Page 47 of Raggedy Dan
He put one bullet behind Teddy’s ear.
They doused the truck and the body with gas, while Denver shut down the feed and took possession of the electronics for anything they might find on them.
Tinder lit the match.
Flames shot thirty feet high, painting every face in the circle orange.
Dan pulled Riley against his chest.She was shaking, but her voice was steady when she whispered against his throat:
“It’s done.”
***
Dan
All members stood for church today, because when they were talking about giving someone a member patch, it should demand every man’s attention.
Mad Dawg stood in the middle of the circle, Martini at his side.“This man has passed every test we’ve given him.He’s worked hard, been respectful, and above all been honest in every interaction.This man has my vote for member.I’ve been proud to be his sponsor.”Dawg looked around at every face.“Does any man speak differently about Martini, government name Desmond Teller, proving himself as a prospect for the past thirteen months?”
No one said anything in response, which was the correct answer.
Dawg grinned at them, then grabbed Martini’s shoulder, and roughly shook him back and forth.“You’re in.Hand in your prospect vest to Viper and get a patch from him to put on your own vest.Welcome to the club, brother.”
“That’s it?”
“Oh, hell yeah, the hard bit is already behind you.This is supposed to be the easy part, brother.”He yanked him back and forth one more time before hauling Martini in for a one-armed clinch, holding tight for a moment.“Welcome.”
Dan pushed forwards with the rest of the members, each taking a turn to greet their new brother.He gripped Martini’s forearm in a warrior’s shake, telling him as he’d told only a few others, “Well met, my brother.”
He fell back to the rear of the crush around the newest RMMC member, posting up next to where Tinder stood with his shoulders against the wall.“Growing by measured amounts is the way to go, man.”
“It’s easy when it’s a good fella like Martini.Glad he happened to go into Dawg’s shop and liked what he saw.”Tinder looked preoccupied, and Dan frowned at him, not accustomed to seeing his President less than present.
“What’s up, brother?Something going on?”
“What?”Tinder glanced at him, then said, “Naw, nothing club-related.It’s all gravy, my friend.”
“You know that saying is like three decades out of fashion, right?”
“You still knew what I was talking about, though.Didn’t ya?”
“Yeah.”He nudged Tinder’s shoulder.“Wanna put money on which brother’s gonna be the next to fall?”
That startled a bark of laughter out of Tinder, who shook his head emphatically.“Oh, hell no.I learned back with Dawg not to bet against love.”He lifted his chin.“When it’s supposed to, love always wins.”
“That it does, brother.”
The door between the meeting room and the main room of the clubhouse opened, and men started filing out, already yelling at prospects for beers.
“Who’s the next prospect to make a bid for a patch?”
“Probably be Rocky.He’s in his eleventh month and doing well.Malibu is his sponsor, so he could tell you better.From what I know though, and I know a lot, that’s the next growth spurt the club’s gonna hit.”
“Grow ‘em slow and right.”
“Hell yeah, brother.”Tinder thudded a fist against Dan’s shoulder.“I hear a beer calling my name.”
“And I hear my ole lady callin’ mine.”He grinned.“I’m so whipped and glad of it.”
