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“What? That doesn’t make sense.”

“He told Har something was going down here that concerned the Biloxi chapter, but he was vague and didn’t say who or what.”

“You’re shitting me,” I hissed. “Why would he do that?”

“I’m not sure. He claimed it was so everything would be resolved with one meeting, but I don’t fully buy that. Had shit not gone so damn sideways yesterday, I’d have probably found a time to confront him about it.”

“Okay.”

“He also brought to church a copy of the contract the four of you signed. Demanded a vote on whether you should stay on at the bar because you’d violated it.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s only in the case of sexual harassment.”

“They amended the language and included dating customers. I’m seen as a customer.”

Air left my lungs and I felt completely deflated. I also felt heartbroken. Lark had taught me as much or possibly more than some of my business classes. I thought we got along. I even thought he liked having me work there.

Showed what I knew.

“Honey, look at me,” Tundra ordered gently when I stared off into space.

I pulled myself together. “He demanded a vote you said. Did all the brothers vote with him?”

“Hang on, hon. To be clear, Lark made the point that the legal language either meant something or it didn’t.”

“Tundra. How did they vote?”

“There were five votes to terminate you, so you don’t have anything to worry about.”

I shot him a dry look. “Well, I can take it as read that Lark is one. Who are the other four?”

He stroked a finger down the side of my face. “Volt, Cal, and Patch - but my guess is that they worked with the lawyer on revising the contract - so I get them voting that way.”

“Right,” I whispered, feeling judged all the same.

“You’re still in at the bar, babe. In fact, Volt talked to me last night about a change he wants to make.”

I stared him down. “You are still protecting me from something. Who was the fifth vote?”

“It doesn’t matter, babe.”

I bit my lip as it hit me. My nose stung. Dammit, the minute that happened the tears pooled in my eyes. Someday, I’d learn to control this crap, but today wasn’t that day.

Tundra’s hands cupped my cheeks and swiped away the tears.

“It was either Kill or Ry, but my guess is it was Ryan.”

He took a deep breath. “Nickel voted for you to be fired. I told him I wouldn’t keep that shit from you…even though I just tried to do that. Sleeping on it, your relationship with him matters far more, babe.”

I bit my tongue, and managed to stop the flow of tears. He was right, but I still felt terribly betrayed. I’d have to think about this later.

There was a knock at the door before it slowly swung open.

A doctor came inside. “Ms. Garrison, I’m Doctor Swearington. I’m going to check on your stitches and make sure you don’t have any more signs of concussion. If that checks out, we’ll get you discharged.”

Chapter 28

She's Devastated