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

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

CHASE

The meeting with Mariah’s dad went better than expected. Mostly because I was just as pissed off as he was that Trick got away. And when I went into detail about how I was going to protect Mariah from him, he clapped me on the shoulder and told me I was alright. I didn’t need his approval, I’d keep chasing her until she accepted my claim anyway, but it seemed to make her happy. I still had to contend with the sister, who said she wouldn’t leave us alone until I invited her to the club. I had half a mind to put her on the do-not-admit list, but I got the feeling that’d only make things worse. These sisters were stubborn to a fault.

Mariah refused to skip out on work. The crew fixed up the holes in the walls since they didn’t want any attention from the cops, and Mariah used her day off to clean up the mess before they reopened again. She was determined not to let Trick win and make her afraid of living her life. And since her dad was sticking around town to keep an eye on her, I felt safe enough to let her go to work. It didn’t stop me from getting cameras installed on my dime, but Neo showed me how to set them up so I could check the footage from my phone whenever I felt the urge to check on her.

Not that I was overly worried. She proved how tough she was taking on Trick on her own. She got a new taser and a can of mace, and then I took her to the range to test her skills and got her a conceal and carry license too because there was no such thing as being too careful with my ol’ lady. She laughed when I gifted the pistol to her like a present, but I was determined to treat her right, even when I was being overprotective.

And because I was fucking dedicated to her, I agreed to a couple of sessions with a therapist. Sort of. I agreed to talk to Sam’s friend, Tyson. He was known by the crew and trusted, and as a sponsor, he knew enough psychology to possibly help me get past what happened to Hannah. I hated every damn second of it, but it made Mariah happy, so whatever. I’d do it for her.

“Yo, Chase! Church meeting!” Snake Eyes called out.

I looked up from my phone, where I’d been texting Mariah. She was having a girls night with Lacey at her place. She worried for a while that the other old ladies hated her for calling the cops, but me and Riley reassured her that it was probably for the best. It might not have saved Nevada, but it sent whoever was left scattering and got two into our hands in the end. I couldn’t blame her for being scared. I never told her not to call the cops. She knew better now what to do in an emergency.

Pushing out of my chair, I headed for church. I wasn’t in the loop anymore about what was happening, but I didn't hate it. The pressure lifted a little after I proved I wasn’t as straight laced as the guys thought. The officers might have issues with me now, but the other guys told me they would have probably done the same in my position. The fallout wasn’t as bad as I expected. Viper clapped my shoulder, making me grunt and glare at him.

“Watch it, asshole.”

“Always so pissy,” he teased. “You’d think with an ol’ lady, you’d be in a better mood. Unless handing over your balls is as unpleasant as it sounds. Does she make you take out the trash and fold her panties and all that shit?”

“You sound pathetic,” Bear grumbled, lifting his chin in greeting when I leaned against the wall next to him.

“Right? I feel bad for the woman who ends up with him,” I agreed.

Viper scowled at the both of us, but he didn’t have time to comment before Knox called the room to order. My eyes trailed over the room, doing a double take as I looked over the officers’ table. There was someone new sitting in one of the chairs. He was facing the rest of us on Croy’s left .

“Who the fuck is that?” Viper whispered.

“No fucking clue,” Snake Eyes answered. “Visiting Charter?”

We didn’t get charter members visiting us often. As the founder branch of the crew, we were the crew equivalent of royalty compared to the rest. People didn’t come out here without an invite.

Murmurs filled the room as everyone questioned who the newcomer was. I stayed silent, watching the guy. He looked ready to shoot someone at a moment’s notice.

“Quiet,” Reaper snapped. The room fell silent.

Once everyone shut up again, Croy finally spoke up. “We’re making some changes to the officer positions of the crew. From today forward, Reaper is the new VP.”

That made sense. I didn’t think there was anyone Croy trusted more than Reaper. They prospected together.

“So who’s Sergeant At Arms, then? We all know it’s not Clink,” Viper called out.

Clink flipped him off. “No, asshole. No one handles the money better than I do. I’m Treasurer for a reason.”

Everyone’s gaze shifted to Brewer. He was tough enough to handle the job, but he had a kid at home and one on the way. It didn’t feel like a good time for him. And Knox had only been in his position for a little over a year. No one would take him seriously.

Croy pushed to his feet, his gaze dark as it swept over the crew. “I’ve come to the realization that I’ve been too easy on you. Too many of my own crew have stabbed me in the back or put their bullshit before the crew as a whole.” He shot a pointed look at me, but I wasn’t the only one. Neo got the same look. “I don’t trust a single one of you to handle the job that needs to be done. So I made some calls and had an old friend pulled from one of the charters.” He gestured to the man sitting beside him.

“Meet your new Sergeant at Arms. Madden ‘Mad Dog’ Butcher.”

Murmurs turned into a full-blown uproar as people protested an outsider joining officer ranks without prospecting here first. A few called out suggestions in the crew that would be better suited. One even mentioned Bear, who quickly refused. He was big enough to knock some heads together, but not tough enough for the job. He preferred his security gigs and keeping his head down.

I looked over the crew, considering each of them through Croy’s eyes. None stood out to me as the right fit. I still thought Brewer would do the job well, but with his kids to focus on, he wouldn’t have the time. Road Captain was better for him with the time split.

Looking back at the newcomer, I studied him. His expression hadn’t changed once since the announcement. He took the protests without flinching or losing his temper. But only time would tell if he was worth his salt.

Croy slammed a fist onto the table, effectively silencing everyone. “Enough. This is not up for discussion. The officers vote on who joins our ranks. Deal with it or drop off your cut and get the fuck out.”

He shoved away from the table and stormed off, slamming the door behind him. The rest of the officers followed, uninterested in hearing the arguments. Only Mad Dog stayed behind. He studied the group with indifference, raising an eyebrow when no one said anything to him. Not until Viper decided to speak up.

“So what are we supposed to call you then? Mad? Or Dog?” he snickered.

I could’ve told him hazing wouldn’t work on this guy, but after the shit he pulled pestering me for Mariah’s sister’s number for a straight week, I didn’t feel like rescuing him. Besides, Mad Dog didn’t take the bait.

“You get to call me Sergeant. Any other questions?”