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Doc pulled out a small vial with a swab brush in it. “Already ahead of you, brother.” He handed it over. “Nikita offered the FBI’s help with this. Get Delphi’s and Shovelhead’s DNA over to her, and she’ll have the lab run it.”
Brewer tucked the tube into his breast pocket. “Thanks, Doc.”
“You’d do the same for me.” Doc’s brows furrowed when Boulder and Cueball started wailing on Shovelhead again. “For as upstanding an MC as we are, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this part.”
“Not something we usually have to do.” Brewer eyed the man who had patched the previous year. “I hope to the goddess neither of us has to see it again.”
Doc nodded, then sighed. “Better go check his vitals. Don’t wanna drop a dead man on the sheriff’s door.”
Brewer watched Doc cut through the crowd toward Shovelhead. The malice seemed to pause for the moment, and suddenly all Brewer craved was a stiff shot of whiskey.
Rubble whistled, and the room went quiet once more. “Doc says the traitor needs a bit of rest. Grab a drink and be back in an hour.”
Grumblings echoed, but none of the men dared to talk back with Rubble’s steely gaze simply waiting for someone to get out of line. The brute may be a kindred spirit with his old lady, but every man in Macha feared the ex-MMA fighter for good reason.
Brewer waited until the room emptied. He remained, along with Dolly, Doc, and Reaper. Each pair of eyes were fastened to Shovelhead. Dolly’s makeup was smeared from rubbing her eyes and crying. He didn’t blame her one bit. They’d both found out the reason their parents died. It wasn’t an easy thing to swallow.
He looped his arm around Dolly’s shoulders and pulled her into his chest. Her body shook with silent sobs, and he squeezed her tighter. Dolly’d been one foot out the door since their parents’ death, but now he wasn’t sure how much longer she’d stay Macha’s madam. Not with her own love life taking a turn for the better.
He met Reaper’s eyes and immediately recognized the wear and tear on the older man. Years at the helm of Macha showed in his eyes. He’d step down in a month, and it wasn’t a secret whom Reaper wanted as his successor. Doc was a shoo-in, but it’d be a close call for both president and VP.
“I can’t do it,” Brewer said softly. “Surely you understand.”
Reaper smiled sadly. “Boyo, it’s not up to me anymore. The club votes in two weeks. You have until then to convince them you’re not up for a cabinet gig.”
Doc cleared his throat, finished with his examination. “If it makes you feel any better, Brewer, Isa absolutely hates the idea of me in charge too.”
Brewer rested his chin on the top of Dolly’s head. “Not really. You were born to lead. I sling drinks, and I’m good at it.”
“But you’ve also managed to capture Macha’s traitor,” Reaper pointed out.
“Only because of Delphi.” His sister smacked him in the gut and pulled away. “And Dolly.”
Dolly wiped at her eyes and nodded. “Fuck yeah.”
“Women are what make Macha great. Not the men. They should be in leadership roles.”
Tucking his small glasses into the pocket on his vest, Reaper walked over and handed Brewer the leather book. The cover was faded, but he knew the words scribbled on the pages. It was Macha’s code and duties. He’d read the book more times than he could recall.
“Don’t let your fear govern your future.” Reaper clasped the back of Brewer’s neck, blue eyes watery. “Your da was a great man. Your mum died protecting him. Whatever happens, you’ll make them proud.” He pressed a fatherly kiss to Brewer’s forehead, then walked out of the room.
Brewer choked back his emotions. He’d always looked up to Reaper, and the thought of him not being around as much didn’t sit well with him.
“We all grow up, big brother,” Dolly said, nudging him gently. “And now we can move forward without that scumbag.” She jerked a thumb over her shoulder and nodded once before she hurried out of the room. She’d need time to grieve but would leave the rest of Shovelhead’s fate to the club.
Brewer stood there, staring at Shovelhead for a moment longer before he turned on his heels and left the bastard behind. He didn’t need to see what happened to Shovelhead. The club wouldn’t kill him. They would make him eat his burned patch and beat him to the brink of death’s embrace, but then they’d turn him over to the law. He could live with that. He didn’t need to be part of the ritual, though. He had a new reason to live, and she was snuggled in his bed.
CHAPTER36
DELPHI
The days passed in a blur.Between fixing up her restaurant and spending time with Brewer at Macha’s clubhouse, Delphi almost forgot about the tiny little DNA detail. Almost.
She cracked her knuckles and stared at the television. The cooking competition usually kept her attention, but not after Brewer called, saying he had the paternity results. She sat on the edge of the couch, knees bouncing up and down. The drive from the clubhouse wasn’t long, but to her, it felt like hours. She’d unlocked the door in anticipation of Brewer’s arrival, and even her favorite cuddle bug couldn’t ease her anxiety.
Fiona purred happily on her lap. Having the old feline around kept her company all through her adulthood thus far, and she couldn’t imagine life without a cat.
“Delphi, you really should lock the door. You never know who might drop by to visit.”
