Page 69 of Chains

He quickly stashes the offending object away, and I notice how red his cheeks become, wondering if it’s Ella that he’s texting? Shaking my head, I remain silent, it’s not my place to raz the kid about his love life.

“Okay, getting back to the matter at hand. Are we taking out the trash in the basement today?”

“Yes,” I jump in without hesitation. I didn’t want him breathing for one moment longer than was necessary. I know it has to go to a vote before anything can be done, but I was ready to get him out of our lives for good.

“You know how it’s done in here, brother.” Kick warns me, before his eyes encompass everyone in the room.

“All those in favor, say aye,” he calls out.

As if they were one, every single brother votes with an aye, and a warmth spreads throughout my body that these men have my back.

“Okay. Once that’s done, we need a party to unwind. A family friendly party, so all ol’ ladies and kids are welcome.”

“Speaking of ol’ ladies, I know I’ve already said this, but I’d officially like to make Zoe mine.” I announce surprising my brothers. I don’t know why, because I’ve wanted to do it for a long time now.

There are whoops and hollers all around the room, and I can’t help but grin

Once the back slaps and congratulations die down, Riggs asks,

“We also need to vote in a new Treasurer.”

“Okay, who wants to throw their hat in the ring for Treasurer?” Kick calls out, to which Ky’s lone voice says, “I’ll do it. Why not?” He shrugs, and our President looks at his eldest son sceptically.

“Being Treasurer means you can’t spend a lot of time at the gym. You’ll need to delegate.”

“I’m up for it,” he replies stubbornly, and it suddenly clicks why he’s so adamant about it. He doesn’t want to spend so much time around the pretty vet next door. I can’t help the chuckle from escaping.

“What’s so funny?” Ky demands.

“Oh nothing, just another brother falls.” I say.

“Fuck you, brother. This has nothing to do with Sera.” he argues.

“Oh, so it’s Sera now?” My brows arch above my hairline.

“Okay, enough, you two.” Tiny’s voice booms around the room. “What are ya, kids?”

“Let’s take a vote. All those in favor of Ky becoming Treasurer, say, aye.”

We unanimously decided, adding another officer to the table.

Kick then bangs his gavel against the worn wood of the table.

“If there’s nothing else anyone would like to bring to the table? Meeting adjourned.” he tells the room, and the members who don’t hold a title file out. We stay seated at the table until the room clears, and only Kick, Ink, Tiny, Riggs, Angel, Ky, and I remain.

There’s a knowing look in the eyes of each of my brothers, and I get to my feet, taking a deep breath.

“Let’s do this.” I tell them, leading them down to the basement.

Only on rare occasions, like right now, do we bring anyone down here, and only people who deserved it. Even though Kick has allowed me to lead this little endeavor, I stand aside for him to enter first. He nods in acknowledgement and slowly takes the steep concrete steps.

The further down we go, the more the odor assaults my nose. As I clear the last step, my head turns up, a venomous smile on my face when I see the asshole—his arms tied to the ceiling with rope, his feet barely touching the ground. His head is down, and I can see his face is black and blue, his eyes swollen shut.

I look around the room at each of my brothers, and I know instinctively Ky has beaten Caleb by the smug look on my brother’s face. I give him a chin lift and a small smile. But now, it’s my turn. He needs to pay for everything he has done to my woman. The years of abuse that I wasn’t able to stop myself; something that still tortures me at night.

Silently and methodically, I remove my cut, draping it across a chair placed in the corner.

“Well, if it isn’t my dear old friend Bodie.” Caleb slurs. “Come to finish me off?”

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