Chapter 6 #2
Virgil had come. He brought with him a young Hispanic named Rafe or Rafi.
I couldn’t remember. Shit, I was actually going to have to get to know these people, to care for and about them.
Like about their lives, not just if they lived.
Well, apparently the rest of my life was going to be a test of my patience, because it was too late to back down now.
Though Kanoa was still with Lu, he sent over a haole by the name of Sebastian.
The only reason I remember that name is because I hadn’t even introduced myself to him yet and he’d already made the decree that he wasn’t joining if we were forcing him to take the road name ‘Crabs’.
While hilarious, I’d already told Tangaloa that I would allow any original member to choose their road name.
Prospects and any members that were not an Original would be subjected to shit names for shit reasons.
Nohea came. I didn’t bother asking him what he did with the Bloody Scorpions bodies.
With a nickname like Manō, there was a good chance he ate them.
He also brought with him a former priest of all things, though he still wore the white collar thingy.
I didn’t know a lot about the Catholic religion, but I had to wonder if that was legal.
Then I realized, I didn’t care. The not-priest who was dressed like a priest was named Lonnie Elwood.
Based on his accent, he was from Canada, though he didn’t specifically say.
Red and Aftermath were sticking to the back corner, observing but not interfering. Their ladies were still at Mal’s house with his woman, who I learned was named Holly.
Mal, of all people, was present. After Red and Aftermath had gone inside to see their women, I’d had a long talk with Mal.
As a former cop, I hadn’t been sure how much I wanted to tell him, but to my shock, he’d put some of it together himself.
Enough for me to wonder if I had to call Nohea to get rid of another body.
That was when the real shocker had come: Mal confessed to killing the man who’d harmed his girl in unspeakable ways.
He’d just come out and said it, almost like a challenge.
I didn’t understand why, a bit too tired and too shocked at the confession to put it together myself.
That’s when Mal told me that he wanted in.
And who better to have watching my club’s back than a former cop?
I’d told him to be at my house for the meeting, and he’d showed.
Despite the fact that he didn’t know a damn soul, he’d strode into the place with confidence, taken a seat, and was watching everyone with hawk eyes.
For having not known his name until this morning, I liked the guy.
When the twins showed up and I didn’t see anyone behind them, I asked who they’d brought. The fuckers had pointed to each other.
Not knowing how long this meeting was going to take, and still needing to get over to Lu’s place prior to getting to the nightclub for the shoot I’d booked tonight, I called the meeting to order.
Just as I did, the front door opened again, and Rory walked inside. I didn’t let my shock over seeing him here show. Only snapped, “You’re late.”
He grunted and took an open seat at the kitchen table.
My house really was not built for fourteen men—or thirteen and Hiro—to be crowded around like this.
I was going to need a bigger place for us.
Like a clubhouse. One of the biggest things Red and Aftermath had stressed was the need for family.
Even if all my people didn’t live in one place, there needed to be a central location for them to all congregate.
“You all know why we’re here,” I said to the room at large.
“And if you don’t, get the fuck out now.
I’m building something, and each of you have a role to play.
But this isn’t a decision to be made lightly.
Once you’re in, you’re in for life. If you betray me, the club, or a brother, I will turn you into living chum.
If you stay, from this moment on, you’re one of us.
That means you live as a Royal Bastard, you die as a Royal Bastard. ”
The room was silent, and no one got up or looked around nervously to see if anyone else was thinking of leaving too.
I nodded once. “Good. Before we do a deep dive into the situation we found ourselves in last night, we need to go over roles and responsibilities. Technically,” I added offhandedly, “this is our first Church meeting.
“Obviously, I’m your President.” I looked to my left. “Tangaloa is my VP. There are some positions that are open for grabs and others that I have already chosen for you. Don’t like it, tough shit. I gave you a chance to leave already. Since we don’t have a Secretary yet—”
“I’ll do it.” I looked to Sebastian. He was a newcomer, and I didn’t know him from Adam, but I also hadn’t had a position in mind for him.
Kanoa had sent him, and I trusted Kanoa. I wouldn’t be currently trusting him with Lu’s life right now if I didn’t.
“Do you have pen and paper?” I asked, not seeing anything. “Part of your responsibilities will be record keeper.
