Page 12 of Burn Me Down

Slipping the hood back and off my face, I could feel them staring at the scar. They didn’t need to say it out loud. Their eyes said it for them. I pointedly looked around the room and took in all the faces.

“Oh damn, you’re him?” Like a switch flipping, the tension changed. I was the monster in your closet at night, the boogeyman under the bed. I could feel the fear spreading. I watched as one man looked at his cigarette and quickly snuffed it out.

“Shit,” Tanner said, and I smirked at him. “Sorry, man.”

I smirked at him. “Boom, boom,” I said sarcastically, and he cleared his throat and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

The two men I’d met once before walked over. “The name is Roach. It’s nice to meet you. I’m a fan of your work.”

I shook his outstretched hand. “Are you? How close do you like to get to death,” I asked, unable to help myself, and laughed as he stammered.

“Name’s Snake. Thanks for your help with Reapers and that house a while back.”

“Nice work with the dick in the mouth. I found that amusing,” I said, shaking his hand. I knew this man had done that without anyone saying it. The others didn’t have that touch of crazy in their eyes like he did. I not only understood it, I liked it.

“You can call me DW or Dragon.”

“Alright, enough with the pleasantries. Snake, Beast, and Mannix join me and DW in the office. We have shit to discuss.”

Like the parting of the Red Sea, all those in the way of the stairs scrambled like they couldn’t do it fast enough. I was used to that reaction. It didn’t even bother me anymore. There was only one person I wished wouldn’t run from me. What was Cookie doing right now? I made a mental note to hook the camera up to my phone when I got back.

The five of us marched up the metal stairs and into what I presumed was Chase’s office.

“Wanna drink?”

“Last time I drank with you, I couldn’t remember what happened. So, no.” Chase smirked as he poured himself three fingers.

“You may want to add a finger to that glass,” Snake said as he sat down. “Naomi went shopping and dragged half the sorority along with her.” Chase paused with the glass in front of his mouth. “She was trying to figure out why her credit cards wouldn’t work.” Snake gave Chase an evil grin, his eyes sharp with humor.

“Fuck. How long do you think I have before she realizes I put a cap on them?”

Snake looked at his phone. “An hour, give or take.”

“Shit, I better make this quick.” Chase chugged the liquor down and then coughed. “Grab a seat.” I stood in the corner and watched everyone in the room. With just a glance, I could tell the rank of authority, but the evident respect between them was impressive. A ship only ran well if the crew was loyal to the captain.

Chase flopped down behind his desk. “We have a growing issue with a couple of motorcycle clubs,” Chase said, and I crossed my arms.

“What does that have to do with me? I’m not part of your club.”

“Would you like to be?”

I wasn’t expecting that. “You don’t want someone like me. I don’t exactly play well with others.”

“True, but what if you were a member who didn’t live here and could still do your own thing? You would have all the benefits of our protection and resources when needed, and we would have your specialty.”

The other three didn’t speak but looked as shocked as I felt.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s not really a member. Besides, I’m not one to take orders, and you know that I don’t take down random targets just because they are a pain in your ass.”

Chase tapped his empty glass on the desk. “What would make you change your mind? Name it, and it’s yours. I need your help, and I know there has to be something you need from me.”

I rubbed at my chin and looked out the large window to the group below. What would it be like to be part of this? Would it make me feel less or more of an outcast? There also might come a time when I could use the weight of an MC to help me out of a jam.

“Alright, I’ll consider it, but I have conditions,” I said.

“Anything, you name it, and it’s yours.”

I gave him a lopsided smile. “You may regret that when you hear the terms.”