Jalisa Chapter 19
Things had been super tense around the Pagan Souls and the Hell’s Fiends clubs.
I knew firsthand about the Pagans since I lived there.
Tonda kept me informed of what was happening at theirs.
Panther, Cougar, and Tonda returned to Athens the following day after Dad’s revelations.
He was taken with them. No one told me what the punishment would be from Panther and the club.
I hated that for Dad. He loved his club but was wrong and needed to be disciplined.
Speaking of punishments, while we waited, the club informed Dylan that he had to be reprimanded in some way for not asking permission for me to be in their territory.
While I knew why they had to do it, I hated to see him penalized because of me.
When we were alone, Wrath confessed that he didn’t want to do it.
He felt it was the only way we might’ve met.
However, he had to set an example. I told him I understood, which wasn’t a lie.
The club thought hard about his fine. I knew common ones were money fines, the extension of one’s prospecting time, or a beating.
I disliked all of them for him. He’d taken me in to protect me because I was family, and he loved me.
I would’ve done the same. When they informed Dylan of his penalty, I was stunned.
I had never heard of it. I felt terrible for him, but it was kinda funny, too.
He was forced to stand out in front of his old apartment building, the one where I was attacked.
He no longer lived there, thank God. The guys got him to move into the clubhouse.
He wore a two-piece bikini, heels, a wig, and sunglasses, which was a small blessing since they helped hide his identity.
He held up a sign that read, I had a girl in my apartment without permission.
I’m a troublemaker, and she’s our new queen bee. Next time, I’ll ask.
The guys were terrible. They got into picking out his bikini and heels, while others chose the wig, and he was advised on how to do his makeup.
He took it like a champ, and although we all laughed, he did it without a complaint.
When he was done, the guys slapped his back and congratulated him on being a great sport, and they assured him that he’d paid his dues.
I apologized for causing him trouble. He was so calm about it, and he told me he’d stand out in a bikini and heels any day for me.
I hugged him while the guys whistled and told us they loved the girl-on-girl action.
Dylan was still in his getup. We smirked, then turned and posed with our hips thrust out and our hair thrown back.
This move caused a bigger uproar of laughter and teasing.
That small interlude relieved us of a tiny amount of the stress from wondering what would happen with Killer and if Lion would keep his word.
As the seventy-two-hour deadline loomed closer, all of our anxiety grew.
This morning, I snapped at Wrath for no reason.
He’d stomped out of the house angry after I did.
Later, I found him in his office at the clubhouse. We apologized to each other.
Now, everyone was gathered in the common room.
It was minutes away from the deadline. Lion had contacted Wrath earlier in the day, stating he’d have an explanation and update for him at six o’clock.
I was seated with Wrath on one side and Betty on the other.
Rage was on her opposite side. The other Pagans were seated either at our table or the one next to us.
Conversations were happening in whispers.
We all jerked to attention when the sound of motorcycles drawing closer snagged our notice.
The proximity alarm went off. Men scattered as they took up arms. No one was out at the gate.
The monitor over the bar showed six bikes and a car coming to a stop outside the gate.
The man on the lead bike was recognizable.
He whipped off his sunglasses. I held my breath as he raised to push the button on the speaker.
It buzzed into a receiver in the bar area, close to the monitor. Keno was behind the bar, looking at Wrath with a questioning expression.
“Is anyone home? It’s your friendly deliveryman,” the jokester at the gate shouted.
We could see his grin and that of the men with him.
He was sure in a good mood. Wrath gave Keno a nod.
The prospect then pushed a button, which triggered the heavy gate to open automatically.
The leader retook his seat, and all the bikes and the car drove inside the compound once the opening was large enough.
“Stay close and be prepared for anything,” Wrath told me. I nodded. I was armed just as the men and Betty were. We all had our guns ready, just in case we needed them.
As a unit, we walked outside. Wrath, Storm, Ryder, and I were in the lead.
