Chapter 5
MAESTRO
“What are you laughing at?” Cash wants to know as he settles in his seat to my right.
“Red. I’m not sure he knows what to do with Emily. She’s totally different from Mom.”
“And that’s funny?” Cash asks, puzzled.
“Yep,” I nod. “It’ll keep Red on his toes having someone that won’t take his shit lying down.
He needs a strong woman.” I hesitate a minute before continuing.
“Not that Mom wasn’t strong. She was. Just in a different way.
She was more subtle about it, whereas Emily is way more vocal.
I like her for Red. How does Lizzie feel? ”
I hadn’t thought how seeing Dad with another woman would affect Lizzie. Our mom and Lizzie had been as close as mother and daughter could be, and I know losing her hit Lizzie hard.
Cash pats my shoulder. “She’s okay. Lizzie likes Emily. She’s happy for your dad. You know if she didn’t like her, she’d have made that clear. Your sister is not a wilting flower.”
“True,” I agree, “but still I wanted to make sure she’s okay with all the changes.”
“Are you kidding? Lizzie is fucking thrilled about Stacey, and all the kids coming into our lives. You don’t have to worry about your sister, Roman. Lizzie is fine. I’d let you know if there was a problem. Now, tell me why you’ve called church.”
I was relieved. Cash would have let me know if Lizzie was struggling. I should have known that. He wasn’t just a fantastic best friend; he was an exceptional husband and Old Man. Couldn’t have asked for a better-suited man for my sister.
“Maestro,” Cash pushes, pulling me from the contemplation of all the changes that had happened in our lives in a few short weeks. “Why did you call church?”
“Red asked Emily to be his Old Lady; we need to put it to a vote and he wants a party this weekend. The prospects are over there now, moving her into Dad’s.”
“He’s not wasting time, is he?” Cash chuckles. “At least Blake and his family can move into the cottage quicker than expected.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “It’s one of the reasons Emily was over at Dad’s earlier.”
Our conversation is interrupted as the brothers start to file in, with Dad bringing up the rear.
Once the brothers are settled into their seats, I slam the gavel down on the table. “Church in session. Before I give Red the floor, do any of you have any problems?”
The brothers shake their heads. “Okay.” I nod towards Red. “Floor’s yours Red. Ask the brothers your question so we can put it to a vote.”
“Appreciate it, Maestro,” Red says, pushing his chair back and standing up.
“A few weeks ago, when we brought Emily, Ford, and Poppy home, I made a claim on Emily. I want to officially make her my Old Lady and have it recorded.”
He sits back down and looks over at me. I bite back a smile because the old man’s looking nervous as fuck. Not sure why. The brothers kind of all figured that he was going to make her his Old Lady when he put her on the back of his sled last weekend.
“You heard the man brothers, let’s take a vote. Buck start us off. Aye or nay?” I tell our Sergeant-at-Arms.
Buck eyes Red for a minute before he replies. I’m not certain, but there looks to be a slight sheen of sweat on Red’s brow.
“Aye,” Buck calls out. And so, it goes around the table with Cash recording the votes until it gets to me.
For a minute, my and Red’s gazes meet. I know I’ve already told him that I’m happy for him and Emily but decided it would be a good thing for the brothers to hear.
Mum and Chains have been gone for years now, and I know Dad has struggled with his grief for a long time.
Mom wouldn’t have wanted him to be alone.
I’m glad he found someone like Emily. She’s good for him and has slotted into our family like she’s always been one of us.
“I know I’ve told you this already,” I tell him. “I’m happy for you Pops. It’s an aye from me.”
The relief on his face makes me chuckle as we wait for Cash to let us know the verdict, although as there hadn’t been a single nay, it was all good.
“Majority rules,” Cash states with a smile, closing his book. “Congratulations Red. Lizzie and I are happy for you. Emily is a great lady.”
“Looks like we have a new Old Lady joining the ranks, brothers,” I say.
A cheer rings out and boots stamp as the brothers chant, “Red, Red, Red.”
Fucking love the brotherhood.
Red’s face breaks into a grin. “Thank you, brothers. Maestro is organising a cut party for this weekend.”
“Fucking awesome,” a brother shouts out. “Looking forward to it, Red. Congratulations.”
This sets off another round of hooting and hollering. We Wraiths love a good party.
Putting my fingers to my lips, I whistle to get them to settle down.
When they do, I continue, “I’ll get the Old Ladies to sort out the food.
Buck, if you can have the prospects stock up on booze.
” When he nods his agreement, I turn back to the brothers again.
“Family only for this one. If you have a significant other that’s not an Old Lady but would like her to come that’s fine but make sure they understand that their behaviour is a reflection on you.
I’m not putting up with drama of any kind.
Any issues and they’ll be kicked off the premises and the brother that brought them will be fined.
” I stare around the table, meeting the eyes of each brother in turn.
I need them to understand how serious I am.
We haven’t had a proper party for a long time; this would be the first where we were allowing outsiders back in, and ground rules needed to be set because I wasn’t going to have drama in the club.
When they all nod their agreement, only then do I continue, “Tonight we’ll be over at the club bar welcoming Emily to the family, Queens Wraiths style. You’re welcome to join us. Any questions?”
When I get a resounding, “No, Pres,” only then do I pick up the gavel and slam it down. “Church dismissed. Ride safe, brothers.”
Church slowly emptied, I stood and followed the brothers out, locking the door behind me. Joining them at the clubhouse bar for a drink before leaving to pick Stacey up.
Lots of changes for the Wraiths in the last week. But the vote today was one that I welcomed.