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Once she’s gone, Murphy’s all business again. “I honestly think a support club is a good idea. They make a shitload of money out there, but their security is weak. That’s something we can help them with. Mutually beneficial relationship.”
“You don’t think they’re gonna be pissed if we ask them to kick some money up to us?”
“Not if they want our protection. They’ve had a few issues. Remy and Griff are more than capable of handling it, but we could prevent it from happening at all.”
“What about Jake, you think he’d join? I’d prefer to have someone out of puberty if we’re going to take this seriously.”
He rolls his eyes. “No, he only goes out there once in a while to fuck around.” He’s quiet for a second. “Vapor might be up for it if we give him some time.”
I shake my head, unsure of what to say. “You want to mentor them? They’re going to need one of us there on a semi-regular basis. Rock and I talked about Grinder or Dex doing it too if you’ve got too much.”
“Dex is swamped. But if Vapor’s in, he’ll probably wanna look out for him. Grinder, fuck man. Let the poor brother actually get out of prison before we go assigning him projects.”
“Priest might want you anyway.” I roll my eyes. “For some unknown reason, he has a high opinion of you.”
Murphy laughs and reaches over to slap my hand. “Let’s go round everyone up. Anyone ever checked Rock’s blood pressure? His head’s probably ready to explode from all this shit.”
“Don’t I know it.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
Z
About an hour later, everyone’s crammed into our chapel. Downstate brothers gave up their seats for the upstate officers, something that seems to please Priest.
I’d had a chance to talk to a few more brothers before Priest called us to the table and their feelings were the same as Rooster’s.
I’m torn in two. Honored my brothers think so highly of me. Frustrated because I want to go home.
Today, Priest takes the position at the head of the table. I’m not sure how I feel about that since he keeps insisting he has so much respect for my leadership. Then I decide I’m being an asshole and need to get over myself.
“Tonight we’ll be welcoming home a brother,” Priest begins. “I realize some of you have questions. I’ll be speaking with Sway, but for now Z will remain your president.”
Boom! That’s how it is.
Murmurs of agreement and a few “thank fucks” go around the table.
“Rock, Zero, and I spoke at length last night about what the future holds for the Lost Kings MC in New York. Both presidents have assured me they plan to continue to build solid relationships with our neighboring MCs. I understand the Devil Demons will be joining us tonight.”
Dex raises his hand. “I got a text from Dante right before we came in. A few of the Iron Bulls are near here and asked if they could stop by.” He glances at me. “I didn’t have a chance to ask you yet. That cool?”
“Sure, the more the merrier,” I answer without looking at Priest. He keeps saying this is my show, right?
“That’s what I want to hear,” Priest says. “With the disintegration of Red Storm MC and now the South of Satan MC in Vermont, it’s more important than ever that we present a united front against law enforcement.”
“Fuck yeah!” Jigsaw shouts.
“Absolutely, Prez.” Rock says. He glances at the rest of the table. “Everyone at this table knows we can’t protect our businesses, our clubs, or our brothers against law enforcement if we’re constantly battling each other.”
I nod at Rock to thank him for speaking up for all of us since Priest seems to assume we’re dense and don’t understand how outlaw life works.
Hustler raises his hand. “Bulls need to be respectful in our house though. We can’t just roll over and let another MC—”
“That’s exactly what I don’t want to hear,” Priest says, cutting him off. “Any true sign of disrespect, handle it. No one is saying otherwise. But don’t go making up bullshit to show them up or make your dick feel bigger. We’re better than that.”
I shoot a glare at Hustler and he seems to suddenly find the floor fascinating.
“Finally, I suggested and Rock and Z both agree that a support club could be beneficial to us here in New York. Rock and Z are going to explore some options. If you have suggestions please tell them.”
Yes, please make more work for us.
I dare to sneak a glance at Rock who’s sitting across from me. Fucker’s jaw is so tight he might break a tooth. He catches my eye and gives me the slightest hint of a smirk and raised eyebrow.
My gaze slides to Wrath. By the look on his face, I’m guessing no one warned him about the support club. I’m going to pay for that later. Teller just looks bored. We’ll see how bored he is when he gets to tag along to underground fights with Murphy on a regular basis. The idea of those two bickering even more cheers me up.
