Secret Mayhem (Back Down Devil MC #4)(41)

Gaige and Blaine started to laugh.

“Hey, kid,” Blaine said, “want to lick the sweat off his balls?”

“He would if you told him to,” Miller said and smiled.

“What about my big old balls?” Blaine asked. “I can’t remember the last time I washed them. Just imagine how much *…”

“Oh, man,” Gaige said. “Just stop. I can’t.”

“Go get my f*cking ride then,” Shay said. “Christ.”

Jon ran away and Shay shook his head.

The rest of the group started to walk to their motorcycles. Shay stood with Ava.

“He looks up to you,” she said. “That prospect.”

“I don’t care,” Shay said. “He should care about what he’s… what the f*ck is he doing?”

Miller, Blaine, Nate, and Griffin were walking to the left where all their motorcycles were parked. But Jon was running to the right. When Shay looked back at the line of bikes, he noticed his was missing. All of a sudden, Shay realized what was about to happen.

“Jon, Noooooooo!”

Before Jon had the chance to turn around, the motorcycle-and Jon-exploded in a fireball of flames.

Shay could hear Ava screaming and the thudding footsteps of the guys running toward him, but his mind instantly went back to the conversation he had just had with Jon about time counting down and never knowing when your time would be up. He just stood there, frozen.

“What the f*ck…,” Blaine yelled.

“Caius,” Miller said.

Shay spun around and looked at the President of Back Down Devil MC.

It’s time, Shay… it’s time… this death is on your hands…

All Shay could do was stare at Miller. The rest of the guys ran to the charred remains of Shay’s motorcycle and the prospect, Jon. It was a mess of burnt steel and a life taken for no reason at all.

“Call a meeting,” Shay said. “Right now.”

“Yeah,” Miller said.

Ava grabbed Shay by the arm and pulled at him. He looked at her and touched her face. “I need to get you out of here. It’s got to stop. All the hiding and secrets have to stop. Ava, where can I send you? Where can I take you?”

“To your bed,” Ava said. “I can’t leave you now.”

“No…”

“Gear up!” Miller bellowed. “We’re riding in two minutes. If you’re left behind, then f*ck yourself. You deserve it.” Miller pointed to Shay. “I’m sorry, Shay, but you need to ride the prospect’s motorcycle back to the clubhouse.”

Shay’s stomach turned. He didn't give a shit about Nile being killed tonight. He didn't give a shit about any of the fights or injuries. But the prospect? That hit home. Shay got on the bike, and as Ava climbed on the back, he looked over to the mess where his motorcycle had blown up.

Gaige pulled up next to Shay and yelled, “That’s taken care of, Shay. Chief is on it for us. You need to focus, bro. We have to stop this.”

Gaige took off. Shay got in position and rode with his club.

They returned to the clubhouse and the scene was tense. The Lost Men were tending to their wounds. They celebrated the winners and picked on the losers. Trev didn’t speak a word. Instead, he threw the bloody knife that had taken Nile’s life onto one of the pool tables. It was obviously a clear message to anyone else that he wouldn't hesitate if they crossed him again.

Miller had a beer as he stood in the doorway to the meeting room. With Ava at his side, Shay approached Miller.

“We have to meet right now,” Shay said.

“Look at you, man,” Miller said. “Go get a shower first. I’m sure your friend will be honored to clean you up.”

Ava's face turned a bright red.

Miller smirked.

“No,” Shay said. “I can’t wait. I have something I have to tell everyone.”

“Yeah?” Miller asked.

Shay felt Ava squeeze his hand. He turned and touched her face. “Love, go back to the room, okay? Get settled. Grab a bite, a beer, whatever. You’re safe here. If anyone bothers you, I’ll f*cking kill them.”

Ava nodded. She got close and whispered, “What are you going to tell them?”

Shay stared into her eyes. “The truth.”

He pushed Ava away and nodded. As she walked away and glanced back, Shay felt a pain in his chest. His heart ached for her. It ached the same way the last time he saw his brother. When he couldn’t make the f*cking kill. And because of that… all this was happening.

In the meeting room, Gaige came in and put a bottle of whiskey down in the middle of the table. Blaine had a lit cigarette between his lips, but he wasn’t smoking it. Everyone else was quiet. And Shay hated to admit it, but it looked as though they were afraid.

“What happened tonight was bad,” Miller said, “We can all agree to it. Prospect, patched in, whoever… that was a life lost. We’ll honor Jon with a drink, but this has to stop. We have to step everything up. The Lost Men are here for a purpose. Tomorrow, we meet with Eight Under. Then we take our army and head into battle.”

“I have something to say,” Shay said. He looked around the table.

“Go ahead, Shay,” Miller said.

“I want to kill him. I want to watch Caius die. I want to hear his last breath and see death crawl across his face. And I have good goddamn reason to do it.”