Sebastian, though, shook his head. “Don’t need it.” He tapped his temple. “Perfect recall. I remember everything I hear or read. I’ll be able to write it down later with perfect accuracy.”
Tangaloa and I exchanged a look. If I was being honest, I was more than a bit impressed, and just a tad jealous. I couldn’t remember where my car keys were half the time, and don’t even get me started on my fucking phone.
“Job’s yours,” I said with a nod. “We’re going to get cuts made for everyone so make sure you get Sebastian your sizes.”
I pointed to Mal in the back corner of the room. “Mal’s my neighbor and a transplant from Alaska. He’s a former cop,” I openly announced. “For that reason, I’m making him my Sergeant at Arms.”
Rory’s eyes narrowed. Though he wasn’t the only one—there were many in the room who weren’t fans of cops—he was the one who spoke up. “Can we trust a pig, even a former one?”
Mal did not take offense to the slur. Instead, he calmly stood up off the wall, like he was merely stretching. “If you’re going to question Aloiki’s authority and decisions this early into the meeting, why are you even here?”
Rory’s pale cheeks flushed.
Hiro giggled. “Your Irish is showing.”
Rory’s glare turned on them, but Hiro just smiled before turning back to their phone. I didn’t know if they were playing Candy Crush or hacking into the Pentagon. Either was a possibility for them.
“Mal’s got a point,” I told Rory. “You came, you stayed. That means you want to be here or you’re hoping being here gets you something you want.
” I held the man’s gaze, not backing down.
“It won’t,” I warned him. We stared at each other for a long and intense moment until Rory looked away, his jaw tight.
I still looked at him an extra second before I turned to the room at large.
“Rory’s…feelings bring us to a different topic of conversation, but one that has to be said.
The Royal Bastards live by a code, and so will we.
You’ll learn this code, breathe it, swear by it.
And part of that code is to never disrespect or to bring harm to an Ol’ Lady.
” When Rory glanced up at me, I added pointedly to him but loud enough for everyone to hear, “Lu’s mine.
She’ll wear my cut.” For old time’s sake, I softened my voice as I said, “And for the record, I am sorry about Aaleah. She was a good woman, and I should have been there to protect her. I am aware that apology is years too late, but it still needs to be said.”
It took him a moment, but slowly, he nodded, conceding.
“And mahalo for volunteering for the position of Nomad.” My smile was wolfish. “I know how much you love living on your boat and being on your own. I thought the position was perfect for you.”
Rory’s nostrils flared. “You’re such an asshole, Aloiki.”
“True,” I said. “And keep in mind that I’m your President now. You owe me respect whether you want to or not. You can hate me all you want, but you will respect me.”
I looked to Hiro. “I’m surprised you’re here, but grateful. We can use your skills as a hacker.”
“Frankly, I’m a little insulted I didn’t receive a personal invite after last night,” they said without looking up from their phone.
“You tend to not want to be in the same room with me,” I reminded them. “And I didn’t think you knew how to ride a motorcycle.”
Hiro snorted. “Bitch, please. I can learn.” It was Hiro, so I let the ‘bitch’ comment go, even though I’d just lectured Rory about respect. “And I’m pretty sure over half of us in this room don’t want to be in the same room with you.”
Tangaloa snorted, and then coughed to cover it up.
“I have one stipulation,” I said to Hiro, turning back to them, “for you to join. You need to return my money you took six years ago.”
Hiro’s expression was the epitome of innocence. “Moi? I’d never!”
I just stared at them.
They pouted. “Fine, but I want it on record that I’m doing so under protest!”
I shrugged. “Noted and don’t care.”
“You know,” Hiro said with the biggest puppy eyes I’d ever seen. “I needed the money. My kūkū was sick, and her hospital bills were piling up!”
“Your kūkū lives on the Big Island and teaches luau to tourists,” I argued blandly. I’d known his grandma for years.
Hiro cursed. “My dog was sick?”
“You don’t have a dog.”
“My goldfish was sick?”
“The cracker or an actual fish?” I asked, a bit curious how far they’d take this.
“Both?” they answered like they weren’t sure.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Return my fucking money, Hiro.”
Grumbling under their breath, they returned to their phone. A second later, Tangaloa’s phone made a cha-ching! sound. Curious, I looked over his shoulder as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. I saw it was a notification from his bank.
I glared at Hiro. “Return my money to me!”