Stung by Stealth: A Satan's Savages MC Novel #3 (16 page)

Everyone stiffens in their seats at Mad Dog’s words, and my heart starts to race at the thought.

“That’s a stupid idea. You’re already injured, so is Crash. Ryder died for fuck’s sake! You need to think about gettin’ out of guns and drugs, find somethin’ else to put your time into and call it a loss. Don’t lose more lives over this Cartel business,” Steel advises and Mad Dog huffs.

“No, we won’t be beaten by outsiders. We stay the distance, with you back by my side I can fight this war.”

Steel shakes his head. “I’m not stayin’, I have to get back to
my
club.”

“This
is
your club, kid!”

Steel sighs. “No, it’s not. Not anymore. Not while
he’s
alive.” His fierce glare on Chops would send ice through hell.

“And how
is
Willow?” Chops teases.

Steel stands up abruptly balling his fists at his sides, and Jock pulls at his shirt making him sit back down in his chair. “You’ll
never
find out,” Steel sneers through gritted teeth.

“Just know I haven’t come after her because of Mad Dog. Piss him off enough and he might let me. So keep going the way you are, Steel, I’d love to wrap my hands around her tiny little throat—”

“Enough!
Chops you’re never to touch Willow…
ever!
Steel, you’re welcome back here anytime, but Chops is a First 7 original. His place is at this table.”

Steel nods pursing his lips and exhaling. “I know, that’s why
my place
is at Gator’s side.”

Mad Dog nods, flaring his nostrils like he’s accepting the answer but not happy with it. “The Ingratos, we go after them. All of them.”

“Are we putting this to a vote?” Techie asks.

“No, I rule it so. Find me their hangout Techie. How many there are? The best time to infiltrate? Get the lowdown on their security, we need to go in unnoticed.” He bangs his gavel. “Church is adjourned.” He throws his gavel across the table, and it rolls from side to side loudly on the wood as it goes. He stands up and everyone else stands up too. I take a deep breath wondering what the hell the next few days here at the club are going to look like. This is going to be chaos. That’s if we even live through it.

I start to walk out and notice Steel’s talking to Mad Dog. Walking slower, I try to listen in to see what I can hear.

“We can’t be a part of the infiltration of the Ingratos. We came to see if we could help and if everyone was okay. I’m sorry, Dad, but my time here is over.”

Mad Dog sighs and shakes his head. “I can’t lose you again.”

“While Chops is here… I can’t be. My place is with Willow, and the only reason I’m here now is ‘cause she told me to come see you. So you have her to thank. I’m sorry you’re hurtin’, Dad. I know me leavin’ was hard on you, but I had to do the right thing by Willow, you know that.”

Mad Dog exhales as I stand just outside of the door listening in.

“I know, kid. I’m sorry you had to leave the way you did. Is she settling in okay at Aldinga?”

Steel exhales. “You know what Dad? I never thought I’d see the day she’d be suited to the club, but she’s taken to it way better than I could have expected. Everyone there loves her. She’s made friends with the club girls, and has started a kindergarten for my brothers’ kids. She is doin’ amazin’. I didn’t see it comin’, but she fits in perfectly. She amazes me each and every day.”

Mad Dog huffs.

I must admit, I’m a little shocked too.

“Well, that’s good to hear, kid. I’m glad she is fitting in there. She never would have here, we’re two different clubs Virginia and Aldinga.”

Steel chuckles. “You got that right. She’s happy, Dad, that’s all I want for her. As long as she can be in my world and be happy, that’s all I’m after.”

Mad Dog slaps Steel’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re doing well, kid. I’m glad Flame’s doing well. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss ya. It’s just not the same here without you.”

Steel exhales. “I know, old man, but you know why I can’t be here. And I understand why you can’t get rid of
him
. But I’m good at Aldinga, honestly. I’m in a good position, the guys treat me well. Mum is closer, and I get to talk to her more…” He pauses and Mad Dogs huffs quite loudly.

“Shit, sorry, Dad. That just spewed out of me, I didn’t think.”

“No, it’s okay. How is she?”

