11. Poker
CHAPTER 11
POKER
I’m fucking trying, Pres. I’m fucking trying.
“Any news on Esteban?”
Screamer and I exchange a glance at the mention of the man we faced off with a week ago. Even though he held up his end of the deal and dealt with those in his crew who were appropriating the club’s brand, we decided to put Tracer on him to see what he could find out about his business.
Know thy enemy and all that.
“I had one of my contacts make a buy from his crew,” Tracer begins. “While our brand wasn’t being used, the one on this batch of powder isn’t exactly good news.” He tosses a baggie into the middle of the table, and Crow snatches it up. “It’s a fairly new brand, but it links back to the cartel.”
“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Journey snaps.
“It’s bad enough we’ve gotta deal with low-level idiots, but the cartel?” Jackyl gripes. “How are we supposed to go up against that?”
“We’re not,” Crow says matter-of-factly. “As long as they keep our name out of their business, we don’t have beef with them.”
“Uh, Pres?” I interrupt.
“What?”
“Maybe it’s time we start discussing whether an alliance with the cartel would be beneficial.”
“You really want to be in bed with them?” Python asks incredulously.
“He wants to be in bed with Meri, but?—”
“Don’t you fucking dare finish that sentence,” I snarl at Screamer. “And no, I don’t want to be in bed with the cartel, but we’d be stupid not to at least consider the pros of an association with them.”
“If we’re gonna talk pros, we need to talk cons, too,” Ghost adds. “Can’t have one without the other.”
“Maybe you could get Esteban into one of the poker games,” Stunner, our treasurer, suggests. “You’re always talking about how you can learn a lot about a man based on how they play cards.”
Instantly, I bristle. “Not happening.”
“Why?” Crow demands.
“I’m not about to put Meri in that position.”
“Wait a sec,” Ghost says. “You want the club to trust him, but you don’t trust him with your girl? How the fuck does that make sense?”
My girl?
“Doesn’t Meri have a security team?” Journey asks, not giving me a chance to lose my shit on Ghost.
“Yeah, she does, but?—”
“And if you’re there, she’ll be safe,” Screamer adds. “Besides, I’m with you. I don’t think Esteban is a threat to her safety or ours. As long as we don’t cross him, that is.”
“All in favor of Poker asking Meri to let Esteban into the game, thump twice,” Crow instructs, putting it to a vote.
I’m the only one who hesitates, but I pound the table twice when I see I’m outnumbered.
“That’s settled then,” Crow says and looks at me. “Talk to her as soon as you can.”
“I will.”
Pres focuses on Stunner. “Give us a quick financial rundown.”
“Things are good across the board,” he reports. “And we got a lovely fruit basket thanking us for our latest donation to the elementary school.”
“A fruit basket?” Journey asks.
Stunner shrugs. “They also invited us to attend the little graduation ceremony for the fifth graders on Friday. Apparently, some of the money was used to ramp up the celebration.”
“Jesus,” Journey mutters.
“What’d you tell them?” Crow asks, trying like hell not to laugh at Journey’s discomfort.
“I told them that we’d do our best to be there,” Stunner admits. “Wasn’t sure if you’d want me to commit to it or not.”
“We’ll be there,” Crow says. “At least patched members and old ladies.”
“I’d like to bring Meri,” I blurt. When all eyes turn to me, my muscles bunch. “What? We’re able to make a lot of these contributions because of the game she hosts. She deserves to see the good that comes of it.”
“He’s got a point,” Screamer says, always having my back.
Crow sighs. “Fine. But I’m telling you now, brother… If you want her to attend club functions other than parties open to the public, you better lock it down.”
“I’m working on it,” I mutter.
“Work faster,” Journey taunts.
I glare at my VP. “Right, because you, Crow, and Ghost didn’t have your women all up in our business before you locked it down .”
“Enough!” Crow shouts. “This isn’t up for debate. Not only does Meri associate with potential enemies, but you are way past liking her. Just do what you need to do.”
“You kidnapped our enemy,” I counter. “Or have you forgotten that Addison is a cop?”
“Keep my old lady out of this,” he snarls.
I heave a sigh. “Yeah, fine.”
“Anything else?” Crow asks. When no one speaks, he continues. “Church dismissed. And Poker, this is your one free pass. Bring Addi into shit again, and I’ll feed you your dick.”
Huffing out a laugh, I nod. “Got it, Pres.”
My brothers file out of the room, but a hand lands on my shoulder before I can cross the threshold. I turn around to see Crow standing there with a grin.
“You know I’m only doing this because I see how much you like her, right?”
“Okay.”
“You’ve had it bad for her since the first time you saw her. Do yourself, and the rest of us, a favor and claim her.”
With that, he moves past me, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I’m fucking trying, Pres. I’m fucking trying.