Road Tripped (Satan's Devils MC Utah #1) - Manda Mellett Page 0,21
about the way we run this chapter that are different. I’m giving you a chance to see if you think you can accept what we are and what we do. But that’s without you running back to Drummer, at least not until you’ve given us some time. I’m asking you to keep certain things to yourself.”
“Can’t do that,” Road objects. “My loyalty is to my prez.”
“There are other ways to make sure certain details don’t meet the ears of the mother chapter.” Thor, one hundred percent in his enforcer role, has come up behind Road.
Road stiffens, showing he’s not stupid. He’s clearly aware of the threat.
I sigh.
“Why don’t you give us a chance, Road?” I try to defuse the situation. What we do here is too important to be wrecked by one man, and while it wouldn’t be my first choice, I do have some sympathy with Thor’s view that he wants to make his silence permanent.
It’s as though Road’s seeing me for the first time when he now turns his full attention on me. Really seeing me, as a person and not as a piece of meat, and not something for his entertainment. I’m all too well aware how women are regarded in other clubs—they are either sweet butts or old ladies, with nothing in between. I can’t see there’s much difference in either role myself. They’re kept women performing on their backs to keep their positions, it’s only the number of men that they service which makes the distinction.
I doubt Road’s ever come across a woman he needs to see as his equivalent before. He manages a strip club after all.
“Are you into illegal shit? Or drugs?” he asks, his eyes narrowing as he turns back to the prez.
Prez bristles, spitting out, “Nothing of the fuckin’ sort.”
“You going to come right out and tell me what you’re about?”
With a shake of his head, Prez refuses. “I’d rather you took some time to see for yourself.”
Road considers him for a moment, then his gaze comes back to me. I wonder if this is where we learn something of the measure of the man. Is this someone who we’d call back in England a ‘jobsworth’, in that it’s more than his job’s worth to bend the instructions he’d been given? Which, though he hasn’t come out and said it, I’m certain were along the lines of go to Utah and find out what the hell goes on in that chapter. Or is he going to think for himself, and realise we’re given him the opportunity of understanding what makes us different, and take the time to discover why we are, instead of just wanting to run back to Drummer and tell him the little he already knows.
I’m starting to suspect Road may not be a man to simply follow orders. The slight gleam in his eyes shows an interest has been sparked.
“Give us a few days,” I press, thinking it looks like he’s weakening.
He draws in air, lets it out, then jerks his head, indicating the enforcer he’s well aware is still standing behind him. “It doesn’t look like I’ve got much choice other than to give you a few days, but I still need to contact Drummer and tell him something. He’ll get worried if I go radio silent.”
One corner of Pip’s mouth turns up. “I’ve got your phone, Road. Until you know what we’re all about, I’m keeping hold of it. I’ll text Drummer myself.”
Road’s face darkens. “Seems lack of trust works both ways. I don’t trust any of you assholes here.” His eyes shutter, and I can understand what he’s feeling. The pause stretches out, then he realises he has no other option. Clearly defeated, he addresses me directly. “What do I fuckin’ call you?” His head moves side to side. “Can’t call you Brother.”
I chuckle. “Swift will do fine.”
“You a Brit or Australian or something?”
Rolling my eyes as it’s not the first time Americans have muddled up my accent. “I’m from England.” It’s time to get friendly and defuse the situation. Believing I know just how, I offer, “Hey, you want a beer?” I’ve noticed some brothers are milling around, unashamedly listening in on our conversation, but others have walked out, and it’s not hard to guess where they’ll be going. I don’t know what Road feels like, but I could do with something to wet my throat. I hadn’t exerted much energy taking Stormy down, but the adrenaline I’d had to summon has left me