Making the Cut by SD Hildreth Read Free Book Online

,” he pressed his index finger into the top of the table.
    As he stared into my eyes, he continued, “He’ll pay for his fuckin’ sins when we show up. I got paid by Uncle Sam himself to kill Hajis. You know, I never stopped any of ‘em to ask ‘em what they believed in or if they’d actually done anything wrong. I just shot ‘em. This dude? I know what he did. So yeah, to answer your question, I’ll be fine, but I’ll say this…”
    With his finger pounding into the top of the table as if he hoped to crush through it, Toad clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes, “Killing him isn’t punishment enough.”
    Toad lifted his hand from the table and shook his head. As he began to pace back and forth, I decided to end the meeting. There was no real value in continuing to hash out details. Toad seemed to be more than ready, and I had no doubts about the other two men.
    “Well, no sense in spending all night going over this. Tater, make sure the lights and turn signals work on the truck. Brake lights, running lights, everything . Make sure all the belts and hoses are in good shape, and it’s full of gas. I don’t want to break down five miles south of town with three hundred pounds of ChoMo in the bed. I figure we’ll go in the middle of the night, just bust into his place and Tase him. Then we’ll just carry his fat ass out and load him up in Tater’s truck. We’ll go over the rest of the details tomorrow. Is everyone good with doing this tomorrow night?” I asked.
    The three men nodded their heads.
    “I’m sayin’ it for the sake of sayin’, but you know the rules. No colors in cages, so leave your cuts at home, fellas.”
    As Otis and Tater stood from their seats and walked toward Toad, I felt proud to call the three men my brothers. It wasn’t common to find men who would volunteer to do such things, but in a 1%er Motorcycle Club it was basically second nature for the men to support the club at any cost. The brotherhood of the members was much more like having a family than having an actual family. It’s always tough for an outsider to understand, but these fellas were my family, my life, and my brothers. They were all I had, and damned sure all I needed. I’d give my life to save any one of my brothers, and I know they’d do the same for me.
    That’s why an Outlaw Motorcycle Club doesn’t let men walk in, sign a sheet of paper, and join. The Prospect initiation period separates the men from the boys, and requires a one hundred percent vote. If the entire club doesn’t agree the Prospect is an acceptable member, he’s turned away. My life is in the hands of my brothers, and theirs is in mine. 
    I wouldn’t have it any other way.
    As the three men spoke amongst themselves and filtered toward the door, I looked up at the membership board. Beside Pete’s name, a big black “X” was plastered under the Ol’ Lady Allowed slot. I smiled to myself, knowing my name would never have an “X” beside it, to do so would be to admit I was weak and incapable of surviving on my own. I damned sure didn’t nor would I ever need a woman to help me get through life. To me, being in a relationship with a woman was similar to having a rattlesnake for a pet. At first it may be entertaining and something cool to show off to your friends, but in the end you realize the danger associated with ownership. Eventually you must get rid of it, because if you play the odds, sooner or later you’ll be bit.
    I flipped the light switch and pulled the door closed. Tomorrow night would be here soon enough, and I still needed to decide exactly what it was I wanted to do with this fat prick.
    As I sauntered toward my bike, I chuckled at the thought of going home and watching American Psycho or a few episodes of Dexter to get ideas. I flipped the ignition on and pushed the start button and the V-Twin spun into a mellow roar. As the bike warmed up, I decided I didn’t need Cable T.V. shows or a movie to give me ideas. It was