Swerve Chapter 17
The past four days had been one revelation and emotional moment after another, starting with the bombshell that Electra was an FBI agent.
Then there was the shooting, bringing her and Rhodes to the compound, and then her telling me how she felt about me and vice versa.
Fast forward to the incredible sex and the planning for the protection of Electra and the removal of the organ traffickers.
We spent time together talking, and I answered as many of her questions as I could.
After that was through, she went to speak to Rhodes.
I wanted to go with her, but she told me it would be better if she talked to him alone.
While she did that, to help divert myself, I checked in with Annette at Recovery, then went to see Paige.
I knew she’d hate to be away from Scorpion, but it was for the protection of her and the twins.
Finally, the day had gotten to the part I wanted.
Church was in session. All the guys somehow managed to get out of work and back to the compound in record time.
It was two o’clock in the afternoon. Diablo had told me that we’d put my claim to a vote first, then move on to planning for the fight.
Even if the guys didn’t vote her in as my old lady, we wouldn’t abandon Electra to killers.
It wasn’t who we were. But if they said she couldn’t be my old lady, then I had an excruciating decision to make—Electra or the Horsemen.
God, please don’t make me have to do that.
I wished Dozer were with me, but I insisted he be left with Electra.
He eased my anxiety on the occasions I had it. He was better than Xanax.
It was tense, and everyone’s faces showed it as we waited in silence around the table.
We had a special meeting room where we held church.
The walls were lined with pictures of past and present members from various events.
The wall behind the special chair the club had made for Diablo displayed our club’s emblem on a flag.
That same emblem was burned into the middle of the wooden table where we sat.
It was a great addition to Diablo’s chair.
It was made of the same wood as the table and had large, tall, ornate devil’s horns on each side of the back.
Lying on the table in front of him was the wooden gavel that was shaped to look like a bone.
Both were gag gifts for Diablo from the members that he loved.
Finally, Diablo got the meeting started with his usual, “Alright, you filthy animals, you’d better not have anything to complain about this week or it’s off with your heads.” There were a few smirks and a couple of soft chuckles, but for the most part, the room remained silent.
“I see we’re all in a serious mood. Good. That’ll save time. We have two things to discuss. Before we do, for those who haven’t heard, the women and children, minus Electra, have been removed from the compound for their protection. They’re being protected nearby by the O’Sheerans.”
This news caused a stir. When it died down, our president continued. “The first order of business pertains to a request from our brother, Swerve. I’ll allow him to present it.”
Diablo nodded and circled his hand in the air, indicating it was my meeting. I wish I could stand or even pace. Instead, I pushed my wheelchair away from the table. All eyes were on me.
“I’ll get straight to the point. We have so much to do tonight.
Everyone knows that Electra was planted to spy on us by the FBI.
She and Boone both acknowledge that they planned to pull her out due to the lack of evidence of wrongdoing on our part.
It was all driven by an anonymous tip. Anyway, before they could do so, we discovered her secret.
You don’t need me to recount all that happened since, except for one thing. It’s something you don’t know.”
I paused, then took the plunge. “For the past two months that Electra has been working at Wrath’s Recovery with me, I’ve been trying, and failing, not to fall for her.
Thinking it was doomed, I kept those thoughts and feelings to myself, not even telling Scorpion.
However, Electra and I talked last night and discovered I wasn’t the only one hiding things.
By some miracle, Electra feels the same way about me. She loves me and wants to be with me.”
This revelation caused them to stir and exchange glances.
No one interrupted, though, so I kept going.
“I know this isn’t easy since she’s an FBI agent, and while we’re not an outlaw club technically, we’re not without blood on our hands.
I didn’t go into detail, but she knows we’re not entirely passive when there are evil people in the world needing to be stopped, and there’s a risk they will never be.
Vigilante justice is not something she supports as an agent.
However, as a person who lost her best friend to people like the ones we eradicate, she can relate.
Her friend’s killers were never caught. She would never allow them to go free or not be held accountable for their actions.
“I’m telling you this so you know that I want to claim her as my old lady despite the challenges that come with it.
I know she lied to us. I get it. However, it doesn’t change how I feel about her.
She was doing what we would’ve done, checking to either validate or disprove a tip.
I’m asking the club to overlook how she came to be here and vote on whether you can accept her into our family as my old lady. ”
When I stopped talking, the chatter began.
