Beretta (MC#1)

Chapter 25- Him

Today's the day. The club is in preparation for the incoming war, nomads have been called in and the clubhouse slash bar slash church is completely packed. Half with men and the other half with ammunition, food and medicine.

This is the ugliness behind the magnificent clash of clubs. Club life isn't just bikes and booze- it's blood, sweat, tears, it's war. But this time we aren't just facing a rival gang, we face to face with an outlaw god- a man controlling all surrounding clubs, trades and towns. Even the police department is making arrangements for evacuating one-fourth of the town- the part closest to the action.

Exactly two weeks since Rose revealed all she knew. Then, not many men believed we had anything to worry about, not truly believing Rose. Mainly because she was an outsider but mostly because the club still ran on outdated terms concerning women, so they weren't taking her seriously. They thought she was bluffing, that she was lying about her assassin status. Bastards

Today, she proved her worth when she caught two spies within the club, our liquor dealer and a prospect. Needless to say, they sang their master's tunes when Rose was almost done with them. Those traitors were buried in pieces.

And now, Rose quietly speaks to her brother, freshly showered and looking like a different person than the blood covered figure that emerged from the basement. Blood had matted her hair and sprayed on her whole face, even crusted underneath her nails. In that moment she was the true reaper and we, her disciples. I just smiled at her. My angel.

-of death.

Speaking of which, I'd found myself laying claim to her almost every chance I got. We going to the warehouse? She'd be riding behind me. Oh, we chilling in the bar? she'd be in my lap. We in church? She'd sit in my seat and I'd instinctively stand over her, hands on her shoulders as she conversed animatedly. I assure you; I wasn't listening to one word anyone else said- she was my center of attention and I liked it, almost loved it. I almost loved her.

But the question was, did she? Could she love my broken self? Lord knows I don't deserve it. Maybe she'll turn out to be just like Raven. Heal me and then leave me for another. That would be best for Rose but with her I'm a selfish bastard. I can't let her go, I won't even if it's for the best, even if she tells me to- I can't. I never felt this- this thing in my chest. It's warm and fuzzy and alive whenever I see Rose.

And then I think, did I ever even love Raven? For I let her go. I imagine Rose in her place and see myself crumble with even that thought of her leaving.

"Brothers!", Prez barks and everyone scrambles to their seats.

"Let's start with an inventory. Ammunition?"

"Check", Dagger states.

"Medical supplies?"

"Check", Doc speaks up from his position at the end of the long and narrow table.

"Food and booze?"

"Check", Raven calls out from her place. Today she sits next to the President himself. I see some brothers silently protest against this seating arrangement but one sharp glare from Rose and they find the ceiling much more interesting than staring distastefully at the Queen.

"Brothers we're fully stocked on emergency club supplies. Next, safety measures", Prez continues. "Blaze?", I clear my throat.

"We'll be following same club protocol with all secondary members; your old ladies or wives, children, siblings in the town, parents- anyone associated with you or can be traced back with a connection to you needs to go underground", everyone nods already expecting this, but Rose. And I hold my breath, waiting.

"Hope y'all aren't expecting me to be hiding underground like a fucking rat", she mumbles. Okay, that's fair.

"You'll be backup", Don tells her.

"Backup ain't shit, brother", she sneers the last word.

"Wh-"

"OK, let's talk positions", Prez interferes before the tension escalates.

"All of us will of course be above ground with prospects guarding the people underground", Don motions at every member at the table. "Beretta has no business fighting our wars for us"

"I, with no due respect, will make my own decision regarding this. You are absolutely not needed for it. Infact, you have no business making my decisions for me", Rose responds coolly, legs crossed and leaning back.

"This club-", Rose holds up a hand when Don opens his mouth to spew some more bullshit to get over the roast, he just received that had Psycho smiling manically and Hound spitting out his water all over Maddog. "- became my responsibility when your late President had this-", she lifts her hair and turns around to show the club logo tattooed between her shoulders, "- done on me"

"But Prez, no club woman fights. It would be a disrespect and disgrace to all men here. Do you really want to seem incompetent enough to have women fight for us?", Raven tenses at this, ready to spring forward but Rose slams her golden Beretta on the table, barrel facing Don and the trigger nearest to her.

"That's strike 2. Do not test my patience and do not tempt my fury", Rose grits out between clenched teeth and I shake my head side to side at Don trying to speak up. Glaring daggers at Don, she looks around at everyone refusing to meet her gaze. She looks at me and for a second I think I see real hot fire burning in there. Apparently Prez sees it too and orders a cold glass of water.

"Don, that's a fair point you have there-", Prez speaks after Rose downs the water. At his words she reaches for her gun and I quickly snatch up her wrist in mine laying kisses on it. Underneath the table I subconsciously rub circles on her thigh. She deflates and relaxes. Yeah, she likes it. "- if only we were in the 90's. Rose will do as she wills-", Don bangs his fist on the tables, face scrunched up in frustration and Rose sits a little straighter, "-but, with all safety precautions", Rose

"bu-"

"Church over", Prez bangs completely ignoring his sister. "Back in 20 for strategy and planning"

"What does that mean? Safety precautions? Do I look weak to you, D?", Rose asks after everone leaves.

"No, you don't but yes, you will follow all precautions including bullet proof jackets", Prez states calmly, polar opposite to his sister.

"Jackets? Multiple?"

"Yes, multiple jackets"