“Whoa, slow down the progression,” Hawk said.
Tiny laughed. “No way, you need to get on it if our kids are going to be brothers from another mother like we are.”
“I think Ariel would have something to say about that,” Hawk said.
“Never know.”
“Any news on the Angels?” Hawk asked, eager to switch the topic.
“Not a peep. I’m waiting for blowback, but the original clubhouse hasn’t been hit,” Tiny said.
“Very few people know about this one,” Hawk said.
“If they do, they find us, and we’ll see them coming. I talked to the Crazy Eights and let them know what went down. They’re backing us. I haven’t heard anything from them, so maybe they really don’t know who hit them. That new Angels president pissed off a lot of people raising prices, pushing in on territory that wasn’t his. It could’ve been anyone who popped them.”
“Let’s hope it stays that way,” Hawk mumbled.
“Yeah, I’d like to get out of the deep end of the cesspool too, brother. It’s like we fell straight into a porta-John,” Tiny said.
“How’s Boston doing?”
“Uncomfortable, which is normal eight months in. We got the midwife on speed dial and ready to come at a m
oment’s notice. I’m fucking nervous. It’s been a long time since I been a dad, and labor is a bitch. She’s going to want to slaughter me.”
Hawk chuckled. “And yet you want me to jump on the daddy bandwagon.”
“Hell yeah, it’s got its high points.”
“And its low. I like my sleep,” Hawk said.
“Fucker,” Tiny spat.
Hawk chuckled. “Enjoy those dirty diapers and baby puke.”
“Damn I think I liked you better when you were passed out,” Tiny said.
“Liar.”
“I am, ain’t the same with you out of service. Doc says he doesn’t want to see you up and about for a day and to keep your bandages changed.”
“Done. I want out of here as soon as possible.”
“You’re in a cage until that heals up. You keep cracking your wound open and you’ll never heal up.”
“I know the drill,” Hawk said.
“Yeah, but your stubborn ass has selective hearing, so I’m ordering you as your president to keep your ass on bed rest for the next couple of days and in a car for at least a week after that.”
“You’re cruel as hell,” Hawk said as the days stretched out before him.
“I’m sure Ariel will keep you busy,” Tiny said with a wink. He stood. “I’m going to put my ear to the ground for word on the Angels. From what I saw on the television, there’s not shit left to pin on us.”
“What about survivors?” Hawk said.
“There were none, brother. Those bodies were turned to ash,” Tiny said. The murder in his friend’s eyes told him there would be no mistakes.
“Got it,” Hawk said, seeing Tiny in a different light as he left. He was growing into his role of president more and more. Weathering storms made and broke many presidents. Tiny was proving himself. Hawk’s chest filled with pride. They’d been born into this and raised to take these positions. It didn’t make the task any less difficult. Knowing you were the two people in charge of so many men willing to follow you blindly into battle and die for your shared beliefs was humbling and a heavy weight. Exhausted he relaxed into the pillow. I’m definitely not one hundred yet. He closed his weighted eyelids and let sleep take him.