25. Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Five
Griffin's Beach Colt
T he next night, Colt sits in Church while everyone else filters into the room. The bombshell dropped on everyone yesterday makes the air heavy, and no one comes in laughing or joking.
"I talked to Felicity last night to tell her about the wedding," Ky says, sitting beside him. "I don't know if she's coming or not, but I think my marriage is really over."
"I'm sorry, man," he says and slaps a hand on Ky’s shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. "It might not be. I had papers served to me, and I'm still married. She might just need more time."
He shakes his head. "I don't think so. She took down our wedding picture. I think she's done."
Venom sits down across from Colt with Shep right beside him. "Guessing Zane's still not gonna be here?"
"Probably not," Colt says. "I don't even remember the last time I saw him."
"It was the night VP had to pull him out of here after he dragged Lex in and probably screamed in her face."
I fucking love Venom.
"Are we really going to sit by and let Zane scream at Lex?" Shep asks, leaning forward.
"It's going to take everything in me not to step in, but I'll be watching. I wouldn't put it past him to smack her, and when he does, I plan to give him the whooping he never got growing up," Colt says, his voice low as Jenning walks in after TK and VP.
The lack of parenting VP did with Zane has become a point of contention lately. It always has been, but it's gotten to the point where it can no longer be ignored. He's a toddler throwing a tantrum, and VP needs to be shown his failings. Neither Dalton man has ever really had to face true consequences of their toxic family dynamic before, but it needs to change soon.
Jennings bangs the gavel to start the meeting. With everything going on, it makes sense now why business has taken a bit of a backseat. No decision has been made yet about whether they should switch suppliers from the RIO to the Irish, and Jennings was able to get a surplus of guns before everything went down with Ivan. The man who was the true mastermind behind the issues between the Drifters and the Savage Slashers as well as Lex's kidnapping by an obsessed sociopath. At the moment, the shipments are still on time and fulfilled, but they're going to need to make a decision soon before their inventory runs out.
"I know everyone's still a little shocked about the news yesterday, so I only have one topic to discuss today," Jennings says. "It's not easy to bring up, but it's time."
Colt's head shoots up to look at him. It's been weeks since Jennings and he talked about passing the President patch to Colt, and it hasn't come up again since.
He wouldn't do this now , would he? Without giving me a heads-up?
"Time for what?" Diesel asks.
"Time for me to step down and pass the President patch to a new generation."
Holy fuck, he did it.
"Congrats, Tripp," Shep says and slaps the man on the shoulder.
Colt's heart sinks. Maybe Jennings hasn't said anything because he changed his mind. It's not something that will break him, but it does sting to think he'd been passed over without even a conversation.
Tripp shakes his head, and he looks like a young version of Jennings. The version Colt remembers growing up. "I don't think it's me."
This perks him back up. "Do you want it? It was always expected to be your legacy."
Pausing for a few moments, he thinks and shakes his head. "No, I don't. I'm not sure I ever did. I didn't think I had a choice in the matter."
"I'm glad you said you don't want it because you're not the one I've chosen," Jennings says with a smile. "Whether you believe it or not, I pay attention, son."
"TK and I are also stepping down," VP says. "It's time to get some new blood up here at the head of the table."
A resounding air of shock washes across the room, and Colt can't tell if he's pulling off his own act of surprise or not. If not, he doubts anyone's paying much attention to him as the murmurs start, mostly asking if anyone else knew. It stings to see Diesel looking hurt at being left in the dark. They really didn't discuss this with anyone else.
"Who are you choosing?" Diesel asks, his face stoney.
"Colton Nichols."
The conversations stop, and Colt's heart rate spikes as he tries to gauge everyone's reactions around him. Are they happy? Angry? Indifferent? The last one would probably bother him the most.
"Colt has grown a lot these past couple of years. He's shown a level of maturity that I think many of us weren't sure he'd ever possess, honestly," Jennings says.
Turning to him, Colt chuckles. "Hey!"