Priest claps his hands together as if he’s chasing away business talk to usher in something more fun. “Now, I want everyone to have a good time tonight.” He tips his head my way then Rock’s. “Thank you for your hospitality. Not only to me but toward my ol’ lady. “
Yeah, I can see why Tawny’s hostility toward Valentina and Sway constantly checking out Valentina’s ass might have made Priest not want to visit.
Oh shit. What have we done? Priest will be up here all the time now.
Rock must read the panic on my face because he’s silently laughing. I fight the urge to flip him off in front of Priest. Not very brotherly or presidential.
“The place looks a thousand percent better than the last time I was here, Z. You’ve done your club proud.”
I spread my arms wide. “This was all them, Priest. They put in the sweat equity.”
“Z can’t get his pretty little hands and face dirty,” Wrath says. “We love him anyway.”
Priest chuckles and then addresses everyone in the room. “I’m impressed with how fast you turned this place around. Truly.”
Guys duck their heads and mumble “thanks” too embarrassed to say more.
“I’m pleased I could be here on such an important weekend. Our brother, Sway, survived a vicious attack and it’s only right we welcome him home properly.”
Yeah, nothing says “Welcome home” like “You’re not getting your club back.”
“I like seeing both charters celebrating together like this,” Priest says.
“We’ll be doing a lot more of it once we get the new clubhouse opened.” Wrath sits forward and looks down the table. “It’s an easy stop off the highway. Everyone’s always welcome.”
Wrath’s such a sneaky bastard. Luring brothers to the clubhouse located next to the strip club instead of the clubhouse next to his home.
“Building it right next to Crystal Ball, right?” Jigsaw asks. “Fuck yeah, I’m in.”
The guys have a good laugh about it. Priest rolls his eyes but smiles at everyone’s enthusiasm.
With the bulk of the meeting concluded, Priest dismisses everyone but the officers of both charters.
Priest nods to me. “Congratulations on your marriage.” He catches Rock’s eye. “We have something for you.”
Shocked, I sit up and drop my lazy smile.
Rock bends down and grabs a box from under the table. He smoothly slides it over to Priest.
My heart thunders. It can’t be what I think it is. It’s too soon. I hadn’t even had the chance to tell Rock that Priest offered to give Lilly his symbol on her property patch.
“Z, I realize I’ve asked a lot of you these last few months.” Priest glances at Rock. “Fucked up your plans for your future. But you’ve handled it with honor and integrity. You’re a true warrior for your brothers, the kind of outlaw we don’t see often anymore.”
I swallow hard unsure of how to respond to so much praise.
“When we talked about the property patch last night, your thoughtfulness
about the situation impressed me.”
“Uh.” I nod because I can’t form any words.
“Rock and I had discussed this briefly while you were away.”
My gaze shoots to Rock. “You did, huh?”
Priest pulls the black leather vest out and a steady drumming builds in my chest. “Your woman’s already seen a lot. Everyone says she was a rock while you were inside. Handled herself with class and dignity befitting a Lost Kings’ ol’ lady.” Priest drills me with a stare. “Knows to keep her mouth shut.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Congratulations.”
He lays the vest out in front of me.
Property of Zero
Lost Kings MC
No skull and crown on the back of the old ladies’ patches. For their own safety. But Lilly’s vest already has a few other important patches in strategic places.
Priest’s Chi Rho symbol on the lower left front. Rock’s crown on the lower right side. My Z patch and Siren embroidered over the heart. I laugh when my gaze lands on the patch sewn into a spot where old ladies usually collect various pins and patches over the years. A blue and green mermaid.
“Alexa might have been with us when we picked it up.” Rock shrugs and elbows Teller.
“It’s perfect.” My gaze bounces between Priest and Rock. “Thank you.”
“You’ve more than earned it, Z,” Priest says.
Rooster raises his hand. “No one asked for our votes yet, Z. But I’m more than willing to give Lilly my cock.”
“Motherfucker,” I growl at him before remembering his patch is a plain black-and-white rooster wearing a crown.
“He’s never given anyone his cock,” Jigsaw adds.
The guys all bust up with laughter. Hell, even I do.
“I was able to spend a lot of time with Lilly while Z was inside, and she’s more than ready for this,” Rock says. A tactful way to explain why the brothers I’ve shared a clubhouse with for years weren’t asked for their votes.
Priest flicks his wrist at us. “You can all fight that out another time.”
Let’s not step on Priest’s toes, guys.
