Chapter 25
Rooster
After a long night in the shed, we finally headed in when the shift for the watch changed.
Sparrow had been fast asleep, and when I saw myself in the mirror, I was glad for it.
I may have gotten a little carried away with those fuckers.
But they were trying to take my woman. Whether it was just to get to the club didn’t make a difference to me.
They should have known not to fuck with us to begin with, and fucking with women, especially mine, was the dumbest move they’d made. They’d met their destiny because of it.
From what Red explained about how it all had gone down, Sparrow probably knew those assholes were around here somewhere.
Whether she realized they were on our property and weren’t immediately taken out wasn’t certain, but some things we didn’t discuss.
She didn’t need the details. She knew me and my brothers would protect her and that’s what mattered.
It still got under my skin that anything happened at all, and that I wasn’t there to save her. But Red handled business and made sure she was safe.
Hawk and the others had arrived earlier and once he knew what we’d already gotten out of them, he let me finish the job.
Sitting in Church after everyone had cleaned up, rested a bit, and eaten, we waited for Hawk to give us the next moves.
He’d had a rough few months since his pops was taken out, but I believed Raven would be proud. He sipped his whiskey as we sat quietly. Finally, he said, “So those idiots were just here for payback for their botched job, and they’re no longer a problem.”
We all nodded, and I clasped my hands together, looking down at what just hours ago had been bloody but now only had a few cuts and some bruising. I’d had worse, and probably would again. Those dipshits weren’t half as tough as they thought.
Hawk continued, “The old warehouse we found turned out to be a storage house for them. We still don’t know for sure if they have a base camp anywhere.
Macon’s gonna keep a watch on the place.
We ran the Heathens out of Atlanta, took out a chunk of their riders on that run with Sawyer, and just busted up their storage house.
Macon already had his guys clear it out.
I’m not sure we need to worry about them, but best not to let our guard down. ”
“So those guys didn’t mention a rebuild?” I asked. “One of those idiots we had here said they were everywhere.”
Hawk traced the rim of his glass tumbler with his finger.
“Maybe they are. Or maybe he was talking shit ‘til the very end. Like I said, we need to be mindful of any presence of them. I’ve spoken to the other chapters. We all have IT monitoring and we need to move fast if we see one of them around. But for now, they’re not a valid concern. ”
“Without the Heathens, how can we find the trafficking ring?” Eagle asked.
“Or Raven’s killer?” Falcon asked.
Hawk’s icy gaze narrowed as he looked across the room at the banner on the wall.
It had our patch displayed proudly at the top, and below that, the names of all our fallen brothers.
Most were downed by a motorist, a few from the effects of the life stopping their heart, but some were due to club business.
Raven was the latest addition to the memorialized ranks, and his was maybe the hardest to swallow.
He wasn’t in the midst of a deal. No business gone wrong.
No bad blood being dealt with. No, he was riding home with his Old Lady, Mama Hen, after a long night of work for her at the strip club.
Some fucking cowards clearly put a hit out, and we were still struggling to make connections to learn who.
Every time we got one step closer, that lead fizzled out.
We found the rat, but that led to more questions than answers.
Hawk picked up his glass and knocked back the amber liquid. I expected him to hurl the glass across the room, as he had done a lot lately. Instead, he just slammed it down on the table. “We keep fucking looking until we find them.”
The room was quiet again for a few beats, then Eagle cleared his throat. “Prez, I have something to add to our agenda today,” he said as he tucked his brown hair behind his ears.
Hawk lifted his chin. “Go on. A change of subject would be good.”
Eagle stood. “First, I’d like to remind everyone that we’ve had a vacancy for a short time in our ranks for Sergeant at Arms.”
“True. I’d say things have been moving fast since that vacancy became available,” Hawk answered.
Grumbles sounded around the table. The one that held that title before turned out to be the rat. A selfish, power-hungry rat.
Eagle went on. “We brought in our nomad brother, Jackal, as an enforcer. A move that has strengthened our club.”
I was an enforcer already when they made that addition. Jackal brought experience and years with him that the rest of us just hadn’t lived yet. There’s no other man I’d have been prouder to share the title with.
Jackal bowed his head. “It’s been an honor and a privilege, brother.”
As Eagle went on, I knew he was gearing up to put a vote for the next Sergeant at Arms. Jackal had been a nomad for years but always loyal to the club, no matter the chapter he was with. And he was one of Raven’s oldest friends. With all that experience, it made sense.
“We still have a lot up in the air,” Eagle said. Hawk shifted in his seat, so Eagle put up his hand. “But, we’re going to find those fuckers and end it. I believe in order to do that, we need clarity and organization.”