It was Butcher who asked the first question.
“How do you know she’s not lying to you, and that she can accept what her life with you will be like?
Don’t take this wrong, brother, but how do you know she can cope with your paraplegia and what adjustments she’ll have to make to make it doable?
What about sex? Does she want kids? Have you truly thought about and discussed these points?
I’m not asking to be ugly. I want you to be happy more than you know, Swerve.
I can’t let you make this request without all the answers. Your dad would do the same.”
“You’re right, Dad would’ve. I can tell you that I’m as sure as anyone can be.
I’m as confident as Diablo and Scorpion were when they claimed their old ladies.
Is there a chance life throws us a curveball we can’t handle?
Of course, but I think by now, we all know I can handle curves, even blind ones.
As for the sex, take my word for it, that isn’t a problem. ”
There were exchanged grins. I kept talking.
“Electra knows that natural children are virtually impossible. She’s willing to try other avenues, including adoption.
And she’s worked with me for weeks, seeing the adjustments I have to make.
She’s seen many of the challenges I have and modifications I have to make. ”
“And you believe you can trust her not to turn us in the next time we have to kill some scumbag?” Toretto asked.
“As long as we don’t hurt innocent people and reserve killing for those who truly deserve that ultimate step—killers, rapists, pedophiles, etc.—then yes. Those are her only stipulations.”
“What about Agent Boone? Something tells me he won’t go along with us doing what we do,” Punk stated.
“Electra said that he is more rigid about rules. That’s why she won’t share that with him.
However, be aware, he will be around and a part of our lives.
He’s her brother. I want him to feel included as much as we can allow within the club overall.
Most of the time, his involvement will be with Electra and me. ”
There was more muttering and side chatter. I let them do it. I wondered how long it would last when, ten minutes later, Diablo banged the table with his bone. They all got quiet.
“Our brother has laid it out to us. We can what-if all night long. I can tell you that I spoke to her earlier today, and I don’t think she’ll betray us if we adhere to those guidelines.
She loves our brother. I saw it. And before you say she’s a good actress, I saw it back before she ever confessed.
The times I met with her at Recovery, I saw she was drawn to Swerve, and he to her.
I chose not to put my nose in it. I’m not at all surprised it has come to this.
Sure, I’d love it if she weren’t law enforcement, but we can’t have everything.
It’s time to vote. Does Swerve leave here with an old lady or not? ”
“What happens if it’s not?” Cowboy asked. I tensed. “Just a question, Swerve, not saying I’m against her,” he added.
“We’ll find out if you say no to her,” Scorpion told him.
I wondered if they’d make it a written vote, so no one would know who voted against it.
My understanding from Scorpion was that it was done as an open vote, meaning hands raised or not around the table.
It had to be unanimous to pass. Not all votes required that, but this one did.
My stomach was in knots waiting to know my fate.
Would I have it all, or would I be left losing one way or the other?
“Enough. All those in favor of Swerve claiming Electra as his old lady and making her part of our family, I want you to raise your hands on the count of three. Those who are not in favor, please keep your hands down. Here it goes. One… two… three.”
When Diablo called out three, I held my breath.
One after another, too slowly in my opinion, hands went up around the table.
I kept scanning and counting in my head to see how many had cast their votes.
By the time the number twelve registered in my head, I was out of breath from holding it.
I inhaled deeply and sagged forward in my chair.
I hung my head to keep from showing my tears.
A hand on my shoulder patted me. It was Cowboy. I sat on his left.
“Well, it looks like the Horsemen of Wrath have another old lady. Congratulations, Swerve. You should’ve known your brothers wouldn’t make you choose between her and us.
After church, get with Thunder, and have him order her property cut.
Until then, we must proceed to the next item of business.
The organ dealers know where Electra is.
As I said, Jauhnna, the kids, and Paige have been moved to stay with the O’Sheerans.
We’ll have to thank Darian for that suggestion.
We expect the bastards to come again for Electra within the week.
As far as we know, they don’t know she’s no longer at her home and with us, which we can use to our advantage.
We’ll want to have our defenses ready and, if possible, to lead them to a fight on ground we control and can easily clean up,” Diablo announced.
This triggered the happy environment to switch to a focused, serious one. I didn’t mind. We could celebrate my change in status later. Right now, protecting my new old lady was the priority.