CHAPTER ELEVEN
The gate rolls open and Whiskey pulls his truck into the compound. Damn, it’s good to be home. Four months away was too long. The doctors and therapists didn’t want me to leave the center until I was able to do everything on their checklist. I’m still getting used to this prosthetic leg, but I worked hard every day.
“You know there’s a party waiting for you inside?” Whiskey chuckles.
“Yea, I figured, but it’ll have to wait ’til after Church. We’ve got business to discuss.” The truck stops and I get the door open, sliding out before he can rush around to help.
The doors are open and every Brother, Old Lady, family member, and club girl is scattered around the main room.
“WELCOME HOME!” roars out at me.
“CHURCH!” I bellow back, and the room laughs.
My Old Lady heads straight for me. She’s pissed, but I try to intercept the fight. “Before you complain, yes, it has to be now.”
“But we’ve been preparing all day,” she whines.
“I need to take care of what we talked about the other day.” I try to get her to catch my drift.
“Oh. Now?” And she gets it.
I nod, squeeze her hands, kiss her lips, and start my trek across the room.
As soon as the Church doors are shut and everyone’s sitting, I start at the beginning.
“I went to pick up Blue’s birthday present and stopped for gas on the way back. This guy was harassing a young lady standing out front, so I told him to fuck off. The girl managed to run away, but the guy got angry and was spouting off nonsense. I just left him there yelling.
“I didn’t even get a mile before I saw a truck in my mirrors. It was approaching fast, so I slowed down thinking it wanted to pass. Next thing I knew, he swerved into me and I was going down. I could feel my left leg slide on the road, then I couldn’t move. My vision was going fuzzy, but I saw him back up toward me. That’s when I felt the pressure. He backed over the bike with me under it, then drove away. It happened fast and I blacked out.”
“Most of you know already,” Whiskey takes over, “but someone witnessed everything and called the police. Deputies arrested a man named Shane Miller for drunk driving and he’s been charged with attempted homicide.”
The room bursts in a mix of celebration and anger.
“Enough!” I slam the gavel and everyone quiets. “Next order of business. I’ve discussed this with the officers, but it’s time to bring it to a club vote.” I look at Whiskey sitting at the far end of the table.
“I motion for Mountain to pass his President patch to Whiskey!” Brick bellows.
“I second,” Bear follows.
The look that crosses Whiskey’s face is a mix of disbelief and pride. He instantly sits straighter in his chair, but then freezes. “Why now?’
“Because I can’t ride. Therapist says maybe one day, but not any time soon. That means I can’t be a proper leader. Now’s your time to step up. You’ve been preparing for this your whole life.”
“I won’t lie and say I’m not hesitant, but I’ll do you and this club proud.” His eyes are locked on me. “Wait . . . what about Steel? He’s the VP.”
“There’s just over a year left in his sentence. He called yesterday and I filled him in. He’s good with whatever we decide. So, we vote. Everyone in favor, say ‘aye’.”
Bear stands up. “Aye.”
Brick stands next. “Aye.”
That’s how it goes, all the way around the table. Every single Brother stands and announces his acceptance of my son becoming this club’s next President.
That just leaves me. I stand and slide off my cut, holding out my hand. Butch hands me his pocketknife and I carefully cut the threads free from the leather. “Come here, son.”
Whiskey makes his way to stand in front of me. I hold the President patch in my right hand and reach out to him, palm up. He places his hand in mine and we shake. I pull him into a hug and squeeze him with everything I have. I step back and look him dead in the eye. “Aye.”
“That makes it official.” Bear bangs the gavel. “From this day forward, until the end of his time, Whiskey is President of the Rebel Vipers MC.”
“Hell yea!” This comes from Whiskey’s best friend, and lifelong partner in crime, Hammer. He rushes Whiskey and almost sends both of them to the floor. Congratulations are made all around.
In this life, we don’t get many ‘happy’ days, but this one is definitely up there for me. The day Connor was born is at the top. Second is the day Blue agreed to be my wife and Old Lady. Looking back, she said three days was too fast, but let me tell you, it was perfect for us. And lastly, today. Knowing my boy will be leading this group of crazy misfits, I couldn’t be happier. I’ll follow his lead until the day I die.
When things calm down a bit, I whistle to get everyone’s attention. “I’ve one thing to say before we go celebrate.” I pause, taking a minute to look around the room. “No matter what happens, we have each other. If anyone tries to mess with this MC, thinking it’s going to be easy, they’re poorly mistaken. They’re going to have a battle. And before they get to us, they’ll have one hell of a mountain to climb.”