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The brothers were already in the building they used for church. It was one large room with enough space for a table and chairs for meetings. It was also air conditioned.
The Old Ladies slid into empty seats next to their men. Rachel took the single chair next to Joni. There was a place for me between Savage and Duke. Duke placed his hand on my thigh and it comforted me instantly. Savage reached into a leather pocket on his cut and set down my engagement ring in front of me.
I raised my brows at him.
His grin was feral. “It was a pleasure getting this back for you.”
“Do I wanna know?” I asked, taking the ring and sliding it back on my finger.
“Not even a little bit.”
Colt sat at the head of the table and banged the gavel. He was brawny and lorded over the Blue Angels like a protective father. The murmur of conversations ceased and all attention turned to the president of the club.
“As you know, this is an unusual church meeting,” he began. “But what I’m gonna talk about today affects every brotherandevery Old Lady.” His gaze slid to me. “Willa. I can’t tell you how sorry I am about what happened to you. I’m glad you’re back home where you belong. I’m glad you’re safe.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“I wish I could say this won’t happen again,” he went on. “But itwillhappen again. And again, and again. Waco has a problem, and it can’t be ignored any longer. The Garcia cartel has set up a human trafficking ring in our own back yard. It’s time to bring it down. It’s time to clean house. Not just for the sake of our own, but for the community. Not everyone has been as lucky as Willa and Sailor—the other young woman with them…”
I thought of the girl that had been killed in the furniture truck. She was still nameless, her life snuffed out because someone had deemed her a commodity and she happened to be born beautiful.
“It’s time to clean house,” Colt repeated. “We’re going to take out the Garcia cartel, completely. We’ll need Mateo Sanchez’s help with muscle and firepower, but I can’t even go to him with this until I know the club is on board. Because this thing we’re about to do, this will bring violence to our front door. This will bring violence to our friends and families. If anyone here doesn’t understand what’s at stake, speak now, but understand this; a line has already been crossed. We’ve spilled cartel blood. There’s no coming back from this without violence. My decision is to take it all the way, and I need your support to do it.”
Colt looked at Rachel when he said, “This will bring death to us.”
Rachel’s mouth pursed.
Scarlett began to cry, which quickly set off a domino-like effect, triggering the other infants in the room to cry as well. Their mothers tried to comfort them, but to no avail.
“Take some time, think about it,” Colt said. “We vote in an hour.”
Chapter40
The group was somberas we left the shed. Duke and Savage exchanged a glance and then Duke guided me toward the picnic table.
“What do you think?” Savage asked me.
“I hate the idea of this happening to anyone else ever again,” I said quietly. “I also hate the idea that people I love could get hurt or die.”
“As far as I’m concerned, the vote is just a formality. We’re already at war,” Savage said.
I shoved against him, not liking what he’d said.
He wrapped his arm around me and hugged me. “You two talk. I’ll give you some time.”
Savage held out his fist to Duke who immediately bumped it. Savage released me and then headed inside, the screen door slamming behind him.
“War,” I said quietly with a nod. “I vote for war. Even if… Even if it means I risk losing the people I love.” My gritty eyes pricked with tears. “This can’t keep happening. It just can’t.”
He placed his hands on my hips and brought me to him. “You’re the bravest woman I know. And I’m honored you became my Old Lady. You honor me, Willa.”
I pressed my cheek to his chest. And for a moment, we stood in the sunshine. And even though nothing was all right, everything was all right.
“Let’s get some food,” he mumbled against my hair.
“Five more minutes,” I said.
His arms tightened around me. “Five more minutes.”
