Chapter Two.
Calamity
I sat on the porch with Klutz as the stars broke through the cloud cover.
We both had a bottle of beer in our hands, and our wives were in the kitchen with a glass of wine.
All the kids were upstairs in bed. Klutz and Aurora would pick theirs up tomorrow.
It was the day after the meeting where I spoke to Klutz and Fanatic, and Klutz had called me asking me if he could come over.
“I won’t be your VP, but we’re coming with you,” Klutz said, taking me by surprise.
“You won’t?” I replied, not understanding why. Klutz and I had been through a lot together.
“No. I don’t want the responsibility. Plus, there’s someone who deserves it more.”
I frowned before comprehension filled me. “Will he accept it?”
“I believe so, yes. He’s earned it, Calamity, and it will give you a good start.” Klutz sat back.
He’d given me something to think about. “I thought you’d fill the position.”
“Nope. But I’ll be your medic.”
I grinned, and Klutz shot me a worried look. “What?”
“Medic is inner circle and no do-overs!” I exclaimed.
“Fucker!” Klutz growled out, and I laughed.
“We’re honestly doing this? What about Aurora’s shop?”
“She’s opening a new one. She’s already found it,” Klutz replied.
“Damn, seriously?”
“Aurora bought it a few months ago, bang on Ortonville’s high street,” Klutz said.
I gaped at him. “Wow.”
“Visions remember. Aurora saw this coming and began making plans. I’d say we’re in a better position than anyone to move now.”
“You never mentioned anything.”
“No, Calamity, it wasn’t for me to ruin your surprise; you earned this and deserve everything good that comes with it.”
“Did Aurora see me taking it?” I asked.
“Yes. And she also saw the inner circle, but she won’t tell me who they are. I know some of our brothers will come with us though.” We looked up as the door opened and our wives came out.
Aurora walked straight to Klutz and curled in his lap. She leaned her head on his shoulder and smiled at me. “Hey, Prez,” she teased, and we laughed.
“Aurora-Victoria was telling us they’re coming with us,” Rosie said, sitting on the arm of my chair. I wrapped an arm around her and hauled her in close.
“Yes. Were you aware Aurora’s already bought a shop?” I dropped Aurora into it without a qualm.
“What? Aurora-Victoria! The girl code!” Rosie squealed, and Aurora sent me a dark look before laughing.
“You telltale, Calamity. When are you letting Drake know?”
“You haven’t foreseen it?” I teased, and she glowered. “Tomorrow. I need to work out who to ask to come.”
“Ask for volunteers unless there’s someone you really want. Such as a VP.”
Rosie looked surprised. “But Klutz is Veep?”
“He refused,” I explained, and Rosie turned a stunned look on him.
Klutz squirmed. “I don’t want the responsibility of VP. I’m happier in a lower, less tense position.”
“Well, I’m a little lost for words on that decision. I really thought that you’d be Veep,” Rosie replied.
“That’s nice, Rosie, but not what I want, nor would I be a good choice for the club. We want to get this right the first time around. But we’re definitely moving with you guys, and this is going to be fun,” Klutz soothed.
Rosie nodded, but somehow, I felt her nose was a little out of joint.
She was secure in her connection with Klutz, and now my VP was in the air.
The president and VP had a close relationship.
Rosie was uncertain if she’d get along with whoever became VP.
I squeezed her tighter. We’d make this work because it gave us a chance we’d never have.
Drake
Calamity entered my office, and I noticed his quiet confidence. He’d called me last night and asked for a meeting. What he didn’t know was that I’d organised a church immediately afterwards so we could inform everyone about the new chapter. I’d no doubt that Calamity would take the presidency.
“Grab a seat, kid.”
“Thanks, Prez.” Calamity sat and looked at me. “I’ve made my decision.”
He paused, and I sensed him struggling. “Go on.”
“Rage is my home. A home I put everything into, but it left scars.” I winced, knowing that was the truth. “But this has my heart. Rosie and I are comfortable here. Still… you’ve given us an opportunity that we’ll never see again, and we’re going to take your offer.”
“I hoped you would.”
“It wasn’t an easy decision, trust me. We’re leaving everything we know and taking a gamble.”
“Calamity, it’s not a risk; you won’t fail. You’ll have everything you need and my support whenever you’ve got doubts. This role was made for you. I wouldn’t let just anyone open a chapter of Rage,” I said.
Calamity didn’t realise it, but his thoughts were clear on his face. He was wondering why it was him. I could have extolled his qualities until I was blue in the face, but Calamity wouldn’t accept it. He’d learn his own value in time.
“What now?” Calamity asked.
