Page 16 of Devil's Betrayal
“I suppose I didn’t tell you because you hated Micah so much and I didn’t want you to know that he and I were together before. After your father committed suicide, I didn’t see a point in rehashing the past because nothing good would come of it. Every time Micah was in Iron Forge, I avoided him like the plague. Eventually, he caught up to me, and you may not believe this but the Micah I knew was different back then. Now that everythingis out in the open, I want to be honest with you, son. I love him and I know he loves me. We want to spend our remaining years together making each other happy.”
“Your happiness is all that matters, mom, and I don’t want to get in the way of that. You deserve to be happy after all that dad put you through. I can’t promise that it will be easy, but I’ll get there. Alise has already said we should have you both over for dinner so we can get to know each other as friends instead of rivals.”
“That would be wonderful, Gideon and I’m sure Micah would love that too,” I reply feeling lighter now that we’re able to get past this and move forward. “By the way, what precisely did Micah say to persuade you that he was telling the truth?”
A smile spreads across his face as he responds,
“He spoke of you the way I speak of Alise. Describing how when he looks at you, his soul smiles. Yet, what really convinced me was he said that if he ever causes you harm or breaks your heart, he’ll personally put his gun in my hand to take him out.”
We both burst into laughter because that’s the type of man that Micah is. A warm sensation flushes my cheeks as the realization of being profoundly loved washes over me. Though the uncertainty about having my son in my life was heart-wrenching for a brief moment, now everything is right in my world, and we can finally live in peace.
17
Micah
Seated in my office at the clubhouse, a broad smile lights up my face when I get off the phone with Cami. Over the weekend, we went over to Eagle and Alise’s house for a laid-back barbecue, giving us an opportunity to get to know each other outside of the MC. The atmosphere was relaxed after a few beers and some laughs. While being in Alise’s presence was a little awkward due to my son’s involvement in kidnapping her and Lizzie during our intense rivalry, she graciously assured me that all was forgiven. Emphasizing that if Eagle can move forward, so can she. Their kids were a joy to be around and lightened any lingering tension. Should Hawk bring any kids into the world, it would likely be from an unplanned pregnancy from a one-night stand. He has never been in a relationship and vows he never will be. If Cami and I make this work for the long term, Eagle and Alise’s kids will do just fine.
Hammer has made the decision to decline the role of president upon my retirement, believing that he can better servethe Devils in his current position as the Sergeant At Arms. Under Hammer's leadership, the Devil's would have prospered. Hammer possesses the discipline and expertise required to transform this club into what I envision for our future. He commands high respect and is easily approachable, making him the ideal individual to take charge, allowing me to retire with peace of mind. Based on my observations, Hawk is not prepared to shoulder this responsibility. It’s disheartening to witness my legacy slipping away, especially considering my son’s determination to continue down a path of death and destruction.
He fails to see that there comes a time in your life where you have to make different choices in order to survive. While I bear the weight of Hawk being the way he is, I find myself questioning why, if I had the influence to make him into this monster, he now resists my teaching him the right way? He’s hell bent on getting back into the sex trafficking game for some reason or another and it’s a legacy I refuse to leave for the Devils. Regrettably, his choices have left me with no option but to select someone more capable of leading my men in a manner that makes them proud.
Nolan “Brick” Daniels and his sons are expected to be here any moment now. As the president of the Tacoma Washington chapter of the Devils, Nolan is retiring, and his son Mason, aka Wrecker, is taking over. Meanwhile, Jensen, aka Havoc, holds the position of Sergeant At Arms and is prepared to take on a leadership role in the MC. Both Mason and Jensen have proven themselves as capable leaders, but Wrecker is the oldest and therefore he’s the rightful successor. Jensen has expressed his desire to lead his own MC opting not to continue as his brother’s SAA. His choice is not out of sibling rivalry or animosity but rather a readiness to implement all the things he’s learned from his father. If Hawk had shared that same mindset, there wouldn’t be a need to search for my successor outside the club.
Hawk has been missing in action for the past week and my attempts to reach him have been met with silence. This alone is sufficient reason for me to sideline him. On the night when Eagle confronted me about his mother, Hammer called to report that the Russians had been sighted in Iron Forge at the Boobie Trap and that a few women have gone missing. Following my meeting with Nolan and his sons, Eagle and I plan to head to the Fuzzy Peach to have a talk with Sergei. He and the Rebels are expected here in approximately two hours to discuss a strategy to address the Russian situation in case things escalate.
It feels like, just as I’m retiring, things are happening that will prolong my involvement. Things were finally quiet around here and Hawk has single-handedly disrupted my peaceful retirement. I’ve bent my own rules, giving him numerous chances to prove himself, but he has let me down every time. A knock on my door interrupts my thoughts, and I need to shift my focus to finding a new leader for my Devils. Moving from behind my desk, I open the door and instead of reaching out to shake hands with Nolan and his sons, I’m confronted by a pissed-off Hammer.
“Snake, I know you have a meeting but this can’t wait,” he states, his tone sending a chill down my spine.
