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“No shit.” I lean closer. “Club have any idea who shot him?”
Jigsaw’s usual maniacal grin fades. “No.”
“Everyone else okay? Clubhouse—”
“Is on lockdown.” Jiggy turns slightly, checking out the crowded, biker-filled room. “You coming by later?”
I glance at the hallway. Still no sign of Rock or Z. “Looks that way.”
There’s a bit of a commotion at the door. Shadow and a few others are called into the hallway by one of Priest’s guys.
“I’m sure that’s going to be a fun time,” Murphy mutters.
Jiggy shifts on his feet, almost as if he’s anxious about something. Unnerving as fuck, since this dude’s usually the one causing the anxiety in anyone he turns his scary eyes on. “I suppose Priest’s going to appoint an interim president for us,” he says.
Fuck, I hadn’t thought that far ahead yet.
“Doesn’t look like you’re going to have a chance to vote on it either,” Murphy says.
I elbow his arm and shoot him a shut-the-fuck-up look. Pecking order says Shadow should be named the temporary president while Sway recovers. But from what I remember, Priest isn’t real fond of Shadow.
“You think it’s gonna be Shadow?” I ask Jigsaw. Might as well go the direct route, instead of dancing around the topic.
Jiggy glances over his shoulder quickly, then shrugs, as if he doesn’t care one way or another. But I doubt that’s true.
He doesn’t trust us.
The history between Upstate and Downstate is rough. But Jiggy transferred from our Washington charter with Rooster a few years ago. He wasn’t around when all the bad shit went down. Still, I’m sure Sway talks plenty of shit about us, especially Rock, and some of that must’ve colored Jigsaw’s opinion.
* * *
It doesn’t take longfor Priest to make a decision. Z will be the temporary president of Downstate until Sway recovers. Rock’s quick to order Murphy and me to stick around and watch Z’s back.
Priest wants to put on a show to announce Z’s new role. Although I already met with Rock, Z, Wrath, and Murphy earlier, I stop by Rock’s room before heading to the chapel.
“Anything you want me to do at the meeting?” I ask, dropping into a chair at the small table in the corner.
“Watch what you say before we go in,” Rock warns me. “I don’t know if everyone’s aware Z’s staying on as president. Let it come from Priest.”
“Got it. Anything else?”
Rock raises an eyebrow. “What brought on this bout of helpfulness?”
“Yeah, yeah.” I blow out an annoyed breath. “I’m over it. I understand why you want Murphy and me to stick around. For fuck’s sake, I said we’d go look at a house to rent. What more do you want from me?”
“I want you to be careful. We still don’t know who shot Sway. I’m not happy about any of you being down here right now,” he rasps.
The heaviness in his voice prompts me to set aside my feelings and study Rock closer. Circles ring his eyes, the kind that hint he was up all night worrying, not enjoying other nocturnal activities.
“I’ll be on alert,” I promise.
“Blend in as much as you can while you’re here,” he suggests. “Get to know some of the younger brothers better. See where their heads are at. Are they loyal to Shadow? Will they try to undermine Z?”
“Doubt anyone will come out and say that.”
He cocks his head. “No shit, knucklehead.” He runs his fingers over his lips in a zip-it gesture. “Close your mouth and open your ears. Use your gut feeling to guide you. I trust your opinion.”
Pride sputters through me and I sit up straighter, determined not to let him down. “I’ll be listening.”
