Page 179 of Devil’s Disciples

Reno teetered from side to side while he waited for me to respond.

“Bad news,” I said.

He glanced out at the yard. “It’s pretty bad.”

“I’m a big boy,” I said jokingly. “Let’s hear it”

“Found out the gal you’re fucking is a nigger,” he whispered. “Thought you’d want to know.”

It took an instant for what he said to register. When it did, my ears began to ring.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d blacked out, but it had happened in the past. When it did, the outcome was never favorable.

When things came back into focus, Ghost had me in a choke hold, and the sound of people screaming seemed to be coming from everywhere.

I glanced down. Reno was at my feet. Goose was leaning over him. Blood was splattered all over the wooden deck.

I raised my hands in surrender. “I’m done. Get your arm off my fuckin’ neck.”

Ghost released his grip. “You cool?”

I rubbed my neck. “I’m good.”

“God damn it, Cash,” Baker stepped onto the deck. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“He deserved it, Bake,” I said. “Cocksucker’s lucky I didn’t kill him.”

Baker pushed Goose to the side and looked Reno over. “Call an ambulance,” he shouted over his shoulder.

“Fuck,” Ghost said under his breath.

Baker stood and waved his hand toward Reno. “Look at him, Cash. You’re telling me he deserved that?”

Ghost cleared his throat. “Hate to say it, but you’d have done the same thing, Boss.”

“What’d he do?” Baker asked.

Standing just beyond the deck, Kimberly gawked at the group with wide eyes. Wide eyes that were filled with fear.

I looked at Ghost and shook my head. “Tell him later. When we’re gone.”

As I stepped off the deck, I slowly filled with regret over everything that had happened. From punching Tito to pummeling Reno, however, one thing had been made crystal clear. So clear that there was no denying it.

Kimberly meant more to me than I was readily willing to admit.

I had my doubts, however, that she’d be willing to continue. I could apologize all I wanted, but Baker was right.

A tiger couldn’t change its stripes.

69

Kimberly

Cash wasn’t simply the man I was fucking. The pain I felt proved there was much more to the relationship than that.

I ached.

The same mind-numbing pain that took possession of me after the death of my parents returned. As much as I loved the way Cash made me feel, I knew I couldn’t live a life with a man who used violence as a means of resolve. By his own admittance, he was the MC’s muscle.