An Outlaw Monster (Back Down Devil MC #10)(7)

“Someone f*cking answer me,” Trev growled. He put his hands to the table and rose up. “Right f*cking now.”

“I trust you, Prez,” I said. “Whatever you need done.”

The rest of the table chimed in with an agreeing murmur of yeah.

“I’ve ran outlaw. I’ve ran patched in. I’ve ran to hell and back. My old lady is pregnant. If you think for a second I’d put her in real danger, then f*ck yourself. Night Soul is not going to give up on us. I don’t know what the exact communication was with Ripper and the O’Nuall family. We know that those Irishmen are tough, smart, dangerous, and completely ruthless. No communication from us now seems like we’re hiding. And when you’re hiding you seem like you’re guilty. Get the picture?”

“So then we communicate with them,” I said. “Try to make some kind of peace.”

“That’s impossible,” Xavier said. “You know them. It’s about money or blood. Or both.”

“Exactly,” Trev said. “I want both.” After a few seconds, Trev then pointed to Kye. “Go ahead, brother, tell them.”

“Tell us what?” I asked.

“There’s a hit out for Duke,” Kye said. He then swallowed hard.

“Me?” Duke asked. “What the f*ck…”

“Your game issue,” Kye said.

“Who the f*ck said it’s an issue?” Duke asked. “I like to play cards, drink, and f*ck one of the bartenders.”

“You’re behind on dues,” Cade said. “Three months now.”

“That’s true?” Trev asked.

“Yeah,” Cade said.

Cade managed the finances for the MC.

Duke always had money problems. Whatever demons were in his head from being overseas in the desert after two tours were still alive and kicking. He had good days, bad days, and really bad days.

“Fuck this,” Duke said. He stood up and his chair flew back. “Fuck you all.” He reached into his pocket. He threw cash right at Cade. “Take your f*cking dues and shove them up your ass.”

He made a line for the door and Trev pointed to Max. “Stop him.”

I saw the look on Max’s face.

There was no stopping Duke.

Max got up. “Brother. Sit back down.”

“Not now.”

Max grabbed for Duke’s arm. Duke threw an elbow and just like that, all hell broke loose during our table meet.

**

I had Xavier by the collar of his leather and pulled, sending him onto the table. I jumped forward and had no choice but to swing my foot and crack Duke in the gut. He went dark in bad times, meaning he knew nothing of what he was doing.

Duke rolled off Max, both their faces matching the same wounds. Max coughed and spit a glob of blood right onto Duke’s face.

I reached down and grabbed Max, pulling him to his feet. “Back the f*ck away.”

I tossed him away and crouched down. My hand went to Duke’s throat. I choked the f*cking prick until his focus was really on me.

“I will kill you,” I growled. “For the sake of this club. And if I kill you, then they have to vote on how I die. Is that what you want, brother?”

Duke showed his teeth and grabbed my wrist.

“You’re not over there anymore,” I said. “You’re here. There’s a war right here that needs fighting. Are you ready to fight?”

I let Duke go and he kicked himself back against the wall.

“Everyone open up!” Trev’s voice bellowed. He smashed between all of us and stood there, staring down at Duke. “You have a goddamn hit on you right now. From Night Soul. You have a f*cking gambling problem? Fix it. You owe this MC some money? Pay the hell up. Don’t have the money? Go earn. Get your feet and your head in this f*cking room right now.”

Nobody went after Duke like that. Not even Ripper when he was at his worst. Towards the end, Ripper just ignored Duke, treating him like a sickly dog, hoping to never have to deal with him.

Duke looked up to Trev and I feared he was going to pull a gun. If that happened, it was up to me to kill Duke. I slowly put my hand to my weapon. No matter what, I had to protect the President of the MC. We all voted Trev in. Until we had good reason to vote him out and have a strategic play and support from our brothers down in Frelen, Trev was the President.

Slowly, Duke put a hand out for Trev to take. “A little help, Prez?”

Trev slapped his hand to Duke’s and pulled him to his feet. They stood there, hands together, nodding. A real sign of respect between the two. Nobody was meant to see eye to eye. That’s not how the MC worked. But respect? That was earned and that was sacred.

“You good?” Trev asked.

“Great,” Duke said. “My dues are paid.” He looked to Cade. “Right?”

“All paid,” Cade said. “I’ll get this taken care of.”

“Duke,” Trev said. He broke hands and stepped back, leaning against the table. “We still need you there tonight.”

“Are you serious?” Duke asked.

“Yeah,” Trev said. “Kye has all the information. I want you there. I want to see who shows up to kill you.”

“To kill me,” Duke said.

“And how do we stop it?” I asked.