Devil’s Vengeance (Devil’s Disciples MC #6)

Chapter 44

CHAPTER 44

CHASE

We were meeting Patriot in a bar on the edge of the city, a little run-down joint that wouldn’t draw much attention from the cops. I didn’t recognize the place. It was just outside our territory and not in an area that would draw our attention. Too much petty crime pulling the pigs into the area. But for tonight, it would be fine as long as no one did anything stupid to draw the pigs to us. And knowing how many in Trick’s crew had warrants out, I knew that was the last thing they wanted.

There were six bikes parked out front when we got there. One guy stood beside them, probably watching them. It was a prospect’s job whenever we went out, and I kind of expected I’d be the one forced to do it tonight, but Clink shoved me toward the door and Knox stayed behind, leaning casually against his bike like he didn’t have a care in the world. Asking questions right now would make us look weak, so I followed the officers without a word, even while my brain struggled to catch up. It would’ve been better to keep me in the loop if they were planning on dragging me along. Hopefully, it didn't bite us in the ass.

The place was pretty quiet. A couple of people sat at the bar, talking low amongst themselves, and one or two played pool off to one side. They weren’t wearing cuts, but I kept an eye on all of them in case Patriot decided to do something underhanded to take us off guard. He sat at a table in the corner with his guys at his back, tracking Croy as he moved through the space. With an air of confidence I could never pull off, Croy sat across from his enemy, his posture relaxed and his hands on the table. Proving to Patriot that he wasn’t worried about him enough to keep his hand near his weapon.

“Croy,” Patriot rumbled.

“Patriot.”

They stared at each other, waiting for the other to break. I’d seen Croy do it before. He never broke. He’d sit motionless all night. The only time he lost his temper was when Riley was involved, and I knew for a fact she and the rest of the old ladies were well hidden tonight. Croy wasn’t risking a repeat of the other night with his old lady on the line.

Patriot waited longer than most people would, but eventually, he lost the battle, a muscle twitching in his eye when he started to get annoyed. He spoke first, his voice terse.

“Well? You invited us here. You must have somethin’ to say.”

“Mm.” Croy stayed quiet for just a minute longer, just to fuck with the guy, before finally speaking. “How loyal are your guys?”

That wasn’t what Patriot was expecting, based on the frown on his face. I wasn’t sure where Croy was going with the question either, but I couldn’t let my confusion show. I kept my face carefully neutral, listening both to the conversation and our surroundings in case someone tried to do something stupid.

“My guys would lay down their lives for our crew. Why the fuck are you askin’?” Patriot growled suspiciously.

“They don’t seem that loyal if they’re starting shit with my crew over one dumbass’s old grudge. I figured one of them was lying to you about what was really going on here. I know I wouldn’t do a damn thing about my crew’s personal bullshit. I’ve got a business to run.”

Patriot’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly before he relaxed, leaning back in his seat. “Don’t know what you’re talkin’ about. My crew ain’t doin’ shit. Unless you got proof?”

Without any signal from Croy, Clink tossed a few pictures onto the table.

“These guys look familiar? They were picked up after an attack on one of our locations. After they were released, we grabbed them for a little chat,” Croy said blandly.

Patriot sat up straighter. They weren’t mugshots or regular pictures. They were taken after a few hours in the gas station. Both guys were barely recognizable, their faces bloody and swollen. Croy was making a statement, and that statement pissed Patriot off.

“Where the fuck are they?”

“Where they belong. Paying for what they took from me and my crew. You’re the one who let some pissant’s personal grudge explode like this. You could’ve let them handle it themselves. That’s all my guy wanted. Right, Chase?”

“Right, Prez,” I growled, glaring at Patriot.

Patriot shoved to his feet, his teeth bared. “You think I give a shit? You’re starting a war–”

Croy’s voice stayed deadly calm as he stood. “No. You started the war when you let your crew into my territory. You started a war by giving them the idea that they could attack my home and murder my people. You started this. Now, I’m going to end it.”

Patriot stiffened and I saw his hand twitch at his side. I wasn’t stupid enough to carry my weapon on my ankle anymore. I wasn’t trying to hide it so I could blend in watching over the girls. It was attached to my hip and within reach, and I was ready to pull it out at a moment’s notice.

Croy raised his hand to stop him. “I told you, this was a neutral meeting. I’m kind enough to give you a heads-up.” He leaned his palms onto the table, leveling Patriot with a look. “Every single member of your crew will be in that chair. Even if you run, I’m going to keep coming for you. My charters will come for you. My allies will come for you. You took something from me when you attacked my home. I’m not stopping until you and your crew are nothing but bloodstains on the floor.”

