Road Tripped (Satan's Devils MC Utah #1) - Manda Mellett Page 0,2

beard, and his eyes narrow. “The Utah chapter to be precise.”

My brow furrows further. I don’t know much at all about that part of our club. Tucson is the mother chapter of the Satan’s Devils MC and Drummer the national president. It’s not uncommon that the prezes of the other chapters turn up for official club meetings, hence I’ve met Utah’s prez, Snatcher, and his VP, Thor, on a few occasions and have exchanged pleasantries, but that’s about the extent of it. Oh, I also recall they lost a member a year or so back. Utah had been helping the Colorado chapter out and sadly had ridden home without a member called Thumper. He was killed by the mafia, if I recall right. The loss of one of our own, from whatever chapter, is the loss of a brother for any of us, even if we don’t know them personally.

Utah doesn’t cause trouble and gives support when another club needs it. I have no idea what Drummer’s talking about. I ask for clarification. “What’s your problem with Utah?”

Drummer rolls his head, then rubs the back of his neck. He looks tired. “I don’t know,” he replies after a moment. “Gut feel.” He gives a quick grin. “Could be an upset stomach, of course.”

You don’t get to be, and stay, the prez of the mother chapter without having some kind of sixth sense. If Drummer’s got an inkling that something is wrong, then he’s probably right. I start to run through possibilities.

“Anything like the trouble with San Diego when Dart left to join them? What was it, two, three years ago, now?”

Drummer shakes his head. “More than three. Time flies, doesn’t it? Nah, I’m pretty certain it’s nothing like that. Snatcher isn’t like Snake; he’d never betray the club. He’s straight as a die.” I don’t understand and feel the lines on my brow deepening as Drummer continues, “I can’t express it. On the face of it, they’re the perfect club. They don’t cause trouble, don’t seem to go looking for it, and don’t hesitate to come to the aid of others. I don’t know, Road. Huh, I’ve a feeling inside me that they’re too textbook. They keep themselves to themselves, and I can’t get a handle on them. They’re doing alright, have money in their coffers, but, fuck. It’s hard putting it into words. Something tells me something isn’t right.” He breaks off, tugs his beard again. “They maybe as flawless as they appear, but I’d sleep better at night if I could be assured of it. I’d like someone to go and check it out.”

“You want me to go and set your mind at ease that there’s nothing untoward you don’t know about?” Seems simple enough. Part of me thinks it’s just an excuse to get me away from the club. If Drummer was really worried, wouldn’t he send Blade, the enforcer, or Peg the sergeant-at-arms?

He stares at me, contemplating. “Yeah. There’s no hurry, Road. It’s a long way to ride. Thought perhaps you could take your time, do the journey in easy stages so you don’t overdo it and hurt your leg. Stop off, see the sights on the way if you like. Nothing urgent about this.”

I’d need to take it slow. My leg plays up if I ride long distances. It sure would be a change of scenery and sounds better than spending the next week or so in the club snapping at everybody. Space and distance might well help me get my head on right, and I can decide what I can do to fill the new gap in my life, or just start to learn how to live with it. Yeah, perhaps it’s something I need.

“Sounds like a vacation on the club’s dime.” I start to grin, feeling the first genuine spark of pleasure for the first time in weeks, and already anticipating the wind on my face. Then I frown. “You sure you’re not just getting me out of your hair?”

Drummer snorts a laugh. “Suspicious, ain’t ya? No, Road, I’m not blowing smoke up your ass. I do want to find out how that club ticks. I’ll tell you now, I won’t be warning Snatcher you’re on your way.”

My eyes narrow. That’s unusual. Sending a brother into the territory of another chapter would normally require a courtesy call, one prez to another. Reading between the lines, Drummer thinks there’s something Snatcher might try to cover up. “So I what, just turn up and ask