Page 10 of Kane's Kingdom

"Red was one of ours for over thirty years," I continue. "King decided the last two mattered more than the first thirty. I don't agree with him."

Griz leans back. "She won't thank us for it.vShe hates this club," he says, folding his arms once again.

"She's got good reason, wouldn't you say?"

That draws a few looks. My father would've punished the admission, treating criticism like treason even when he'd earned every word. I let it sit.

"She works her days at the Landing," I say. "Two men take her in, one stays until close, and two bring her back. Nobody leaves her alone, and nobody makes a show unless there's a reason."

"Who's paying for that manpower?" Griz asks. "It's gonna take them away from other shit we need to be doing."

"I am."

"With what?"

"My authority."

The silence that follows isn't agreement, but it's final. I look around the table. "If anybody's got a problem following the order, say it now."

Nobody does. Griz stares at me for another few seconds, then gives one hard dip of his chin. He's not convinced, only loyal enough.

"I hear your concerns," I say, and his mouth twists because he knows what comes next. "We're doing it anyway."

Church ends twenty minutes later. Judge stays behind while the others file out.

"Two at open is heavy," he says.

"She nearly went into the river tonight," I remind him.

"I know.” He says and studies me. I know exactly what he's thinking.

"Cash and Wilder can take the morning," he says. "Tank'll stay through lunch. I'll bring her back."

“No, won’t be necessary."

His eyebrows lift.

"I'll bring her back. I'm going to the Landing later."

A faint, knowing look moves across his face.

"Don't."

"I didn't say anything."

"You were about to."

"Wouldn't dare."

He leaves before I can say another word. The clubhouse has thinned when I step out. A few brothers remain at the bar; others have gone to their rooms or crossed the yard to the workshop. Bella's nowhere in sight, but my bed is forty feet down the hall and I feel every inch of it.

I take a blanket from the linen closet and drop it on the couch. Cash watches from the bar.

"You got something to say?"

"No, Prez." He drinks his beer with too much concentration.

I sit to pull off my boots, and the hallway door opens. Bella stands there wearing jeans and a shirt, her overnight bag hanging from one hand. She looks tired enough that the anger has worn thin around the edges.