Page 17 of Devil's Betrayal
18
Micah
As Hammer navigates the desolate streets of Grants Pass, my thoughts are scattered in several directions. It’s been more than a decade since I’ve had to strip a member and I’ve done my best to avoid doing it again. However, with everything that happened at the club house this evening, it seems I don’t have a choice. Someone has to be held accountable and unfortunately that someone is my own son. Ezra and I have shared a close bond throughout his life, but somewhere along the way, he lost his way. My early influence didn’t help when the only thing he witnessed was me taking what I wanted and never answering for the crimes I committed. I’ve tried to guide him in the right direction, even sharing how I repaid MoMa for burning down her bar and for taking her hard-earned money just because I could. He saw that as a sign of weakness, but he was the only Devil that voted against it.
Over the years, the Devils have evolved and the men that have become full-fledged members are tired of the outlaw life.They aspire to build a legacy, providing security and care for their families. This is what Jake tried to teach me but like Ezra, I was stubborn and wanted to do things my own way. Hammer’s voice interrupts my thoughts as he asks,
“Are you sure you want to watch me strip Hawk, Prez?”
“Honestly, no, I’m not. I trust you with my life, Hammer, and I know that you will fulfill your duty without sparing Ezra any pain. My son brought this upon himself, and he has to take his punishment just like any other club member,” I reply. There can be no mercy shown to Ezra in this process or delicate treatment because he’s my son. Sergei would take matters into his own hands if he’s not satisfied with how I handle this.
“Treat him as you would treat any member that broke the code and has to be stripped. All this time I’ve been on Widow’s ass to change his ways or get voted out when I should’ve been focused on Ezra spiraling out of control,” I add. Hammer shouldn’t feel the need to go easy just because I’ll be present. This will be a painful experience and I must accept my son’s fate to get through this. Once it’s over, I’m heading straight to Cami’s waiting arms. She has become the calm in the midst of my storm, and I’ll need her to help me forget this evening that has turned into a living, breathing nightmare.
Pulling into the parking lot, we park in an area away from the facility to avoid being detected. Hammer takes the lead as we make our way towards the back door, ensuring Hawk remains unaware of our presence. Once inside, I instruct everyone to remain in the back hallway while Hammer and I conduct a preliminary check of the building. Sergei, of course, doesn’t want to wait and I have to remind him of the potential danger to his daughter if we storm in with guns blazing. He reluctantly agrees but whispers harshly,
“Trrry anything to get yourrr son out of zis and I vill make yourrr lives living hell!”
I’ve had enough of his threats, acting as if he’s in charge. My son is about to suffer immense pain and lose the only family he’s known. As soon as I’m within arm’s reach, I grab that fucker by his jacket and slam him against the wall smacking his head against the concrete. His guard attempts to intervene but Hammer is right there pressing his gun against the back of his skull. This is an already tense situation, and I don’t need this asshole hovering to make sure I carry out Hawk’s punishment and I don’t give a fuck that he’s the boss of a Bratva.
“Listen, mother fucker, I don’t give two shits about who you are or your status. You are here to observe and keep your fucking mouth shut. If it weren’t for us, you wouldn’t know where your daughter is. Say another fucking word and I’ll split your skull open and feed the insides to the strays outside,” I threaten, throwing his own words back at him. He looks as though he wants to kill me, but I stand my ground until he complies. When he doesn’t say another word, I release him and proceed down the hall with Hammer. As we get closer to the front of the facility, Hammer shoots Widow a text letting him know that we’re here and to keep his cool until we reach them. The area where they’re located is a vast open space so any aggressive movement could reverberate off the rafters.
We maneuver the remaining distance with an army crawl, hunkering down behind the storage containers aligned along the back wall. The muffled screams of Sergei’s daughter resonate through the open space and it takes everything in me to hold my position. I’ve never felt the urge to harm my own son, but if he were standing in front of me, I would knock his ass out. This has to be one of the most idiotic things he’s ever done. Knowing who Sergei is, it makes zero sense to involve his daughter in this dangerous game.
“We could get at least half a million for her, Widow,” Hawk suggests. “Just call your guy in Vegas, set everything up, and we're back in business."
