39. Jack
JACK
The party is in full swing.
As tends to be the case with these events, no one is holding back. The beer is flowing easily, and I pick up on the sweet tang of weed on the air. Old eighties rock music blasts from a speaker, but it’s drowned out by the laughter and voices.
I’m holding back from the booze. It wouldn’t be a good idea to drink while I’m still on pain meds. Besides, I’ve got something important I need to do this evening, and I want my head on straight.
I called Church earlier with a question to ask, and the answer to that question was unanimous. Rook is to be patched in as a full member of the club. Maybe he’s made some bad choices along the way, but he proved himself with the part he played in rescuing Ghost while I was in the hospital.
My cell buzzes in my pocket, and I check it. I notice a number of other people doing the same. There’s a blue alert on my phone. Looks like there’s been a riot and several escaped prisoners from Verona Falls Prison.
Well, shit. At least that’ll keep the local cops busy this evening. They won’t be bothering us, no matter how loud and raucous this party gets, and sometimes they do get out of control, especially when we have something to celebrate.
I spot Rook over with Camile. He has his hand around her waist, and she’s smiling up at him.
She looks happy, and my heart swells for her.
I hope soon we’ll have an exact date as to when the rest of her family can be brought to America, where they’ll be safe, then she can fully relax.
I have no idea what her mother and brother will make of her becoming part of a biker club, or being with four men, especially with me being so much older, but they’re going to have to deal with it.
Hopefully, the fact we’ve taken out Hector Sanchez will go a long way to making things right with them.
If not, tough shit. We won’t give her up for anything or anyone.
So they will just have to disapprove from the sidelines.
There’s a small platform to one side of the open-air bar, which we use when we have live bands come and play, and it’s where I head now.
I climb up, mindful of my injuries which still tweak with pain at any sudden movement.
The crowd notices me, and, because I’m the president and they respect the hell out of me, I don’t even need to shout at them to be quiet.
Someone shuts off the music, and a hush falls over the crowd.
I raise my voice so even those at the back can hear.
“We’re here tonight to say thank you and goodbye to our friends in the Jackal Riders.
They will be returning home shortly and will be missed.
” A chorus of cheers, and boos because they’re leaving, fills the air.
I lock eyes with some of my main guys, Phoenix, Crow, and Zoo.
I raise my drink, though it’s alcohol free.
“We couldn’t have done what we did without you, guys.
I will be forever grateful, and if you ever need the favor returned, you know where to find us. ”
Some of my guys pat them on the back and tap their beer cans and whiskey glasses together.
I spot Bear with Shelley, and Megan with them, too.
It’s good to see them here, mingling with everyone else.
They look like they’re doing okay, though I imagine it’ll be a long road of healing for Megan.
She’s told more of her story since we freed her, and she said that a couple of guys posing as cops stopped her on the road on her way home from work, citing a traffic violation, and they knocked her out with a chemical drenched rag over her face.
The next thing she knew, she’d been locked in the trunk of a car.
Her husband has been rock solid since she’s been home, Shelley says. Megan wanted to come here tonight to thank everyone again for helping free her, but he stayed with their son. Hopefully, he’ll get to know us in his own time. I think it would be good for Shelley to see more of her sister.
I drag my gaze from them and focus back on the task at hand, talking to the members who are hanging on my every word.
“There’s something else we’re here to do tonight.” I look over all the expectant faces and land on one in particular. “Rook, get the hell up here.”
Rook jerks his head up and blinks at me as though he imagined me saying his name. Camile gives him a little shove.
“Yes, Rook. You. Come up here.”
He makes his way through the crowd, still looking wary. I bet he thinks he’s in trouble, again, and I wonder if he’s considering making a run for it.
He joins me on the small stage and gives me a nervous smile. “Hey, Prez. What’s up?”
“Rook, I heard nothing but good things about you while I was in the hospital, how you took the lead on things and made smart choices every step of the way. Earlier today, I called Church to take a vote on whether we should patch you in as a full member of the Verona Falls Riders, and I’m happy to say the vote was unanimous. ”
“Unanimous?” he repeats, seeming to not get it.
I sling my arm around his shoulders. “It was a yes, Rook, you idiot.”
From the crowd, Camile gives a squeal of excitement and bounces up and down on her toes, clapping.
Rook seems to finally get it, and a smile spreads across his handsome young face. “Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously.” I clap him on the back. “Welcome to the Verona Falls Riders.”