention that some Russians have been frequenting the games.”
“What’s so wrong with that? That only means more money for us, right?” Hawk asks before letting me finish. I swear he can’t see past his asshole sometimes. It’s my fault for not grooming him better and having more patience but here we are.