Devil's Ride (Royal Bastards MC Tonopah, NV #3) - Nikki Landis Page 0,43

never me or my Reaper.

That was an important distinction and one I needed to remember.

Time would march on and I needed to be the man that my Trish felt like she could come home to when she was ready. The next day, I had meetings and my schedule was full. Up early, I walked the length of the compound and opened the repair shop, taking my time and letting the normalcy of life creep back in. I’d forgotten the man that I was and who my father raised me to be.

I’d been lost in darkness and the need for revenge. Acid’s death proved the only peace to be found was the one I made with myself. Losing Trish proved I had changes to make and I wanted to be the president this club deserved so I could be the protector my woman counted on.

Weeks turned into months and I kept the same routine. I opened the shop every day. Got up early and took care of my business. When the Russians made their appearance and fucked with Azrael, I let him seek his own vengeance. He found a sexy little nurse named Nylah and she stuck by his side. Both Solonik and Voltoy learned fast that our Reapers didn’t mess around. Jameson was home in NOLA as pres of the RBMC and life was crazy but manageable.

Patriot was no longer suffering from PTSD and Nylah’s sister Naomi found her savior in Patriot. He was fiercely protective over her and a side I’d never seen of that Marine shined through. Brothers were finding love and it was a bittersweet reality for me. I didn’t begrudge their happiness. I just wanted a little of it for myself.

When I got back from NOLA, we found a shit show waiting for us. That Russian Solonik knew we took out his nephew Voltoy. He attacked the Crossroads while we were gone. Ended up a brutal showdown when I found Solonik and Rael and I ended that sick motherfucker. Brothers were injured in the attack, and Patriot had been shot in the chest trying to save Nylah and Naomi. Naomi was also in critical condition in the hospital after Solonik shot her up with drugs and she nearly overdosed.

I was on my way to Mt. Grant General Hospital this afternoon to check up on both Patriot and Naomi. Later in the afternoon, I planned to sit everyone down at church and figure out how we were gonna handle the attack on the Crossroads. We needed to send a message to those Russian assholes as well as Razr and the rest of the Scorpions MC.

On the way out of the shop, my cell vibrated. A number I hadn’t see in a long time popped up. Grinning, I swiped across the screen.

“Venom! Where you been, brother? What do I need to do to bring you into Nevada?”

He chuckled. “Got my own special brand of shit here in Ankeny.”

Yeah, I could understand that. “Your club good?”

“Fuck yeah. Just heard some news I thought I’d share.”

“Share away.”

“Picked up a couple of Scorpions snooping around the clubhouse. Fuckin’ idiots weren’t even quiet about it. Damn prospects.” He paused as I snickered in response. “One of them squealed like a little piglet and spilled his guts. Trouble is comin’ your way, brother.”

Fuck. Not now. “Well, shit.”

“Heard your chapter took out Vladimir Solonik and his nephew Alexi Voltoy. Those Russian assholes are thick as thieves all over the U.S. Problems in quite a few chapters.”

“Not the kind of news I wanted, brother.”

He snorted. “We took down Ivan Miloslavsky. Turns out he’s related to those fuckers and another one is working his way through Nevada. Russian named Sergei Resnikov. He’s got his eye on Tonopah.”

“Let him come,” I spat.

“That Black Market Railroad is a problem, brother. We got to deal with it on all ends.”

I caught his meaning. “Yeah, I feel you. Consider it done on my end.”

“Good to hear, Grim. Stay in touch. Give a shout if you need backup.”

“Will do. You let me know if you need us. I’ll be there, Venom.”

“Got it, brother.”

Fuck. Shit was stackin’ up faster than I could take care of it. This wasn’t good. Out of the fryin’ pan and into the motherfuckin’ fire. It never seemed to end. Trish was right about that. Danger and the MC went hand in hand.

We ended the call and I sighed, pulling out a cigarette and lighting up. I could feel my blood pressure rising with the knowledge that my