“Exactly.” Calamity grinned.
I was surprised at how effortlessly he’d settled into his role as president. He made decisions easily and was comfortable bossing people older than him around. Hell, Calamity even had a handle on Texas and Ghost. A pang hit me. I couldn’t believe Texas was leaving. It made sense, but he was a huge deal in my life.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, sorry, kid, bit hard watching Texas leave.”
“Not something we saw coming,” Calamity mused.
“No. I kinda thought he was a permanent part of the furniture. Can’t blame him for following his grandchildren.”
“Texas is still making amends for his treatment of me. I know things between him and Rosie aren’t the same despite my encouraging her to forgive him.”
“No. Damage was done, and it was his fault. I’m hoping this proves how much he loves her. How’s it going with the allies?” I asked.
Calamity
Good question. How was the progress with the allied MCs?
“Falcon and I visited Hellfire and spoke to Chance and assured him of our continued relationship. He was welcoming and congratulated us on our new chapter, just as Inglorious and theUnwanted Bastards did. Can’t say I expected any different from them.”
“But?”
“Onyx from Riders of Vengeance is reticent. He embraced the new chapter, but I picked up doubts from him, same as Tiger at Satan’s Warriors and Scythe from the Devil’s Scythe. Jailbait from the Devil’s Damned Disciples and Lance from Fallen Warriors accepted our hand of friendship. I’ve also reached out to Hawthorne’s, Delta Force, and the Juno Group. They’re all accepting of my strengthening ties.”
“Not too bad. Give Onyx, Tiger, and Scythe some time. They’re dealing with things,” Drake stated.
“I get that, but we’re still Rage. I didn’t like being treated as if we’d gone behind your back. You approached me; this wasn’t a consideration for me,” I replied.
“I understand.”
I hoped Drake did because Ortonville was now mine, and I wouldn’t let anyone shit on us.
“How’s everything else going?”
“Okay. Rosie and Klutz got their expedited licences yesterday, so they’re planning to ride over next weekend. They’ve had the equipment examined, and it all passed with flying colours. The sale of the building is due to be concluded this week, so we already have a business. Even though we don’t have a clubhouse or homes yet.” Amusement tinged my voice.
“How often are they going to visit?” Drake asked.
“They’re taking it in turns, driving out once a week, staying four days before returning and then the other one goes out. That way, out of every fourteen days, eight are covered by them until the move. Apache just got the clearance on the blueprints for the clubhouse and mine and Klutz’s homes. He’s going to be breaking ground in two weeks on the three of them. Theplans for the campsite have hit a glitch, so Rock is working on resolving that,” I updated Drake.
“Anything I can do?” Drake inquired.
“Have faith in me to do the role you offered me,” I replied. Drake reared back and looked like I slapped him.
“What?”
“Drake, we keep having these meetings at least twice a week? Why? Is this my chapter or merely an extension of your power? You either trust me to run Ortonville or not. But you continue hauling me in here and asking about every little detail. I don’t mind sharing, but I feel like I have to report to you. That makes me uncomfortable.”
I held Drake’s gaze and waited for his answer.
“Guess I’m still a control freak,” he said, bursting into laughter.
“Yeah.”
“Sorry, kid, I’ll stay out of shit moving forward,” Drake promised, and I nodded. One could only hope so!
A month later