Nolan, Mason, and Jensen enter just then. Rather than heading to the office, I decide we need to have church so they can see firsthand how we deal with things around here. Whatever Hammer has to share seems urgent and likely requires either my guidance or backup from the club. With everyone seated, I call church to order and ask Hammer to share his news. I'm unprepared for the revelation that my own son has not only betrayed me but also the club. Even going so far as to assault Hammer’s old lady, Avery, who’s new to this life. She’s young and can sometimes poke her nose into club business, but otherwise, she’s harmless. Motivated by spite over the possibilityof Hammer becoming the new Prez, Hawk cornered her in an unprovoked attack. He has no idea the chaos he has initiated, and once again, it falls on me to clean up the mess. A text on my phone reveals that Eagle, his SAA, Torch, and his VP, Digger, from the Rebels MC have arrived. I instruct Hammer to escort them in. I had intended for them to meet Jensen before he relocates to Grants Pass—a peaceful transfer of power signaling the end of rivalry between the Devils and the Rebels, and the beginning of a cooperative brotherhood.
Instead, this will be a meeting strategizing on how to retrieve Sergei's daughter without sparking a war. It's ironic that Sergei would unleash fury to protect his daughter while callously taking women from their families. Reflecting on my own history, I’m sickened by the realization that I used to be that person. However, the point is that I’ve changed, and I strive to do better every day. The person I’ve become is the man that Cami saw in me all those years ago.
Eagle is aware of the women missing from the Boobie Trap and knows that the Devils are not involved this time. Some of Sergei’s men were spotted at the club, spreading their money around like a free for all and some of the more naïve women fell for it. Taken without much fanfare but not totally undetected. When Eagle and I initially discussed the possibility of the Rebels owing me a favor, little did I know that we would be assisting them with their own Russian problem.
As I conclude the meeting and we prepare to go to the storage facility where Sergei’s daughter is being held, the thunderous echo of gunshots shatters the air. Without hesitation, we all rush towards the door to see what the hell is going on. The motion lights cast an eerie glow over the club grounds as we crowd onto the porch. My gaze lands on my prospect, Sam, on his knees with a gun aimed at his head. Sergei stands beside him, finger on the trigger, while his men point weapons at us. Raising my hands to signal we’re not a threat, I’m just about to explain the misunderstanding and assure Sergei that we know the location of his daughter when another shot pierces the air. Time seems to slow as Sam collapses, blood streaming from a gaping wound at his temple. Everyone freezes, paralyzed with utter shock and no one moves.
“Snake, If I don’t get my daughter back tonight, I vill kill yourrr men one by one while you vatch and zen I vill split yourrr skull open and feed insides to my dogs bekause only fool vould touch my prrrincess and zink he kould get avay vith it,” he declares with that grating accent that grinds on my nerves. What am I supposed to tell Sam’s old lady when she comes home from work? This is all Hawk’s doing and when we get to the storage facility, I’ll have no choice but to strip him. There won’t be a needfor a vote this time because an innocent prospect has paid the price for Hawk’s actions, giving me the authority to decide alone.
As if it’s an afterthought, everyone draws their weapons and the Russians are clearly outnumbered. However, killing them tonight would unleash the full force of Sergei’s Bratva upon us. They won’t stop until everyone, including Eagle’s and Torch’s children, is dead. The thought of Cami being tortured and killed, ultimately because of me, churns acid in my stomach. I must put an end to this, or more innocent blood will spill in an all-out war until we’re all dead.
“Everyone calm the fuck down!” I shout. “Sergei, we know where your daughter is. In fact, we were on our way to rescue her before you trespassed on my property and took the life of an innocent man.”
“Why should I believe you?” He questions. “One of my men said zat Vidow took her and he’s one of yourrrs, so I have niet rrreason to trrrust yourrr vorrrd.” His voice makes me want to shoot his arrogant ass in the face. Taking a deep breath, I explain to this fucker what really happened, fueling my irritation even more. It irks me to feel like I have to justify myself to him, as if he’s above me or some shit.
“I never apologize forrr killing man but in zis instance, I’ll make exception. Just know zat yourrr son vill meet same fate when I get my daughter back.”
“The only way you’ll get your daughter back is to leave my son alone and let the Devil’s handle it.”
He ponders this before stating,
“I’ll agrrree only if ve get to vitness it. Niet bullshitting arrround. He needs to be punished forrr zis.”
Although stripping a member of his colors is usually private club business, it’s acceptable in this case to make it public. I’m trying with everything in me but it’s hard to contain my anger. Hawk has put me in an impossible position and there’s nothingI can do to save him. Hammer walks away with a heaviness in his shoulders as he heads to the shed around back. As I give orders to my men, Eagle humbly follows my lead, showing he’s down for whatever is about to happen. Instead of rolling in on our motorcycles, I advise taking the SUVs to avoid alerting Hawk to our presence. Nolan, Mason, and Jensen will ride with Eagle since they rode in their SUV. This will be one of the most challenging tasks I’ve ever had to do in my entire life, but Hawk brought this on himself.
Hammer heads towards his truck, tool bag in hand and gives me a nod before he jumps in and starts the engine. When Sergei and his men turn towards their vehicle I call out to him. As they turn around, I pull out my gun and shoot the guard watching his six, right between the eyes.
“Now we can go,” I declare as I jump in the passenger side of the truck. Sergei, the sick bastard that he is, starts laughing like this is some sort of game. The other guard hoists the man’s body over his shoulder and dumps him in the trunk. This is the very reason why I want Sergei and his men out of Grants Pass; he’s unfeeling and has no regard for life. Hawk’s idiot ass has done nothing but stir the wrong hornet’s nest and he’s about to lose everything. Before we pull away, I instruct the remaining two prospects to take care of Sam’s body until I return. He deserves a proper burial and since we were the only family he had, I’m going to do him a solid and bury him the right way. That kid was loyal and worked hard in his journey to become a full-fledged Devil. In this moment, I have more respect for him than my own son.