“And,” East continues, “he’s behind on his dues.”
“How far?” Nash’s fingers drum against the table in a slow, deliberate rhythm.
“Three months.”
Knox and I share a look as the room erupts with grumbles of disapproval and a few sharp what the fucks. My patience is already thin, and the noise snaps it.
I slam the gavel down hard. The sharp crack echoes, cutting through the voices with the precision of a blade.
East flinches. Even the veterans go still.
“First,” I say, staring East down, “we’re to be notified the second a member is thirty days past due. Got it?”
East narrows his eyes, but he nods.
“Second—tabs are paid at the end of the fucking night. No exceptions. If you can’t pay, you don’t drink. East and I will make sure Kyle enforces that.”
Nods all around. No one argues.
East shifts in his chair. “I talked to Chuck. He says he and his daughter are struggling.” He shrugs, unapologetic. “Didn’t press for details.”
Silence settles over the table, heavy and unrelenting.
The silence lasts too long. My fists clench under the table. I bite down on what I want to say. That she’s already paying for his mistakes. That if anyone in this room had really been paying attention, including me, they’d have seen her unraveling.
I let my mind work through the last few months, piecing together anything out of place. The only thing that stands out is Candace showing up at my fight tonight. Betting. That sure as hell wasn’t normal.
That same hum, that ghost of a melody, slips into my memory. Maybe that was her way of keeping herself steady. Maybe that was her trying not to fall apart.
But I keep that to myself. Not yet.
The truth’s a blade I’m not ready to wield. Not while she’s still hiding what it costs her to be here.
“He’s cut off at the bar until his tab is cleared,” I say finally. “If money’s tight, the last thing he needs is more debt. James, talk to him. Try to get him to open up. Until then, we’ll hold off on the dues.” My gaze sweeps the table. “Any objections?”
No one speaks. No one shakes their head.
I slam the gavel down, sealing the decision. Meeting adjourned.
“East, stay back.”
He leans back in his chair, all lazy confidence, as if he’s got nowhere to be, nothing to worry about. But I catch the flicker of awareness in his eyes. He knows I’m pissed. Knows he should’ve told me sooner. Knows, too, that we’re settling this shit tonight.
Knox stays quiet, watching the way he always does. Taking in every detail, every shift in tone. He leans back as though stretched out on a beach somewhere, but I know better. Knox doesn’t relax. He calculates.
Without a word, East reaches into his pocket, pulls out a crumpled pack of gum, and pops a piece into his mouth.
Nash scoffs beside me, arms crossed, one brow lifted. “Trying to quit again?”
East flicks him a dry look before his lips curve into that signature slow, lazy grin. “Had to run two blocks the other day. Thought I was gonna fucking die. Figured if I don’t quit, it’s gonna start messing with my stamina. Can’t have that.” He flashes a cocky smirk. “Gotta keep the ladies satisfied.”
Nash barks out a rough laugh, shaking his head. Knox smirks, amused but unimpressed.
I shake my head, fighting off a grin. “Why the hell were you running two blocks?”
East leans forward, resting his forearms on the table, eyes glinting as if he’s about to drop the best punchline of his life. “Turns out the chick I was screwing had a husband.” He pops his gum, all nonchalance. “One minute I’m deep in it, the next I’m sprinting ass-naked down the street. Didn’t know if I was gonna drop dead from a bullet in my back or sheer lack of oxygen.”
“Jesus,” I mutter, trying—and failing—to sound even remotely disappointed.
