Revved Up Soul

Chapter 27

Luke

Gabriel knocked down a beer like it was nothing, slamming down the glass and raising his chin at Luke, "That's six to your two," he remarked, "losing your edge, champ." Not a chance.

Luke couldn't help but smile, "I'm letting you get ahead is all," he replied, "giving you that much needed handicap." Warmth pressed against Luke's chest. Knots forming, the upcoming gun run danced across Luke's mind. The Club couldn't keep doing this shit forever, it wasn't right – and more importantly, it wasn't safe. Ever since Martine started cracking down, the boys had to mix things up, start throwing out curveballs so that the shit could get done.

Wagging a finger, Gabriel responded, "Eh, I don't think so. Think you're scared, Luke."

The bar was packed today. Luke, Alex, Gabriel, Benny; four prospects and the old man: D.W Galavante, which was Gabriel's father. Only a couple other key members of the Steel Knights were MIA. If you had a seat at the table, you were given a riding name; Robert was Chains, Gabriel's Angel, Luke's Reaper, Allen's Godfather, Alex's Trigger, Benny's Cloudkicker.

Far behind them a voice like gravel rang out, "Luke," of course, here we go. "Get your ass over here," it was Allen, the one and only. Luke shot Gabriel a look, "You're lucky Gabe, someone up there's looking out for you." If only he'd been looking out for you . . .

Gabriel looked unimpressed, he wasn't one to believe in the divine or fate or any of that crap. Luke didn't subscribe either, but he didn't announce it as much or as proudly as Gabriel – maybe I'm just not that sure sometimes, Luke mused.

There was a voice in the back of his head that would sometimes taunt him, remind him that of all the hospitals and clinics and pharmacies, Luke had picked St. Augustine. What were the odds, really? He was captivated by that vision of beauty, and when he had first seen her – he instantly knew that he had to have her; that every line of her body and soul would have to be charted by his hands. If anything happened to her because of the Life, Luke wasn't sure how he would live with himself – this is why things had to be as they were.

Luke Reynolds spun in his chair and got up, walking with a swagger to his step as he moved over to Allen. He was waiting by the double doors to the round table. "Lay it on me, Boss."

Allen was a hard man, full of lines on his 46 year old face; lots of white stubble and brows that hung so low you'd figure you angered him just by existing. He gestured with his head, motioning towards the round table, "Earl." Damnit, this shit again?

The two entered the room and closed the door behind them, not bothering to take a seat. Allen crossed his arms; he had a furious look behind his eyes. "Last night you told me that shit went down," he started, "that Robert made a mess of things."

"Yeah," Luke replied, "he did." Luke pushed his chest out, the hell was this about? "I leave somethin' out that Robert 'remembered' hmn? Just how long are you going to keep sticking up for him – and while we're at it, you said we were going to be out of the gun game by now."

Shoving a finger in Luke's face, Allen's voice had a point to it now, "Boy, don't get cute with me now," he gave a toothy smile. He always did that when he was pissed, some kind of sick mix of amusement and anger. "We're out, when I say we're out," Allen growled.

Clicking his tongue, Luke stretched out his neck, "Call a vote then, why don't you? You scared? I'm not alone on this, Prez."

"Get over yourself. Rob said that you lied, son. You've lied before don't tell me you haven't." It sent waves of sickness through Luke's body to hear him say that word; it wasn't that he didn't appreciate what the man did for him, but by no means was he his father.

By no means was he a good father. But at least, admittedly, he was there. "Of course I did," Luke's voice dripped with sarcasm and he rolled his head, "about what? What'd I lie about this time huh?"

"Says you tried to triple the price on the spot for ole Earl. Things didn't go your way you got hot headed, pulled out your piece."

"Horseshit!" Luke spat, jaw clenching tight and eyes squinting ever so slightly. "You just gonna take his word because he actually has your blood?—"

"Don't put that on me now—"

"No," Luke's voice was becoming louder and louder still. "Come on dad just admit it," he said, the venom dripping from his mouth. "Admit it," he said. "Say you believe him because he's your son and I'm just the burden you had to inherit – every god damn time it comes down to me versus him; you always pick him. That's not coincidence, that's a series of events."

Allen pressed his hands hard against Luke's chest, "You're pissing me off," he growled. "The hell am I supposed to say to shit like that? Huh? You want me to say it?" He yelled.

The rage formed deep within Luke's bones, his body feeling twice as heavy, twin snakes of fire working their way up his spine. "Don't touch me again old man," he threatened.

"Or what?" He gave that toothy grin again. "You gonna' hit your old man? Huh? Second you do, swear to Christ I'll beat your ass in front of every god damn Knight out there 'till you cry like you used to."

Luke shook his head and put his hands up, taking a step back, "Robert's lying to you, and if you want to blame me – then go ahead. He's just gonna keep making shit bad for us, Allen," Luke exhaled a breath, his chest hot with rage, "he's been taking Oxycottons like candy and selling them on the side for cash, the lengths I'm having to go to just to keep shit from hitting the fan—I mean, it just doesn't matter when he's out there screwing us!"

Grin fading, Allen balled tight a fist. "Horseshit," he decried, "there's going to be blowback," he shoved a finger in Luke's direction again, "and it's gonna be on you when someone bites the dust."

I hope it's you, "I'm done pretending Rob's what he used to be," Luke brought his hands back to his side, walking away from the President, "I think I was just too young and stupid to see him for what he always was."

"Get back here," Allen called out. "Hey!" He growled as Luke turned the handle, "Luke!" Allen put a hand on the man's shoulder.

He turned around, shoving his surrogate father away, "Don't touch me," he spat, slamming the door behind him and looking over to Gabriel. "Gabe! Come on, we're getting out of here."

Gabriel craned his neck to look at Luke, his brows raised, "Everything okay? Sounded kind of heated in there, couldn't make much out."

Alex eyed Luke with concern, a couple of prospects turning to see what was up.

Pulling at his bomber jacket, Luke motioned with his head for Gabriel to follow. "It's just the usual shit boys, nothing we ain't hashed out a dozen times before."

Maybe breaking away from the club was worth entertaining, he fingered the ring that was once Able's, wishing now more than ever that he were here for him.