“How many times do I have to tell you that I’m not contacting him? If Snake knew what you were doing, he would fucking kill you!” Widow retorts.
“My father wouldn’t do shit! He’s weak and no longer fit to run the Devils. Once I take over, I’m rebuilding the Devils to our former glory. Whoever doesn’t like it can get voted out!” He asserts. “We’re like fucking angels compared to who we used to be and I’m sick of this shit. We were the most feared MC in Grants Pass and Iron Forge. Making good money and expanding our territory until the Rebels meddled in our business. Don’t you want to get your revenge on Torch and his family for what he did?”
“At one time, I did. Now, I realize that comes with a cost, Hawk, and you need to stand down or this won’t end well for you.”
“Is that a threat? What are you gonna do, run, and tell Snake? You’re more of a pussy than he is!” Hawk mocks. “Shawn, why don’t you give your boss a call and tell him you found his daughter and we’re holding Widow until he gets...”
“Make that call and you’ll be dead before it connects,” I threaten as Hammer and I emerge from behind the storage bins quickly advancing towards them with guns drawn. Hawk wavers in his posture but tries to sustain the bravado he held just a moment ago.
“Widow, message Bane and tell him we have everything under control now.” I command, while Hammer relieves Hawk and Shawn of their weapons. Holding my own son at gunpoint shatters me in ways I never anticipated, but the breach of trust has left me no choice.
19
Micah
“Did you honestly think you would get away with this, Hawk?” I inquire, as everyone files into the space, forming a circle around us as tension builds. Sergei’s guard releases his daughter from her restraints and guides her to a safe distance. The bruising on her face and neck are evident and all I can do is shake my head. Shawn cowers as Sergei gives him a look that promises a torturous death. He doesn’t even have the balls to look Sergei in the eye after pulling this shit.
“How did you know where to find us, Snake?” He demands, as the veins in his neck pulse with anger.
“I overheard you and this piece of shit planning the whole thing in the office at the club,” Widow retorts, gesturing towards Shawn. “You did this knowing I was already on shaky ground with the Devils. What disgusts me the most is you knew that Sergei would kill me for touching his daughter. Despite the bad blood between us, I would never do that to you or your father,” Widow continues, his voice resonating with hurt and anger. If hepulled out his gun and ended my son’s life, how could I blame him? Widow was facing certain death had he not uncovered Hawk’s plan.
“What the fuck are they doing here?!” Hawk demands, glaring at Eagle, Torch, and Digger.
“You don’t get to fucking ask questions!” I shout, moments away from pistol whipping him. “We’re here because of you and you alone. You’re the reason that Havoc will be the next Devils Prez, you’re the reason Sam is dead, and you’re the reason that you’ll be stripped right here in front of all these witnesses!” Blinding rage courses through me as my veins tighten beneath my skin. “You’ve single handedly destroyed your life in a matter of days, for what? I’ve moved mountains trying to guide you back to the Devils’ path, but you had to do things your way and fuck up everything!”
He will never provide the answers I need to hear because nothing can justify what Hawk has done. His fate is beyond my control, and the realization that this is partially my fault hits me like a ton of bricks, causing me to stumble backward. Large hands steady me, and I turn to see Templar holding me up. Seeing the confusion in my eyes, he remarks,
“Widow filled me in on his way here and thought you might need back up.”
“Thank you, brother,” I murmur, knowing it’s time to get this over with. Questioning Hawk was inadvertently prolonging the inevitable. Despite our tumultuous relationship, I love him; he’s my only son. There’s so much of me in him that it’s unsettling. I only wish that the good parts that Cami saw in me had somehow trickled down into his DNA, giving him some kind of moral compass. The circle of men widens, creating more space as Bane steps forward with Hammer’s tool bag. Templar tightens his grip on the back of my neck with a slight squeeze as I move to standnext to Sergei. He’s been a little twitchy and I need to ensure that he doesn’t interfere with what’s about to happen.
Hammer guides Hawk to the center of the room, pushing him forward as Bane drops the bag at his side. Suddenly, Hammer punches Hawk in the face, snarling,