“Now we find brothers to join you. You can recruit from the applicants we’ve had but turned down because we’re full, or wait and see who applies to your chapter,” I replied. I stood up, and Calamity looked surprised. “Come on, we’ve got church.”
“Wow, you’re not letting the grass grow under your feet,” he said and walked ahead of me into church.
Half an hour later
Stunned stares were reflected at me from all the brothers apart from the inner circle.
“Wow, do we need to vote?” Lowrider asked.
“No. The inner circle does that as per our chapter,” I replied.
“Congrats, Calamity, you earned this,” Slick said after a few further moments of silence.
“Couldn’t agree more,” Slate added, as finally, belated congratulations were uttered. Calamity’s confidence had faded slightly under the shocked hush that had fallen, but I saw it begin to rise again.
“How does this work?” Jett asked.
“I’m throwing out an offer of joining me over in Ortonville,” Calamity replied.
Looks were swapped between brothers, apart from the inner circle. They hadn’t considered that.
“Calamity can also refuse anyone. He’s president now,” I said and rose to my feet. “Stand up, Calamity.”
He did as ordered, looking confused. I walked around to him, taking something from Axel on the way.
Then positioning myself behind him, I tugged his cut off, and Calamity’s surprise allowed me to swap it out for a new one.
He looked down at it, and his fingers traced the president’s patch he now wore.
“Holy crap,” he gasped and sat down hard. Laughter rose at his shock as he stared in disbelief at his new cut. On the back was the Rage patch with Ortonville, MN, instead of Rapid City, SD.
“I’m going,” Klutz said, allowing Calamity time to recover.
“Not a shock,” I replied.
“I’ll be his Medic,” Klutz stated, and surprise rose this time. Everyone, like me, had thought Klutz would be VP.
“Okay.” I could challenge that, but I wouldn’t. It was their choice. It was pretty obvious that they’d have talked this through; if Calamity hadn’t consulted Klutz, I’d have been damn shocked.
“Nobody has to answer today. Most of you have old ladies and need to consult them. I suggest you do that,” I said.
“I’d like to apply.” Christian floored me by speaking up. My eyebrows almost disappeared into my hairline.
“What?” I muttered. I’d not expected my kids to leave. Then again, why hadn’t I?
“Yeah, count me in. Demi would love to get back closer to her family,” Ice spoke up, and I bit the inside of my cheek.
“I’m not renewing after next season; I want to return to smithing. Calamity, I’d like to apply,” Harley announced, and I barely refrained from coming out of my seat. While I was proud that they wanted to strike out on their own, they were my kids.
“Snap, I plan to retire in about two years. If you can work with me?” Ice added.
Calamity looked at me, unsure of how to answer. As much as I hated it, I gave my approval. “Calamity, you know their worth as brothers, and they’re young like you.”
Calamity puffed his cheeks out. “Thanks, and I’ll accept the three of you.”
“If anyone else wants to apply, speak to Calamity. But consult your woman first, because no fucker is putting me in the firing line again,” I warned them. There was laughter, but I saw contemplative looks on some of the brothers’ faces. Before this was over, there’d be a thinning in my ranks.
Calamity
“Son,” a voice said, and I looked up as Ghost sat down beside me two days later.
“Hey,” I replied, wondering what he wanted.
“Carmelle and I wish to join you,” he stated. Ghost couldn’t have shocked me more than if he’d whipped his dick out and pissed on me.
“What?”
“Carmelle and I want a fresh start, Calamity. Rapid City has too many memories. While she’s Drake’s sister, Carmelle isn’t comfortable here, not with the history that Rapid City holds for both of us,” Ghost explained.
“What position would you like?” I asked, wondering if he wanted VP.
“None. Let me be a brother, I’m cool with that,” Ghost replied.
Nope, I wasn’t satisfied with that. Ghost had done a lot for the club, swimming in filth for years. He’d saved Carmelle and her children while swallowing crap from Fury.
“Chaplain,” I suggested. Ghost’s life experience made it an ideal position for that.
Ghost considered it. “Happy with just being a brother, Prez.”
“Yeah. Bet you are. But we need you as a chaplain.”
“Is that a deal breaker?” Ghost asked, and I laughed.
“I can make it one,” I replied, and Ghost snorted.
“Got yourself a chaplain,” he said.
“Nice.”
“Thanks, Prez. I won’t let you down.” Ghost stood up and offered his hand.
I grabbed it and held it tightly. “Never doubted you, Ghost, and never will. Go and tell Carmelle to start packing.”
“Will do.” Ghost smiled and moved away.
“Never saw that coming,” Falcon drawled as he approached.
“No, me neither. I know something else you ain’t expecting,” I replied.
“What’s that?”
“Want you as my VP.”
Falcon stared at me. “Klutz—”