Caleb:A Black Widow MC Romance(2)

I didn't like where he was heading. The somber tone of his voice and the sadness in his eyes. He had been thinking about this for a long time.



“It's time I hang up my hat, Caleb. I want to know what a carefree day is like. I can't be the Black Widow President anymore.”



All the blood drained from my face. Everything was going to fall apart without him. The end of an era. How could we go on? “But you can't quit, Mason. Black Widow is in your blood.”



“And it always will be.” Mason grit his teeth and took a deep breath to keep from crying. “I'm recommending you become the new President.”



My jaw dropped to the floor. I never even dreamed of becoming President. I always pictured Mason leading us into battle and us coming home victorious. There was no way I could do his job. “I don't know if I'm ready for that, Mason.”



Mason put both hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eye. “You're ready. You've been ready for years. The MC needs someone who is smart and strong. Someone who can carry them through the tough times. That someone is you, Caleb.”



I gulped and nodded. I couldn't believe this was happening. My whole life was about to change. Could I really lead the Black Widows?



Mason wiped off my leather cut. “We can make the transition official later. Enjoy the day and I'll see you back at the clubhouse.”



I grabbed his hand and shook it firmly. “Thank you so much.” There was so much more I wanted to tell him. How he was my hero and a father to me. But I couldn't get the words out.



Slade walked up to us. “Sorry to interrupt but we have a small problem.”



Mason winked at me. “Good luck,” he said, putting his hands in his pockets and strolling away, whistling a tune.



Slade looked confused. “Where's he going?”



“What's the small problem?” I asked.



Slade turned my head and pointed off to the far edge of the park at a gaunt man dressed in rags, smoking on a cigarette. He didn't even have to tell me who it was—Lil' Johnny was unforgettable. He was never supposed to set foot back in Sacks County.



“Let's go take care of this,” I said.



Slade smiled and cracked his knuckles.



“But quietly,” I added.



Slade nodded and we walked a wide arc around the park until we came up behind Lil' Johnny.



“What are you doing here?” I asked him.



Lil' Johnny spun around and almost swallowed his cigarette when he saw me. “Oh Caleb, I've been looking all over for you.”



Slade came between us and drove his fist into Johnny's stomach. The frail man doubled over and coughed up a lung. We carried him to the men's bathroom and Slade punched him one more time while I checked that all the stalls were clear.



I grabbed Johnny's hair and pulled his head back. “What are you doing here, Johnny? We told you if you ever set foot in Sacks County again, we'd put your head on a pike.”



Lil' Johnny continued to cough, trying to catch his breath.



I pulled my G20 Glock from behind my waistband and waved it in front of Johnny's face. “I'm not a very patient man, Johnny.” Slade nodded in agreement.



“I have some information for you,” he choked out, whimpering at the sight of the gun.



“What could you possibly know?”



Lil' Johnny's eyes darted left and right. “I heard something about The Death Merchants MC.”



My curiosity was piqued. The Death Merchants MC were the Mexicans who ran the east side of town. The Blacks owned the middle and acted like a barrier to the Mexicans. We rarely had to deal with them. “Tell us what you know or else I'll let Slade loose.”



Slade lifted Johnny to his feet and let him go. He held his side and began, “I was minding my own business when I heard two Mexicans talking about arming up. I followed them and listened in on their conversation. They're arming up to finally take out the Black Widow MC so they can rule the west.”



I kicked Lil' Johnny in the shin and he fell to the ground, groaning and holding his leg. “Why should we believe a bullshit story like that? Especially when it's coming from you.” I put the tip of my pistol against his temple. “Give me one good reason I shouldn't pull the trigger.”



Johnny was pissing himself and tears streamed down his face. This happened way too often. At least we were in a bathroom already. “I'm telling the truth, Caleb. I swear it.”



Lil' Johnny was the scum of the earth but he wouldn't be able to come up with a lie like that on his own. I pulled the gun away and holstered it back behind my back. “Slade, try and contact our Black brothers and see if his story checks out.”