I bang the gavel against the table, calling the meeting to order. With everything regarding Bella’s ex-husband finally settled, it’s time to get back to business. The room falls silent.
“Good to see you back, Rock,” I say.
He took Red and Meli away for a few days, though I wasn’t thrilled about it. Numbers have been tight lately, but if I’d stopped him, Hell would’ve torn me apart. She’s hormonal enough without me giving her a reason to go feral.
For the longest time, she was the only ol’ lady. Now, there’s Bella and Red too. Real friendships. She used to hate the club girls but tolerated them because they came with the life, but things are different now.
“It was nice to get away, Pres, but I’m relieved to get back to it.”
“We’ll get you back up to speed with it all.”
I take a moment to do a quick count, making sure everyone is here. We need all hands on deck with the Steel Delinquents MC trying to take over our patch. They started by raiding the garage and taking money that had been left there, and in the process, they had smashed up the place.
“Whilst you’ve been away, they hit the strip club, so we’ve had to increase numbers for security there.”
“Everyone okay?” Rock asks.
“A dancer got shook up pretty bad as she was leaving. They threatened her, leaving her with a message that they’re taking over. Her face was cut up pretty bad,” answers Clay, my right-hand man and Vice President. “You should’ve been here. We could’ve done with the extra manpower,” he points out, making it clear he wasn’t happy with the situation either.
“Enough,” I bark. “It was my decision.”
“Sorry, brothers,” Rock answers, a flash of guilt on his face.
“We need the extra manpower at the club, but we also need to be mindful that they’re targeting the women to get to us.”
“Do we need to go on lockdown, Pres?” Joker asks.
“Nah, I don’t think we’re at that point yet, but I don’t want the ol’ ladies leaving without some form of escort.” I look across at Rock and Clay, as they are the only other brothers with ol’ ladies.
“Rock, you can take Brute and help out at the club this evening. Talk to some of the girls and see what the grumblings are amongst them.” They both nod in acknowledgment.
“Me and Clay are going to hit the streets, target some of our dealers. Try to get some information out of them. Slider, you’re on ol’ lady duty.”
He sighs. “Do I have to, Pres?” he whines, infuriating me further.
Clay hits him around the back of the head. “Have some fucking respect,” he snaps. He’s getting grumpier in his middle age. You’d think now that he has Bella, he would chill out a little, but he’s gotten more uptight recently, especially now the club’s being targeted.
Slider rubs the back of his head. “Ouch, was there any need?”
“Yes. You’re a prospect, so just do as you’re fucking told.”
“Slider, look at it this way, it’s only three women—” I begin.
Clay cuts me off. “Who are off fucking limits.”
Slider blows him a kiss, earning him another slap around the back of the head.
“For fuck’s sake, Clay,” he shouts.
“Stop being a cunt and I wouldn’t have to,” he taunts, and the entire room erupts into laughter apart from Slider, who’s left licking his wounds like a scolded puppy.
“You’ve all got your orders,” I say as I bang the gavel on the table, bringing church to a close.
I kick the stand on my bike as we pull up at one of the local spots our dealers run. I hate being out here, but these fuckers are messing with the wrong club, and they need to understand the repercussions.
Dexter approaches us as we get off our bikes. I notice the way he’s constantly sniffling, which means he’s not just selling our merchandise, he’s likely snorting the fucker too.
“How’s it going, boss?” he mumbles, rubbing his nose.
