CHAPTER SIX
Cody—
The gavel slams down, and our president calls the room to order. Cole sits at the head of the table, his eyes moving around the room. I lean against the wall with the other second-generation members, while the older members who are officers sit at the big table.
Wolf leans in his chair. “You agree on a number?”
“Yeah, they took our offer. Lucky’s Bar is officially ours.”
A round of applause and cheers fill the room.
Luckys has been a landmark bar in this town since long before I came along. Its Thursday Bike Nights are legendary. I’ve been to the bar multiple times and always loved the courtyard in the back.
The club buying the place is a big deal.
“What about Marty’s?” Red Dog asks.
“Marty’s Tavern is still in negotiations. He’s looking to retire, and I think eventually he’s going to come down on the price and take our offer. We’ll have to see on that one.”
“So, now we’ve got Sonny’s Gentlemen’s Club, Lucky’s Bar, a piece of Gypsy Soul Tattoo, and soon Marty’s Tavern. That’s a lot,” Crash murmurs.
Cole meets his eyes. “It is. We’re gonna be stretched thin for a while, but in the end, they’re all money makers.”
We all nod, and he continues.
“Right now, I plan to keep the staff at Lucky’s as it is, but we’re going to need club supervision. I want to make sure they don’t think we’re slacking on managing the place. That only leads to trouble in the ranks and tempts people to take advantage of the transition.”
“You mean stealing?” Shane asks.
“Wouldn’t be the first time it happened when new owners take over a place.
Right now, we’re going to be stretched a little thin watching over everything.
We’ve got a great staff at Sonny’s, but it still requires us to make an appearance up there.
And at Lucky’s Bar, I want to send a clear signal that the club is involved.
I’ll be making up a schedule. It’s gonna require every one of you to do your part. ”
We spend another hour talking about club business, then retreat to the big room.
Cole makes a comment about hearing from a contact in Las Vegas that the widow of our club’s attorney has been seen in town again, and they think she may be up to trouble.
“Jocelyn?” Crash asks.
“Yeah,” Cole replies.
“That damn woman just won’t quit,” Shane mutters.
“What are we supposed to do about her?” Wolf asks.
“I don’t know, but between me and Daytona, we’re gonna have to come up with something. This shit can’t continue,” Cole replies.
“Frankly, I’m surprised she’s still at it. Woman who looks like her, I would have thought she’d have moved on by now,” Wolf says. “She was a knockout.”
“Maybe you need to put a man on her,” Crash suggests, his eyes on our president.
“What are you talking about?” Red Dog asks.
“You know, like a bodyguard,” Crash replies.
Cole grins. “Like I did with you and Shannon?”
“That was different; she was in danger.”
“So is Joselyn, if she doesn’t stop. The fucking mob will finish her off and be done with the problem.” Cole drags a hand down his face.
“Can’t blame her for being pissed and wanting revenge. She loved her husband, and they killed him,” Crash replies.
Cole nods and stares at the table.
“Angel would do the same damn thing if they had killed you, and you know it, prez,” Green says.
“Well, if that ever happens, and Angel flies off the handle, I expect one of you to shut that shit down in a hurry.” Cole taps his finger on the table.
“Absolutely,” Wolf agrees.
“So, I thought the FBI thing worked. Wasn’t she convinced?” Billy asks.
“It deterred her for a while. Apparently, she’s gone off the deep end again,” Prez replies.
“Well, you tried to help her. A bunch of times. How many times we gonna save this bitch before we let the mob have her?” Green mutters.
“Maybe I don’t want that on my conscience.” Cole arcs a brow and gives him a pointed stare.
“I still say it’s not our problem,” Green replies.
“It’s our damn problem if our president tells us it is. Now shut the fuck up,” Wolf mutters.
“What she needs is another man, some fresh dick to get her mind off the old one,” Shine states.
Crash shakes his head, but Red Dog snaps his fingers.
“Wait a minute. The kid might be onto something. We get her a man.”
“Get her one? Like on a dating site?” Marcus asks.
Dog shrugs. “Or whatever. A bar or something.”
“Like pay a guy?” Shane asks.
“Pay a guy?” Green asks. “Have you seen her? She’s stacked and gorgeous.”
“You volunteering, Green?” Wolf asks.
“I’m happily married, asshole.”
“Then who?”
“I don’t fuckin’ know, but there must be somebody.”
“I say we go back to the original plan and put a bodyguard on her,” Reckless says.
“For how long?” Wolf cranes to look at Reckless. “Fucking forever, that’s how long. This chick is crazy.”
“There’s gotta be somebody. Maybe a prospect,” Reckless mutters.
“Have you talked to the woman? I have. She’d eat a prospect for lunch,” Billy growls.
“Fine, a patch, then,” Reckless replies.
Cole looks at Shine. “Any guys in your old Nevada chapter up to the task, Shine?”
“I don’t know. Mutt, maybe.”
“Isn’t Mutt with Liv?”
“Nah, that ended a year ago. If not him, maybe Tin Man.” Shine strokes his chin.
It’s late and the problem is left unresolved.
Cole ends the meeting with a slam of the gavel and some of the guys head straight out the clubhouse door, while most of us younger guys head to the pool table.
Marcus, Billy, TJ, and I pair up, while Reckless and Shine split off to talk. They were once brothers together at the Vegas chapter, and they naturally gravitate to each other.
Maybe they’re talking about our Joselyn problem.
TJ racks and Billy breaks.
The balls scatter, and he moves to sink one in the side pocket.
Rafe and Kyle wander over.
“How’s your sister’s shop doin’?” I ask.
“Sellin’ out of cupcakes almost every day. Place has turned into a goldmine,” Rafe replies.
“Good. I’m real happy for Fiona,” I reply.
“It’s the location,” Kyle says. “She picked the perfect place for that kind of thing.”
“It’s more than that,” I argue. “She worked damn hard for that success, and her product is really good.”
“True. Maybe we should take a ride over there and get a box,” TJ says.
“Maybe we should,” I agree, then glance at Kyle. “How’s the restaurant goin’?”
“Great. Business hasn’t let up. In fact, I need to get over there soon and help Sutton shut the place down.”
“Thought you hired a manager for that,” Billy says.
“I did, but he can’t be there every damn day.”
Rafe chuckles. “Club meetings gettin’ in your way, brother?”
“Don’t let Cole hear you say that,” Billy replies.
“How’s the lumber mill doing?” I ask Rafe.
“Good. Now that it's rebuilt, things are running smoother than ever.”
“Don’t be humble. You had a big hand in that, brother,” Kyle says.
“Speaking of brothers, it was good seeing Brayden,” I add.
“Yeah, Ma really misses him,” TJ says. “She’s already trying to talk him into coming for a visit.”
The prospect brings us a round of beer, and I grab a longneck, tilting it up. I stare at the pool table, watching Billy damn near run the table, but my mind drifts to Ryan’s grave and his girl standing there looking so sad. I haven’t been able to get her out of my head since we’ve gotten home.
I’ve gone over every moment on that bridge and can’t help wondering if I hadn’t ridden by at that exact moment, if she’d have jumped.
The thought of it has kept me lying awake at night, staring at the ceiling and wondering if there really is such a thing as fate.