Declan (10 page)

I was like a kid in a candy shop rummaging around Chris’s warehouse. I kept picking things up and just touching them to make sure they were real. Deadliest candy shop I’ve ever seen that’s for sure.

One thing is clear, Chris has some considerable contacts. I don’t know who he’s working for, and perhaps I’m better off not knowing. I’m just glad to have him on side.

Chris’s secretary brings us more freshly brewed coffee which is a good thing as my eyes are heavy from lack of sleep.

“You’re lucky you’re in Victoria and not New South Wales.” Chris tells me as he delves into the plate of cookies that his secretary left on the desk between us.

“Why?” I ask around a mouthful of half eaten biscuit.

“Have you not heard of these new VLAD laws?” Chris looks surprised. “I thought you’d have been more on the ball.”

“VLAD? What’s that, I thought it was another name for Dracula.” I laugh.

“I wish it was that funny. It stands for ‘Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Act’. Basically they’re cracking down on bikies. You need to be careful. If you’re even seen talking to two or more patched bikers you can end up in prison.”

I do a double take. I’ve never heard of the law, but it sounds extreme. “You what?”

The Government is trying to crack down on these outlaw bikie gangs. They’re convinced that they’re some sort of criminal kingpins and they’re using these anti terrorism laws to stop them. Hell, there’s a part of New South Wales where the Hell’s Angels can’t even visit their own clubhouse without being arrested.

“So I can be arrested for just talking to a couple of bikers?” I ask in disbelief.

“Yep, if one of them has a criminal record, even if you’re unaware of it, then you can be charged with conspiracy to commit an offence.”

“Fuck!” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. The more Chris tells me the more outrageous it sounds.

“What the hell happened to democracy and being innocent until proven guilty?” I ask.

“Welcome to Australia.” Chris laughs, but it’s not a humorous, it’s sarcastic.

“Just be careful. You need to keep an eye on this. From what you’ve told me a large part of your pub customers are involved with the MC in one way or another. If these laws become more extreme in Victoria, and I’m sure they will, then this is going to affect your business. “

“But these guys aren’t criminals.” I protest. “They’re just a bunch of guys who love the lifestyle and live together. Shit, even their businesses are all legit.” I protest.

“It won’t make any difference.” Chris sighs. “Anyway, let’s not worry about what might happen and concentrate on what we need to do to get you out of this present mess.” He brings the conversation back to the drug problem.

“I’ve got some contacts in South America.” I raise my eyebrows when he says this. “Declan, I told you. I don’t work for the drug cartels, but I do have contacts in them. You know that knowledge is currency in this business. Anyway, they’ve confirmed that the guys bothering you in Severed and new to the game. If we stamp down hard on them now no ones going to be shedding any tears over them.”

“What do you suggest?” This is definitely in our favour. The last thing we needed was to find out the dealers had connections with some of the Mexican cartels. That’s a war we definitely aren’t equipped to win.

I’ve had some surveillance on the leaders, we’re just waiting for them to lead us to where they’re storing the drugs and then we can strike.” Chris passes over some more photos.

The scary thing is that these so-called drug barons look just like you or me. You could pass them in the street and never know them for the death mongers’ that they are.

Drugs are slow killers. They get you hooked with a few pills that make you happy, give you a temporary high, then they introduce you to the stronger stuff. The stuff you’d sell your soul for or that you’d steal from your mother for. Drugs don’t just destroy the life of the addict; it’s much more far reaching than that. They destroy the lives of the people who love you, the people you steal from to fund your addiction, and the people you introduce to them.

“What do you mean we?” I don’t miss the way Chris phrased his last comment. “I didn’t think you could spare any manpower?”

“I miss being out in the field sometimes.” Chris looks at me. “Every so often I feel the need to get my hands dirty. I figure now is as good a time as any to go out and freshen up on my skills.” Chris is grinning.

“Realistically, how many do you think we’ll need? We don’t know the size of the storage unit yet do we?” I question.

We sit and discuss the logistics of several theoretical situations. Between us we think we can get away with five trained personnel, calling on the MC for some additional firepower if needed.

“This MC worries me.” Chris voices his concern. “They’re an unknown variable. I don’t like working with unknowns. They’re dangerous.”

“These guys have been through some serious shit this past few months. They can handle themselves. The guy I’ve been talking to, Angel, seems pretty calm headed, not one to rush into anything. They’ve got a personal stake in this, we either include them in the plan or keep a tight rein on them, or they’ll go renegade and handle it themselves. I’d rather we worked together than at opposites.”

Chris mulls the situation over. With Chris on our side we’ll need three more trained personnel and I know just the men to call on. I’m just hoping they’ll be able to come through for me. They’ve left the military behind and are getting on with civilian lives now.

Chris hands me the phone. “Call Cam. Tell him what’s happening and ask him to speak to the guys. Don’t worry about the logistics, I’ll get them here.”

I pick up the phone, hesitating to dial. I know we promised to always be there for each other after Max died, but what if they won’t or can’t.

There’s only one way to find out. I tap out Cam’s number and listen to it ringing at the other end.

“Hey, Cam.” I say when he picks up. “I’ve got myself into a bit of a pickle and could use your help.”

“What the fuck have you done now, Declan?” He laughs down the line at me.

“You’d better sit down mate, it’s going to be a long story.”

The funeral was awful. It was always going to be, but it was made worse by some of the guys from Scalp’s own club coming to blows at the graveside.

