Sleeping With The Devil

Chapter Six

The morning light filtered through the heavy curtains of Archer's room, casting a muted glow over the scattered clothes and empty whiskey bottles from the night before. The clubhouse was quiet now, the sounds of men celebrating their victory against the Irish having faded as they succumbed to sleep. But for Archer, sleep had been elusive, his mind too occupied with thoughts that refused to let him rest.
He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying the events of the previous day over and over again. The hits had gone off without a hitch, just as they'd planned. The stash house burned, the distribution centre was in shambles, and the Irish were left scrambling to pick up the pieces. It had been a message, loud and clear, that Los Angeles belonged to the Nameless MC, and any attempt to challenge that would end in blood.But it wasn't just the success of the operation that weighed on Archer's mind. It was the way Dysyn Hellfire's words had echoed in his thoughts, a reminder of the responsibilities that stretched far beyond the motorcycle club he led. Dysyn had spoken of the future, of the role Archer was destined to play within the Russian Mafia, and it was a future that both intrigued and unsettled him.Archer swung his legs over the side of the bed, the cool air brushing against his bare skin as he sat up. His body ached from the tension of the previous day, a dull reminder of the battles he had fought, both physical and mental. He needed to clear his head, to focus on what was in front of him—on the here and now.He dressed quickly, pulling on his jeans and boots before shrugging into his leather jacket. The cut felt heavy on his shoulders, a symbol of everything he had built, everything he had fought for. But today, it also felt like a burden, one that was becoming harder to carry with each passing day.Archer left his room, heading down the empty hallway toward the war room. He could already hear the low murmur of voices, the other members of the MC gathering for the morning's debrief. They would go over the details of the hits, assess the fallout, and plan their next moves. It was business as usual, but there was a tension in the air that Archer couldn't ignore.When he entered the room, the men looked up, their conversations halting as they acknowledged his presence. Viper was already there, leaning against the edge of the table, his usual smirk absent as he studied the map of Los Angeles that still lay spread out before them."Morning, Prez," Viper greeted, his tone more subdued than usual.Archer nodded in response, taking his place at the head of the table. He didn't waste any time with pleasantries; they had work to do."Let's go over the hits," Archer said, his voice cutting through the silence. "How did it go at the docks?"One of the men, Tank, stepped forward, his massive frame imposing even in the dim light. "Clean. We took out their guys and torched the place. No one's walking out of there alive.""Good," Archer replied, his mind already moving on to the next target. "What about the bar?"Viper took this one, his expression grim. "Same story. We hit them hard and fast. Took out their top guys, and left no witnesses. The place is a mess, but the message is clear."Archer nodded, satisfaction mixing with the ever-present weight of what they had done. The Irish had been dealt a significant blow, but it wasn't over. They would retaliate—it was only a matter of time."We'll need to be ready," Archer said, his tone serious. "The Irish won't take this lying down. We need to tighten security around the clubhouse and keep an eye on our supply lines. They'll come at us from every angle, and we need to be prepared."The men nodded in agreement, their faces set with the same determination that Archer felt deep in his bones. They had won the battle, but the war was far from over."We also need to make sure our allies are still with us," Viper added, his eyes meeting Archer's. "The Russians, the Cartel—they'll be watching how we handle this. We can't afford to lose their support."Archer knew Viper was right. The alliances they had formed were crucial to their survival, and any sign of weakness could spell disaster. But it wasn't just about power and control; it was about family, about protecting what was theirs.The rest of the meeting was spent discussing logistics, going over every detail to ensure that they were prepared for whatever the Irish might throw at them next. By the time the men dispersed, the sun was high in the sky, the morning giving way to the heat of the day.Archer remained behind with Viper, the two of them lingering in the war room as the others went about their tasks. There was a comfortable silence between them, the kind that only came after years of shared battles and unspoken understanding."Hell of a day," Viper said finally, breaking the silence as he poured them both a drink. It was a ritual they had shared many times before—a moment to unwind, to process the events of the day."Yeah," Archer agreed, taking the glass that Viper offered him. He stared into the amber liquid, his mind still racing with thoughts of the future, of the responsibilities that weighed heavily on his shoulders. "It's not going to get any easier."Viper smirked, though there was a hint of something more serious in his eyes. "When has it ever been easy?"Archer chuckled, though the sound was devoid of humour. "Fair point."They drank in silence for a moment, the whiskey warming them from the inside out. Viper set his glass down, his gaze shifting to the map still spread out on the table."You ever think about what comes next?" Viper asked, his tone casual, but Archer could sense the underlying concern. "I mean, beyond all of this?"Archer took a moment to consider the question. It wasn't something he allowed himself to dwell on often—thinking about the future meant acknowledging the possibility of change, of things slipping out of his control. But with Dysyn's words still echoing in his mind, it was a question he couldn't ignore."Sometimes," Archer admitted, his voice low. "But right now, all I can think about is keeping everyone safe. Keeping Farrah safe."Viper nodded, understanding flickering in his eyes. "She means a lot to you.""She always has," Archer said, the weight of his words hanging between them. Farrah was a constant in his life, a thread that tied him to a past that was both sweet and painful. She was the one person who could still make him feel something beyond the cold calculation that had become second nature to him."You think Dysyn's right?" Viper asked, his tone cautious. "About you stepping up, taking on more responsibility?"Archer didn't answer right away. The thought of stepping into a larger role within the Russian Mafia was both tempting and daunting. It was a path that would bring more power and more control—but it would also bring more danger, and more risks, especially for Farrah."I don't know," Archer admitted, running a hand through his hair. "It's a lot to think about.""Yeah," Viper agreed, his tone thoughtful. "But whatever you decide, you know I've got your back."Archer looked at his friend, gratitude mixing with the ever-present sense of duty. "I know. And I appreciate it."Viper smiled, a genuine one this time, as he raised his glass in a silent toast. Archer did the same, the gesture a simple acknowledgment of the bond they shared, of the battles they had fought and the ones still to come.As the night descended, the clubhouse grew quiet again, the men retiring to their rooms, their minds still buzzing with the adrenaline of the day. But Archer remained in the war room, his thoughts too restless to allow for sleep.He stared out the window at the darkened landscape, the city lights twinkling in the distance. The future was uncertain, the path ahead fraught with danger and difficult choices. But one thing was clear: Archer would do whatever it took to protect his family, to protect Farrah.The night stretched on, and Archer finally allowed himself to relax, if only slightly. Viper's presence beside him was a reminder that he wasn't alone in this fight, that he had people he could trust, people who would stand by him no matter what.For now, that was enough.The calm before the storm was fleeting, but Archer would savour it while it lasted. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, and new battles to fight. But tonight, he was content to simply be, to take a moment to breathe before the world demanded more of him.And when that time came, Archer would be ready—ready to face whatever the future held, with his brothers by his side and the determination to protect what was his, no matter the cost.