Outlaw Revenge (Back Down Devil MC #1)(14)

“That’s a risky move, Gaige,” Miller said.

“No, it’s not,” Gaige said. “Blaine used her best friend as a f*cking shield. Those bullets were meant to be in Blaine. He’s alive because of this woman’s friend. The least I can do… the least we can do… is make this right for her.”

“So what are we voting on?” Miller asked. “Settling this thing with Eight Under… or settling Gaige in bed with some girl?”

The table chuckled.

“We go after Eight Under,” Gaige said. “We stop the drugs. We find the two *s that tried to take us out. And then send our message loud and clear.”

“Okay,” Miller said. “Let’s vote this then.”

“Blaine’s proxy vote… yes,” Gaige said. “As is mine.”

Miller nodded and looked at Griffin.

“Yeah,” Griffin said.

“Yup,” Landon said.

“Yes,” Nate said and tilted his beer bottle toward Gaige.

“Aye,” Shay said.

The other side of the table closed out with two more yes’s from Erik and Jace.

Finally, Miller raised the gavel and nodded. “Yes.” He slammed the gavel and then said, “We need to coordinate this properly. No running out there and just shooting. We need to find their next drug run and bust that up right there on the street.”

“I want the two guys who shot at us,” Gaige said.

“How are we going to know?” Jace asked.

“I don’t know,” Gaige said. “But I made a promise to someone.”

“A girl in your bed?”

“It’s a goddamn big deal,” Nate cut in. “She watched her best friend get lit up with bullets. And she had to deal with Blaine enjoying a dead body on him.”

“Oh, f*ck,” Jace said.

“Yeah,” Gaige said. “Anyone finds any of the Eight Under *s, they call me.”

“Agreed,” Miller said. “I wouldn’t mind saying my peace to these guys too.” Miller cracked his large knuckles.

The meeting broke up with a nod. The table cleared out except for Gaige and Griffin. Griffin turned and wheeled his chair to a desk in the corner. He turned on a lamp and opened a folder.

Gaige finished his smoke and looked at Miller.

“Life decisions based on women…,” Miller said. “I mean, you get that, right?”

“This isn’t based on women,” Gaige said. “This is bullshit. Those fights are about money and respect. Our club relies on those fights for income. When the next one rolls around, are we going to be invited?”

Miller didn’t answer. “Sending a message will help.”

“Exactly. And if I can find a way to make this up to that woman, I will. She’s not like us, Miller. She’s not meant to live each day knowing someone could be killed. Or that she could be killed. I saw the look on her face when she saw the bullet holes in her friend’s back. I can’t take that memory away, but I can damn sure try to kill it.”

“Kill something to kill something,” Miller said.

“Our only way of life,” Gaige said.

Gaige patted Miller on the shoulder and walked out of the meeting room. He instantly heard the sounds of cheers and started to run. When he turned the corner, he saw Nate holding Jace by his throat against the wall.

“I’ll f*cking break your neck,” Nate threatened.

“Fuck you,” Jace said as his face burned red. He threw his head forward and smashed Nate in the face.

“Whoa, stop this!” Gaige yelled.

“No, no, no,” Shay called out. “Let ‘em work it out. Come on boys.”

Nate let Jace go and stepped back. They slowly started to circle each other.

Fucking Nate.

The big guy had a big, broken heart and his bullshit bled into the club.

Jace took the first swing and connected with Nate’s chin. Nate spun and grabbed his face. Jace put his hands down and nodded. Nate made a fist, rings on, and slammed it against Jace. He went right down on his ass. Blood dripped down Nate’s face from his eye. Jace shook his head and blood sprayed on the floor.

“Done?” Nate asked.

“Are you?” Jace asked.

“I’m good,” Nate said. He offered his hand.

Jace took it and just like that, the fight was over. The two men went to opposite ends of the bar to soothe their wounds.

Gaige turned and walked away from the bar and club. He needed to check on Emily.





eight.



Emily sat on an old wooden desk chair and kept her hand closed tight around Rachel’s necklace. The room reminded her of a dorm room. But it was biker room, no doubt about it. Not the first one she ever saw, but definitely the most serious one. The logo for Back Down Devil MC appeared on one wall and pictures of Gaige and the crew hung randomly around the room. Most of the drawers of the two dressers were open and clothes hung out. The desk was the most organized part of the room. Gaige definitely conducted business in the room. That’s when Emily’s eyes came upon the bed. There was definitely more than one kind of business done in the room.

After sitting for a little while, trying to calm her mind (which was damn near impossible to actually do), there was a knock at the door. Emily froze and gripped the arms of the wooden chair. She wasn’t sure what her position was right then. Gaige had told her to stay put and just wait. He gave her his promise that he would return soon and they would then talk.