What the fuck is it with bikers? They always have to be so alpha male and fight for everything. Don’t get me wrong I love the guys at Severed, but sometimes this whole lifestyle makes me feel suffocated.

Declan didn’t make it back in time and I haven’t heard from him. I sent him a text earlier asking if he was okay, but he hasn’t replied.

I feel lost, like I’m trapped between two worlds, two lifestyles and I have to choose. I don’t want to choose. Surely there’s some hybrid option, some way to live in both, but I can’t see it.

The club won’t accept me seeing someone from the outside, and I can’t see anyone from the outside understanding club dynamics. I’m not sure Declan would understand the pull of the club. It’s more than family; I have a loyalty to the club.

I have a love/hate relationship with Severed. Whilst they are my family and I do feel they’re looking out for me, I can’t help blaming them for my losing Justice and Danni. If it hadn’t been for the club none of that shit would have happened and my brother and best friend wouldn’t be dead.

There are days when I don’t know whether to run as far away from here as I can, and days like today where I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

I’m not the only one that stood at that graveside today and remembered burying Justice and Danni. I could see it in so many faces. These guys have been to too many funerals lately. Cowboy held me close when it got too much for me. Lucy has been sitting with me, trying to get me to tell wild tales of childhood adventures with Justice. I know what they’re doing; it’s good to remember the good times, especially on a day like this.

I don’t want it to be Lucy sitting here beside me though. I want Declan. I’m being childish and selfish, but I can’t help it. I check my phone again. Still nothing.

The journey back to Severed was a lot more comfortable than the outward one. By the time we’d finished brainstorming in Chris’s office it was past midnight. The tired bags under my eyes weren’t the only give away; my whole body was sagging from exhaustion.

Chris informed me in no uncertain terms that he was sending me back with a driver. I’d refused another night in his spare room, needing to be back in Severed. My bike was securely strapped into the back of the large truck that was also packed ceiling high with supplies. War was definitely coming to Severed judging by the arsenal Chris was sending me home with.

Chris was staying behind to make the arrangements for Cam and the guys to join us. He’d follow on with them when they arrived in Melbourne.

There’d been no hesitation from any of the guys at coming out to support me. I don’t know why I’d been so worried. They’d always had my back out on the battlefield and to them this was no different.

The relief when Cam had rung back to say they were all on board was indescribable.

We arrived back in Severed at dawn. The town was deserted and I was grateful for that as I showed Chris’s driver where to unpack the supplies. I locked the garage door, pocketing the key before getting on the bike and heading over to see the MC.

I know I should probably have slept first. I looked like the walking dead at best, but I’d dozed on and off on the journey back. Chris’s driver accepted the offer of one of the guest rooms out back and I left him to sleep the journey off.

When I arrive at the clubhouse the prospect holds me at the gate while he announces my presence to Angel. I’m soon buzzed in and greeted by Angel, Ink and Cowboy.

Cowboy looks concerned at my haggard appearance, but I tell him I’m okay. I take in the clubhouse when I ask him if there’s anywhere we can talk.

“Yeah, yeah. Not as posh as your place. I get it.” Cowboy rolls his eyes at me as I take in the bar and the lounge area. It’s not a bad set up at all. I’m surprised they bother leaving to come to my place if I’m honest when they have everything they need here.

Angel leads us to what he tells me is the presidents office where he offers me a welcome shot of whisky.

Everyone starts to talk at once, until Angel silences them just with a look. That’s good to see, there’s a hierarchy here and there’s also respect for command.

I fill the guys in on my meeting in the city. I’m struggling to stay awake as I tell them that we not only think we know who’s behind it, but we’re also now pretty certain we know where they’re storing the drugs.

Angel seems concerned that they’ll be no match numbers wise for this adversary.

I’m careful how much I share with the club. I obviously tell them that I have the team we need to deal with this and that I’ve called in some favours. Between us, we can and will handle this situation. What I don’t share with them is how I have the contacts or anything from my past.

“You’re asking me to take a lot on trust.” Angel sounds cautious.

“I know. Have I said or done anything to you guys that would make you doubt me?” I do understand their concerns; frankly I’d be worried if they hadn’t expressed them.

When I tell them I’ve seen evidence that the drug gang blew up Carnal’s clubhouse he throws a spanner in the works.

“We’re going to have to involve Carnal in that case.” He tells me about the infighting they’ve got going on over the leadership and I can see that none of the guys in this room look happy at the prospect. Neither am I. Carnal are an unknown element. I don’t like working with unknown elements.

I agree to let Angel know when I have more definite information for them and make my excuses.

“I need to get back and get some sleep. It’s been a long ass night.”

Wearily I head out from the clubhouse. The fresh air outside helps wake me up a little.

When I get back to the bar Lucy is on shift. She gives me a look that tells me how bad I look.

“Yeah, I know. I look like shit.” I sigh.

“I wasn’t going to say that.”

“But you were thinking it.” I give her a look that says I know otherwise. She laughs.

I’m so tired I think I’ll sleep all day so I make arrangements with Lucy for one of the other staff to lock up for me. I’m so tired I can’t even remember the rota without questioning her. That’s not like me at all.

I drag my tired body up the stairs to my apartment, I’m not sure I’ll make it as far as my bed. Right now the sofa is probably as far as I’ll make it.

When I get to my door I see it’s ajar. What the fuck? Who’s been in here? I’m pretty sure I locked it when I left.

Easing the door open slowly I make my way into the room, gun drawn.

I’m certainly not expecting the sight that awaits me.