Chapter 20
WHITE BOY
Standing at the head of the table, arms crossed over his chest, Prez gets down to business.
“Nobody leaves this fucking compound without permission,” he declares, and by the chorus of grunts all around, we’re fine by that.
Even if it pisses the Sacred Sisters off, their safety matters more than their comfort.
Gunz, our sergeant-at-arms, shoves out of his chair and gets to his feet. He and Prez exchange a look, and we know what’s about to go down before he speaks.
“It seems Remy ain’t happy we keep takin’ out his men. We’re fuckin’ up his cash flow. So, like any dumbfuck would, he hired a small-town wannabe, who knew nothin’, so they can’t say nothin’, to pay us a visit. Someone we’d never see comin’.”
“Are there more of ‘em?” Blimp asks from his spot at the table. Leaning back in his chair, he strokes his beard.
“Could be.” Gunz shrugs, not all that concerned.
“But I don’t think so. This was lazy. Even for him.
Nothing more than a quick show of force, to let us know he’s got an eye on us.
” Gunz double-taps the side of his eye. “Which tells me that whatever Rosie and Kade have been doin’ from Texas is really stirring up trouble.
And with some of our other brothers and the sisters steppin’ up, he’s just now gettin’ a small taste of our reach. He’s scared. Scared bitches lash out.”
I hum in understanding as other brothers grunt.
“Then what’s our play?” Dallas asks from his seat at the table.
“None. No play,” Gunz replies. “We sit tight, stay on the compound, and kumbaya for a week or so, as the other chapters run through whatever they can of Remy’s pedo rings.
He’ll have eyes on us. The more we act unaffected here, the angrier he’s gonna get.
He expects retaliation. For us to leave.
To hunt him down. But he didn’t get our ladies this time, so there’s no need.
He’s losing his foothold in America. It won’t be long before some other big player swoops in, and he’ll be so busy fightin’ for territory that he won’t notice us anymore.
That’s when shit will get ugly. Until then, we sit tight. ”
A handful of brothers groan their disapproval, while the rest of us keep our traps shut.
I don’t wanna leave my family, not after what went down.
Another run that takes me away from Jade and Hunter?
Nope. I don’t want that shit. Not for a long while.
If that means I’m stuck mopping floors and gettin’ my ass chewed out, then so be it.
“What about Pixie’s shop?” Axel chimes in.
“We’ll rebuild it,” Gunz replies.
Axel grunts. “And the women who died?”
“We already paid off their families,” Big adds.
Relief lifts from my chest, knowin’ my brothers are gonna do the best they can to do right by their families. Money can’t fix what happened, but it can help soften the blow.
Gunz’s blue gaze sweeps across the dimly lit room. “Any other questions?”
Pushing off the wall, I step forward and signal to Big, who dips his chin for me to speak. “Prez, you free to marry someone today?”
All my brothers’ eyes swing to me. Viper smirks and reaches around Bulk to clap me on the shoulder.
Blimp snickers.
Meeting his gaze, I arch my brow and flip him off.
His lips split into a big, cocky smile.
Asshole.
Ignoring him and the rest of the fuckers, I turn my attention to our prez, who I need to do me a solid, so I can marry my woman today. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Or next month. Today.
“Jade, huh?” Big’s lip twitches.
Christ. Not him, too.
“Yeah.”
“It’s about fuckin’ time,” Bulk throws out.
I rub my temple with my middle finger, so they get the point. “Listen. I get it. White Boy finally got his girl. But this needs to be done today, before she changes her mind.”
Every asshole in the room laughs, even our prez, and I let them have their moment.
That’s what they do. Give me shit. Once the douchebags are done yukking it up, they take turns congratulating me with back slaps, a few chin lifts, and Kai, our VP, stands from his seat next to Big and offers me his knuckles to pound.
When the room finally sobers, Big nods at me. “I got you, brother. I’ll marry you today. Just tell me where.”
Thank fuck.
“In the common room, in an hour.” And not a moment longer.
“Damn.” Kai whistles and grins like a cocky surfer boy. “Someone’s ready to claim that ball and chain.” He waggles his brows.
He, too, gets a middle finger salute. “Oh. Fuck off.”
Throwing his head back, our VP barks a laugh, and I join him. These assholes are relentless today.
“Does that mean Bitty’s free pussy?” Jizz asks from the back wall, as if that’s what’s important here—free range pussy.
“I dunno.” I shrug all nonchalant and shit. “Ask Viper. Is she free pussy?”
“Wait. Hold up.” Looking around Bulk, eyes wide, Viper lifts his hands in mock surrender. “Don’t make this shit about me. I don’t turn hot chicks down.”
This is true. He doesn’t. As long as he keeps his roaming hands away from Jade’s assets, then we’re good.
“What do you need from us?” Mickey cuts in, being helpful.
“Just be there…” I snap my fingers. “Oh… and I need someone to brand me.”
“You’re gonna need a brand for that,” Gunz notes.
“I have one.”
“Already?” This comes from Brew, who never took a brand for his old lady.
I swing my gaze to him. “Yeah, asshole. Already.”
He whistles. “Shiiit. This is serious.”
“Yep. Pretty serious.” I roll my eyes. Why else would I bring this up over church, when I could talk to Big in private? I ain’t got time for that.
“I’ll do it. I’ll give ya the brand.” Blimp knocks his knuckles on the tabletop.
I incline my head in gratitude, and he does the same. We’ve got each other’s backs. Always have. Always will.
For a few more minutes, my brothers keep on giving me shit, just as I expect them to. Once they’re done, we finish church, and I race to prepare a slapdash wedding to the woman who’s always been mine.