I walk around the table until I’m standing in front of Steel. He lumbers to his feet, bracing himself.
“You did what needed to be done. I trust you with my life—with any of our lives—without hesitation.”
I pull the patch from my pocket.I’ve been carrying it since yesterday, waiting for this moment. The full colors of the Stoneheart MC, ready to replace the prospect patch on his cut.
“You’ve earned this,” I tell him. “Not just for that shot—but for everything. For the surveillance work that cracked Caruso’s operation. For the evidence that brought the FBI on board. For standing watch over this club through every threat we’ve faced.” I hold out the patch. “Welcome to the brotherhood, Steel.”
He takes it with trembling fingers, his throat working.
The brothers are on their feet, crowding around, slapping Steel’s back, pulling him into rough embraces. Bones is grinning ear to ear. Tank looks like a proud parent. Even Duck is nodding with respect.
Steel takes the patch with hands that aren’t quite steady. When he looks at me, his eyes are bright.
“Thank you, Prez,” he says. “I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t.” I grip his shoulder. “You’re one of us now. That means when you’re in trouble, every man in this room will ride for you. It means when you need help, you’ve got the full weight of the brotherhood ready to drop everything for you. We got your back, kid. Welcome to the Club.”
I let that sink in, then turn to address the table.
“That’s what this club is about. Not the bikes, not the leather, not the reputation. It’s about family. About having people in your corner no matter what. About knowing that whatever comes, you don’t face it alone.”
I think about Josie upstairs, still recovering from her ordeal. About Isabel and Lily, finding safety within our walls after years of abuse. About every person this club has protected, every battle we’ve fought, every sacrifice we’ve made.
“We’ve been through hell these past few months,” I continue. “Summit tried to buy our town out from under us. The cartel tried to break us. And we’re still standing because of the men in this room, and the women out there.”
I meet each of their gazes again—Hawk and Tank, Lee, Bones, Cash, Duck, Axel, and the rest—every single one of them has bled for this club.
“I don’t say this enough,” I admit. “Probably because I’m a stubborn bastard who doesn’t know how to express emotions properly.”
A ripple of laughter goes around the table.
“But I want you all to know—I’m proud of you. Every single one of you. There’s no one I’d rather have watching my back. No one I’d rather call brother.”
The room goes quiet. It’s not often I get sentimental in Church. Not often I let them see beneath the president’s mask.
Hawk breaks the silence first. “Getting soft in your old age, Prez?”
“Fuck off,” I say, but I’m smiling. “You assholes will only be hearing this once. Don’t get used to it.”
“We love you too, Stone,” Tank says, making kissing sounds in my direction.
“Alright, alright.” I wave them off, settling back into my chair. “Enough feelings. Let’s get to business. We’ve got an election to win and a town to rebuild. Steel—” I nod at him. “First order of business as a full patch, you’re leading the surveillance rotation for Duck’s security detail.”
Steel’s eyes widen. “Me?”
“You’ve got the skills. Time to use them.” I lean back. “Anyone have a problem with that?”
No one does.
We spend the next hour going over details—security for today’s election, the ongoing federal investigation, the steps needed to ensure the cartel’s remaining allies don’t try anything stupid. By the time we adjourn, the mid-morning sun is streaming through the windows and the clubhouse is filling with the sounds of life.
“Alright, go vote for Duck. Dismissed.”
Steel hangs back as the others file out.
“Prez? Can I have a minute?”
“Of course.”