“Mum? She’s good. She pretends that she doesn’t miss you. And she makes out that she’s okay, just like you do. It’s hard to watch you both avoiding each other, when you should just suck it up and talk to one another.”

“Hey! The issues between your mother and me are our own, you don’t need to drag yourself into it.”

“She misses you. Call her.”

Mad Dog grunts. “It’s not that simple, Dylan. There’s too much pain, too much hurt, too many bad memories. She is better off without me.”

“That’s bullshit Dad—”

“Kid, shut it. It’s so hard here without you. I’ve had you around for twenty-four years, and now you’re gone… just like your mother, you left me. So, I’m dealing the best I can, all right!”

“I don’t think goin’ after the Ingratos is dealin’, Dad, I think that’s a suicide mission. That’s what that is? Some death wish?” Steel grumbles at his father, and I can almost imagine him puffing his chest out in obvious annoyance.

“I don’t need to be psychoanalyzed, Doctor Freud. You might not agree with my decisions. And if you can’t, then you best turn a blind eye, ‘cause we’re going into the Ingratos, we’re taking them down, and if you’re not helping then I don’t know why you’re here.”

“I’m here to check on you. But you’re makin’ it fuckin’ hard to be here. You’re bein’ an arrogant arse, and with Chops here too, I’m startin’ to wonder why I came. Maybe you don’t need my help. Maybe you should be taken out by the Cartel, you ignorant old fool.”

“Don’t talk to me like that, kid.”

“Then stop being a martyr, and know when you’ve lost. The Cartel are bigger than you, Dad. You’re one biker club, the Cartel is a worldwide organisation. You can’t win. But if you want to try and prove Mum right, then be my fuckin’ guest.”

“What the fuck has your mother got to do with this?”

“She left because she thought you and me were gonna die at the hands of this club. Well, this idea you have in your head… this big plan to bring down the Cartel… it’s gonna get you dead old man.”

“Well, I can’t wait to prove you both wrong.”

“Fine, I won’t come back to pick up your pieces again. You’re losin’ your shit, Dad. Pull it together before you lose it all.”

Heavy footsteps alert me that someone’s walking toward the doorway, so I casually start moving away from the door toward the bar.

Steel storms out of the assembly room and right up next to me. “Fuckin’ moron.”

Turning to look at him, I furrow my brows. “Sorry?” I ask wondering if he’s calling me the moron.

“My fuckin’ ignoramus father. I’m sorry, but you guys are idiots followin’ him into the Ingratos’ hangout. You’ll be slaughtered.”

Nodding my head, I take in a deep breath. “Tell me about it, but he’s the Prez—”

“And what he says goes. I know, I know. It was good to see you, brother.”

Smiling, I wrap my arm around his shoulders and pull him to me. “Awesome seeing you, too. Can you stay for a bevvy?”

He shrugs and shakes his head. “I think it’s best if I go. Tensions are high with Chops and the old man. I don’t want to make things worse by bein’ here.”

I half-smile and purse my lips. I wish he could stay longer. Hell, I wish he didn’t have to leave at all. “Look after that angel.”

He smirks and tilts his head over to Mad Dog, who’s sitting in an armchair with his head hanging low. “Look after
that
devil for me.”

I nod and take a deep breath slapping his back as we walk over to Jock, who’s busy flirting with Skye.

“Well lassie, it was nice meeting you. Hopefully, we’ll meet again one day and we can talk more about your brother,” Jock beams. I was sure he’d have been flirting with her, not talking about family, that’s a shock. He grabs her hand and kisses the back of it lightly and she smiles and nods.

“Thanks, Jock. As always, it’s a pleasure.” She looks at me and smirks as I raise an eyebrow and grin at her.

Steel slaps Jock on the back and tilts his head toward the door. “I think we better make tracks.”

Jock furrows his brows and pulls his lips together. “You sure, brother? I know things are a little tense, but don’t you want to be positive nothing goes awry?”

Steel huffs. “There’s nothin’ I can do here, Jock. He’s made up his mind, and I need to get back to Flame. I’m on edge leavin’ her behind.”

Jock nods and exhales. “Right VP, whatever you say.”

