Chapter Seventeen #2
He looked over the group of men standing in a half-circle around him.
Out of eight men, he expected to take two to membership level over the next week.
Five would stay prospects for another three months, which would be the end of their ability to stay at that level.
They’d either advance or fail out. One man, kid really, would be going to membership status from barely hangaround status.
And hadn’t that been a shit conversation with Ruger and Busk?
He was lucky he’d tapped the men on a good night, or they wouldn’t have been open to even discussing his plan.
“Busk, got a minute?” His VP turned around and Cherry saw Ruger directly behind him. That sealed it, having both available was a rare occurrence these days. Cherry made a mental note to ask Busk about that little tidbit. “Ruger, it’s good you’re here. Saves me hunting you down.”
“Like you could hunt me.” The man stepped around Busk, and Cherry noticed how Busk’s hand slipped along Ruger’s hip. Well that’s an interesting development. “What’s up, Enforcer?” That was Ruger’s way of determining if this was club business or something personal.
“Prez,” he confirmed Ruger’s question. “And VP, can we talk privately about a request I have for you two? Might have to bring in Twisted to yay or nay me.” That should tell them how delicate his request was. “Figure if we have to go that high, I better have full support.”
“Back room,” Busk said with a jerk of his head. “It’s empty right now.”
Cherry closed the door behind him and started moving to his normal position, standing behind the president’s chair. Busk laughed and grabbed his arm, turning him towards a regular officer’s chair. “The better to see you, my dear. Don’t make the old man crane his neck around to have a chat.”
“Yeah. Habits die hard.” Cherry sat and forced his breathing to slow.
He wanted this, more than he’d thought. Denis thought it was a great idea, and he’d asked.
I just wanna...“Up front, this is something my Guy is involved in. You say no, and it’s no, and he gets that message. I wanted to put that out there first.”
“Appreciate it,” Ruger said, sliding back in his seat. His elbows hit the table with a gentle thud. “I liked Chapin. Seems a good fit for you. Glad you got him.” He cut his eyes at Busk so quickly Cherry nearly missed it. “Hard to find someone who understands the life. Good for you.”
“So what’s the ask?” Busk leaned back, arm slung over the back of the chair next to him, the one Ruger was seated in. And that’s not a question I’m gonna ask. “Get it out quick, like pulling a knife.”
Ruger laughed. “I think that’s yanking off a Band-Aid, not pulling a knife.”
“My dude, my president, my friend, we are badassed bikers, we don’t fucking mess with Band-Aids.”
Cherry chuckled at the banter, which helped relieve his nerves, something he thought they had aimed for.
“My Guy has a pro bono case involving a kid who’s been on a couple of rides with us.
I recognized his picture.” He pulled his phone out and navigated to the image, then slid the phone to the two men.
“Marcus Warner. Seems a good kid, someone we’d want.
But he’s tied up with Caine, and has been tied to LaBlanc, too.
Distant cousins, and seems like the cop is blackmailing him.
Looks like Warner feeds LaBlanc names, places, and times, making the rookie look good. ”
“Snitch? And you think he’s a fit?” Busk blew out a thin stream of air. “Really?” He paused and looked at Cherry. “Did you hit your head recently? That might be the cause of the delusion.”
“He’s a blackmailed kid who’s scared to death.
I haven’t talked to him yet, but I stopped by Zebra Tail yesterday and he was pale and jumpy as shit.
LaBlanc strolled in, dressed in civies, clipped Warner in the ear and led him outside.
That’s not a willing snitch who’s benefiting from his actions.
That’s someone under threat to perform a particular trick.
” Cherry slowed his breathing again. “I feel strongly about bringing this kid into the fold, sooner rather than later.”
“You don’t think this cousin knows the kid’s been riding with us? Came out to Zebra Tail to corral him and you don’t think the cousin knows? We’d be the first place he’d come looking if Warner fell off the grid.” Ruger’s head swung back and forth. “How you gonna fix that first stumbling block?”
“You don’t think the snitch part is the first block? It is for me. Once a snitch, always a snitch.” Busk shook his head.
Ruger cleared his throat and Busk’s head snapped his direction.
“Not always. Cherry’s right that the motive for being an informant holds all the cards.
He’s not benefiting, other than avoiding whatever kinda hell LaBlanc has promised.
I think we’d have to know that first thing before we can really dial in what we’re in favor of or against. How can you find that out? ”
“Go back to the Zebra Tail and talk to Charli. She knows everything about everything and everyone. If I don’t want to ask Warner, and I do not, not until I know if I can offer him sanctuary, Charli is the first up.
