Our businesses, which are numerous, are primarily located in town. The auto shop, strip club, towing company, construction office, and tattoo parlor are all centrally located. The strip club, Show-N-Tail, is at the far east end, and it’s the only place we employ extra security.
As I park my truck, I see that most of my club brothers are already inside. Storm hates waiting, so I rush inside, closing the door behind me before I take a seat.
Bear smirks as he looks my way.
Smoke, the asshole, is grinning as he sees me. “Surprised we could pull you away.”
I flash my middle finger as he chuckles.
Storm lifts the gavel and slams it down. The time to fuck around is over. Church is a place where we make decisions, discuss business, and share our lives. It’s sacred.
Our club colors hang on the wall behind Storm. He’s been a hell of a leader, and we thrive because he’s ruthless, but also fair. Rules are enforced. Our president is the first to take the shirt off his back if a brother needs help, though. That means a lot to all of us.
“I heard from Hangman,” Storm announces. “He didn’t make it because he’s in the fucking hospital.”
I’m not the only one who’s surprised as I glance around the table. “What happened?”
“One of Murder’s followers shot him outside his ex-wife’s place. He stopped by to see his kid.”
Fuck.
Bear leans forward and places his elbows on the wooden table surface. “Does he know who did it?”
Storm shakes his head. “Wore baggy clothes and a ski mask. He didn’t stick around afterward, and Hangman lost consciousness. Woke up in a hospital bed, pissed, and noticed the time. He called me right away.”
Well, that’s something. It shows respect for Storm and our club.
“How’s he handling it?” Bear asks, his brows drawn together with concern. “This affects us.”
“It does,” Storm agrees. “He thinks a few of his guys are still loyal to Murder, and he’s got some cleaning to do.”
I snort.Cleaning.That word has a different meaning among bikers.
“What do you want from me?” Blaze asks as he bites off the end of a stick of red licorice. “I can do a little digging,” he offers.
“Do it. I want to know which members ran with Murder and stayed with the heretics after his death. Those are the guys to watch.”
“Done, Pres.”
“As for the rest of you,” Storm growls, “Stay sharp. Notice anything suspicious, and I want to know right away.” He ticks his chin at Bullseye. “Make sure the bouncers at the strip club step up security.”
Bullseye nods. “I’ll get right on it, Pres.”
“Smoke, I want you, Heathen, and Cash to swing by the Heretics clubhouse. See how they’re handling their president in the hospital.”
Smoke sits back and drops his hands. “Easy, Pres. We’ll go as soon as it’s dark.”
“Torque?”
“Yeah, Pres?”
“Visit a few of the local bars with Zoo. See what you can pick up. The bartender at the Smoky Row has loose lips if you slip him cash.”
“I’ll wait until later, Pres.” He knows it’s more likely I’ll hear something useful once everyone has had more to drink. Until then, I’ll swing by Noelle’s and put down salt.
Storm slams the gavel down as we leave the chapel, each of us with assignments before we check back in. When I exit the Grid Iron, I almost shiver. The snow has stopped, but it’s cold as fuck out. The temperature is only nine degrees, and the wind is fucking brutal. It’s gonna suck balls to shovel a driveway right now, but I’m committed to impressing and taking care of Noelle.
She’s worth it.
