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I wondered if the Ravage Riders MC knew what the Outlaws wanted with Max. It was worth asking. R.J. would probably have an idea. It was a good thing I was already going to see him tomorrow. I had a feeling he wouldn’t miss Leah’s birthday party. I couldn’t deny it was more than a coincidence.
Fate seemed determined to push us together again.
Chapter 8 – R.J.
“Guess what I got you, munchkin?”
I was holding up a box professionally gift wrapped in Frozen artwork and pastel colored ribbons, leaving it just high enough out of Leah’s reach. There was no way I could ever do something this nice on my own. Rae was super nice to help me out.
“Teasing isn’t nice, Uncle R.J.” Her little foot stomped as she tried to jump and snag the present from my hands.
I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing out loud.
“I’m gonna put this on your gift table. No shaking or picking it up. I’ll be watching,” I warned, strolling into the backyard.
“No fair!” she screeched, just as the doorbell rang and her friends started to arrive.
My gift was forgotten as Leah ran toward the door, squealing with excitement.
Chuckling, I placed the present on the table draped with a pink plastic tablecloth. The entire backyard looked like someone threw up salmon pink, purple, and baby blue and tossed it with every single Frozen themed item they could find. Streamers, cardboard cutouts, balloons, tables loaded down with gifts and party favors – it was a guy’s worst nightmare, if he didn’t completely love the little girl whose birthday splashed the entire vicinity in pastel cheer.
I strolled to one of the coolers and reached inside, frowning at the lack of beer. That would have to wait, I supposed. Rae wouldn’t want anyone drunk at Leah’s party. I was sure my brothers would have plenty of alcohol available later tonight.
Ghost and GQ arrived with another cooler full of adult drinks that Rae made them place inside the house and promise to drink after the party. All of the RRMC was here in support, enjoying the celebration. Bryce walked into the backyard and lit up a smoke next to my side, puffing away in silence for several minutes.
I knew he didn’t want to give up his role in his father’s club and hand over the Outlaws to Devlin. There was enough tension between the two MCs and his reluctance to patch with the Riders created unease among my brothers. Few understood just how close Edge and Bryce had become. Discovering they were half brothers a few months ago had broken the feud between them and united Edge and Bryce and their determination to end the bad blood between the Outlaws and the Riders. Of course, that had a lot do with Mack, our pres.
The sins of the father never strayed far from the children . . .
We all knew that just a little too well.
Rae’s father Ron and Edge’s father Mack had been best friends. A lot of shit happened in the past and it caused the rift that opened between the Riders and the Outlaws. It was fucked up, to be honest. Mack was the largest to blame and he’d probably never fully live down the chaos and destruction he caused. All because of a woman. Patty Harding.
Patty had betrayed Striker, Bryce’s father and fallen in love with Mack. When they had Edge and their affair was revealed, it caused a shitstorm. Striker wanted revenge. Ron, Mack, Striker, and Patty ended up in a brutal showdown where Ron was shot and killed, along with Patty. The dual tragedy sparked a vengeful hate between the two clubs as Striker was the pres of the Outlaws and Mack was V.P. of the Riders. Ten years lapsed before Striker’s evil plot was revealed. Everything came to a dangerous and bloody confrontation when Rafe, the pres of the Riders betrayed the club and chose Striker’s side. That was the day Striker and Rafe died. Just months ago.
But it wasn’t over.
Devlin became the new pres of the Outlaws. He wanted blood and his own vengeance.
Time was ticking closer to the day when we’d have to take Devlin down.
Until then, the club kept an eye on the SOMC under Mack’s leadership as he was voted in as our pres. Edge was his chosen V.P. and the club didn’t hesitate to approve.
That just left Bryce and his allegiance. His loyalty was absolute when it came to his brother Edge but would he back up the club? I wanted to say yes without hesitation, but the truth was, I didn’t know what the hell Bryce was gonna do when the moment came. He was a wild card and that shit was a big deal with the rest of the club. Edge’s reassurance at Church kept the peace for now but once Devlin made his move, all bets were off.
Bryce seemed to discern my thoughts as we smoked and watched the party from the edge of the yard. “I’m loyal to Edge and the club, R.J.”
“Never said you weren’t.”
“Didn’t have to,” he responded, ticking his head in my direction. “You’re as close to my brother as real blood. You’ve watched out for Edge and Rae as long as I can remember. That means a lot to me. I know we’ve had our disagreements in the past but that’s exactly what that shit is, the past.”
“Then you know I’m watching, and I won’t hesitate to take you down with the Outlaws if it comes to that.” He stiffened and I shrugged. “My loyalty is to my club, my brothers, and my family. You’re none of those at present, Bryce.”
He flinched but then slowly nodded. “I’m not gonna be able to stick around without patching in with the Riders, am I?”
“I can’t make that decision on my own but as long as Devlin is the pres of the Outlaws, there’s bad blood.”
“Yeah,” he agreed. “Don’t I know it.”