Eagle had always been dedicated to the club and proved his place as VP, but he never was one for speeches.
It was odd to hear, but also led to a shift.
He still sounded like Eagle, but he was stepping into his role even more.
It was like a sign that not only Eagle was growing, but the tide was turning for the club as a whole.
We all watched as he presented his case.
“With that being said, we need to fill the opening,” Eagle told us as he looked around the room.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Hawk interrupted. “There’s still the matter of a full vote for our recent change of leadership.” He tipped his cup, as if he was willing more whiskey to appear. “Technically, I’m just the interim president until the other chapter officers all vote as well.”
When Raven was taken out, we shifted several members up a title to fill the gaps in the major roles. We had two enforcers at that time. One was moved to Sergeant at Arms, Eagle bumped to VP, and Hawk took what I felt was his rightful place at the head of the table after our officers voted.
Eagle nodded. “Semantics, Prez. You were groomed for that shit. You’re our president.”
The edges of Hawk’s lips turned up into a grin. He hadn’t smiled a lot lately, so it was good to see.
“I hope you’re right, but I need to humble myself,” Hawk said.
“We have rules and I’ll honor them. Everyone agreed the timing has been off, but we’ll get it handled when everyone is back down.
With your upcoming nuptials, I’ve invited them down to join us again.
Last time was a bit of a bust. But all other roles are voted here and here alone.
So, who do you suggest for our opening, Eagle? ”
Eagle smiled wide, the childlike side of him peeking out as he gripped his cut.
“For a long time, I’ve felt he deserved more, but I also understood that for such a role, communication was kinda important.
” He winked at me, and I straightened in my chair.
“I submit Rooster for Sergeant at Arms, Prez.”
Jackal slapped my back from the chair next to me, Red smiled widely as he pounded his fist to the table, and Falcon nodded with a grin.
“What the fuck?” I asked. It was all that came to mind, and the only valid question or response to this nomination.
Eagle chuckled. “Look, man, you’ve been the toughest, craziest, and most loyal brother for years. But thank fuck you ran into Kristie and she got you to open your fucking mouth again.”
“Agreed,” Red said from across the table. “You know the job, you’ve practically done the job. But for such a spot, talking is probably needed occasionally. Although I’ve seen you bust up problems with a stern look and grunt on many occasions.”
Falcon said, “Hell yeah, brother. I vote yes.”
Looking over at Hawk, I waited for him to say something reasonable about how this was a mistake.
Hawk’s grin was a little wider than before as he reached inside his cut. “Funny you mention that, Eagle. Because I thought the same damn thing.” He flung something across the table as he stared at me.
Reaching over, I grabbed the pristine rectangular patch that read Sgt at Arms.
With furrowed brows, I looked over. “Prez, I think you need some rest.”
He leaned forward, his hands clasped. “See, already big brass balls. Questioning your president. But no, I’m good.
They’re right, Rooster. You’ve been more than solid for years, always kept the peace within the ranks, and even without saying a word, guided prospects and new members.
Once whatever shit you’d been dealing with was resolved, I knew you could properly lead. ”
Running my fingers over the patch, I said, “I don’t know what to say.”
“Well, don’t tell me you’re going silent again on us now,” Eagle joked.
Hawk stood and waved me over. Gripping the patch, I stood and walked toward him.
Hawk clasped his hands in front of him. “Rooster, do you promise to always stay true to our destiny and enforce our bylaws?”
With a tight jaw, I said, “Yes.”
“Do you promise to always stay true to your president, your brothers, and the club?”
“Yes. I will.”
Hawk knocked on the table. “Congrats on the new rank, brother.”
The others all knocked on the table before the room erupted into laughs, cheers, and everyone whacking my back or shaking me.
All I could do was stare down at the patch. I’d been proud as fuck to become an officer. I took my job as Enforcer seriously. But Sgt at Arms… unsurprisingly, I had no words. Instead, my chest puffed out, and the first thing that came to mind was telling Sparrow.
When Hawk finally stepped out of Church, I ran out, heading straight to the bar.
Sparrow was at a table with the ladies, but I rushed over and grabbed her from her seat. She squealed but wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “What is it?”
Putting her down, I held out my palm. “They’ll announce it later, but I had to show you.”
She grabbed the patch, and a huge smile spread over her face. “A promotion? Wow!”
Daisy jumped up and looked over her shoulder. “Holy shit! He outranks Falcon!”
Her eyes widened, then she pulled me down for a kiss. “I’m so proud of you.”
Rubbing my nose over hers, I said, “I love you, Sparrow. You made this happen, even if you don’t understand how.”