"You've made mistakes. Man, have you made mistakes, but you've figured out how to learn from them. On top of that, you're one of only a few men in this room who has a wife or old lady who grew up in the club with you. None of us officers had that support behind us when we first formed the club, and it's no secret to any man in this room that Lex bleeds Drifter blood. No matter how many times we've cut her, she's still one of us. She'll help you figure out a balance and perspective."
"Plus, she can kick ass," Phoenix Hankinson, Lily's husband, says. "That never hurts."
VP laughs, and he has a strange look of pride on his face that pisses Colt off. He's proud of his daughter being stronger than many of the men here because he forced her to be. "That she can."
"But it's more than that. You've learned the art of stepping back rather than jumping in headfirst on a rash decision. Dax told us about how you stopped him from killing himself at that gas station while you were in Summerville. From our conversation, you saw a bit of yourself in him that night. Something the old Colt would never have seen."
Nodding, Colt looks around the room. "I saw me. Dax was on a path of self-destruction, and I saw the man I used to be. Reckless and impulsive. Dax was set on dying that night, and I'm glad I was there to stop it. But I appreciate the ability of self-reflection," he says, shaking his head. "How my wife put up with me, I'll never fucking know, but I refuse to ever take anything I have for granted again. Especially with what we learned last night."
It's no surprise when Shep agrees with him, and he looks around to see if anyone has obvious objections. Anyone who feels he'd make a terrible President.
"I think it's a good choice," Diesel says, surprising Colt. "He's new blood with new ideas. He's helped push some of the changes we've made the past decade or so, but he understands the foundation of this club because he grew up in it. Plus, we know his wife will keep his ass in line better than any of us could. It's kind of a no-brainer on working smarter not harder."
He laughs and nods. "Thanks, D."
Everyone either congratulates Colt or agrees with Diesel. He'd expected at least one dissenting voice, if nothing else because of the fact he just returned to Griffin's Beach. No one in the room has issue with it.
"Does this mean you guys are staying then?" Ky asks. "Not going back to Summerville after Lane— After things settle?"
"I talked to Lex when Jennings brought this up with me because I would pass if she had her heart set on going back. She said we have two teenagers in high school, and we can't uproot them. I told her why I was asking, and she told me I'd be an idiot if I didn't accept."
Shep slams his hand on the table. "Jennings, I'm buying you an expensive bottle of bourbon for figuring out the way to keep Lex here with us. It hasn't felt the same without her here. Oh, and I suppose you, too, Colt."
"But mostly my wife," Colt says and laughs. "I get it. I like her better than me, too."
"So, the only other matter to discuss is who you're choosing as your VP and Sergeant at Arms," Jennings says and stands. "I assume you've had time to think about this. And maybe run the ideas past a certain curly blonde?"
Standing, he nods and moves to sit in Jennings's seat. His seat. It feels weird, and it feels even stranger when VP and his father both stand to vacate their spots. This is suddenly very real.
"Yeah, I have. There are a lot of great options in this room. For one, I was thinking Undertaker for one of the spots based on his size alone. I mean, who's going to defy me in a meeting with him towering over them three-fucking-stories tall?"
Undertaker chuckles. "I'm not really the leader type, but I'll go to any meeting you need me at to scare the shit out of some pissant pussy for you, Pres. People grossly underestimate the intimidation factor these days because everyone believes they're a badass. I blame participation ribbons, honestly."
The way he says Pres feels surprisingly normal and natural. "That's kind of what Lex said."
"I guess I'm only good for rocking her to sleep as I read her a story, huh?"
"Shut up," he says and laughs. "She told me to go with my gut, and my gut tells me that I should have a fellow legacy wearing that VP patch. What do you say, Ky?"
"You want me as your VP?" Ky asks, his jaw dropping. "I'm honored, man."
Smiling, he nods. "It doesn't hurt that you don't have any issues telling me when you think I'm being an idiot."
"That I don't. I accept," he says with a wide smile, and Colt looks at Diesel as Ky takes his seat to Colt's left. He beams with pride.