” Both men were nodding by the time he finished.
“She on the payroll, so she’s a safe bet. ”
“Sounds like a plan. Find out what kind of black banner LaBlanc has, and we’ll see if we can sort it and Warner without bringing additional scrutiny to the club.
Since the charges against you were dropped, LaBlanc has stopped and harassed four local members.
He’s playing it fairly smart, only tapping solo riders.
We’re going to recommend everyone have a second going forwards.
” Ruger looked at Busk. “You know, I think I’d like to go to the Zebra tonight.
” He glanced at Cherry. “I’ll be your second. ”
Busk opened his mouth and then snapped it shut. “Your decision.” He pushed away from the table and stalked to the door, leaving without saying anything else.
“Everything okay with him?” Cherry asked and Ruger answered with a wave.
“Let’s roll,” he said instead. “Can’t get there if we never leave.”
As they walked through the door of the bar, a fight was just breaking out. Cherry caught the first thrown chair before it could hit Ruger, and then looked to the altercation. Only half surprised it was between Warner and LaBlanc, he turned to Ruger. “Our hand might be forced.”
“Then it’s forced.” Ruger cracked his knuckles. “Let’s see what’s going on, brother.”
Charli was standing on the bar, shouting at the fight, and turned to them and said, “God am I glad to see you. Can you stop this madness?”
Given the perfect opening, Cherry strolled in and caught LaBlanc in a pincher hold from the back, effectively trapping both arms. Warner bent over, arms clutching his midsection.
“He’s a fucking queer,” LaBlanc shouted. “Not worth anyone’s time. His folks aren’t going to be so thrilled with their boy now, are they, cuz?”
Meanwhile Ruger stepped in front of Warner and just shook his head, the expression on his face black with rage.
Cherry tipped his head to the side as LaBlanc struggled to free himself.
Putting his mouth close to LaBlanc’s ear, he asked, loud enough the entire bar could hear, “Did you just fucking out someone without their permission?”
“He’s just a fucking queer.” LaBlanc stared at Warner over Ruger’s shoulder.
“Shut your mouth,” Ruger said without turning around. “Heard about enough outta you.”
Cherry looked around, unsurprised that the bar had emptied with the exception of IMC-tied folks.
He adjusted his hold on the man, pulled his pistol, and snapped it hard against the back of LaBlanc’s head.
Cherry held his weight for a moment before letting him fall to the floor like a puppet whose strings had just been cut. “He’s quiet now, boss.”
Ruger turned and took in the scene, the darkness fading from his features.
“Good call, Enforcer.” He turned back to Warner.
“Marcus, right?” As expected, having the local president of a club he’d been trying to get into know him snapped up Warner’s head, fast. His features were white, mouth pursed in pain, something Cherry recognized.
He grabbed a chair and slipped it behind Warner, using a hand on his shoulder to guide him down. “Cop a squat, dude.”
Ruger stepped to Cherry’s side. “You’ve got just a couple of minutes to explain what was going on before LaBlanc is cogent enough to remember anything. Tell me, Marcus, what’s going on?”
Warner let his head swing low, shoulders hunched up like wings. “He’s family. I can’t speak on him.”
“Minute and a half left before Cherry and I walk. Talk.” Ruger got down on one knee, grunting as he landed. “Fucking shit. Cherry, gonna need a hand up and we’re never speaking of this.”
Cherry laughed, and felt the muscles of Warner’s neck loosen. “Yes, boss,” he responded, gave Warner a squeeze and stepped back.
“He’s family.”
“You already claimed him. Don’t know why, but you did. You’ve been on runs with us, you know what the IMC stands for. We’re found family, not just blood, and I like to think our bonds are stronger as a result. What was the fight about just now?”
“He caught me at a club downtown last night. I thought I’d gotten out before he saw me, but no such luck.
” Warner’s head came up, his expression furious.
“It shouldn’t make anyone no nevermind if I’m a cocksucker.
And I am one, you should know that before you say anything else.
I can make myself scarce if that’s a problem. ”
“Not a problem for me.” Ruger looked up at Cherry. “Problem for you, Enforcer?”
“No, Prez. No problem here.” He paused for a moment, deciding, then thought of Denis’ face and said, “I’m a cocksucker, too, in case that changes your mind, Marcus.” Cherry felt faint for a moment, the enormousness of what he’d just done slamming into him like a freight train.