Page 170 of Healed

Vienna

An emergency meeting was called as soon as the clean-up crew arrived to deal with the mess.

As we’d been waiting, we’d both gone round the flat and snapped pictures of everything we could see, and left the crew with strict instructions to deliver all their findings to the clubhouse this evening.

As each man entered Church, they soon picked up on the mood, and all laughing and joking ended at the door. They took their seats, keeping wary eyes on me and Dante, and then looked at the empty seat that had belonged to Mike.

“Everything okay?” Riley asked, looking between me, Dante, and Hacksaw.

“I hope your schedule isn’t busy,” I replied to our peacemaker. “Because the past few days have been nothing short of a shit show.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Monster said, rubbing his hands over his eyes.

“Worse than Michelle?” Riley asked, paling considerably.

We all looked at Dante, who lit a cigarette before talking.

“There’s no point beating around the bush, brothers,” Dante said, taking a deep draw. “Mike was murdered recently. We’re not sure exactly when it was, but the time doesn’t matter. A brother was lost, and out of respect, everyone please bow your heads in a two minute silence for a fallen member of the Disciples.”

We all did as he asked without hesitation, bowing our heads and remaining in utter and complete silence.

When the moment was complete, Dante spoke again. “Mike was not a patched member, and we all know it. But I would like his picture up on the wall with the rest of them.”

“Reasoning?” I asked, not because I wanted an explanation, but because it was protocol. Whenever someone made a motion, it was put to a club vote, majority ruling. Since the president was putting forth the motion, it fell to my shoulders to question him.

This was club procedure, and my job. Nothing more.

“Mike was reaching the end of his prospect status, and I think we can all agree he met the terms to patch up.”

A murmur of agreement went around the room.

“But above all else, Mike took the initiative during Church. When he had a lead on Nico, he went against a direct order and spoke up, stating his case. That takes some balls. And it was ultimately that initiative that got him killed. He died for the brotherhood, and that deserves a place of respect next to the other fallen brothers. I won’t have him buried in the graveyard—I think that is a step too far, and ultimately his funeral and burial are something his family should be arranging. Though I will donate some of my own money out of respect. But I think the least we can do is honour him our way. The club way.”

“Let’s take it to a vote,” I said, picking up Dante’s presidential gavel. It’s a yes from Dante and me. Hacksaw?”

“Aye.”

“Trent?”

“Sure.”

“Doc?”

“Having seen the state of the boy… yes.”

“Riley?”

“Yes.”

“Ant?”

Ant nodded gravely.

“Chris?”

“Yes.”

“Divorce?”