Page 12 of Falcon

“An Escalade. I see them all the time, especially closer to the club, so I didn’t think anything about it, even when I saw the window roll down. But then I saw the barrel and I yelled. Raven looked over right as it happened, but it was too late.”

Her lip trembled and Red stood up, came back with a bottle, and poured her some more whiskey.

She wiped a stray tear from her cheek. “Thanks, hon.” After another long sip, she took a deep breath and blew it out hard. “Sorry, guys. I just–”

“Don’t apologize. But did you see anyone?” Butch asked.

She shook her head. “The window was only down enough for the gun to take the shot. And once he dropped the bike, all I remember is tumbling from the road to the median. I guess I should be glad it was grassy where I landed.”

Hawk kissed her cheek and stood. “I think we have enough for Keys. You need some rest.”

Butch stood and held out his hand. “C’mon, Mama Hen. I’ll walk you out.”

Raven had a detached house on the property, as did Hawk. They were for the Prez and VP. There was space for another, but everyone else was happy to stay in the clubhouse. It had plenty of rooms. Some guys even had apartments off site but usually crashed here.

Penny had a room in Raven’s house. We still hadn’t voted on the new Prez, but I didn’t think anyone would expect Mama Hen or Penny to leave the house. But we would work all that out once we did call church for the vote.

The rest of us headed to the bar and ordered drinks. Sugar pushed mine across, leaning over so her breasts squished together and nearly popped out of her tank top.

“Looking down, baby. I can help cheer you up,” she crooned.

I rolled my eyes. “Are you really as dense as your hair makes you look?” I knocked back the shot and stood up. “Fucking Raven’s dead and all you can think about is whose bed you’ll end up in. Get the fuck outta here, man.”

Walking away, I heard her pleading for me to stay and how sorry she was as I slammed the door open and went outside.

Butch was walking back to the clubhouse. His blond hair was tousled like he’d been rubbing it repeatedly. “Hey, Fal.”

“Hey. She good?”

He looked over his shoulder and shrugged. “As good as she can be.”

“How you doing?”

He rubbed his head, mussing his hair even more. “Alright, I guess. I hate to see her like this. And I can’t believe nothing has turned up.”

“Yeah,” I slid my hands into my pockets. “Hopefully Keys can get a lead on the Escalade now that he knows what to look for. And we need to get Hawk voted in so folks don’t think shit’s up in the air.”

Butch nodded. “He mentioned calling church for that soon. Dumb fuck acts like he’s not the only one in the running.”

I smirked. “That’s what makes him the best fit.” He was already groomed for it as soon as he was patched in. His old man hoped that one day he’d rank up and eventually take his place. He’d only wished it would be because he decided to step away. Not like this.

Eagle came outside, finishing off his beer. “Hey, Hawk’s done with Keys and said we need church.”

“Well, that was fast,” I said as Butch and I headed back inside.

We all took our seats at the round table and waited for Hawk to start. “Guys, I know it’s been over a week, and I appreciate everyone’s patience. But I know the importance of structure and perception. We’ll have some damage control to deal with and need to assure our allies we are as strong as ever and will be handling this. So, that leaves the issue of the vote.”

We all straightened in our seats. Officially, club rules were everyone write down the vote and toss it to the middle of the table. But when Hawk got voted up to VP, Raven threw that out the window. Hawk wouldn’t do that, though. He was too noble to put himself up like that, so I knocked on the table.

“Yeah, Falcon? You need to say something?” Hawk asked.

I cleared my throat. “Yeah. I vote Hawk for Prez. He’ll lead us to our destiny and avenge Raven. I know we all would, but he should lead us.”

Eagle knocked on the table, chin held high. “I second that.”

Butch knocked next. “Third. It’s what Raven would want. It’s what I want.”

Red and Rooster voted for Hawk as well, so I rose from my chair. “Looks like your vote doesn’t matter, Hawk.”

---