Steel Temptation (Back Down Devil MC #6)(31)

“Chief is done,” Nate said. “The war with Strokner. Eight Under coming through strong for so long. So many bodies, fights, wars, deaths. It has to take a toll on him. Shit, Miller, he’s got to get in front of the public eye and try to save face. You know? We don’t have that. We just get judged and accepted.”

“Fuck him,” Miller said. “He’s gotten… enough.”

That anger flared again.

Miller walked forward a little. Nate then followed.

“Look, Miller, I’m just doing what’s right. I got attacked, man. I got bashed in the head. I had to stand there today and watch Chief Jerry deal with us and Coast Road like we’re f*cking stupid. He didn’t detain those guys. They’re out again. I guarantee you that delivery was made, too. That van wasn’t impounded. That’s what makes this f*cked up. How long can we go? I mean, without making it known.”

“Then what?” Miller asked. He put his hands to his sides. “Then what? This whole place…”

Nate stood next to Miller. “Don’t forget. He’s been there for a lot of it. The backdoor deals and shit. It’ll haunt him if he comes to us too strong. Maybe we should find out what his end game is. Help him get it and move on.”

“Christ, that’s diplomatic. You sound like a President now.”

Nate touched his left breast. No patch was there. “No, Miller, I’m not a President. Never have been, never will be. I’m just talking out of my ass. I don’t want to see that woman die. She knows who I am. This isn’t some f*cking romance thing. She was called in… she, uh, maybe we can attack during the poker game.”

“Sounds like we’ve got options, Nate.”

“We need a meeting,” Nate said. “A good meeting. Griffin needs to cool himself. He doesn’t know my…”

Car brakes squealed.

Through the gates, two cars appeared. Beat up pieces of shit cars. Two men jumped out, wearing black masks on their faces. Nate grabbed his gun and put his hand out to push Miller away.

Nobody fired though.

Instead, one of the guys threw something over the gate.

They were then in the car and took off.

“Help!” Nate bellowed, hoping his voice would carry enough to the clubhouse.

Miller crept forward. “What the fu…”

Nate grabbed Miller and swung him back. He then charged after the object. It looked like a coffee can with the label peeled off. It made a metallic sound and Nate knew it was going to explode.

“Fuck,” he said.

He hurried and kicked the thing, sending it rolling - and exploding. Nate turned and dropped to the ground. The explosion was quick, enough to penetrate Nate’s ears and make them hurt a little. But he felt hot, stinging pain everywhere on his back and ass.

The can had been filled with something to spread around.

Nate screamed and slumped forward, belly to the pavement. He looked to his right and saw a group of the guys charging after him. Of all people, Griffin somehow had the lead. Gaige was right behind him, screaming Nate’s name.

As Nate rolled to his side, Gaige was there, dropping to the ground, grabbing his leather.

“Bro, f*ck…”

“I’m fine,” Nate said. “Just help me up.”

Getting to his feet, Nate looked behind him.

Back Down Devil MC was under f*cking attack now, for real.

After brushing himself off, Nate twisted in pain. It felt like his back was literally on fire. Fearing just that (mixed with a little shock) Nate tore his leather cut off his body. Next came his shirt. Both articles of clothing were then on the ground. They were on fire. The leather cut had taken the brunt of whatever the hell was in the makeshift bomb. There were gouges and cuts, some small holes.

Nate flexed his back and turned. “Bro…”

“Jesus,” Gaige said. “Your back is cut up.”

“Bad?”

“No,” Griffin said, stepping into the conversation. “We better move. If they… f*ck…”

Nate looked at the gates and saw a group of motorcycles approaching.

“They’re back for more,” Gaige said.

Nate counted five motorcycles. He glanced over his shoulder and saw the guys getting together. Ready to fight. Even Miller charged forward, showing his teeth like a rabid animal.

“You have to keep Miller back and safe,” Nate said to Griffin. “If he gets hurt…”

“Good luck with that,” Griffin said.

“Shoot!” Miller bellowed. “We are not going to be under attack. This is our home. This is our clubhouse. Fucking shoot!”

That was good enough for Nate. He took out his gun and took a couple shots, just to do it. The guys on the motorcycles weren’t expecting the shots. Miller ordered two prospects to open the gates. The prospects literally went right in the middle of the fire. That’s what they did though. If you wanted to be patched in you had to prove yourself.

As the prospects opened the gates, one of them was shot. The prospect spun and collapsed. Nate hurried to aim for anything he could. Men, motorcycles, whatever would get these *s out of here. A gunfight from the street to the compound was not good news at all. But Back Down Devil was not going to accept being under attack.

Miller pushed forward, standing between Nate and Gaige.