“You knew this?” he asked.
“I had wind of it,” she said.
Eden then took the leather cut and put it on Trev.
And just like that, Trev was now officially a patched in member of the Back Down Devil MC Daurian charter… and their President.
He touched the patch and looked to all the men in the room.
He slipped a hand around Eden’s waist, all the way around so he could touch her belly.
It had all come together.
The guys were drinking, still celebrating Trev.
Jessa came into the room, holding Caine.
Beck burst into the room and screamed Daddy! running to Miller.
Trev looked at Eden. He kissed her softly.
His first duty as President was simple. Ask Eden to marry him and then give her the wedding of her dreams.
Trev then looked up at the ceiling and thought about Griffin. He thought about the years running outlaw. The years with The Lost Men. The way time did whatever the fuck it wanted, no matter what.
But there was one thing greater than time. One thing that would always win the battle against time.
Trev looked around the room again and understood it.
It was about family.
And that’s what Back Down Devil MC was.
Family.
****
(In Daurian)
Trev surveryed the lot. He had a cold beer in his hand. In his other hand held Eden’s hand. They were getting settled into a new place, a place where they could raise their child and become a family. Of course, Trev would have his own room in the clubhouse that stood behind him.
“What are you thinking?” Eden asked.
“What a ride,” Trev whispered. He looked at Eden. “What are you thinking?”
“I have to pee,” she said and grinned. “I always have to pee.”
Trev laughed. He pulled Eden close and kissed her.
She walked away and Trev finished his beer.
Jasper took Eden’s spot except he didn’t hold his hand.
“Prez,” he said.
“That’s going to take some time to get used to. Hearing that title.”
“Better hurry,” Jasper said. “We’re all ready for you to call the table.”
“Okay,” Trev said.
Trev had been talking to each individual member for days now, trying to gather all he could about the charter, the people, the town, everything.
The scary part of it all was the truth Ripper took to his grave. Whatever deals he had going that nobody else knew about.
“It’s quiet,” Jasper said.
“I don’t like it.”
“Why not, Prez?”
“They always tell you it’s quietest before the storm…”
It stayed quiet for another minute.
That’s when Trev heard the rumbling. It wasn’t thunder, but it sounded pretty damn close to it.
Over the horizon came a group of motorcycles. They looked like they were popping right out of the horizon. Maybe right out of hell.
“Ah, fuck,” Jasper said. He stuck his fingers into his mouth and whistled.
Behind Trev the clubhouse emptied out.
“I’m really sorry, Prez,” Jasper said. He took out his gun.
“What’s going on here?” Trev asked.
“Those guys coming down the road? That’s our rival crew.”
“Why are they here?”
“Looking for money or guns,” Jasper said. “We better get ready.”
Trev looked back and saw Eden standing in the doorway. She looked scared already. She put a hand to her belly.
All Trev could do was remain like stone.
This was the life he chose.
And nobody… rival or not… was ever going to threaten his club or his family. In other words: it was time to take his place as President and fight.