"And the man sitting to your right?" TK asks.
Leaning back in the chair, Colt crosses his arms over his chest. "This one was a little trickier because I kept going back and forth on who I thought should sit here. There are a lot of fucking good options. There is one person, though, I know would lay his life on the line for me and everyone else without hesitation. Like Psycho, he wouldn't hesitate to dive off the bluffs to try and find an old lady who we believed was caught up in the current. The person who took up the vacant spot we've been missing since Psycho went out to Black Valley. What do you say, Venom?"
Venom stares with eyes wider than Colt ever thought possible. So wide, he worries they'll pop right out of his head like a pug. "Me?"
"You didn't fit in with Summerville because they don't appreciate what you bring to the table, but we do. And we know how to best utilize your particular brand of crazy. I mean, you dove into those Kingsmen like you were at a concert, taking down every man you could reach. Who else would fucking do something like that?"
"It was awesome," Undertaker agrees.
"I... I'm flattered, Colt, but are you sure? I'm the newest one here. No one else has priority over me?"
Shaking his head, Colt says, "That's not how this works. It's completely up to you, but this role is made for you. You were the first person to come to my mind when thinking about who should sit next to me."
"I accept," he says. "Thanks, man. I'll... I won't let you down."
Jennings smiles before shrugging off his kutte and takes the knife VP hands him. Cutting off the President patch, he hands it to Colt who just stares at it for a few moments in his hand. VP and TK do the same.
Colt bangs the gavel, and they're congratulated and given fist bumps before the room clears out. Soon, it's only the three of them still sitting, the weight of this decision fulling sinking in now.
"Holy shit," Ky says. "We used to say this was the dream, but I never thought it would be a reality. Not with Tripp."
"This is surreal," Venom says. "I never thought anyone would see value in me like this. Coming here has been fucking amazing."
"You gotta stop looking so surprised, man," Colt says. "Hasn't Lex nagged you enough about it? I meant it when I said Summerville wasn't where you belonged. You belong here, and we're going to make mistakes. But we're also going to do a damn good job."
Smiling, he nods. "Call your wife."
He pulls out his phone and set it on the table, putting it on speaker. "Hey, baby," Lex says.
"I have a request for you tonight."
"What's that?"
"When I get home, you better be naked and ready to wear to my kutte because tonight, you're fucking the President of the Drifters."
She gasps and squeals. "Jennings made the announcement tonight?"
"He did. Surprised the shit out of me. Gave me no warning."
"He wasn't the only one surprised," Venom says.
"Sergeant at Arms?"
Beaming even though she can't see him, Venom nods. "Yes, ma'am."
"Yes!" she shouts. "I knew he'd make the right choice. Does that mean Ky's sitting to your left?"
"I'm here, Lex," Ky says. "The new VP. This may get really fucking confusing with your pops."
"I'm so proud of you guys," she says. "All of you. You've come such a long way, and you deserve this. But, so we're all on the same page, this does not mean I will hold back when I think you're being stupid or fucking things up. It's just not in my DNA to do that."
They all laugh, and Colt sighs. "We'd expect nothing less. I'll see you in a bit, baby."
"Love you."
He hangs up, and Venom sits back in his chair, his hand over his heart. "Wow."
"What?"
"No one's ever said they were proud of me before. It's a weird feeling."
"I can't believe she's proud of me," Ky says. "Considering... you know."
Leaning back, Colt stares at the empty seats around them. "She's kept me around longer than she should have, and I don't know that I'll ever deserve her. But hearing her say she's proud of me feels the same as the two of you. Makes me want to be good at this for her."
"You will be. You have us," Venom says.
"We're so going to rock this," Ky says with a laugh.
They sew their patches on before leaving the Chapel. Their Chapel. This is going to take some getting used to, but Colt looks forward to it. Almost as much as going home to see Lex wearing nothing but his kutte with the President patch on it. Tonight is a good night.