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“It was good. Busy.” I rest my head against the headboard. “We have some things coming up. Hopefully everything will calm down soon.”
She hasn’t asked me what’s going on, but I know Jenny’s aware something is happening. I’ve tried to steer our conversations away from the club, but since she’s been in this life since birth, she can probably pick up on what I’mnotsaying. Sometimes her tone of voice when we talk conveys worry.
As much as I don’t want her concerned, it’s kind of nice to know someone cares. I’ve never experienced that from a woman before.
We only talk for about twenty minutes. She makes me promise to call her after the barbeque. I want to tell her everything will be okay, but I can’t bring myself to lie. So I just promise I’ll call.
As I hang up, I release a harsh sigh.
This whole situation sucks. I want nothing more than to just skip tomorrow. Unfortunately, that’s not an option. Things have gone too far, and I know something must change.
And it suddenly seems more important than it was before. Cleaning up the club isn’t just for us anymore. It is for the relationship I want with Jenny. I need to make this a safe place for her.
I just hope when the dust settles, I haven’t lost her in the process.
It’s almost eight in the evening when the barbeque starts winding down. The day has flown by, but that could just be my nerves. I feel like I am doing pretty good at keeping it together, although I can’t say the same for all the guys.
Stress lived up to his road name. I’m thankful the night is almost over because if I have to watch him pace around another minute, I am going to shoot him.
Smoke, on the other hand, acted like it was any other day. He’s spent most of the day over by the bar, flirting with several women, laughing with everyone, as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. I know differently, though. The tightening around his eyes and the occasional tick in his jaw are tells. All signs he’s not as calm as he seems.
I watch Dodger walk his wife and son out. They are the last family to head home, leaving only club members.
Seemingly unconsciously, we’ve split up into two groups—Fat Mike and his followers chilling out back; me and the rest of the Rogues in the bar.
Even though the back door leading to the yard is down the hall, I can still hear the obnoxious yelling coming from outside. They’ve been hitting the bottle hard, but I don’t let that fool me. This isn’t going to be an easy fight. Most of those guys have been in fights all their lives. Being drunk won’t stop them. The most we can hope for is that the alcohol will make them a bad shot.
I glance around the room. Most of the guys watch me, the weight of their gazes weighing me down.
Squaring my shoulders, I finish my beer and stand just as Dodger walks back into the room, closing the door behind him.
“We good?” I ask.
“All clear, boss.”
Everyone stands. I hear the sound of metal on metal as guns are checked. There is no talking, no joking around.
“Is Fat Mike still in the back?” I ask Smoke as he leans against the bar.
“Yeah.”
Nodding, I look around the room. “Okay.” I make eye contact with each of the men. “Fat Mike and his followers have been breaking our club apart. We’ve lost members, business, respect. We’re all sick of it. It’s time to clean house.”
At the grunts of agreement, we all head down the hall toward the back entrance. I feel my skin tingle with nerves. We know this needs to happen, but I don’t think any of us are truly prepared for it.
But as my hand lands on the doorknob, I feel a calm rush through me. Whatever happens has been a long time coming. I have to believe we will come out on top.
I’m not surprised to see Fat Mike and his men gathered in the back of the yard, the men laughing at his bad jokes, agreeing with his shit ideas.
Freddie, Skeeter, and Brash were some of the first to turn against the rest of the club in the name of “making things better”. At least that was the original excuse Fat Mike gave for the changes he started making. The rest of them fell into line over time.
Then there is Poot, who leans against a tree, listening. I’m not entirely sure whose side he’s on. Guess we’ll find out soon enough.
“Maverick, did everyone clear out?” Fat Mike questions.
Stopping behind one of the picnic benches, I nod. “Yeah.”
“Good. I’m glad you’re all here because I have an announcement to make.” He grins smugly, looking around like he is just about to give us the answer to all our problems.
