Page 114 of At The End Of The Day

“Yes, sir,” people muttered, already agreeing, though they had no idea to what.

“Then it’s settled. No one’s gonna give Vin or Dash any problems because they’re gonna get married one day. Right?” he shouted a third time.

More gasps and gawks, no one saying a goddamn thing. My brow arching, I briefly paused my sight on Tinkerbell who was writhing with fury, unshed tears in her eyes, her nostrils flaring as she heaved with labored breaths. Yeah, she might cause a few problems.

Dash was grinning ear to ear, his stance straightening and his chest puffing with pride. “Goddamn, that feels kinda good, huh, Vin?” Checking his emotions, he cleared his throat and resumed scowling, his fingers uncurling and curling around the guns. “Ahem. I mean, that’s right, goddammit. We ain’t gonna hear no shit from no one, right?”

“But…you’re totally anti-gay,” someone offered.

He bristled and leaned to the left, shoving that arm forward. “Say it again, bitch. You wanna be buried, too? Say it again.”

“N-No, I’m just—”

He growled and pulled the trigger, shooting him in the leg. The man howled and fell to the floor, grabbing the wound and rocking, dripping sweat.

“Ah, fuck!”

“Now do you got something to say?”

“No, god, no. Ah, shit.”

“Don’t you fucking dare help him,” Dash shouted and swung the gun to point at someone else rushing over. “Now, does any other motherfucker up in here got a problem with me getting the gayness? Huh?”

I almost snorted that he still used that word. Apparently, I could change his sexual orientation, but not his vocabulary.

“Are we done with this now?” Boss argued, crossing his arms.

The gang mumbled and bowed their heads.

“Fine. Congratulate your new leaders—”

Dash blanched and spun around to gawk at the wall, whispering, “Leaders?”

“On their new ranks and their upcoming nuptials. Show them the same respect you gave Jackyl. You’ve already seen what disrespect gets in the Serpents. Shape it up or get out. And you know there’s only one way out. Signing off, kiddos. Behave. If not, say goodbye.”

The call ended and the wall went dark. I glanced up at the office and gave a small nod, knowing he was peeking through the blinds. Focusing on the gang, I slowly uncocked the gun and lowered my arm. “You heard The Boss. We are a family, nothing’s changed about that. Now Jackyl’s already been buried, I saw to it with Boss’ help and, no, ain’t no one gonna know where it’s at. Just know, despite the things he did, he was given a respectful service and a proper burial with a headstone and all.”

Inch by inch, Dash withdrew from his defense stance, as well, lowering – but not uncocking – his weapons. Closing the gap between us, he stood beside me, his chin lifted defiantly. “Yeah, I get it, some of y’all got questions about me, and I understand it. No, I ain’t answering them. Just know things have changed and this,” he snapped, pointing to the floor with a gun. “Is how things are from here on out. This,” he went on, waving that same gun back and forth between me and him. “Changes nothing.” He sliced that arm through the air, making everyone nervous that he was so freely swinging a cocked gun around. “I know some might be worried about what other gangs will say or do when they find out, but.” He snorted, shrugging both hands out now. “If anything, we’re a little more ruthless.”

“As was proven today,” I snickered, tugging at an earlobe.

“If you guys thought we’d risk it all for one another as friends, think about the lengths we’re gonna go to as a couple.”

Someone snickered, his gun pointed, and he shut up.

“Ain’t none of this changing nothing!” he barked again. “If you don’t like the changes, then move on, but don’t let us find you, cuz it won’t end well for you.”

“Loyalty should not be contingent on what someone does in their bedroom,” I shouted. “Me and Dash have always lived for the Serpents, we’ve always made y’all our first priority. Anyone standing here right now who wants to deny it is a fucking liar.

“Our priorities to the Serpents has not changed. Our priorities to you have not changed. At any given moment of the day, we are willing to put our lives on the line for you.” My teeth gritted, I sneered, “I expect the same in return, regardless of our personal relationship. I have already been given clear cut and strict orders from The Boss that if anyone even so much as makes us suspicious of their allegiance to the Serpents…to all of us, including your new leaders, then we are to liquidate, and that means everything tied to you,” I stressed with lifted brows with a slight pause to let the severity of those words sink in. “As we see fit. Are we all on the same page, here?” I barked loudly.

“Yes, sir,” they grumbled somewhat in unison.

“Do Dash and me got any reason to worry about our brothers and sisters? The same ones we’ve fought with and protected since we was kids?”

“No, sir.”

“Great. Now, I’m aware that everyone has heard about Tiny leaving town after what happened. She is returning next week and there will be a celebration at my place. Just a simple BBQ, bring what you want and if you can’t, no worries, you’ll be taken care of. I understand a lot has happened in a very short amount of time, but the same rules apply. We are still a goddamn family, we are still the Serpents, the baddest motherfuckers in Alabama. We are still,” I emphasized and pointed to the ground. “The ones who own this goddamn town. Don’t let nothing that happened these last couple weeks twist things up.