Techie walks over along with Lookout and Jigsaw.

“Steel, you can’t go just yet, we need to know what’s happening at Aldinga,” Techie chimes in and slaps Steel on the back.

“Yeah, motherfucker, you gotta split your arse and tell us why you up and left us you son of a bitch,” Lookout expresses, and we all raise our eyebrows at him.

“Do you mean spill the beans, not split your arse?” Steel chuckles, and Lookout looks up to the ceiling like he’s thinking.

“I’m sure that’s the motherfucking saying, isn’t it? Yeah, you’re just stirring my cock, right?”

We all crack up laughing. “You mean stirrin’ the pot?” I question and he frowns.

“What the fuck are you motherfuckers on? You need to learn your quotes ‘cause the shit you talking is whack!” Lookout quips shaking his head.

Steel wraps his arm around Lookout’s shoulders and pulls him in for a hug. “Fuck, I’ve missed you, you fuckin’ freak.”

We all chuckle as Lookout leans in kissing Steel on the cheek. Normally, anyone would think that was weird, but this is Lookout, and he does that sort of shit.

“So, tell us, why did you actually leave? It obviously has something to do with Chops, that’s abundantly clear,” I ask.

Steel’s nostrils flare as his chest heaves at the mention of Chops’ name. He grunts slightly and nods leaning in closer. “Flame somehow made her way into the Chop Shop while it was
in session
so to speak. Chops was out for blood, thinkin’ she was gonna to rat him out to the heat. I had no choice but to get her out of here. The target on her back was way too big, and I couldn’t let him get to her, so we left. Gator took us in, and I patched in quickly. With the numbers at Aldinga at an all-time low they needed an interim VP and they voted me in. So things are goin’ well. Flame fits in amazingly well. I was just tellin’ the Prez how surprised I was at how incredibly well she fits in there. Go figure. The club loves her and Petunia, and it was the best decision we ever made. Sure runnin’ may have made me a coward, but it saved her life, and that’s all I care about.”

“Shit brother, that motherfucker drove you out. I fucking hate him even more, that wimpy piece of arse,” Lookout sneers.

“Honestly, I’m glad. Sure I miss you boys, but my woman is happy and I can still be in the club. A club that’s doing good things, and isn’t into underworld shit. I think if I stayed here I would’ve lost her, so I’m grateful.”

“It’s good that Flame has found her place, brother, I’m happy for you,” I state and everyone nods.

“I still wish you were here, it’s just not the same. This club, brother…” Techie trails off.

Steel nods and nudges his shoulder into Techie’s. “Well, Aldinga is recruitin’, just remember that.”

Everyone smiles. I know no one will comment, they can’t, it’d be frowned upon. But it’s probably crossing everyone’s minds.

Steel looks to Jock and huffs. “I guess we should make tracks.”

Jock nods with a genuine caring smile and slaps Steel on the shoulder.

“The end is to leave,” Jigsaw states without his customary smirk, he’s frowning and actually looks a bit sad.

Steel tilts his head and shakes it slightly. “This isn’t the end, Jigsaw. I know I’ll see you guys again. Just be safe. Keep your ear to the ground. Make sure to watch your six at all times. This Cartel business is not good, brothers. Keep each other alive, okay? And tell Crash I wish I could’ve stayed to talk to him when he wakes up.”

“We’re not all going to make it out of this alive, Steel. You know that, right?” Techie asks.

Steel looks down to the ground and flares his nostrils as he huffs. “Just try not to die, any of you. Chops can die, I’m defo okay with that. Penetrator too. But you guys are my family. Techie, Lookout, Jigsaw, Behemoth, Stealth… boys, look out for each other and Crash. I don’t want to lose anyone else.”

I slap his shoulder and nod. “We’ll watch out for each other, brother, don’t worry.”

Techie nods and so does Lookout whose eyes appear a little watery. “Damn it motherfucker, why you gotta show up just to fucken leave again?” Lookout asks with a break in his voice.

Steel smiles and pulls Lookout to him in an embrace and they hug tightly, and then pull back as Lookout wipes at the corner of his eye. “We fucken miss you around here, brother,” Lookout admits.