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“Tired of what?” Picnic asked, his eyes narrowing
“Tired of putting ti Reapers e should be focused onall peaceful last Deceer I don’t appreciate assles like yourselves threatening hed and leaned back in his chair, rubbing the bridge of his nose between his fingers
“Tiuys, they’re a little slow, clinging to the past That was their play, and it was a fkin’ stupid one But hting you is a waste of tiy Used to be ere in thethe door This wasn’t an easy uns and caun,” Deke ru his head
“Jesus, you’re a hardass,” he told Deke “Respect But seein’ as I’ht now, I thinkGotta be a record”
“That’s your play?” Picnic asked, openly skeptical “You had some kind of revolution back houess, you think we should all just hug and anize a potluck?”
Hunter laughed, his body language so relaxed it was al Didn’t he realize they could take hier decided He knew it
He just didn’t care, and a erous as fk
“Cut the shit,” Ruger said suddenly “What do you want?”
Hunter leaned forward and met his eyes, voice serious
“I’ territory and influence for years, and it’s getting worse We got boys co to expand We need to be fighting the you instead So far as I can tell, we’re doing it out of habit like a bunch of da better to do,” he added
“Swattin’ flies isn’t habit, it’s housekeeping,” Deke rumbled “Same with killin’ Jacks”
Hunter shook his head
“Tell me this,” he said “Your niece, that was souys in Redding Two of those guys had kids You re it happened—which for the record, I don’t acknowledge—it’s probably because they attacked our guys the night before,” Picnic said “Preeuys were down there to steal one of our shipments,” Hunter said flatly “And they burned down our clubhouse while they were at it Why’d they do that?”
Picnic shrugged
“Dunno I wasn’t in on that decision,” Picnic adht and kill each other over it,” Hunter said “And each tionna kill each other off cos down south want Our clubs, we got history between us, and it’s not good But we’re the same kind—we knohat it means to be brothers Men like us, we live to ride, and ride to live Fuck the world”
Ruger nodded, acknowledging the point
“Noe’re seeing boys movin’ north, boys who aren’t part of a brotherhood … and I ot kids workin’ the streets can’t be more than ten years old,” Hunter continued “These children are takin’ orders froet their hands dirty, let alone thron for theet to think, and they don’t even knohy they’re fighting They’re a threat to our way of life, yours andabout Reapers when every tih school dropout’s takin’ potshots at er glanced at Picnic His face was thoughtful, although his expression didn’t give away a thing Horse grunted, polishing off his drink
“I’m not the only one who feels that way,” Hunter said “Lot of my brothers, we’re tired of this war Those sa ame It’s about values and e stand for We’re brothers and we ride, all the rest is details These fkers, though … Deep down inside, there’s nothing there We gotta stop the a war on two fronts”
“Enough,” Deke growled “You’re a little fkwad and you don’t know jack What’s gone down between us, that shit doesn’t go away just because you and your boyfriends decide you’re scared of so in on your territory You wanted a ith the Reapers and now you’ve got it We’re going to kill you All of you Might take a while I’m patient”
“Deke—” Picnic said, his voice low and full of unmistakable command “What they did to Gracie can’t be fixed, brother But the bastards paid and now they’re gone The et hurt I got two daughters Peace between clubs isn’t always a bad thing Especially when the cartel’s hters,” Hunter told Picnic, eyes narrowing “In fact, we know a hell of a lot uys in my club who think we should strike, think we can use the cartel to throw you off balance They called the shots last Deceht now and I’d like to keep it that way You got two choices here … First one is nut up and ith oes home happily ever after, shittin’ rainbows and dancin’ with unicorns Second choice is keep fighting with each other until they take us all out You want that? Fine I’hters you care about One’s up in Bellinghairls, which I know ’cause I’ve seen ’em for myself Recently”