“You’ve got to stop looking out for me and move on. I’m not someone you can take care of or fix.”
“Do you think Whizz can? He’s as f**ked as you are. Is that what you want? Someone to tell tales with?” he asked.
Lacey laughed. “Are you jealous?”
“No, I’m not jealous. I’m worried about the girl I saved.”
“Exactly. You saved me, but it doesn’t mean I’m your responsibility. I love you, Dalton, as a brother and friend, nothing else. I’m not a girl anymore. I’m a thirty year old woman. Whizz is different. He’s hurting, and he was someone to talk to.”
“Fine, if you know what you’re doing,” Dalton said, pulling away.
“I do.”
Dalton walked away, and she went to close her door.
“Do you really think Whizz is going to forgive you when the truth comes out?” Dalton asked. “We’re going to take out our revenge, and all the truth will follow. You’ve lied to him already.”
Slamming the door, Lacey rested her head against the wood. She couldn’t turn her back on the club. The Savage Brothers were her family, but she also couldn’t risk Whizz hating her. She liked him and knew in her own way, that she could help him.
Chapter Nine
“You want me to what?” Lash asked.
Tiny stared across his desk at the man he truly believed would be perfect to take over The Skulls. “When this shit with Gonzalez is over and in a few years’ time I want you to take over. It’s time for me to step down.”
“You’ve got to be shitting me. There’s no way you’re stepping down. You’re not old, Tiny. The Skulls are yours.”
He shook his head.
“The Skulls are not mine. I helped set this place up with Mikey and Alex. I don’t intend for it all to die when I do.”
“You’ve got years to go yet before you give it all up.” Lash stood and started to pace his office. “This is insane.”
“You’re good for the club. You’re loyal, hardworking, and the men respect you. Far as I’m concerned you’ve got everything to make this club yours. Angel, she’s a good woman and will be perfect to help you.”
Lash burst out laughing. “The women would tear her apart.”
“Then you don’t know your woman. She’s growing, maturing, Lash. Angel is ready for this, as are you. The Skulls, it’s going to be yours.”
“What about Murphy and Tate?”
“I love my daughter and I know Murphy will care for her, but this life is not for her.”
“You’re crazy, Tiny. There has to be another man out there. What about Miles?”
“Miles is three years old, Lash. He’s not going to be running the club anytime soon, and I’m not going to spend the next twenty years waiting for him to take over.” Tiny had thought this over long and hard. Eva was in agreement with him even though she agreed with Lash that Tiny wasn’t old enough to step down. “How about this? You take over until Miles is ready to take over.”
“I’ve got to talk with my woman. I don’t think she’s going to like this.”
Tiny shrugged. “Do what you need to do but know I’m not changing my mind. You’ll make a brilliant president.”
Lash shook his head. “I think you need to have your head examined. I married one of the sweetest, most submissive women around and you think we’ll be a good couple to take over the running of the club? Do you know how crazy that sounds?”
“Angel jumped in front of Zero and took three bullets. She was courageous, and I’m not denying that she’s not sweet, but she loves you and will do everything to help you out. This is what a club needs. A good man to make it work along with a good woman to keep everyone in line.” Tiny stood up. “You’ve got what it takes.”
“Fucking insane,” Lash said, leaving the room.
Tiny remembered the shock that came over him when he realized how many men he was responsible for. Years ago he’d been young, younger than Lash when The Skulls was born. He had Mickey by his side along with other good men who all wanted The Skulls to work.
Opening the desk drawer, he shoved some envelopes aside to see the main photograph taken years ago as they opened the clubhouse. He was standing beside Mickey with Patricia in front of him. Alex was on his other side, and several other men were dotted around him. They were the original men in the group.
Leaving The Skulls to the right man was important to him. Lash was loyal and perfect for the job.
Putting the photo back in the drawer, he walked out of his office toward the main bar. He found Whizz typing away at the computer.
“Hey,” Tiny said, signaling to Ink to pour him a drink.
“Hey.” Whizz didn’t look up from the computer.
“What’s going on with you?”
Whizz paused and looked up from his laptop. “Nothing, why?”
“Well, you were whistling yesterday, and now you’re all serious again. Also, it has been a long time since I saw you sat at the bar looking at your laptop. You’re usually cooped away upstairs in your room. Are you doing okay?”
Tiny watched as he closed the laptop.
“I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
Whizz tapped his fingers on the bar. Tiny caught sight of the scar in the center of his hand from the knife that had been slammed through the skin and bone. The horrors that Whizz went through had kept them all up at night.
“I’m sure. I met someone, but it was just a chance meeting. At least, I think it was a chance meeting. Do you know anyone by the name of Lacey?” Whizz asked.
“Who?” Butch asked. The other brother was passing by the bar as Whizz spoke.
“It’s nothing. I’m sure I’m just going insane.” Whizz took a sip of his water.
“When did you meet this woman?” Butch took a step closer, folding his arms.
Tiny watched, not liking one bit the way Butch went on the defensive.
“What’s it to you?” Tiny asked.
“With everything going on, I don’t think it’s good for us to let new people in.” Butch wouldn’t meet his eyes.
“We just voted in three prospects. Should I kick them out because of the Gonzalez shit?” Tiny asked, standing up.
“Look, there’s no need for you all to start f**king shouting. I met a woman in a café, and for once it meant something. That’s all. No Gonzalez shit, or anything else. Geez, can’t a guy just have a chance meeting with a woman anymore?” Whizz stormed off, leaving the conflict.