Steel Temptation (Back Down Devil MC #6)(8)

“He wants his money,” Blaine said. “To get some * and disappear.”

“He’s f*cking married,” Nate said. “With a kid.”

Blaine snorted. “Please. Trust me, I’m right.” Blaine stood up and then bent his legs. “Fuck, man, there was something in my ass last night. I hope it’s not still there…”

“I’m moving,” Nate said.

He took Blaine’s advice and walked toward Miller.

Christ, it was still a strange feeling to approach the President of Back Down Devil MC. Miller was big, powerful, and wise. Nate was the same exact size as Miller. Thick arms, shoulders, a wide chest. Tall, messy hair, scruff on his face.

Nate remembered the old days when Miller offered him a leather cut. What it took to backstab the only family Nate knew. Then again, the scar on Nate’s chest was a reminder.

Nate stood for a few seconds.

Miller looked at him. “You think he’s going to bail on his family?”

“Who?”

“Jerry.”

“I don’t know. I’m not really thinking about that.”

“He has a wife. He has a kid. He’s cashing out, huh? And he doesn’t talk to us.”

“Why would he? We have nothing to offer him. We don’t have cash. We care about this town. About surviving. About keeping tabs on the other chapters. That’s what we’re about. The patch. The cut. The freedom. He doesn’t have any of that. Even with the badge and the gun, he’s got shit.”

“I should have seen this coming,” Miller said. “This is on me. Not you, Nate.”

“Fuck, Miller, I’m glad I was there to get attacked.”

Miller looked at Nate and gave a nod. “It’s dark and dirty shit.”

“It’s real dark and dirty shit,” Miller said.

“I’m angry.”

“You’re always angry. Even when we get you the best * in town you’re still angry.”

Nate grinned. “Last night wasn’t all that bad.”

Miller laughed. “Good to know, brother.” Miller then sighed. “Shit. We’re going to need…”

“Pres!” a voice boomed.

It was Blaine’s voice calling.

Nate turned with Miller and Nate felt his heart almost stop.

Chief f*cking Jerry was pulling into the compound lot.

Nate felt his blood instantly boil. He stepped forward, fists balled up tight. He wanted to go after the chief right now. Take him down and just start beating the shit out of him. Take him to the underground garage and chain him up. Use him as a punching bag for a little while until he started f*cking talking.

With two steps made, Miller threw an arm out and stopped Nate. “Hey. You don’t know shit. Your head still hurts a little. You have a headache everyday. You’re not even supposed to be riding your motorcycle but f*ck you, I’ll do what I want, okay?”

Nate gritted his teeth. “Miller…”

“If we let him know, then what?”

Nate saw the police cruiser stop. Chief Jerry got out of the vehicle and looked right at Nate.

He’s looking for me. He wants to know what I know.

“Shit,” Nate growled.

“Come on,” Miller said. “Let’s get this piece out of our way. So we can focus.”

Miller threw a smile on his face and gave a wave to the chief.

When they got close enough, they shook hands. Miller pulled Chief Jerry in for a hug.

“How’s the family?” Miller asked.

“Good,” Chief Jerry said. “Kid is learning tons of goddamn words. Driving me insane. Gets up too early for me. You know?”

“Kids,” Miller said. “Can’t even imagine it.”

“When’s the next one coming?” Gaige asked.

“When my wife opens her f*cking legs and lets me f*ck her,” the chief growled.

Nate saw the dark circles around his eyes. Life wasn’t so hot for him right now. That was good. Keep him under pressure and worried.

“Nate,” Chief Jerry said. “How are you feeling?”

“Getting there,” Nate said. “Still get headaches. Same shit.”

“You go back to the hospital or anything?”

“Fuck that,” Nate said. “I’m alive. I’m not supposed to be riding either, but I don’t give a shit.”

“Doesn’t surprise me,” Chief Jerry said. He leaned against the hood of his cruiser and folded his arms. “Well, I’ve got nothing good to report. I wish I did. I can’t believe something… well, who am I kidding? You’re f*cking Back Down Devil. Of course I can believe it. But just to be safe, I’ve closed the beaches.”

“Are you patrolling them?” Nate asked.

“I’m doing my job,” Chief Jerry said.

“Then we’ll do ours,” Nate responded.

Miller put a hand out. “Forgive Nate. He’s in pain and pissed off. Rightfully f*cking so. It’s bullshit you have nothing, Jerry. We’ve been through a lot. You know we’re going to be out there looking.”

“I wish you wouldn’t on this,” Chief Jerry said. “Bothers me that something would happen in broad daylight. If I hadn’t…”