The rest of the club fanned out behind and to the sides of us.
Dylan and Keno brought up the rear. The bikes came to a standstill in the front parking lot.
The engines were cut, and the men swung off them. Helmets were removed.
A big smile adorned the leading man’s face as he walked up to Wrath, holding his hand out. My man took it. As they shook hands, the others with him did the same to the Pagans’ officers. Once the niceties were observed, he began to speak.
“I bet you wondered if I’d keep my word, didn’t you? I don’t blame you if you doubted me. I may not be an angel. However, I am a man of my word. I said I would take care of the Killer issue. There’s just one final piece to complete,” Lion informed Wrath.
“I won’t lie. I did have some doubtful moments. I’m glad to see you. Why don’t you guys come inside and have a drink? Then you can tell us what you did and if we should expect any blowback from the Greensboro chapter,” Wrath stated.
A man with Lion snorted and wore a smirk.
There was a guy by the car. Lion waved at him to follow.
Inside, Keno and Dylan got behind the bar to serve drinks.
They were passed out quickly. Once everyone had something in their hands, even if it wasn’t alcoholic, Lion and his men sat with the Pagans.
Lion took a long swallow of his beer and then spoke.
“First, let me introduce my guys. We didn’t do that last time we were here.
I think it’ll be useful for us to get to know each other’s names.
This is Corker, my VP. Next to him is Sundown, my enforcer, and on the other side of Sundown is Parrot.
He’s my secretary. Next to Parrot is Shovelhead, my sergeant-at-arms, and this is Ding, my treasurer.
Standing behind Ding is our prospect, Ding’s baby brother, Matt. ”
Murmurs and nods greeted them. That left Wrath to run through the names of his men, though it took a bit longer.
“Now that we know each other’s names, do you mind telling us what went down and if we need to worry about anything?” Wrath asked.
“You won’t need to worry about Killer or his crew.
That problem is ninety-nine percent fixed.
The last one percent will be finished today.
As for the Greensboro chapter, it seems that Killer and his guys weren’t the only ones knowingly involved with the trafficking business.
The entire fucking club thought they would continue to do it, and I’d be none the wiser.
They didn’t feel we should give up money like that.
They realized the error of their ways. The Greensboro chapter is no more. They’ve been sent to meet the devil.
“However, that doesn’t mean a new chapter won’t take their place there. We have to maintain our territory. Greensboro is key to that, so I’m bringing in men from other Outlaw chapters who aren’t traffickers. Men I know I can rely on.” Lion paused, then resumed.
“I can tell that doesn’t make you happy, but I promise these men won’t step on your toes or cause issues. They know that won’t be healthy for them or tolerated.”
“As long as they stay in their area, we’ll stay out of their way,” Wrath stated.
“I wanted to talk to you about that. I wish Panther were here, but maybe you can speak to him about it, and then he and I can talk later. As I told you a few times, I’m no angel, Wrath.
We’re bikers and like to live our lives by our rules.
That’s the story for most of us. However, I’ve been fascinated by your club and those you’re friends with.
You were all one-percenters in the past, yet decided to leave that life behind.
Or at least leave it mostly behind if what I hear is true.
You’re not above getting your hands dirty or bloody to right wrongs and protect your own and others.
“I’ve had a lot of fun, but constantly going to war and competing with other outlaw clubs to take and keep territory and businesses gets old.
I’ve been thinking for a while, even before I got this position, that the Black Outlaws need to change.
Not completely, but significantly. I’m fifty years old.
I want to enjoy growing old. Who knows, I might even find myself an old lady. ”
When Lion paused, Rage spoke up. “That’s what made me decide to get out of that insanity when I was president.
Wrath has taken us even further. The businesses we have support us well and are all legal.
He’s finally got himself a woman, and I hope grandkids come soon.
As for finding a woman for yourself, I found my Betty well into my fifties, so there’s hope.
It sounds great what you said. Tell us what all this talk means. Why tell us any of it?”