To his credit, Patriot actually looked pale. Maybe he was finally realizing who he was messing with. But it was too late to back out. Croy didn’t make idle threats. He tried once to be the bigger man and give another crew the chance to hand over the responsible parties. He wasn’t so patient now.

Croy turned without a backward glance, heading for the door. Reaper and Brewer flanked him, with me and Clink in the rear. We made it to the door before Patriot shouted at him.

“Why not let them handle it between themselves? Right here and now.”

When I glanced over my shoulder, Trick slinked in from the back, his normal smarmy smirk gone. He knew what would happen if it was just me and him. His prez making the suggestion wasn’t what he planned.

Croy didn’t even turn around. “It’s too late for that. I’m coming for your crew, Patriot. We’ll see each other again soon.”

MARIAH

After Chase left, I thought about going straight upstairs, but I knew I’d just work myself up until he got back. I worried about why they were dragging him away without notice. To distract myself, I went to join Bear, who was watching the officers drag Chase away with a deep frown on his face. When I was close enough, he jerked his chin at the door they’d disappeared through.

“Where they goin’?”

I shook my head. “No clue. They didn’t stop to explain. They just told him he was coming with them and to leave me here. He asked me to stay with you.”

Bear grunted in acknowledgment, tipping his head toward the stool next to him. He checked his phone, frowning at it, before tucking it away.

“That asshole come back today?”

“No,” I grumbled. I almost wanted him to just so Chase could deal with him and he’d leave me alone. But he probably wasn’t going to get close while Chase was still around. Which left only that stupid plan that made no freaking sense. I sighed heavily.

“What?” Bear asked, eyeing me with a frown.

I wrinkled my nose. “Croy has a plan for drawing Trick out. I think it's too dangerous. But I’m having trouble coming up with something else.”

Someone snorted, dragging my attention to them. I recognized the man, but I couldn’t place his name. He was the one who lived next door to Chase and thanked me for not spilling the drama to Nevada. He was ignoring the party in general, making himself something to eat from the limited contents of the fridge.

“Got somethin’ to say, Lewis?” Bear growled.

Lewis? That wasn’t a road name. Was he a prospect? But the prospects were busy cleaning and taking care of the clubhouse. None of them were sitting around making a sandwich. Who even was this guy?

Lewis didn’t even look up. “Nothing. I just think it's funny that she thinks coming up with a new plan will change anything. Croy doesn’t change his mind. She can either go along with the plan or let Chase take the fall. He’ll be the one who suffers if she refuses.”

My stomach dropped and I gaped at him. “I never agreed to be part of this. Why would they punish him?”

Lewis finally looked up, hazel eyes locked on me. “Because when you fuck with your crew, even with good intentions, you pay the price. His problems started all this. He’s going to be the one to fix it. And if any of the plans fall through, he’ll be the one to pay for it.”

I wanted to shout at them that it wasn’t his fault. He didn’t ask for Trick to show up here and attack his crew. He was going to handle it himself. It was Trick who dragged the crews into it. But I’d be yelling at the wrong people. Bear didn’t have any more say in how things went than Chase did. And if Lewis was a prospect, then he had even less say. It was Croy and the other officers who were putting all the blame on Chase. I knew I wouldn’t be able to convince them to change their mind, but if I could come up with a better plan, maybe they would listen to reason. Nevada would have.

That made me feel guilty the minute it crossed my mind. Nevada was gone. And if I hadn’t called the cops, he might’ve survived. Riley might’ve gotten to him sooner and he might not have bled out. I couldn’t be using him in any argument because I shouldered part of the blame for his death.

“What kind of plan did Croy come up with?” Bear asked. His question forced me out of my shame spiral and I looked up at him with a frown.

“He didn’t tell you?”

The look Bear gave me said that was a stupid question. I threw my hands up in exasperation.

“I don’t know the dynamics. Cut me some slack,” I huffed before explaining, “Croy wants to draw Trick out using me as bait. He wants Chase to leave me alone at the library without any protection. I think it's too risky. Children come to the library every day. He’s putting them and so many other innocent people at risk just to catch this guy.”

Lewis made a face. “That won’t work. He won’t be stupid enough to come during the day. Right?”

I shrugged. “He showed up to threaten me yesterday. But that’s why I wanted another plan. Something with less of a chance of innocents getting hurt. If I have to be a part of this, I don’t want to be responsible for more lives lost.” I already had a hand in Nevada’s death by calling the cops and stalling him getting help. I didn’t want any more people dying because of me.